At Perry Wood we share a conviction that great schools are built on rich extra-curricular programmes and high quality pastoral care as well as an inspiring curriculum, expertly taught. We know there are no limits for pupils and staff where commitment and enjoyment go together.

As members of Griffin Schools Trust we share a belief in the three pillars of Proud Traditions, Wide Horizons and High Achievement and this is reflected in the opportunities that we provide for our pupils.

Co-Curricular

Every child is exposed to an extensive range of curriculum enrichment activities to broaden their experiences. Through academic excursions to museums, theatres, art galleries and sporting events, as well as inviting a number of workshops in to school, we aim to bring to life the subjects being taught in the classroom.

Extra-Curricular

We encourage pupils to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle, making the most of their existing talents as well as exploring new ideas and opportunities. To enable this we provide a rich variety of creative and sporting after school activities:

• music clubs to foster a love and enjoyment of music making
• drama to boost confidence and creativity
• art classes to develop a love and appreciation of the Arts
• sports to build better social interactions through positive team work

To see a full schedule of after school clubs on offer please ask at the school office. All clubs are offered free of charge.

Perry Wood University

At Perry Wood, we pride ourselves on being able to inspire and provide opportunities where children can begin to view themselves as life-long learners, perusing educational interests and aspirations for Further Education.

Perry Wood University, which runs for pupils in years four, five and six, provides an opportunity for our children to widen their horizons, exposing them to new and exciting curriculum content which will equip them with knowledge, skills and understanding for further education and beyond. The degree courses expose our children to a range of opportunities; helping to capture and grow their talents. Perry Wood University consists of six departments, under which the degree courses are classified:

• The STEM department
• The Performing Arts Department
• The Arts and Music Department
• The Sports and Leisure Department
• The Humanities Department
• The Joint Hons Department

If you would like to find out more about this provision, please get in touch with the school where we can provide further information about the courses on offer.

Perry Wood Primary Passport

At Perry Wood we know that in addition to formal learning that occurs on a day-to-day basis, there are a number of other experiences that can play a major role in shaping a child’s development. The experiences provided during the earliest years of a child’s life and those that follow can be some of the most crucial. We also know that children raised in nurturing environments are more secure, confident, and capable of dealing with later challenges.

Following the launch of ‘My Activity Passports’ by the Education Secretary in 2018, Perry Wood have collated a list of activities that we believe help to build children’s character and resilience. Our vision is for every child to have the opportunity to enjoy new and varied experiences, no matter their background – comprising of key areas: drive and tenacity; sticking at the task at hand; understanding how to work towards long term goals when reward might be a long way off in the future; and being able to pick yourself up and bounce back from life’s challenges.

During each academic year, pupils complete a range of Primary Passport Activities both in school and at home that develop all of the above skills. To learn more about the activities in each year group, please take a closer look at the Primary Passport document attached below.

Trust Engagement

Throughout the year there are a number of Trust-wide events that Perry Wood takes part in:

There are a variety of exciting sports events throughout the year, fostering competition and teamwork. These include the Griffin Sports Festival held in October, where students compete in track and field, handball, and football showcasing their diverse abilities. Another highlight is the Griffin National Finals in June, where curling, basketball, infant agility take centre stage. The year culminates in the prestigious crowning of the Sports Personality of the Year. These events provide students with opportunities to excel, build friendships, and celebrate sporting achievements at a Trust-wide level.

Founders Day raises funds to support a cause chosen by students and connected with the theme of the year. In every school the day centres on community: what it means to be a citizen so that students experience the difference they can make individually and collectively. This often lights leadership sparks in our students.

The Griffin Science Symposium (GSS) addresses the Trust theme of the year. Eminent scientists come from the John Innes Centre and the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London to give lively talks, demonstrations and workshops to students in years 6 and 7 from all schools.

The Griffin Arts Festival (GAF) is two-fold; all schools run two weeks of events which include performances and activities open to their local communities, plus there is a four day residential for ten Year 5 students from each school. There are now two centres for the GAF residential experience: London and Birmingham, where the competition winners enjoy visits to national arts venues, and workshops with professional choreographers, poets and musicians. The festival ends with our very own Last Night of the Proms concert which itself is preceded by performances from our schools.

By the time they leave primary school, pupils have begun to discover their inner musician, artist, poet, scientist, philosopher, sportsperson or campaigner.