Newcastle high school students sample new activities at university-style enrichment afternoons

Sixth Form students at a Newcastle high school have been sampling new activities in the classroom, ranging from cooking to learning sign language.

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St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School is holding weekly ‘enrichment afternoons’ as part of its sixth form curriculum, which offer a range of different activities for students to become involved with.

The idea is modelled on the traditional university Wednesday afternoon where students are encouraged to take part in co-curricular activities.

At St Cuthbert’s there is no teaching or classes scheduled every Wednesday afternoon to allow the entire sixth form - more than 200 students - to get involved. 

A huge range of activities are on offer to sample over a six-week period, such as cooking, sport, beginners sign language, beginners Spanish, beginners Italian, beginners Mandarin, Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) and community service.

The sessions have been praised by students, who say the skills they are learning will be useful for the future.

One said: “Sign language is a very interesting topic which may come up later in life, so it has improved my skills when talking to deaf people.”

Another said: “Completing the EPQ means I feel more prepared in the project and organisational skills I will need in the future.”

“Cooking allows me to improve my skills in the kitchen. It is helpful as it gives me a guide and easy recipes in preparation for university,” another student added.

Daniel Murray, headmaster of St Cuthbert’s Catholic High School, part of the Bishop Bewick Catholic Education Trust, said: “By protecting time on Wednesday afternoons, we ensure that the boys have a common time during the week to do something different. It is a great time in the week and a positive experience for the boys. The students can choose from a range of activities for a rolling six-week period.”

The sixth form enrichment sessions are part of the school’s approach to delivering an outstanding educational experience, which recognises the importance of examination success while developing young people in all aspects of their lives.

Sixth form students at St Cuthbert’s say they enjoy being given the independence to learn and study at their own pace.

“We are treated as mature young men with time for independent study and reflection,” one said.
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“The breadth and depth of curricular and super curricular opportunities are exceptional,” another added.