Extra-Curricular Timetable
Homework and Reading Club
Miss Jackson is running a homework and reading club every evening after school in our library from 3:15 until 4:00. This provides a quiet and peaceful environment for our pupils to complete their homework, read and change their books and do their reading quizzes. Pupils have access to computers and the reference books and Miss Jackson is on hand to help with choosing and using the library resources. There is no charge for this club.
Swimming
Mrs Davis is running swimming lessons with Year 5 pupils. The feedback has been excellent from both pupils and parents alike, with some parents pursuing external swimming sessions as a result. We have been impressed with the effort and enthusiasm from Year 5 children who have taken part, and it is expected the program will be extended to other pupils in the coming months.
Table Tennis (lunch time)
We have started running a lunchtime table tennis club in which pupils of all year groups can attend. We are looking to start a league with the pupils that come every lunch time.
Cricket Club
This club is run by Mr Gripton to increase skills and build a team who will play in matches against other schools and tournaments. Cricket club takes place on a Monday after school during the summer term and it for all pupils.
Rounders Club
Rounders club is run by Miss Nicholls on a Monday after school during the summer term. This club gives pupils in all years the change to increase their skill and knowledge of the game. Miss Nicholls will be putting a team together to take part in a tournament against other school teams.
STEM Club
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics and is a nationwide organisation that promotes these four subjects in schools and colleges. At Ipsley we run an after school club where pupils will come in teams of 6 or less and complete a project that lasts for a full term. STEM club is run on a Wednesday after school by Mrs Duggins and is for KS3 pupils.
Performance Troupe
This club is run by Miss Whitehouse. It is open to boys and girls from all year groups. The pupils learn a wide variety of modern pop songs, as well as songs from films and shows, which they perform in public at celebration assemblies and special events.
At Christmas they have a full programme, performing at the Winyates Carol Service in the local shopping centre,The Redditch Civil Carol Service at St. Stephen’s Church in the town centre, GKN Industry Carol Service, and for the Senior Citizens Christmas Lunches at St Peter’s Church (Ipsley) and Christchurch (Matchborough). They are also star performers at the school Carol Services that take place every year. There is also a tradition for these talented youngsters to visit our neighbours in the ‘old folks’ bungalows to sing for them and take them a small Christmas gift.
The choir also takes part in the annual Pyramid Concert, which takes place at the Palace Theatre in Redditch. This is a very exciting event as it is a collaboration between Ipsley, Arrow Vale and all of the other first and middle schools in the local area that feed into Arrow Vale. Each school has the chance to perform, while the show is opened and closed by ensemble numbers performed by all the schools taking part! This is a fantastic way for Ipsley to showcase it’s fantastic choir and for pupils to meet other young people in the area who have an interest in music and singing. It is also a brilliant opportunity for pupils to perform in a theatre that has seen many famous celebrities!
Choir is a great chance to meet new friends, enjoy singing, have fun and boost your sef confidence. Many pop artists of today started their career by singing at school!
Inter Class Sports Competitions
These take place on a rolling programme throughout the year. Challenges include the Cross Country Challenge, Inter-class Rowing competition and an Athletics morning.
Year 5 Friendship Club (lunch times, daily)
Friendship club teaches social skills and is a place where our newest school members can make friends, stay safe at lunchtime, learn how to play a variety of games, do crafts and build models. Children who find the hurly burly of the playground have a sanctuary here. There can be a quiet pocket for readers but usually there is a buzz of fun as there are a variety of educational play activities on offer.
Eco Committee
Eco Club meets weekly. You can see our influence all around school! Just outside the school gates you can see 2 bus shelters that we designed with an artist as part of a project led by Redditch Council. Although they have an eco theme, we also designed them with pictures and puzzles to keep small children amused while they wait for the bus
The designs for our bus shelters.
We look after the school allotment with the help of our friends at Oakland, learning how to grow fruit and vegetables and how to prepare and cook them (as well the difference between a plant and a weed, which can be quite tricky!) We also look after the creatures around school by making bird boxes and insect hotels and feeding hedgehogs.
We are proud to have achieved our Silver Eco Schools Award and join in initiatives such as Switch Off Fortnight. Eco Club runs a stationery shop at break times, selling all the basic stationery that pupils need in school for a very reasonable price. Any profit made goes towards buying supplies for Eco Club, like hedgehog food, seeds and recycling bins to use in classrooms.
Whenever we can, we like to be outside but if the weather is bad or on the darkest nights after school, we learn about animals and their habitats, how to recognise different birds from their songs and make competitions for other pupils to learn about plants and animals. If you like nature, come and join us!