Beyond the Classroom

Pupils enjoy a wide range of opportunities to learn outside of the classroom, in order to develop their curriculum knowledge as well as their understanding of the world including the area in which they live. 

Digital Leaders 

Our digital leaders are made up of Key Stage 2 representatives from across the school.

Their role is to support the use of technology across the school and work with Mr Wilson-Bell to plan any upcoming events, such as Safer Internet Day and parent assemblies. 

They also support the use of technology in lessons and share their skills and expertise with other pupils, classes, teachers and schools.

In the near future, they hope to begin leading their own lunchtime computing/coding club and to start a regular podcast for the public.

Reading Leaders

Reading Buddies are trained children from Years 5 and Year 6 who help younger children in Year 2 and Year 3 develop better reading skills. 

Reading Buddies support the younger readers by listening to them read, and also reading to them in order to model good reading and instil a love of books.

Teaching and Learning Leaders 

The Teaching and Learning Leaders of Excelsior Primary are Key Stage 2 pupils who have been appointed to this role following an application and interview process.

Their job is to work with Mrs Cullen to improve our school and help teachers support children in their learning.

The Teaching and Learning Leaders have many ideas that they are eager to put into action over the coming year. They are involved in a variety of aspects of teaching and learning including interviewing potential candidates to work in our school, monitoring aspects of teaching and learning, developing and implementing ideas which can improve teaching and learning, and much more.

Wellbeing Leaders 

The Excelsior Primary Wellbeing Leader system is run by Mrs Sedgley. Each September, children from Years 4, 5 and 6 can apply to be Wellbeing Leaders.

Each pupil who is shortlisted following their application will have an interview. Once they are appointed they will receive training to learn different playground games and how and when to intervene in any playground disputes. The duties of a Wellbeing Leader are outlined below:

• Wellbeing Leaders have a rota of times when they are on duty in the playground.
• They help children find people to play with and games children can play if they are by themselves.
• They help to solve playground disputes and provide fun activities for all children to join in with.
• Wellbeing Leaders are expected to be excellent role models at all times.
• They award a certificate each week in assembly for children who they have noticed being a good role model.
• They have regular meetings with Mrs Sedgley to discuss how well the project is doing and what needs to happen to make it even more successful.

Visits

Visits include day trips as well as residential trips to a variety of different venues including:

• Beamish Museum
• The North Tyneside Coast
• Blue Reef Aquarium
• Local Universities
• Outward bound centres

Employer Engagement

Giving our children the chance to learn about the world of work has a positive impact on their knowledge of future employment opportunities. It also gives children the opportunity to link their learning to the world outside of school.

Each year group meets and learns about different types of employers, as well as about Further and Higher Education, to help them have high aspirations for their own educational futures.

These opportunities are loved by the children and staff. We are enjoying developing strong links with employers from a range of sectors, with the support of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.