Policy No. 05
Extra-Curricular Activities Policy
Date of Policy / Reviewed November 2017Author / Kevin Gritton
Date approved by Governors / June 2015
Next Review date / November 2019
At Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy we recognise that classroom based learning is just one part of the education process. In our striving to develop the potential of individuals to the full we believe we have much more to offer.
The Academy Mission Statement is as follows:-
“At Saint Benedict Catholic Voluntary Academy we will build up a loving community with Christ at its centre; develop potential to the full and strive for excellence; work and play in harmony, and treat each other with dignity and justice.”
In our policy for Extra Curricular Activities, we aim to meet the objectives laid out in the mission statement.
We offer an extensive range of extra curricular activities which both compliment and increase learning opportunities for all pupils who wish to participate, whatever their age, gender or ability, a policy which is obviously in keeping with our Equal Opportunities policy.
Although there may be auditions or trials for performance work or team games the established principle is that everyone who wishes to be involved can be at a level appropriate to their age and ability.
In order to facilitate after hours activities, we have a long established tradition of a free bus that leaves the Academy at 4.30pm and drops pupils in town so that they can then catch a bus home.
Some extra-curricular activities, in particular trips away from the Academy, involve a cost to parents which is outlined in our charging policy. However, no child will be penalised on the basis of genuine financial hardship, the Governors having a policy for considering hardship cases. Of course, in such cases complete confidentiality will be maintained.
In the case of an event or trip being over-subscribed selection will not take place on a “first come, first served” basis as this system is open to both misunderstanding and, at times, abuse. Instead, a method of selection such as the selection of names from a hat will be used, with witnesses present when the selection takes place.
Health and Safety is obviously of prime importance in any extra curricular activity. So far as activities involving travel away from the Academy are concerned all aspects of Health and Safety are covered in the Academy’s Travel Policy which is adhered to at all times.
Learning is a life long process in which education plays a highly significant part. Learning must encourage growth and experience across a wide range of experience and cover values, attitudes and emotions as well as knowledge, skills and understanding.
As a Catholic Academy we have a duty to play a role in the spiritual development of the young people in our care. Much of this comes from the day-to-day teaching in the classroom, but here too extra curricular activities have a part to play.
We maintain strong links with the Diocesan Residential Retreat Centre at The Briars in Crich and encourage and support many young people in their developing spiritual life in this way.
Any extra-curricular activities and clubs should have clear, achievable aims and objectives which are included in and/or complement the Scheme of Work.
Aims:
1.To extend the curriculum beyond that offered in timetabled sessions.
i.there may be opportunities to pursue/reinforce work encountered within the normal timetable. Pupils can pursue work/targets over long periods of time not usually possible within a normal scheme of work.
ii.there may be opportunities to undertake work not normally encountered within the routine timetable. This may provide the pupil, and indeed the teacher, with the opportunity to pursue a personal interest or hobby.
iii.there may be opportunities for visitors/specialists to interact with a committed audience, e.g. a player from the local professional football team may give some coaching.
iv.there may be opportunities to organise visits to venues of specific interest, e.g. a visit to a cup final.
v.there may be opportunities to develop a project and to enter a competition. Such events can enhance the image and reputation of individuals and of the Academy.
2.To allow practice for Academy teams/trials/auditions/performances, etc.
3.To allow non specialist staff/parents/others with a particular interest or talent to offer their experience and/or time to broaden and enrich the curriculum offered to the pupils, e.g. a science teacher may be a registered Badminton coach and may wish to run an out of hours club.
4.To allow pupils of different ages and abilities to interact.
5.To allow pupils and staff to interact in a somewhat less formal manner. This can improve pupil/staff relationships in the classroom.
Principles:
1.All Departments are committed to offering a variety of extra-curricular activities and clubs wherever and whenever practicable considering the restraints of staffing, cost and time.
2.The extra-curricular activities and clubs should be open to all pupils and must be organised with this in mind.
3.All extra-curricular activities and clubs must be organised with the safety of participants as the major consideration. It must comply with LEA guidelines and Academy policy. A document addressing aims, objectives, tasks, supervision, location and times should be presented to the Senior Management and the Governing body.
4.Staff and pupils should be aware of any itinerary, contingency plans, First Aid facilities, emergency phone numbers, etc.
5.Non-teacher supervisors must be informed as to their role. It must not be assumed that all adults know what to do and when to act.
6.Parents must be fully informed of the nature of the extra-curricular activity or club and the working conditions, e.g. near rivers or main roads, any work not directly supervised and the name of the member of staff in charge of the extra-curricular activity or club. Parental permission must be granted for the activities outlined in the letter and the forms retained in the department. A sample letter can be found as an Appendix.
7.If transport by minibus is involved staff must have regard to, and comply with, the Academy visits and travel policy.
8.If the extra-curricular activity or club has events that take place during normal Academy hours then the Academy community need to be informed of dates and numbers involved. Those informed must include all teaching staff and kitchen staff (two weeks prior to the activity if large numbers of pupils are involved). The office must have all relevant details and copies of letters issued.
9.All staff should have the option to take part in the extra-curricular activities or clubs. If for any reason they do not wish to participate they should be prepared to support their colleagues by, e.g. providing cover for them. 10. The results of the extra-curricular activity or club, including photographs, should form the basis of display work especially for any ‘open evenings’, and for the library.
10.For educational visits off campus staff must ensure that the venue, organisation concerned and the transport company are all reliable, legal and safety conscious.
VISITORS/GUESTS
At times we are able to utilise visitors to the Academy as a resource. We value their contribution and welcome the opportunity to draw upon the wider community. However difficulties may arise with visitors who are not accustomed to the Academy and in order to match expectations to needs it is necessary to follow guidelines.
1.Visitors should be given advance notice of the composition of the audience/target group and an idea of how their contribution fits into the scheme of work.
2.In order to inform the visitor of the precise requirements of a group it is advisable for the group to draw up questions in advance and these should be forwarded to the visitor. This will make the experience more relevant and facilitate planning.
3.Reception/Office should be informed of the date and name of the visitor.
4.The visitor should be welcomed usually by a pupil and escorted to the appropriate venue.
5.The vote of thanks should be given by a pupil and the visitor escorted to Reception/Office before the pupils are dismissed.
6.A written acknowledgement of their contribution should be sent to the visitor and appear in the Academy Newsletter.
7. Where necessary it may be appropriate to ask for references or CRB checks for visitors/guests either helping in the Academy or accompanying pupils.
N.B. Staff should also refer to the Academy’s policy on ‘Visits and Travel’.
1