Enrichment at Tilston
Encourage one another and build each other up
At Tilston Parochial CE Primary Academy, enrichment is an important part of school life. We want every child to discover new interests, develop confidence, build friendships, serve others and experience opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom.
Our enrichment offer
Our enrichment programme is broad, inclusive and rooted in our Christian vision. Across the year, children have opportunities to take part in sport, music, the arts, outdoor learning, leadership, community activities, wellbeing provision, residential experiences and wider curriculum events. We work hard to ensure that enrichment is not simply an ‘extra’, but an important part of pupils’ personal development and sense of belonging at Tilston.
Clubs for every age
We offer a changing programme of clubs every half term across all year groups. These include a range of sports, arts and crafts, wellbeing, gardening, quizzes and other fun activities. Sports club alternates between EYFS/KS1 and KS2 each half term so that children across the school have regular opportunities to take part.
Our free lunchtime opportunities also extend the school day without creating a financial barrier. These include choir, Worship Leaders and Young Leaders, sports activities and values-focused craft and reflection activities.
Music and performance
Music is an important part of life at Tilston. Children can join our free weekly school choir during the school day. The Tilston School Association has purchased choir tops, helping children feel a strong sense of identity and belonging when representing the school. The choir performs at TSA events, special church services and community events, including singing for residents at a local care/nursing home in Malpas.
Through Music for Life, 14 children currently receive weekly instrumental tuition during the school day, including guitar, piano and keyboard. Parents can choose to pay for lessons, while the school also considers how financial barriers can be reduced. We have funded piano tuition for two pupils over the past four years.
Sport, teamwork and representing Tilston
We want pupils to experience the enjoyment, teamwork and confidence that come from physical activity and representing their school. Through our partnership with Bishop Heber High School, children take part in regular sporting events across KS1 and KS2, including activities such as tag rugby, cross country and football.
As part of North West Academies Trust, KS2 pupils also participate in the Friday League, with monthly Year 3/4 and Year 5/6 home and away football and netball fixtures. These opportunities allow children to develop sporting skills, teamwork, resilience and pride in representing Tilston.
Outdoor Exploring and residential experiences
Every class enjoys two Outdoor Exploring sessions each term. These sessions give children regular opportunities to learn beyond the classroom, explore the outdoor environment and develop confidence, curiosity and teamwork.
Residential experiences are also an important part of our offer. Years 3 and 4 take part in an annual one-night, two-day residential, while Years 5 and 6 have an annual two-night, three-day residential. These experiences help children develop independence, resilience, friendships and lasting memories.
Science, arts and raising aspirations
Our strong partnership with Bishop Heber High School and other local primary schools gives pupils access to enrichment that we could not provide alone. During British Science Week, KS2 pupils take part in an annual Science Fair alongside seven local primary schools and high school pupils. Children investigate a shared theme and present their findings at an evening event judged by members of the Bishop Heber Science Department, the Headteacher and governors.
Children's creativity is celebrated through the annual Bishop Heber Arts Celebration Evening, where artwork from local primary and high school pupils is exhibited together. Year 6 pupils identified as working at greater depth also have access to Aim Higher sessions in literacy and mathematics.
Leadership, faith and serving our community
Our Christian vision encourages children to build one another up and to make a positive contribution to their community. Worship Leaders and Young Leaders take on meaningful responsibilities within school, while opportunities such as the Archie Bishop Young Leaders Award support wider community engagement.
Our links with St Mary’s Church are an important part of this work. Children sing and participate in special church services and are invited to join the Christmas Carol Service alongside pupils from local schools. Grandparents and older members of our community are welcomed to special performances, including our annual Nativity and Christingle celebrations.
Wellbeing and belonging
Enrichment also supports children's social and emotional development. Our ELSA provision provides targeted support through a referral system, while Wellbeing Wednesday gives children the opportunity to visit the Pod and speak with our ELSA lead during lunchtime. Across our wider offer, we aim to create opportunities that build confidence, friendships, interests and a strong sense of belonging.
Working together
Partnership working significantly strengthens what we can offer. Seven local primary headteachers and the Headteacher of Bishop Heber High School meet half termly through the BREIP partnership to plan shared enrichment. We also benefit from North West Academies Trust opportunities, including arts and sporting projects and an annual £1,000 enrichment allocation to support additional experiences.
The Tilston School Association plays an equally important role in building our school community. All families are welcomed to TSA events, which are designed to be inclusive and fully funded for families, and the TSA provides valuable support for activities and resources that enhance children's experiences.
Making enrichment accessible to everyone
We are committed to ensuring that cost or additional need does not prevent a child from taking part. Pupil Premium funding is used to provide 50% support towards class visits, residentials and relevant club costs for eligible pupils. Alongside free clubs, lunchtime provision, TSA support and targeted school funding, this helps us make our enrichment offer as inclusive as possible.
Evaluating the impact of our offer
During 2026–2027, evaluating the impact of enrichment is a key priority within our School Impact Plan. Our comprehensive self-assessment has confirmed the breadth and strength of the opportunities already available, while identifying the next stage of development: making sure we can clearly demonstrate who takes part and the difference these experiences make.
We are therefore developing a whole-school enrichment register, tracking participation by year group and pupil group, gathering pupil voice each term and reviewing the impact of opportunities on confidence, skills, interests, aspiration, wellbeing and belonging. Where we identify a barrier or a pupil who may be missing out, we will use targeted invitations, adapted provision and financial support to improve access.
Our aim
Every child at Tilston should have opportunities to discover something they enjoy, develop their talents, try something new, contribute to their community and feel that they belong.