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Enrichment Activities
ELLI
In every aspect of school life you may encounter ELLI the Elephant. ELLI is an approach to teaching and learning that we use to help us understand how we can become more effective learners. ELLI stands for Effective Lifelong Learning Inventory. It is an approach developed by the Unversity of Bristol, and used in many schools to help teachers and learners think about the characteristics that can help them to succeed. Click on the Elephant above to find out more.
Residential trips
In Year 5 and Year 6 children have the chance to go away on residential trips. These are seen as an essential part of their education. For many, it is their first time away from home, and the prospect can be a bit daunting. However, the trips are very carefully planned to be safe, enjoyable, challenging and inclusive, so that everyone is able to benefit. School staff, who leave their own families behind to take the children away, enjoy the opportunity to get to know the children in a different environment, and invariably children who do not necessarily shine in the classroom are able to demonstrate their talents. The Year 6 trips have been long established and are seen as a "treat" to celebrate the end of Junior school and mark the transition to secondary. The trip at the start of Year 5 was introduced in 2008 because we have noticed how much the children mature during these residentials, and how much better equipped they are to deal with school as a result - both academically and socially.
The Pupil Newspaper
The latest copy of the new Pupil Newspaper can be found in "About Us / Downloadable Documents" - follow the links on the left of the screen. When we get a bit cleverer, we'll give it a page of its own on the website!
The School Shop
Originally started and run by the Deputy Head, with help from Year 6 children, since 2004 control has been handed increasingly to the children. They now staff and run the shop, which sells stationery to all the children every Wednesday playtime. The shop managers order the stock, set the prices, recruit staff (including their successors at the end of the year) and manage their own publicity and special promotions. (Photos of shop and Managers) (Link to Shop Page . price lists and illustrations to be provided by children, and updated by them with special offers)
Charity Markets
Coordinated by the PSHME coordinator, these break time markets usually raise several hundred pounds for charities selected by the children. They are usually timed to link with an assembly or class work on the chosen subject. In the last year, Charity Markets have raised money for Hearing Dogs for the Deaf and LEPRA. Children are invited to set up stalls in the Hall and Dining Room selling cakes, toys, books and such like, or games such as lucky dips or treasure hunts. They set their own prices, and for twenty minutes the entire school goes shopping with their pocket money.
The Willow Graphic
Established in 2004 by some children who asked if they could write a school magazine. The publishing team work independently in the ICT Suite at lunchtimes to produce copy for the magazine which comes out about three times a year. They include articles, competitions and interviews, and they commission reports from other children . for example, sports reports or film reviews. Copies are sold for a nominal price, to cover the cost of copying. Teacher input is minimal . largely consisting of proofreading prior to publication.
Film
Children who have participated in the lunchtime Film Club are in demand to film assemblies and class projects. We currently have one digital video camera and 2 computers running iMovie software for editing. Any ideas for films can be submitted to the Head for consideration, and the filming and editing equipment can then be made available for the children.s independent use. We are hoping to include much more filming in the curriculum in future to give all children a chance to learn the skills.
School Council
The School Council is developing in strength as an independent decision making body. Each class elects 2 councillors, and the Council elects a Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. They control their own budget each year. School Council provided their design input into the new school uniform and the refurbishment of the children's toilets. They raised over £3000 to buy a new climbing apparatus for the hall, and also bought a large, custom-made clock for the outside of the building so that children in the playground know what time it is.
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Values and Aims 
