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Curriculum Enrichment and Personal Development

At Springfields First School, we do not just want the children to succeed academically; we want to develop the whole child. Personal development is at the core of our enrichment offer. Our children have many different talents and abilities. We therefore want to foster knowledge, skills, abilities and understanding development in many non-statutory but highly important areas further encouraging our children to achieve their potential. The Springfields Enrichment Programme sits side-by-side our delivery of The National Curriculum and offers our children multiple experiences. We promise to improve, enhance and deepen our children’s world understanding. During their time at Springfields children will be guaranteed to undertake a wide range of experiences from Reception to Year 4 that will enrich their world.

Intent

At Springfields First School we aim to develop the whole child through:

High expectations; wider-world enrichment experiences; delivering a relevant curriculum and by developing local community partnerships.

Through providing enrichment experiences we aim to develop respectful, resilient and aspirational learners, who enjoy each day and make the most of every enrichment opportunity. We believe that all children can achieve, no matter what their starting point or barrier.

Enrichment provides children with a rounded, culturally rich education through activities that are aimed to enhance their learning. Enrichment gives children opportunities to try new and varied activities that develop character, resilience and motivation and encourage them to pursue wider goals. Our aim is that the enrichment opportunities we provide will benefit the children beyond the classroom and can help them to develop an appreciation for cultural and community issues, teamwork and social responsibility.

Implementation

Through the careful planning of the curriculum at Springfields, we have ensured that children have various opportunities for enrichment available to them.

We are dedicated to providing experiences that help children to develop cultural capital and an understanding of the wider world. Our SMSC and citizenship runs throughout the new, developing curriculum linked to History, Geography, PSHE/RSHE and Science.

Impact

Evidence of our enrichment opportunities are celebrated on our weekly newsletter, in assemblies, in class floor books and on our Facebook page.

Springfields First School Enrichment Programme

Whole School Theme Days

Throughout the year, themed days/weeks are woven into the curriculum to extend the breadth and balance of opportunities we offer our children. These include Anti-bullying Week, Online Safety Day, Black History Month, Sport and Health Week, Mini-enterprise Day, Science Day, RE Days and others.

Forest School and Outdoor Learning

Forest School is an initiative designed to encourage and inspire individuals in EYFS through an innovative, long term, educational approach to outdoor play and learning in a woodland environment. As a school, we are fortunate enough to have our own Forest School.

Educational Visits

School trips and visits are an integral part of the education of children at Springfields. We value the opportunities such visits offer our children and the commitment of staff and adults undertaking them. Trips include class visits aimed at bringing learning alive and providing first-hand experience. Extra-curricular outings such as activities with the school choir or sporting events provide the experience of taking part in performances or competitions. We aim to give every child the opportunity to represent our school in something before they leave us at the end of Year 4.

Visitors to Our School

Visitors (in person and virtual) have a valuable role to play and can contribute to many aspects of the life and work of our school. They deliver talks, workshops and full day activities across a wide range of subject, giving children access to outside experiences and expertise. Visitors provide a link with the wider community - children have the opportunity to work alongside artists, musicians, authors, health professionals and others.

After School Clubs

We offer children opportunities to participate in extra-curricular activities after school, some of which are free of charge to all. At any time, a wide range of clubs is on offer - our programmes of clubs and activities is revised termly depending on the time of year. Clubs are shared at the beginning of a half term, and parent will use our online booking system to confirm the child(ren)'s place. Below is an example of our offer during 2025-26:

Music

We provide opportunities for children to take part in a wide range of musical activities and performances where they are encouraged to sing, compose and work creatively with sound. Children experience live concerts and performances. Through active listening, children's awareness, understanding and appreciation of a wide variety of music are developed. A range of opportunities are provided within and beyond the curriculum for children to showcase their musical skills and talent, for example, every year our choir take part in Stone Christmas Lights Switch on and entertain local residents at their Christmas party. Children are also able to participate in a singing club after school. Free music lessons are available to all pupils in Key Stage 2 in receipt of Pupil Premium. All children from reception to Year 4 participate in a live performance at Christmas.

Assemblies

A rounded programme of daily assemblies helps to promote children's spiritual, moral and cultural development, and provide clear guidance on what is right and what is wrong. Children are taught about our British Values and protected characteristics. We also welcome guests to deliver assemblies, which are held to inspire children and raise aspirations around potential careers for the future.

Fitness Friday

All children from Pre-school to Year 4 participate in Fitness Friday.

Fitness Friday in school is a weekly initiative designed to boost physical activity, mental well-being, and alertness by engaging students and staff in active routines. These programs often involve morning exercise sessions, active lunchtime activities, classroom breaks, or school-wide events like themed runs, jump-rope challenges, glow-in-the-dark dodgeball, danceathons etc.

Key Aspects of School Fitness Friday Initiative:

Daily Mile: Children complete laps around a playground sometimes accompanied by music.
Active Learning & Brain Breaks: Short bursts of activity are used to stimulate the brain for improved learning, with schools aiming for consistent, daily active learning sessions.
Staff and Student Engagement: Activities often encourage participation from both staff and students
Skill-Based Activities: Dedicated coaches use Fitness Friday to introduce new skills through workouts and challenges.
Well-being Focus: Fitness Friday is used to promote positive mental health, healthy eating, and to foster a supportive community.
Peer Leadership: Older children who are Sports Leaders, help organize and lead activities, fostering leadership and community. They help at Sports Days too.

Benefits Highlighted:

Cognitive Boost: Physical activity stimulates brain areas responsible for information retention, making learning easier.
Mental Well-being: Encourages endorphin release to reduce stress and boost happiness.
Healthy Habits: Promotes a long-term, active lifestyle among pupils and staff

Enrichment activities for each Year group

Whilst at Springfields we ensure that children have access to a wide variety of enrichment activities and have a number of activities that are part of our enrichment activities in each year group/key stage:

Springfields First School provides an enriching experience for every child. Governors and school leaders work together to ensure that cost is not a barrier to participating in exciting opportunities for all pupils.

Inclusive Planning ensures that we make activities accessible to all to prevent social isolation, ensuring that even cost-heavy trips or specialized activities are inclusive when required. Access is also provided to free sports clubs in the holidays for those in receipt of free school meals.