Enrichment programmes are vital to ignite passion for learning in students, as well as to assist them to develop wider skills, flexibility and resourcefulness. We know that enrichment gives children opportunities to try new and varied activities that develop character, resilience and motivation, and encourage them to pursue wider goals.

Our SBAS framework is designed for all students to flourish and to live out our vision of preparing them to be good active citizens within their communities. We believe that education and character development are key drivers in a student’s overall growth so we aim to offer an inspiring enrichment programme as an intrinsic part of the school experience.

The programme provides opportunities for students to further their interests from the classroom or to try something totally new. Enrichment activities help students develop a love for learning in their own time, expand their mind and gain skills that will help them in the future. Learning outside the classroom also gives students the opportunity to experiment which helps to build confidence as they learn new skills and immerse themselves in new experiences.

Traditionally we have offered a wide variety of enrichment activities from Reception right through to Year 13. After school activities vary from many aspects of music to almost every possible sport, and a great diversity beyond this (for example, crochet or art, drama or Spanish, STEM or running, humanities and calligraphy). 

All our departments will offer some type of enrichment activity throughout the academic year: visiting an art gallery, the local church, seeing a play in the west end, and visiting museums.  All our clubs, societies, teams and ensembles are all inclusive.

Some enrichment activities are residential: our Year 5 students visit WildChild Adventure (https://www.wildchildadventure.com/); Year 6 engage in Geography fieldwork (Sheringham, Norfolk); Year 7 students experience PGL at Bawdsey Manor (https://www.pgl.co.uk/en-gb/school-trips/primary-schools/centres/bawdsey-manor); Year 9 historians visit the Battlefields and our languages students, musicians and sportsmen and women have further tours and experiences through the year.  You can read more about past trips on our Trips and Visits page.

We encourage all our students to take part in at least one activity, to enrich their experience and enjoyment of learning as well as develop new skills, interests and friendships.


Busy Lizzies


We work in close partnership with Busy Lizzies who offer, on our school site, a daily breakfast club (7.45am - 8.45am) for Early Years, key stages one and two and a daily after school club (3.15pm to either 4.45pm or 6pm) for Early years and key stage one. As well as providing enjoyable activities, and opportunities for children to play and socialise beyond the school day, we recognise the essential childcare nature of this provision. In addition, they run their own Nursery for children in the final year before they begin Reception. Please find out more on their website and facebook page: www.busylizziesatsimonballe.co.uk and www.facebook.com/busylizziesatsimonballe


KS1 Additional Clubs

We recognise that in Years 1 and 2, children are beginning to be ready to try out and select from a range of extra-curricular activities. For each half term from the second half of autumn term to the summer, we offer low-cost clubs from 3.15pm – 4.15pm several times a week. These are in areas as diverse as karate, sewing, running, drama, choir and more! The clubs on offer for 2022-2023 are detailed in the document below. All children will be given the opportunity to belong to at least one club across the academic year.

KS1 Clubs provision


KS2 Explorers Club

Explorers clubs are our own school-run provision to extend and to enrich the school day. Children in Years 3 – 6 may stay until 4.45pm for £6 per evening to include an exciting range of activities in which children can develop skills, enjoy hobbies, and become increasingly proficient in their choice of cultural, artistic, musical and sporting activities. All children are invited. Childcare provision, including a light tea, extended play activities and support for reading and home learning, is available until 6pm each day (£10 per evening for both the main activity and extended provision, with pick-up any time from 4.45pm – 6pm).

KS2 Explorers provision


Music


Our holistic approach places great emphasis upon the arts and in particular musical education. We say it is 'the lifeblood' of our school and its influence affects both performers and those who listen and appreciate. Music is a 'golden thread' which weaves its way through our ethos and culture. For many of our students it is a life changer - playing music and their instrument becomes part of who they are and they take this with them wherever they go.

Find out more about opportunities in Our Musical School

 

Secondary Sport


We have a strong ethos of sport for all, represented through our PPP model which aims to inspire, engage and challenge all our students. We promote students’ experience of the varying roles and responsibilities within Sport both at Simon Balle and beyond. Our strong emphasis on sports leadership is an example of this where students have lead and officiated at recent District and County Sportshall Athletics competitions gaining life long skills.

Our Sports clubs are open to all students and take place at lunchtime and after school. School fixtures run all year round and these include Saturday morning fixtures during the Autumn (Rugby) and Spring (Football) terms. Whilst the school is competitive in all sports we contend, recent success at secondary level has been seen at District and County level in Netball, Football, Cross Country and Athletics.

Further details can be found in the Sport section of our website.


Enrichment Wednesday (Years 6-8)

We believe that education and character development are key drivers in a student's overall growth and that an inspiring enrichment programme is an intrinsic part of the school experience.

This is particularly important in the middle school years which is why we have created the Wednesday Enrichment programme to ignite that passion for learning in students as well as to develop wider skills, flexibility and resourcefulness. Activities may include options such as PC building,Coding, Art, Design Technology and STEM club (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). 

This will be in place for Years 6, 7 and 8 from 3.20 - 4.20 every Wednesday.