Our approach to enrichment
At Totley Primary School, enrichment is a valued and essential part of school life. We believe that a high-quality education should extend far beyond academic learning alone. Through enrichment, we aim to develop confident, curious and well-rounded children who are well prepared for the opportunities and challenges ahead.
We are proud of the wide range of rich experiences we provide for our pupils. These opportunities are carefully planned so that every child can discover new interests, develop their talents and grow personally and socially. Enrichment supports children to build important life skills such as teamwork, resilience, creativity and independence, and helps them develop a strong sense of belonging within the school community.
Our enrichment offer is inclusive and ambitious. Every child takes part, and we work hard to ensure that all pupils, including those who may be disadvantaged, benefit fully from everything we provide. Enrichment is not an add-on; it is woven thoughtfully into our curriculum and into the wider life of the school, strengthening the experiences we offer to every pupil.
Friday afternoons
A dedicated weekly enrichment session takes place on Friday afternoons. This time is carefully planned on a two-week cycle to ensure a balance of celebration, reflection and enrichment activities for all children.
One week focuses on celebration assemblies, where pupils come together to share their learning, celebrate achievements, receive awards, sing together and mark special moments. These assemblies play an important role in building confidence, pride and a strong sense of community across the school.
The alternate week is dedicated to enrichment activities. During this time, children take part in experiences designed to broaden their horizons, develop personal and social skills and encourage curiosity and engagement, supported by staff across the relevant key stage. Recent activities on offer have included Forest School, chess, fashion design and Mini Medics, for example.
Enrichment beyond the classroom
Enrichment at Totley Primary extends well beyond the classroom environment. Children have regular opportunities to take part in a wide range of educational visits and experiences, including residential visits during their time at school. These experiences help bring learning to life, develop independence and resilience, and create memorable moments that support children’s personal growth.
Play is also an important part of our enrichment offer. We have OPAL (Outdoor Play and Learning) Play in place at playtimes, ensuring that play is purposeful, inclusive and enriching. Through OPAL, children develop physical skills, creativity, problem-solving abilities and positive social relationships, supporting both wellbeing and enjoyment of school life.
Extra-curricular opportunities
Alongside curriculum enrichment, we offer a range of extra-curricular opportunities that allow children to explore interests and talents beyond the school day. These activities complement classroom learning and give pupils further chances to develop confidence, skills and friendships.
Information about current extra-curricular opportunities is shared through our weekly family bulletin.
Working with external organisations
We work in partnership with a range of external organisations to enhance the experiences we provide for our pupils. These partnerships bring specialist expertise into school and enrich our curriculum offer.
This includes working with Qualitas and the Sheffield Music Hub, for example, supporting high-quality experiences in areas such as music, sport and wider personal development.
Finding out more
Parents can find out more about enrichment and extra-curricular opportunities by contacting the school office or by keeping up to date with our weekly family bulletin.