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Additionality
Intent
Holborough Lakes offers excellent extra-curricular opportunities to its pupils and has won awards for our curriculum extension, such as The Golds Art Mark and The Gold Sport Mark. Pupils are given the opportunity to participate in additional activities which encourage children’s experiences with:
- The Arts
- Sports
- Science
- Computing
- Oracy and Debating
- Geography
- Music
The activities are designed to broaden and develop the mind and body. We aim to ensure our children have personal toolboxes, which contain key knowledge and skills that allow them to navigate their world and realise their aspirations. The broader this knowledge is, the more they have to confidently offer the world.
Implementation (click for more information)
What kinds of activities can schools offer?
Examples of ‘additionality’ include those that help students develop skills and strengths beyond the classroom, such as volunteering for a charity or getting involved in community sports, arts or music events. Participating in the Young Adventurers Scheme is one way of combining different elements to ensure children have opportunities outside the normal curriculum.
“Young Adventurers helped me learn new skills like baking, and I even made my own dinner for my parents!” – Year 6 Pupil
Similarly, opportunities to take part in music lessons using Rocksteady and Kent Music schemes, enhance children’s cultural experiences.
“I like that we get to play instruments and we get to learn new songs every year – it makes me happy” – Year 2 Pupil
“I like playing the piano: I like the sound it makes. I can practice it at home too so I can be in a band when I am older” – Year 1 Pupil
At Holborough Lakes, activities and after-school clubs focus on getting students to set up a school magazine, build coding skills, learn a new instrument, or take up physical activities such as yoga and cricket. Giving children a wide variety of choice when deciding what they’re interested in, helps children to self-actualise and follow their interests.
I like doing sports in school, but I don’t get to do it when I am at home so going to Football Club means I can practice my skills and get better – I might be a football player one day! – Year 4 pupil
How we ensure children receive enriching opportunities
The school links with local businesses and charities, such as Holborough Hedgehogs.
“We enjoyed feeding our Holborough hedgehogs because we got to look after a new pet, and we found out that hedgehogs eat kitten food! I asked if we could have one as a pet when I am older” – Year 2 Pupil
Year 5 and 6 pupils are encouraged to work within local community as part of the Young Adventurers scheme, which allows them to participate in volunteer programmes. Holborough Lakes also provides many opportunities to participate in inter-school competitions where students are involved in events such as public speaking or debating events.
“When I attended the Trust Debating Competition, I had to write a speech, think about the content of my speech and then make sure that I had the confidence to deliver it in the right way. I felt very in control and powerful when my words made the audience react in the way I wanted them to” – Year 6 Pupil
As well as helping students to learn new skills, we also support pupils to build upon their existing interests by marrying up enrichment opportunities with education and career aspirations. At Holborough Lakes, children perform in musical recitals and attend art events hosted by our Trust secondary schools.
“Going to the Art event at Invicta to meet a real artist with my friends was amazing: we worked as a team and created something that represented a little part of all of us. It’s now on display in our library for everyone to see!” – Year 6 Pupil
“I loved going to Hazlitt because I got to express my feelings through dancing and singing: it was really fun” – Year 5 Pupil
Apart from organising sports activities to improve students’ physical fitness, we use these as a way of promoting students’ mental well-being, where students who are anxious or who lack confidence can learn how to participate in events, such as orienteering with their peers in a safe space.
“I like going to Art Club because it gives me time to create and relax with my friends.” – Year 4 Pupil
Impact (click for more information)
How students benefit from additionality
Pupils benefit as they gain confidence, build social skills, and become more motivated as they are having the chance to pursue their own interests. All of this leads to personal growth. Our children see themselves as important and as having a lot to offer our world, be it through citizenship, sports, intellect or kindness.
“Our school teaches me how to treat people and also how I should be treated: everyone is equal” – Year 5 Pupil
“Our school teaches us new things, so we know what to expect and how to deal with things when we grow up” – Year 3 Pupil