Year 9 Wider Learning

Week July 2016

Dear Parent/Carer,
I am writing to inform you about Wider Learning Week, which will take place from Monday 4 to
Friday 8 July. This week is an opportunity for students to participate in an activity of personal
interest, to develop their key skills, and to engage in wider learning. In putting together the
programme, we have tried to ensure a range of activities, at a range of costs. Many of the
activities are free, and, where there is a charge, we have tried to minimise it. All costs will be
finally confirmed once group sizes are known.
Your son/ward will be engaged on the same activity for all five days. Therefore, it is important
that he is careful and serious about his choice (and reserve choices). Please take the time to
look through the activities overleaf with your son/ward. The exact nature of each activity may
vary from the description, depending on group size. Page 4 of this booklet details what students
need to do after making their choice.
Please note that if students wish to complete the bronze Duke of Edinburghs award, they must
select this as their Wider Learning Week activity.
Thank you in advance for your
support.
Yours faithfully,

Miss J Higginbottom
Deputy Headteacher

Activities
Duke of Edinburghs Bronze Award
Location: On/off-site
Cost:

105

Max No.:

50

The week will involve preparation, the final expedition, and the final presentation. It will consist
of a combination of practical and theory sessions aimed at giving you the best chance to pass
the expedition section of the bronze award. The cost is inclusive of all food, campsite fees and
a compulsory 17.00 registration fee payable directly to the DofE scheme. It is important to
note that if you are doing DofE, you MUST choose this option to complete the bronze award.

Art Attack

Being an Architect

Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

On-site/London visits
FREE
24

On-site/London visits
FREE
20

You will be able to experience art first-hand,

with a trip to the Tate Modern and a trip to
Kew Gardens.
You will then use the experiences of the
visits as an inspiration to research and
create a piece of art. There will be a
celebration event at the end of the week of
the art created. Please see below for the
collage created by last years cohort.

The aim of this week is to develop your

experience, knowledge and understanding
of architecture and the built environment.
This involves responding to a design brief
set by the Royal Institute of British Architects
and then working on a project during the
week. This includes a visit to the Royal
Institute of British Architects, and linking the
work of architects to art, ICT, mathematics
and physics. It also involves a further trip to
explore some of the architecture in London
and the V&A Museum.

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Activities
Computing

Fishing
Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

This activity involves five full days of fishing

with minibus transport to each site.

On-site
FREE
28

Through this activity, you will develop a

range of computing skills. This will include:
app creation, game making, podcasting, and
how control systems work. It is likely that this
activity will include a day trip to Sky.

Specialist coaches will be used from the

local angling club, with pre-event coaching.
You will need a daily packed lunch and
fishing bait.
The cost of this activity includes a one-year
environmental licence and day permits.

Film-Making

Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

Local areas
35
12

On-site/local visits
40 50
24

We will take a "hands-on" look at filmmaking both in front and behind the camera.
We will take a trip to the The Making of
Harry Potter at Warner Brothers Studios,
while another day will be spent at a filmmaking centre such as the BFI or Sky
Academy. We will spend the remainder of
our time, planning, filming and editing a
short film. We hope that the week will offer
students the opportunity to learn more about
and be inspired by the film-making process.
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Activities
PSHE
Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

On-site
FREE
20

For double MFL students who have missed

PSHE this year, students will undertake an
exciting week. During the five days, you will
complete your first aid certificate, as well as
focusing on health, contraception and
relationships choices.

Sports Week
Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

On-site/London sports venues

45
28

This activity will take in a mixture of on-site

sports-related activities such as: volleyball,
softball and ultimate frisbee.
You will also undertake some off-site sport last years trips included: cycling at the
Velodrome, swimming and diving at the
Olympic Park, and Top Golf.

Survival Week
Location:
Cost:
Max No.:

Local outdoor areas

45
20

This involves students learning how to survive in the

wild and dangerous environments of Bedfont,
Brentford, Isleworth and Osterley. Students will
spend three days in Bedfont, where they will develop
their ability to survive outdoors, including: building
survival shelters from undergrowth; trying to ignite a
fire with no matches; and tracking animals. Other
activities involve team-building, basic first aid, and,
uniquely, skinning rabbits. No equipment is required.

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Whats Next?
Students will be sent an electronic survey via email, to their school email address. If a
student does not receive an email, they should let Miss Higginbottom or their form tutor
know.
This Activity Request Form must be completed by Friday 29 January at the latest.
It is a simple survey which asks students to select one first choice and up to two reserve
choices.
We will try to ensure first choices wherever possible.

Payments
Further information will be issued by the member of staff leading the activity, once
choices are confirmed.
Arrangements will be in place to allow you to pay either in instalments or the full amount,
but the final payment deadline for activities is Wednesday 25 May 2016.

Timescales
FRIDAY 29 JANUARY

Final deadline to complete Wider Learning Week choices online.

FRIDAY 5 FEBRUARY

Choices are confirmed to students.

FRIDAY 12 FEBRUARY

Letters are issued and payments plans detailed.

WEDNESDAY 25 MAY

Final payment of any activity must be made.

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