Opportunities beyond the classroom

At North Mead, we want children to experience more than the taught curriculum.

Clubs and extra-curricular activities give pupils opportunities to:

  • discover new interests
  • develop talents
  • build confidence
  • work with different children
  • be active and creative
  • develop teamwork and leadership
  • try something they may not otherwise experience

Our aim is to make these opportunities accessible to every child.

Free opportunities for pupils

We are committed to ensuring that cost does not become a barrier to participation.

North Mead provides a programme of free after-school clubs and enrichment opportunities for pupils across the school.

The programme changes during the year so that children can experience a broad range of activities.

This may include opportunities linked to:

  • sport and physical activity
  • music
  • art and creativity
  • wellbeing
  • games and strategy
  • outdoor learning
  • curriculum interests

Current clubs are communicated to families through ClassDojo and other school communications.

A broad range of experiences

We want children to have opportunities to find something they enjoy and something at which they can succeed.

Our extra-curricular offer complements the wider curriculum and may include:

  • Sport and physical activity
    Opportunities to develop fitness, teamwork, coordination and sporting skills.
  • Music and performance
    Opportunities to sing, play, perform and develop confidence.
  • Creative activities
    Art, design and other creative experiences that allow pupils to experiment and express themselves.
  • Wellbeing and social opportunities
    Activities that support friendships, confidence, cooperation and emotional wellbeing.

Participation for everyone

We monitor participation because offering a club is not enough if some groups of children are consistently missing out.

We pay particular attention to participation by:

  • pupils with SEND
  • disadvantaged pupils
  • pupils who may not usually put themselves forward
  • children who would benefit from increased confidence or social opportunities
  • groups that may be underrepresented in particular activities

Where appropriate, we make adjustments so that children can participate successfully.

Our aim is not simply to offer more activities.

It is to ensure that more children benefit from them.

Clubs and inclusion

Children may need different kinds of support to access extra-curricular opportunities.

This could include:

  • additional adult support
  • adapted instructions
  • sensory adjustments
  • consideration of group size
  • accessible equipment
  • preparation for unfamiliar routines
  • communication support
  • reasonable adjustments to an activity

We want children with additional needs to participate in wider school life wherever possible.

Developing talents and interests

Extra-curricular activities also help us identify and develop pupils’ strengths.

A child may discover an enthusiasm for:

  • a particular sport
  • performing
  • music
  • art
  • problem-solving
  • leadership
  • technology
  • working with others

We want children to leave North Mead with a stronger understanding of what they enjoy, what they are good at and what they might want to explore next.

Competitions, performances and events

Where appropriate, pupils may also have opportunities to:

  • represent North Mead
  • participate in sporting events
  • take part in competitions
  • participate in Trust-wide activities
  • contribute to community events

These experiences help pupils develop confidence, responsibility and pride in representing their school.

Fantastic Fifty

Clubs form part of a much wider commitment to experiences and enrichment at North Mead.

Through our Fantastic Fifty, trips, visitors, performances, sporting opportunities and other experiences, we aim to broaden children’s horizons throughout their time with us.

We believe that opportunity should not depend on a family’s ability to pay.

How do families find out about clubs?

Club offers vary across the year.

Families are informed about current activities through ClassDojo and school communications.

Information will normally include:

  • the activity
  • the year groups involved
  • the day and time
  • the number of places available
  • how to request a place
  • any arrangements for collection

Where demand exceeds the number of available places, the school will explain how places are allocated.

Our ambition

We want every child to be able to say:

  • I tried something new.
  • I found something I enjoyed.
  • I had opportunities beyond the classroom.
  • I was able to take part.

That is why clubs and extra-curricular activities are an important part of the North Mead Offer.

Every Child. Every Lesson. Every Day.

Related North Mead Pages

  • Enrichment
  • Fantastic Fifty / What Makes North Mead Different
  • PE
  • Music
  • Pupil Leadership
  • ClassDojo