2024-2025

In the summer term, students in Years 7-10 took part in our new Elective Curriculum, where they chose an activity to do based on those offered by our school staff. It has been wonderful to see students from different year groups mixing and forming new friendships, trying out different activities that they may not have thought of even trying and taking real pride in their achievements. The products produced by students in activities like Junior MasterChef, Photography, Stop Motion Animation and Sewing have been superb and the skills gained in activities such as Creative Writing, Ultimate Frisbee, Debate, Dance and many others will surely help students with their general wellbeing and confidence.

We have also been thrilled to be able to work alongside local companies and charitable organisations to engage with our local community. In particular through the Tea and Cake sessions where we have had residents from Hillside Care Home and Broomy Hill Nursing Home join us, as well as a number of grandparents of our students. They have come into school to talk with our student group whilst enjoying a cup of tea/coffee as well as various sweet treats kindly donated by St Martin’s Food Share. These students were also able to gain a Level 2 Food Hygiene Certificate which will be invaluable for when they seek future employment. Some of our students have been working alongside the Herefordshire Wildlife Trust at Bartonsham Meadows and we’ve also had students learn to rock climb at the Green Spider Climbing centre, working towards a national qualification in climbing.

Students have been surveyed to find out their thoughts on the Elective Curriculum and the response received has been overwhelmingly positive. Over 90% of students have enjoyed the opportunity to do something different as part of their school day and many have also mentioned that they liked being able to talk to students from other year groups who perhaps they wouldn’t usually have spoken with. Students have also told us about the employability skills they feel they have been developing over the course of this half term, as well as suggesting other activities they would like us to run. In addition, staff/student relationships have been able to develop in a ‘more relaxed’ school setting.

We look forward to running our new initiative again next summer to broaden horizons for all of our pupils!