Last updated at 14:04, Thursday, 17 July 2008

Thomlinson Junior School is more than an academic institution. It's provision of an extended curriculum run on a voluntary basis by staff and helpers is providing pupils with opportunities outside of the traditional subjects.

Headmaster Doug Hardy

Sport plays a big role in after school activities but headmaster Doug Hardie is keen to promote activities for every taste.

He said, "We're committed to providing an extended schedule of activities for the children. Dance, animation, singing, calligraphy, wildlife and art clubs. All of the efforts of teachers and volunteers are aimed at making activities as inclusive as we can."

Year six pupils can spend one day a week pursuing outdoor education activities. Canoeing, mountain navigation. All of the classes aim to build on the more traditional academic lessons and skills and provide some real world links with literary, geography and historical subject matter taught in the classroom.

The school is also keen to provide its pupils with a say when it comes to decision making within the school. There are four houses within the school. Bassenthwaite, Crummock, Derwent and Ennerdale. Each elects a house captain and vice captain who will sit on the school council. They are encouraged to take part in the decision making of the school and to represent the children's views.
The school has taken this a step further and with training from an outside agencies, pupils are now being selected and trained to act as Peer mentors. They act as a point of contact for the other students to go to with questions or issues. They have even been involved in organising school assemblies and have recently had a big effect in reducing litter around the school after organising and presenting a school assembly on the subject.

Head Doug Hardie said, "It's great that the children show so much enthusiasm. By putting trust in them and giving them responsibility we see some fantastic results. If a message is delivered by a pupils peers it will often have far more resonance that one delivered by a teacher. The assembly given by pupils on litter was a great success."

The pupils have recently been involved in running and chairing the local Community Forum meeting with pupils on the student council running the show.

The school is gearing up for the sports day on Monday 14th July and an end of term assembly organised by year six leavers on Friday the 18th with parents in attendance.

First published at 09:16, Thursday, 10 July 2008
Published by http://www.wigtonlocal.co.uk