Enrichment Opportunities

Spiritual Development 

At Bishop Aldhelm’s, we are committed to nurturing the spiritual, moral, social, and cultural (SMSC) development of all our pupils. Our approach to religion and beliefs encourages children to explore their own values and develop a respectful understanding of the beliefs, traditions, and practices of others.

As a school community, we value inclusivity, reflection, and compassion. Through our daily collective worship, we create a calm and thoughtful space where children can pause, reflect, and grow spiritually. These moments of stillness allow pupils to consider themes such as kindness, forgiveness, gratitude, courage, and hope—values that guide us in our lives and relationships.

We offer a broad and balanced Religious Education (RE) curriculum that introduces children to a variety of world religions and non-religious worldviews. Pupils are encouraged to ask big questions, develop empathy, and appreciate the richness and diversity of global belief systems.

Through assemblies, classroom discussions, celebrations of religious festivals, and visits to places of worship, we aim to deepen spiritual awareness and promote mutual respect and understanding.

At Bishop Aldhelm’s, we believe that developing a strong sense of identity, purpose, and belonging is at the heart of spiritual growth. Our vision is to inspire children to become thoughtful, open-minded individuals who are confident in their beliefs and respectful of others in an ever-changing world.

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BABA Enrichment

In addition to teaching the National Curriculum the school also offers a Primary Enrichment Curriculum, the ‘Bishop Aldhelm’s Bachelor of Arts’ (BABA), which aims to develop children's 'Life skills'.  This will be a curriculum for pupils across the whole school, offering opportunities across a range of subjects.

We believe that for a child to become a success in their future learning and life, it is important to actively teach these 'soft-skills'.

Therefore, one afternoon a week 1:45pm – 3.15pm, the whole school takes part in Enrichment Afternoons.   During Enrichment Afternoons, children seek to develop the life skills shown in the diagram.

The Primary Enrichment Curriculum at the Bishop Aldhelm’s provides termly courses for all pupils across a range of subjects.  The courses cover a wide range of areas but are typically focused around areas which are difficult to teach within main curriculum time.

Celebrating Achievements

Celebrating learning is at the heart of BABA. The use of the name " Bachelor of Arts" is intended to inspire pupils to join a community of learners and to raise their aspirations.

Certificates are awarded at the end of each academic year; BABA Undergraduate – 1 Bishop Bond Rewarded, BABA Postgraduate – 2 Bishop Bonds Rewarded and BABA Doctorate levels– 3 Bishop Bonds Rewarded.  Honorary Certificates - 4 Bishop Bonds Rewarded, are also awarded for outstanding achievement and commitment.

Trailblazers

A common theme throughout the ‘BABA’ is the delivery of Trail Blazers.  Trail Blazers is an exciting scheme promoting outdoor learning and environmental education for young people of all ages. Trailblazer is a scheme for schools to help co-ordinate, support and develop their work in the outdoors:

  • Supports personal development 
  • Increases motivation
  • Enjoying learning
  • Promotes discovery
  • Encourages awareness

At our school, we are proud to offer a wide range of clubs and extracurricular opportunities to enrich your child's learning and support their personal development beyond the classroom. From sports to creative arts clubs to music, there is something for every interest and ability. These clubs help children build confidence, learn new skills, make friendships, and discover passions they may not find in the regular curriculum. We encourage all pupils to get involved, try something new, and enjoy being part of our vibrant and inclusive school community.

 

Careers 

At Bishop Aldhelm’s, we believe that introducing children to the world of work from an early age helps broaden their horizons, raise aspirations, and inspire ambition. Our Careers Day is designed to spark curiosity and provide our pupils with an engaging insight into a variety of jobs, industries, and career paths.

We aim to help children understand the importance of education and the many opportunities that learning can lead to. By meeting professionals from different backgrounds and sectors, pupils begin to see how their interests, talents, and strengths can relate to future possibilities.

Careers Day also promotes essential life skills such as communication, critical thinking, and confidence. We are proud to work with our local community, parents, and visiting speakers who share their experiences and enthusiasm, making the day both informative and enjoyable for all.

Together, we are planting the seeds of ambition and helping our children dream big for their future

First Chapter Friday 

We are passionate about fostering a love of reading in all our pupils. First Chapter Friday is a weekly initiative designed to ignite curiosity, encourage reading for pleasure, and expose children to a wide range of authors, writing styles, and genres.

Each Friday, we share the first chapter of a carefully selected book—ranging from contemporary fiction and classic literature to poetry, fantasy, mystery, and more. This gives children the opportunity to discover new voices, explore different genres, and find stories that resonate with them.

By regularly introducing diverse texts and authors, we aim to expand our pupils' reading horizons, build excitement around books, and inspire independent reading choices. First Chapter Friday not only supports literacy development but also opens the door to meaningful conversations, critical thinking, and a deeper appreciation of storytelling.

Through this initiative, we strive to nurture confident, enthusiastic readers who are eager to explore the world—one chapter at a time.

 

Pupil Groups

At our school, we believe it's important for children to take on roles and responsibilities that help them grow as confident, caring and active members of our school community. These roles give children a voice, help them work as a team, and build important skills like leadership, responsibility and communication. Taking part in these activities not only supports their learning, but also helps them feel proud, valued and involved in making our school the best it can be.

  • Head Boy and Head Girl - are important student leaders in a school. Their role is to represent the student body, set a positive example, and support the running of the school in a variety of ways.
  • Head Teacher Committee - The committee regularly meets with the Head Teacher to discuss ideas, suggestions, and issues raised by pupils across the school.
  • House Captains - represent and lead their house group, encouraging all members to take part in house activities and do their best.
  • Faith Council - lead by example, showing respect for others’ beliefs, caring for the community, and demonstrating the school’s values in action.
  • School Council - pupils who are elected to represent their classmates and help make the school a better place.
  • Sports Leaders - play an important role in encouraging physical activity, teamwork, and healthy lifestyles among their peers. They support the school’s sports programme and help make playtimes and PE more fun, inclusive, and active.
  • Anti-Bullying Ambassadors - play a key role in helping to create a safe, kind, and respectful environment where everyone feels valued and included. They support the school’s efforts to prevent bullying and promote kindness and friendship.
  • Stormbreak Champions - help promote positive mental health and emotional wellbeing in school through movement-based activities called Stormbreaks. These short, active sessions are designed to help children understand and manage their feelings in a healthy way.

Stormbreak

Stormbreaks are short, daily activities that combine movement, mindfulness, and emotional learning to help children manage their feelings and build resilience. These quick bursts of exercise and reflection give pupils a chance to reset their minds, improve focus, and boost their mood throughout the school day. By practicing Stormbreaks regularly, children develop important skills like self-awareness, kindness, and emotional regulation, which support their mental health and overall wellbeing. Stormbreaks create a positive and calm school environment where every child feels supported and ready to learn.

Stormbreak develops the following concepts through healthy movement:

  • Resilience
  • Relationships
  • Self-care
  • Self-worth
  • Hope and Optimism

Please visit their website to find out more information and for some free activities: home I stormbreak CIO

Bishop Aldhelm's Award

Inspired by The National Trust's '50 things to do before you're 11 3/4', we set up our Bishop Aldhelm's Award. 

The ‘Bishop Aldhelm’s Award’ is a set of activities and skills for children to complete inside and outside of school. The activities are focused on our local area and school values. There are three stages to the award: Pre-School and Foundation, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.  

Every child is issued with a booklet with each of the activities. For each activity there is a section for them to put a photo, draw a picture or write an explanation about them doing the challenge. 

When a child completes their booklet, they are awarded their Bishop Aldhelm's Award badge.