At Westfield we see the curriculum as being every planned experience that our pupils undertake during their time with us. This includes much more than the traditional, taught curriculum. Staff take every opportunity to provide learning opportunities that are real for our pupils and that have meaning for them. This might be in the form of learning activities away from the school site or, perhaps, back at school working in our allotment.
On Friday afternoons we run ‘Kaleidoscope’, a range of fun, creative and sporting activities which give all pupils the chance to try something new or different.
After school and holiday clubs extend the children’s learning and introduces them to activities and opportunities that they can develop in the years to come. In the same way, all children from Year 4 upwards enjoy a residential experience each year, in which they extend their learning and use many of the skills for living that they have learnt throughout the year.
Off-site activities
Learning that takes place away from the classroom is a very important part of the curriculum at Westfield. What better way could there be to learn about life in the Middle Ages than to visit an historic castle? Or where could you possibly find out more about yourself than when tackling the Ten Tors Jubilee Challenge on Dartmoor? Recognising the value of such off-site learning opportunities, staff at Westfield do everything they can to provide our pupils with a rich programme of activities that captures the imagination and provokes a genuine excitement for learning.
From Year 4 upwards we aim for pupils to have the opportunity to enjoy a residential experience and regular opportunities for educational visits exist for all pupils: to the theatre, local farms, other schools, sporting venues, musical events, etc., etc. The list is endless! A very big part in the programme is played by Outdoor and Adventurous Activities and all pupils enjoy opportunities to sail, walk, climb, canoe and a host of other outdoor challenges during their time at the school.
Outdoor education
Westfield’s Outdoor Education offers a wide range of locations and activities across our beautiful county of Dorset. We work closely with Weymouth Outdoor Education Centre (WOEC) as well as Lulworth Rangers in providing excellent learning experiences for all the pupils at the school. These experiences range from team building games, river crossing, indoor caving, nature walks and much more. The pupils also have the opportunity to take part in the Jubilee Challenge event which is run alongside the Ten Tors event based in Okehampton, Dartmoor each year.
Linking to our outdoor education, Westfield offers the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze and Silver Awards where the pupils have to hike and be self-sufficient for two days (three days for Silver) across the countryside while camping overnight. This award is nationally recognized and give the pupils the experience of independence in a controlled and safe natural environment.
We have our own allotment and Bronze Age Roundhouse on site, and pupils are able to use and enjoy these for outdoor learning throughout the year.
