Education Extra
Exciting enrichment opportunities are a key part of life here at Castledon School, whether it be visitors to school, after school clubs, school events, local trips, or even residentials and visits abroad.
Our wide range of activities are designed to map against our formal taught curriculum plans, bringing learning to life in a visual, concrete, meaningful way for our pupils (e.g. our regular visits to local historical sites such as Wat Tyler Country Park). By making these links explicit, these opportunities develop cultural capital, create a sense of joy and wonder, develop new skills, and foster a life-long love of learning. Pupils are actively encouraged to try new things, especially in the arts or sport, and where we notice a pupil may be unsure about whether to get involved, we work with families to encourage participation and remove barriers. Pupil premium funds are used to support participation, and we ensure our use of primary sports funding also contributes to our extra-curricular offer.
Highlights of our offer include:
Ski trip to Pila, Italy
Forest School
Visits to local Museums (such as Chelmsford Museum)
Animal Encounters at 'Call Of The Wild' Zoo
Kayaking at Writtle University
Driving lessons at the Cardrome
Working on location with 'TeamSport'
Our after school clubs offer is well attended, and covers a range of activities from cooking to horticulture. The offer for this term can be found by clicking here https://www.castledon.org/Clubs/
Finally, to get a true flavour of our offer, please click each image below for a brief description to see what exciting things our pupils have been involved in recently!
Supported Interns
Our supported internship offers opportunities for our students to gain practical work experience, develop essential job skills, and build professional networks in their chosen fields, thereby enhancing their employability and paving the way for a successful transition into the workforce.
Careers Fair
Our annual careers fair is an enriching experience for all our learners. We explore various pathways to provide insight, guidance, and inspiration, ensuring each student is equipped to make informed decisions about their future endeavours and aspirations.
Water Sports
Whilst learning how to paddle, steer, turn, (and even capsize!) Our students gain invaluable life skills during extra-curricular sports such as resilience, teamwork, and problem-solving, fostering a sense of adventure and confidence in their abilities to navigate challenges both in and out of the water.
Trips to Outdoor Activity Centres
We visit numerous outdoor centres in the United Kingdom in order to give our students the opportunity to explore and connect with nature, develop teamwork skills, and engage in adventurous activities that promote personal growth and resilience.
After School Clubs
The after-school clubs have been developed to enrich students' learning experiences beyond the classroom, fostering their interests in a variety of areas such as forestry, sports, arts, technology, and science. These clubs provide a supportive environment for personal growth, creativity, and the development of social skills, encouraging students to explore new passions and build lasting friendships.
Public Services
We regularly have visits from the Emergency Services who give our learners a real insight into the vital work they do to ensure public safety and well-being. These visits offer our learners a firsthand understanding of emergency response procedures, inspiring them to consider careers in service and fostering a deeper appreciation for community resilience.
Lifeskills
Life Skills lessons are designed to equip students with practical knowledge and develop essential skills to navigate the complexities of everyday life, empowering them to thrive independently and make informed decisions in various personal and professional contexts.
Residentials
We take part in thrilling adventures designed to cultivate resilience, build confidence, and foster a deep appreciation for the great outdoors, as seen in this exhilarating skiing excursion.
Bowling
Our school excursions, like this memorable bowling outing, are designed to celebrate our students' achievements and extend learning beyond the classroom into the heart of our local community. These experiences not only reinforce the skills and knowledge acquired in school but also foster a sense of belonging, teamwork, and real-world application of lessons learned.
Museum visits
Exploring cultures both historic and current allows our learners to develop a deep understanding of diversity, fostering empathy and respect for different perspectives and ways of life. It encourages critical thinking and comparison, enhancing their ability to recognise and appreciate the dynamic nature of cultures across eras and regions.
Forest School
Forest schools develop our students into resilient, curious explorers, empowering them with a deep connection to nature, critical thinking skills, and the confidence to face the world's challenges with creativity and courage.
Partnerships
Working with organisations such as 'Circles Farm' and 'TeamSport Go' allows us to offer the pupils an enriching curriculum in areas of aspiration, allowing them to develop the skills needed in their chosen pathway. It gives them the confidence and qualifications to explore various careers.
Employment Opportunities
In our vocational subjects we link lessons with opportunities for further education, employment, and training by integrating real-world applications, industry partnerships, and hands-on experiences that align with current market demands, ensuring students are well-prepared and informed about their future career paths.
Horticulture
Learning how to grow and care for a variety of plants and getting to grips with nature is important to us because it instils in our students a profound understanding of environmental stewardship and sustainability. It nurtures a sense of responsibility towards the planet while fostering invaluable skills in agriculture and horticulture.
Out of this world experiences!
Castledon School is proud to offer unique memorable experiences that help to ignite students' imaginations and foster a love for learning that extends far beyond the classroom walls.
STEAM Visits
As part of Steam Week, students have the opportunity to explore how science is integrated into our lives. Students can explore the science behind everything from toys, theme parks to the increasingly popular careers in climate change and sustainable living. Students experience visits from Teach Computing to visiting local businesses to enrich their understanding of these careers.
Remember to follow us on social media for the latest exciting adventures we have at Castledon School!
