Enrichment

At Riddlesden St. Mary's, we believe that coming to school is all about educating our children to become healthy, happy and successful citizens of the future.  We know that learning is so much more than attainment and grades on a page but a wealth of attitudes, emotions, beliefs and skills. Learning new skills benefits children in the long term. It not only helps them develop confidence and social skills from a young age, but enrichment programs are actually considered critical because the brain is developing so rapidly at this age. Research shows that learning art, music and other enrichment skills can help children excel in many ways.

The best learning incorporates physical learning – this involves handling, observing, thinking and actually doing, learning how to learn and having the opportunity to explore new ways to learn.

Our Enrichment Programme provides our children with the opportunity to try new things by exploring and developing interests beyond the classroom. Exposure to these wider skills (that are built on National Curriculum principles) not only helps them develop confidence and social skills from a young age, but may also ignite a passion in a new interest that will open doors to creativity, fitness and mental wellbeing. Children from Year 1-6 are split into 3 small mixed ability groups (of around 15-20 children) across the year group and spend one session per week enjoying:

- Cooking 

- Sport 

- Music 

Futhermore, we also have 'Themed Weeks' for Art and DT. 

Art Enrichment Week 

During Art Enrichment Week, the entire school participated in a creative event where each year group embarked on a project inspired by a famous artist. Throughout the week, pupils worked attentively on their masterpieces, which were later framed and prepared for display.

At the end of the week, we invited our parents/carers, the school community and visitors to explore our pop-up art galleries set up in the classrooms. It was a proud moment for all of us as we showcased our artwork and had the opportunity to discuss our creations with friends and family.

DT Enrichment Week 

We had a whole school DT Enrichment week which we linked to Remembrance day. Each phase within school had a different DT focus. 

In Reception, the children embarked on a fun and creative project where they designed and baked their own poppy-shaped biscuits. They started by weighing out the ingredients, mixing them together, and then cutting the dough into the shape of a poppy. Once the biscuits were baked, they decorated them to resemble poppies, allowing the children to express their creativity while learning about this important symbol.

In Key Stage 1, the children developed their sewing skills by designing and creating fabric poppies. They were introduced to the different types of coloured poppies and their meanings, gaining a deeper understanding of their significance. The children learned how to do a running stitch, which they used to join two pieces of fabric together. Their efforts in cutting, threading, and sewing demonstrated the hard work and focus they put into their creations.

In Lower Key Stage 2, the children worked on creating woven baskets and making Anzac biscuits. They began by exploring different woven products and practicing paper weaving before progressing to more complex skills like weaving and warping with wool. It required a great deal of concentration, but the results were amazing. The children also learned about the history of Anzac biscuits and followed a recipe to bake their own, which they placed in their woven baskets. Their final products were evidence to their hard work and attention to detail.

In Upper Key Stage 2, the children connected their Design and Technology project to remembering the animals that served in the war. They had the opportunity to make wooden horse puppets with moving parts, tying the project to their studies of World War I and World War II. The children researched existing wooden puppets, considering materials, design, and the tools used to create them. They then designed their own horse puppets and carefully crafted them. The final result was a fantastic display of creativity, with each puppet showcasing the children's thoughtful planning and effort.