A NEW Enrichment Programme, organised and overseen by newly appointed assistant headteacher, Jon Blackwall, is set to enhance the life and learning experience of Wolverley students from September 2007 onwards.

The aim of the Enrichment Programme is that all students will attend at least one extra curricular session - of their choice - per week, designed to teach them a new skill, develop existing interests or discover hidden talents.

Mr Blackwall carried out an extensive trawl of all staff, asking for details of any particular talents or interests they were willing to share with the students.

The results were, in Mr Blackwall's words "amazingly diverse - we knew our staff were exceptionally gifted at their "day jobs" but the range of their outside interests and accomplishments is fantastic!"

Sessions on offer range from a debating society, fantasy football and forensic science to ski-ing, music and video editing and web design - and a whole raft of interesting, challenging and stimulating activities in between.

Fancy taking up the gentle art of wrestling? Or how about honing your entrepreneurial skills and learning how to start up your own business?

If you're the outdoors type, then there are separate clubs for cricket, football (including girls' football), hockey and netball. In fact, there are more than 40 activities on offer - and the number is still growing as more teachers join the staff.

"We want each Wolverley student to be engaged in developing his or her individual interest," explained Mr Blackwall.

"Many of the Enrichment sessions offer cross curricular benefits - for example, the Debating Society will develop students' speaking and listening skills, which are relevant to practically every subject; the web design sessions will obviously feed into ICT and the music and video editing club will impact on both music and media. So, as well as having fun, students will be extending their learning."

Mr Blackwall went on to explain that the current homework system is undergoing an overhaul.

"National studies have shown that project style' assignments, completed over a length of time, are far more effective at promoting students' learning than the traditional format.

"Many of these extra curricular activities lend themselves to long-term projects. For example, a member of the Food Club could do a half-term long project on the changing attitudes to nutrition, thereby improving their literacy, communication and research skills whilst at the same time developing their cookery skills. Or, a student taking part in the football club might be asked to do a biology project on the bones and muscles and their function."

Involvement in at least one extra curricular activity will be compulsory for KS3 students. Sessions will also be available for KS4 students, although these will have a more academic focus in order to assist with their GCSEs.

Another exciting innovation is the Arts Award - similar to the Duke of Edinburgh Award but open to younger students as well, and more focused on the performing arts such as music, dance and drama.

Mr Blackwall pointed out that universities and employers view the Arts Award with the same respect as the DoE, making it an attractive proposition for any pupil mindful of their future prospects.

The Bronze Award is open to students in years seven and eight, the Silver Award is for year nine pupils and the prestigious Gold Arts Award is open to KS4 and KS5 students.

Assignments range from watching and evaluating a live theatre performance for a Bronze Award to organising and running a specialist arts workshop for a Gold Award; each assignment being assessed by an outside moderator.

"This is a particularly exciting enterprise," enthused Mr Blackwall.

"The Arts Award is nationally recognised as a prestigious achievement, so achieving either the Bronze, Silver or Gold - or, even better, all three! - will be a tremendous advantage to any student."

An extra three late buses will be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, leaving school at 4.30pm .

His role as assistant head teacher meant Mr Blackwall was also involved in the successful Specialist Schools Bid and he is very proud that Wolverley C of E Secondary School is one of only 27 Music Colleges in the whole country.

He was very keen to point out that this achievement reflects the great work of our resident advanced skills teacher, Fred Mallinson.

As a result of our new status, the music block is being completely refurbished to create a brand new, state of the art music technology suite which will also include a designated area specifically for sixth formers.

Seabright Hall will also benefit from a face-lift; the lighting and sound are being re-vamped to enhance the quality of performances.

Yet another innovation is the installation of plasma screens in three key areas of the school - reception, Seabright entrance and Attwood dining hall.

These will be used to showcase the talent of the school - musicians, dancers, performers - as well as keeping students up to date with school related issues.

The screens will be switched on during break and lunchtime and will soon, in Mr. Blackwell's opinion, become a popular feature of the students' free time.

"It'll be great," he confirmed. "And not only for the students (and staff) watching what's on, but also for the many students who'll be involved in actually making the programmes and features.

"Our current media students can't wait to get their hands on it and we've come up with some brilliant ideas for its use.

"One proposal is that each department in the school produces a feature programme', focusing on that department's speciality. We'll make sure there's an opportunity for every student to be involved, either with the production, presenting or making "guest appearances".

Sounds like the new Wolverley C of E Secondary School is really rocking!