Enrichment Curriculum

At Harris Academy Wimbledon, we believe all children deserve a well-rounded, culturally rich, education. The enrichment curriculum plays a crucial part in achieving this objective. The purpose of the enrichment curriculum is to provide a broad range of opportunities to learn and develop outside of the classroom. These opportunities foster professional skills such as resilience, active listening, confidence, self-esteem and teamwork. Coupled with the growth of interests and enthusiasm for passions beyond the classroom.  

Our staff work exceptionally hard to provide a range of opportunities for your children. We aim to offer something for everyone; it is very important that you take the time to discuss the different options with your child and make an informed decision about which option you will choose. It is expected that your child will stick with their choice until the end of the year. 

Enrichment is a compulsory part of the school timetable. It takes place from 15-1600hrs every Tuesday.

Please find details of the Year groups Enrichment curriculum options:

Year 7 Enrichment Curriculum

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics 

We will be doing practical activities where you must use your knowledge of science, technology, engineering and maths to design and create useful contraptions and ingenious solutions to problems. You will design methods to gather valid results from science experiments. You will need to analyse results to make data driven decisions to improve your experiments or products. Projects such as building a device to move tomatoes without squashing them will require you to design, evaluate and re-design your products until you reach success. Outside speakers such as STEM ambassadors will be invited to run one-off sessions. 

This group is perfect for those who love experimenting and creating novel designs for contemporary and unusual problems. 

En Français 

For students who wish to stretch themselves beyond Spanish and Latin, you need to join En Français. This enrichment is aimed at all those of you who would like to discover or improve their knowledge of the French language. We’ll learn by exploring authentic material, from French music and culture to French food. You will be given an insight into French politics, literature, philosophy and geography which offers a greater understanding of the French culture. This will give you the opportunity to study and progress toward GCSE French so needs commitment and an aptitude for languages.  

So, if you are determined to engage in some serious language learning this is the enrichment for you! 

Brass Group 

Are you creative, determined and a team player? Are you interested in learning a new skill that could become a lifelong passion and provide the opportunity to travel the world making music? Then Brass enrichment is for you!  

This class will give students the opportunity to learn to play the trumpet or trombone. Students will work towards various performances within school and will aim to achieve the Trinity College London Initial Grade by the end of the year.  

Being a brass player provides the opportunity to be part of all sorts of musical ensembles, including jazz bands as well as orchestras. Learning to play a musical instrument is not only proven to help progress in other subject areas at school, but it also helps relieve stress, builds resilience and above all is a lot of fun! 

Youth Parliament 

Do you want your voice and opinions to be heard and listened to? Are you keen to become a leader for change in your society? In the words of Dr Seuss: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better”. If this is you, then Youth Parliament is the perfect enrichment as it will give you the opportunity to discuss key issues in your community, as well as engage in projects and debates that will allow you to develop skills, knowledge and values necessary to engage in civic life at school and beyond. Be prepared to inspire, engage and flourish as valued contributors to your community’s wellbeing. 

Bronze Arts Award 

In this enrichment you will develop your creativity, leadership and communication skills whilst working towards the Arts Award qualification. We will start with the Bronze Award where you will explore the arts as participant and as an audience member. We will research different artists, craftspeople and arts practitioners and share why they are inspiring and finally you will get to share your own arts skill with the rest of the enrichment class. We will create a portfolio of evidence throughout the year of the work you have created. Through dedication and a love of the arts, you will be given the opportunity to progress to the Gold Arts Award during your time at the Academy. This is a prestigious qualification that is recognised by many universities and employers. 

LAMDA 

During LAMDA enrichment, you will develop your skills in Acting and Drama whilst working towards acting examinations. A LAMDA Exam is the drama equivalent of a music grade. Like music grades, LAMDA Exams culminate at Grade 8 and at Harris Wimbledon, students will begin with Grade 3 with the expectation that they will progress a grade each year at the Academy. Students will work on both monologues and group pieces and each term will finish with a showcase of student work. This is just the start, through commitment and hard work, you could finish your time at the Academy with a grade 8 from LAMDA and points toward university entrance criteria. 

Micro-Tyco

Micro-Tyco is designed to liberate entrepreneurial thinking across our whole society. Micro-Tyco inspires an entrepreneurial environment that fosters creative thinking, resourcefulness and teamwork as well as helping pupils to develop financial literacy, communication, leadership, project management and networking skills. By taking part in Micro-Tyco, students can learn how business can be a force for good and gain experience that enhances their personal skills and knowledge. Perhaps this could lead to their own business in future!

Touch Typing 

Do you find handwriting difficult? Are your thoughts faster than your pen? Come to touch typing! You will learn how to type at the same speed as the flow of your thoughts, an incredible skill to master! You will also learn to use a word processor and to create presentations that will leave everyone speechless! Every little thing revolves around technology nowadays. As you grow up and step into the world, learning how to successfully use a computer will be a vital skill for you to have. Join this enrichment activity and grab the passport to your future! 

BBC Young Reporter Project 

The BBC Young Reporter project is perfect for students interested in media. During the project, students will be equipped with the tools to plan, research, film and edit their own BBC news reports on topics of interest to them. They will also be taught to look critically at the news stories we hear every day, including how to spot fake news. Students have the opportunity to share their news stories on the school website and the very best may even be shared by the BBC! 

Photography 

Students will be developing the knowledge to record and experiment through modern tools and processes; refining work as well as showing influence and links to cultural, traditional and modern artists and themes. By taking photography enrichment in Year 7, you will gain insight into how to use a DSLR camera for an array of uses, from sports photography to portraiture and more experimental art-photography. You will also be taught how to use Photoshop and may even have enough time to get an insight into producing animations. 

Year 8 Enrichment Curriculum

LEGO League 

Here's a simple question: Have you heard of LEGO? Even if you don't own any, most people have enjoyed building a model or two in their time - I know I have! 

My second question is more specific: Do you like the sound of building and programming robots? If you do, then the LEGO League could be the perfect place for you to get creative with technology! As a team, you'll be constructing autonomous LEGO robots and completing "missions" in competition with other schools. This culminates in a trip to demonstrate your robot and present your plan to a panel of experts. You'll be encouraged to push the limits of innovation and practise solving problems in a totally unique way, which will develop your resilience and your ability to work with others. If you want to learn skills in coding and design in a fun way, give the LEGO League a try! 

Debating and Mock Trial Competition 

Do you have a passion for speaking out and having your voice heard? Perhaps, you’d like to develop your public speaking skills? The debate and mock trial enrichment could be the one for you. For part of the year we’ll hone our debating skills: developing your confidence in public speaking, exploring how you can effectively convey your opinion and building your team-work skills. This will provide the perfect preparation for the national Magistrates’ Court Mock Trial Competition which will allow you a unique insight into the justice system. You’ll have the chance to take on the various roles in a trial and try a case against another school with the assistance of real-life magistrates, legal advisers, court staff and other legal professionals. This is a perfect enrichment for those who love an intellectual challenge, are prepared to put in lots of hard work and preparation. 

Touch Typing (invitation only) 

Do you struggle using a computer to present your thoughts? Is typing an essay a challenge? Come to Touch Typing. You will learn how to type at the same speed as the flow of your thoughts, an incredible skill to master! You will also learn to use Microsoft word properly and to create PowerPoint presentations that will leave everyone speechless. Technology is pervasive in all areas of life. As you mature and step into the world, learning how to successfully use a computer will be a vital skill for you to have. Join this enrichment activity and grab the passport to your future! Perfect for those students who need more support in producing computer-based work. 

Bronze Arts Award 

In this enrichment you will develop your creativity, leadership and communication skills whilst working towards the Arts Award qualification. We will start with the Bronze Award where you will explore the arts as participant and as an audience member. We will research different artists, craftspeople and arts practitioners and share why they are inspiring and finally you will get to share your own arts skill with the rest of the enrichment class. We will create a portfolio of evidence throughout the year of the work you have created. Through dedication and a love of the arts, you will be given the opportunity to progress to the Gold Arts Award during your time at the Academy. This is a prestigious qualification that is recognised by many universities and employers. 

LAMDA 

During LAMDA enrichment, you will develop your skills in Acting and Drama whilst working towards acting examinations. A LAMDA Exam is the drama equivalent of a music grade. Like music grades, LAMDA Exams culminate at Grade 8 and at Harris Wimbledon, students will begin with Grade 3 with the expectation that they will progress a grade each year at the Academy.  

Students will work on both monologues and group pieces and each term will finish with a showcase of student work. This is just the start, through commitment and hard work, you could finish your time at the Academy with a grade 8 from LAMDA and points toward university entrance criteria. 

Language Leaders 

Are you passionate about languages? Have you ever thought about being the teacher? Do you think you are a good communicator? If the answer is ¡SI!, then the Foreign Language Leader Award is for you! You will develop your leadership, linguistic and communication skills while learning to plan, design and deliver 3 twenty-minutes Spanish lessons through basic language activities (for example, teaching the colours or the days of the week) to younger learners in a primary school.  

The Language Leader Award programme will not only complement your language learning, but it will also give you a better understanding of yourself as learner and enhance your self-esteem and confidence. So, what qualities would you need to be a Language Leader? Commitment, passion for foreign languages and a lot of enthusiasm! 

Brass Group (invitation only) 

Are you creative, determined and a team player? Are you interested in learning a new skill that could become a lifelong passion and provide the opportunity to travel the world making music? Then Brass enrichment is for you!  

This class will give students the opportunity to learn to play the trumpet or trombone. Students will work towards various performances within school and will aim to achieve the Trinity College London Initial Grade by the end of the year.  

Being a brass player provides the opportunity to be part of all sorts of musical ensembles, including jazz bands as well as orchestras. Learning to play a musical instrument is not only proven to help progress in other subject areas at school, but it also helps relieve stress, builds resilience and above all is a lot of fun! 

Philethics 

Picture this: you need £50 to buy a birthday present for your mother. The only way you can get the money is borrowing it from a wealthy friend. Is it okay to borrow the money even though you have no way of paying the money back? Philosophy and Ethics is not just learning about theories and ancient Greek philosophers. Instead, it encourages us to think critically about “what is good” and “what is truth” behind every matter. 

Did you know that Archimedes discovered how to measure the buoyancy of an object while taking a bath? Have you ever pondered upon “what is love?” “what is truth?” or even “what is good?” then you are already a philosopher! Are you keen to explore the big questions beyond subjects taught at school? Do you want to develop ideas, alongside debates about matters that have not been talked about before? Then this enrichment programme is for you. Let us not settle with what we have been taught – let us think. 

Sports Leaders 

Grab your whistle, clipboard and let’s get planning sport sessions. If you have dreams of being a sports coach, PE teacher or just love sport and want to learn more about it, then sport leaders is for you. Year 8 students at Harris Academy Wimbledon will be working towards attaining the Level 1 Sport Leaders Award.  

To successfully achieve this award students will develop their sporting leadership of other students through after school clubs and assist in the delivery of school and borough competitions. The course has a theory element where students will need to complete a work booklet and complete voluntary community leadership. The Sport Leaders Level 1 Award will cost £25 payable by the participant. 

Creative Design 

You will be given specifications and briefs to tackle contemporary problems and issues, then, let your imagination come up with solutions! Using design technology equipment and techniques, you will design, manufacture and evaluate a variety of different things from materials such as textiles, paper, board, and resistant materials.  

Ceramics 

If you enjoy working practically and creatively whilst getting your hands dirty, you will love ceramics enrichment. You will learn how to model and manipulate clay using a range of techniques such as coiling, pinching and rolling slabs to make pieces that can be fired in the kiln, decorated and taken home to use. Working with ceramics will help you to develop problem-solving and design skills combined with high levels of patience and concentration. You will also gain an insight into the incredible world of ceramics, product design and sculpture and the cultural contributions they make to society.