A holistic approach to pupil development
Our comprehensive extra-curricular programme offers pupils a diverse range of activities, aiming to broaden and enhance their skills, knowledge, and experiences beyond the traditional classroom setting. Engaging in these activities fosters a sense of commitment, time management, and prioritisation, contributing to the development of maturity while providing an immensely enjoyable experience.
To highlight our commitment to holistic pupil development, the majority of our extra-curricular offerings are provided free of charge, demonstrating our belief in the paramount importance of this aspect to the overall school experience.
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Encouraging new interests outside of the classroom
Join us for an Open Event
At our Open Events you will have the opportunity to visit our school and learn more about what a Hydesville Tower education looks like.
Please click below to register to attend our upcoming Open Event. We can’t wait to meet you!
Experiences beyond the classroom
Our approach to holistic education extends to a variety of enriching experiences. These encompass day trips, such as visits to the Houses of Parliament, aimed at deepening pupils' understanding of democracy. We also host guest speakers like the Loudmouth education-in-theatre company as part of our comprehensive Personal, Social, Health, and Economic (PSHE) education programme.
Our commitment to hands-on learning takes students on overseas trips, including visits to Paris, Normandy, allowing them to apply classroom theories in real-world contexts. Locally, excursions to venues like the Walsall Leather Museum, New Art Gallery, Black Country Living Museum, and Severn Valley Railway leverage the excellent art and heritage facilities available in our community.
Our pupils benefit from the opportunity to attend outdoor activity trips at the Bushcraft Outdoor Centres. Pupils will build friendships whilst learning to cook on an open fire, throw a tomahawk, set a trap, or build a den. Or they might participate in water sports or embrace the joys of mountaineering.
Our Nursery and Reception children also enjoy weekly Forest School lessons.
Wraparound Care
Our Wraparound Clubs for working parents
Our Wraparound Clubs provide essential before and after-school care, catering to the needs of working parents. Available for Prep School pupils, the Before School Club starts at 7:30 am, ensuring a supportive environment before the official school day begins at 8:45 am. Meanwhile, our After School Club extends care from the end of the school day until 6:00 pm, offering a convenient solution for families with busy schedules.
The booking and payment for Before or After School Club is made via our parent app, Cognita Connect, which is available when your child joins us. Families can book their Before and After School Club sessions up to a half term in advance.
Our After School Club is split into two sections:
Reception/Key Stage 1 are supervised in the Cedar Tree Room. Here they are supervised and enjoy playing games and doing set activities with our team.
Key Stage 2 meet together for homework club in a separate classroom. Here they are supervised and in this quiet environment can get on with any homework that they have been assigned to complete.
In Senior School wraparound care is available from 8:00am to 4:30pm (except for Wednesday where it is available from 8:00am to 3:45pm)
| Session | Charge |
|---|---|
| 7.30 am - 8.00 am | £1 |
| 8.00 am - school start | £2 |
| End of school day - 4.00 pm | £2 |
| 4.00 pm - 4.30 pm | £1 |
| 4.30 pm - 5.00 pm | £2 |
| 5.00 pm - 6.00 pm | £2 |
"It’s a great initiative allowing pupils to partake in a variety of non-curriculum activities, focussed on the child’s hobbies and interests." - Hydesville Parent
A dedicated time for pupil passion and exploration
New experiences enrich children’s lives and help them decide where their interests and passions lie. Once a week, we dedicate a special period in our timetable to pupil enrichment, where the regular schedule takes a pause. This unique programme is crafted to leverage the diverse interests and talents of our dedicated teachers, providing pupils with the opportunity to indulge in passions that extend beyond the boundaries of the examination curriculum. Meticulously planned, the activities offered cater to a wide range of interests, ensuring there's something to captivate every pupil.
Enrichment runs in the Prep School during the last lesson of the day every Wednesday and in the Senior School during the last lesson of the day every Friday. As well as being fun, the sessions are intended to raise self-esteem and confidence, develop skills in team work and independent learning, broaden their horizons and ignite a passion for a previously unknown pursuit.
The Duke of Edinburgh's Award
As a Directly Licensed Centre, we are thrilled to offer our pupils the opportunity to partake in the prestigious Duke of Edinburgh's Award (DofE), recognised as the world's leading youth achievement programme. Here at Hydesville, we deliver the DofE programme as an enriching extra-curricular activity specifically tailored for our Year 10 pupils, and the uptake of this optional pursuit is consistently high.
This transformative experience is open to pupils aged 14 and above, with three distinct levels of achievement: Bronze (aged 14+), Silver (aged 15+), and Gold (aged 16+). The bronze award encompasses four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, and Expedition. Pupils dedicate a minimum of three months to each of the Volunteering, Physical, and Skills sections, culminating in the planning, training, and execution of a two-day/one-night expedition, marking a significant milestone in their personal and developmental journey.
The Hydesville Challenge
An integral part of our Year 6 pupils experience is our legendary rite of passage, The Hydesville Challenge. Our eldest Prep School pupils make unforgettable memories that last a lifetime.
This unique initiative, exclusive to us, was crafted with several objectives in mind:
Providing Year 6 with an additional focus alongside the 11 Plus and SATs
Preparing pupils for Senior School by fostering independence, personal responsibility, and maturity
Nurturing a spirit of adventure and excitement
Rewarding hard work and good behaviour
Children participate in a variety of group and individual activities during the spring and summer semesters, including outdoor activities, creative fundraising, problem-solving, and invention. A four-night camping excursion is the height of excitement. Here, our Year 6 students have an unforgettable week filled with sports, adventure, art, canoeing, abseiling, water battles, and friendship.
Inspired by the resounding success of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, open to children aged 14 and older, including those in our own Senior School, The Hydesville Challenge embodies the essence of growth, resilience, and the thrill of exploration.