2021 – 2022
Introducing our Alternative Curriculum Days Team 2021-2022: Kiera, Katee, Ellie-Mae, Archie, Jake and Ella.
The Alternative curriculum team has been set up to enhance the in-school learning that takes place, here at Stanhope. For one whole day per term the children will come off timetable and take part in an event organised and thought of by the children. This is the perfect opportunity for the children to try something new, share a hobby from home and put into practice their superpowers from their Learning Zones. I am sure there are going to be some amazing ideas throughout the year!
Autumn Term Alternative Curriculum Day – Feel Good Friday!
On Friday 17th December 2021, we held a Feel Good Friday event developed and organised by our pupil voice group – The Alternative Curriculum Team.
They wanted to do something to help children to be calm during the exciting run up to Christmas and at the planning meeting discussed the impact of a Feel Good Friday on everyone’s mental health and well-being.
Children across the school came in wearing their PJ’s or onesies so that we could all be cosy and snug. Mrs Howes-Jones delivered a whole school assembly on The Zones of Regulation (see the Emotional Well-being section to find out more) then every Learning Zone watched the Disney film ‘Inside Out’. They all enjoyed snuggling down to watch the film with hot chocolate and marshmallows.
Mr Clarke commented: “The children in the Ruby Learning Zone enjoyed watching the film and could also relate it to their own emotions and the zones of regulation cards that adults are using in and around school.”
Mr Storey commented: “In the Opal and Amethyst Learning Zones the children enjoyed some Christmas games including musical bumps, musical statues and musical chairs on the morning. The afternoon saw us snuggle up to watch the film Inside Out, with chocolate and marshmallows. The film is directly linked to our reintroduction of the Zones of Regulation which is being used throughout school. After watching the film, the children were shown our Zones of Regulation interactive display board which is going to be used as self-registration when the children arrive at school. This will allow the staff in EYFS to discuss how the children are feeling and offer techniques and support for those who need it. The staff and children are excited to see the impact that the display will have in the new term.”
Marianne in the Diamond Learning Zone said: “On Feel Good Friday we watched a film called Inside Out. We watched it because it was about emotions and how every feeling matters and we shouldn’t feel worried to express our emotions. As well as this, we did numerous activities which included: arts and crafts, chocolate and marshmallows and coming in our PJs. In general, this day was all about feeling safe and happy.”
Alternative Curriculum Days Team 2019-2020
Owen, Bethany, Laycee and Grace will be working with Miss Elsdon & Mrs Cross this year on our Alternative Curriculum Days Team.
This team develop creative ideas for a day in the summer term where the whole school come off the national curriculum and do something completely different.
Events in the past have included an ‘Outdoor Adventure Day’ which involved every class working outside on den building activities, fire lighting and making coco on the camp fire.
Already this year, the team are thinking about a ‘Take Over the School Day’.
Alternative Curriculum Team 2018-2019
Our Alternative Curriculum Team are: Jayden, Chloe, Harry & Esther
Our Alternative Curriculum team work with Miss Elsdon to choose a topic or theme which the whole school spend a day doing. This topic can be absolutely anything and is completely down the children to choose. Miss Elsdon and the children decide what the alternative curriculum theme is going to be and then organise events across the school for one day in the summer term.
