Alongside the announcements about social media this week, The Department for Education launched the new Enrichment Framework aimed at ensuring all children have access to a broad, rich range of enrichment activities.
The official announcement shared “Every child and young person should leave school or college with a strong foundation of knowledge, a love of learning, a well-developed set of skills and the confidence to use them. Throughout their time in education, we want young people to be exposed to a wide range of experiences, which, alongside the core national curriculum and programmes of study, help prepare them for life and work.” The range of activities they anticipate developing in schools can be seen here
As part of the preparation for this launch, Heathfield Community College was highlighted as demonstrating exceptional practice in this area and was chosen to case study the approach. DfE colleagues shared Heathfield had been signposted “as having a strong and inspiring enrichment programme” adding “thank you for the fantastic work you’re doing to support pupils’ wider development”
The details of our case study can be seen below, which is timely as we approach Enrichment Week, the House Cup and all the celebratory events of the Summer Term. Do check in with staff at College if you are not sure of how your child is involved. We look forward to sharing more details of events as they take place.
The Heathfield Experience: creating a whole school enrichment entitlement
Heathfield Community College, Secondary school, East Sussex, South East.
At Heathfield Community College, a large rural school, enrichment is carefully planned and structured to align with the school’s core ethos of pride, ambition, and community, delivering a clear entitlement known as the ‘Heathfield Experience’.
Pride is encouraged through activities designed to build self-esteem, leadership and student voice. A student council with direct voice to the school leadership team generates positive change, while student leadership award schemes involve over 20% of the school across 12 areas of responsibility, including peer mentoring, Heathfield TV, radio and online newspaper, eco reps and numeracy and literacy leaders.
Ambition is nurtured through collapsed curriculum days and an academic super curricular programme that enhances the taught curriculum. Heathfield Futures programmes, open to all, aims to support aspiration towards competitive professions, backed by an alumni network.
Community is cultivated through a house system promoting engagement and celebration of participation, alongside student-led charity action in the local community, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, clubs, teams and musical opportunities.
Sponsorship from local business is sought to widen access and provide an enhanced offer or supported places.
All activities are registered, and participation is tracked, so that staff can pro-actively follow up with students who have not yet taken part. As a result, the school reports improved pupil confidence, self-esteem, aspiration and community engagement.
