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Enhanced Curricular

At Highfurlong we recognise the value that enhanced curricular activities have on the teaching and learning in school and the positive impact on pupils mental health and wellbeing.  They also allow us to provide enhanced experiences to our learners which are motivating and exciting, beyond the classroom.

Take a look at some of our recent activities.

Academic Year 2022-23

Sports Day

This half term we have held the upper school sports day at Blackpool Sports Centre and the lower school sports day in school. Pupils took part in a number of activities including speed bounce, beep test, shooting stars and boccia hoops. In the afternoon parents were invited to attend. 

Mad Science Day

In June we had Mad Science in school to celebrate National Science week. All pupils took part in different science activities such as Magnetic Magic, Up, Up and Away and Energise it! Thank you to the PTFA for supporting this event.

King Charles Coronation

We had a fantastic day in school celebrating the King’s Coronation. The morning started with the whole school volunteering and helping to replant our school planters with lots of exciting plants, trees and vegetables, this was part of the national ‘Big Help Out’ scheme. There was also a treasure hunt, afternoon tea in the hydrotherapy pool and class activities. As part of the ‘Coronation Big Lunch’ the whole school had a picnic outside. In the afternoon we had a very special visitor Deputy Lieutenant of Lancashire John Barnett and his wife Danielle. They spoke to all the pupils and even took part in our Scottish reel. We finished the day with a Royal procession around school followed by the National Anthem. Action packed day!

Highfurlong v Red Marsh

This summer term Highfurlong football team have been training hard at football practice in preparation for local games against Red Marsh School.  Although we didn’t win on the day it was a great experience for the whole team, they demonstarted excellent sportsmanship, team work and resilience. We can’t wait for the rematch. 

Royal Ballet School

We have been really lucky in school this term and have had two wonderful visits from the The Royal Ballet School. Highfurlong have been supporting the Royal Ballet School to deliver their Primary Steps Programme. They delivered a full day’s workshop to both lower and upper school, where pupils got to look at some of the different shoes ballet dancers wear and got to experience routines and dance along to a live musician! Lots of fun was had by all and we cannot wait for our next dance day next term!

World Book Day March 2023 📙🍏🎊

All pupils had a very exciting day in school. We invited parents and carers in to share stories with their child, Miss Mercer delivered a phonics session to parents sharing top tips and information on our ‘Reading River’ scheme, not to mention all of the fantastic costumes from both pupils and staff! There was also a Big Read where some of older pupils shared their favourite books, we even had a reading session in the pool. A fantastic day for all involved.

Festival of Words with Nathan Parker

During Spring half term our young people have been working hard creating their own poetry with Nathan Parker, local author, using a range of communication methods and devices. They all then got to share their work at our ‘Festival of Words’ showcasing that no matter how you express yourself you can create literature! The words performed were then be put into an anthology.

Boccia Development Group

In the Spring term some pupils attended a Boccia development group.  The group who attend the boccia group received messages of support from some very special people, David Smith, MBE, Paralympic, World and European Champion and Louis Saunders who is also a member of the UK Boccia Team.
These pupils developed their use of a boccia ramp and worked on their communication skills to enable them to develop their game. Boccia is a Paralympic sport which involves using a ramp or throwing a ball to get nearest to a ‘jack’ ball, similar to bowls. Highfurlong definitely has future boccia stars in the making!!

Tales Retold Project with Blackpool Grand Theatre

In December our Year 7 Square Class had a wonderful time at the panto ‘Sleeping Beauty’ where they got to meet the cast and watch the performance! This year our pupils have been working with Grand Theatre Blackpool in the ‘Tales Retold’ project and we are excited to take part in other projects next year.

Blackpool Schools Dance Festival

In November pupils from the Performing Arts club took part in the annual Blackpool Schools Dance Festival at the Winter Gardens. The theme of the show was Kings and Queens, our amazing pupils performed a medley of songs including the National Anthem and paid tribute to the late Queen and our new King. Well done to everyone who took part and a massive thank you to the staff who gave their time to ensure our pupils have these amazing opportunities!

African Drumming Workshop

In October we welcomed Wedzi and the Blackpool Music Service into school to deliver an African drumming workshop. All pupils had an amazing experience and took part in African singing, dance and Djembe drumming. We can’t wait to welcome Wedzi back in the future.

KS3 perform in Twelfth Night

In September a group of KS3 pupils were asked to take part in a Royal Shakespeare Company performance of the Twelfth Night at the Grand Theatre, Blackpool.  They worked very hard to learn their parts and it was magical to watch them up on the big stage.  They were amazing, well done! 

Academic Year 2021-22

Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebration

In May we held our Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations. KS5 organised lots of activities including pin the tail on the corgi and traditional outdoor games. All pupils took part in a tea dance in the hall with traditional lemonade. At lunch time we held a whole school street party, followed by a special assembly. We even got a very special letter from the Queen.  

Quidditch Day 

In May all pupils took part in a Quidditch day as part of our whole school Move day.  They were sorted into teams by the sorting hat and then the games commenced.  We now have our very own Quidditch set in school, and we are very excited to master our new game.
Quidditch

Ribby Hall Music Festival

In April the school choir took part in the Ribby Hall Music Festival with other special schools.  The choir had been busy practicing classic rock songs which they performed followed by a disco.  They performed amazingly in front of the peers and other adults and we are very proud of their confidence and reslience.

World Book Day 2022

In March, pupils and staff dressed up for World Book Day in force. Parents came to into school to take part in activites and key stage 5 ran coffee shop and opened The Giftbox shop,.  There were competitions galore and a big read in the afternoon. There was a great buzz around school about reading and the day was enjoyed by all. 
Highfurlong School world book day
Highfurlong School lots of happy students

Schools Alive

In February some of our pupils were invited to perform at the Winter Gardens for Schools Alive. Hosted by the Blackpool Music Service, pupils
joined other schools on stage and did an amazing, energetic performance of the Greatest Showman.  They did an incredible job and we are very proud of them.

Circus Skills

In February the circus came to visit Triangle and Circle class. This linked into their topic of animals and the circus and they had a great time practicing circus skills in the hall.

Highfurlong School having fun
Highfurlong School happy student

Winnie the Pooh Day

Highfurlong supported Blackpool’s Get into Reading scheme by holding a Winnie the Pooh day.  All pupils took part in various activities and were all given a very special book to take home.