Art Club
Pupils need access to materials and workspace, extra time to complete projects (including work from other subjects sometimes) and time to experiment and pursue ideas of their own. They often produce some of their best work outside of the timetabled lesson. Art, craft and design embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. Art and design education seeks to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of art, craft and design.
F1 in Schools
F1 in school is an international competition running alongside the world F1 championships. The competition is aimed at 11-19 year olds and involves designing and manufacturing a micro F1 car to be raced against other teams. The competition also involves arranging sponsorship and presentation of knowledge and understanding of aerodynamics, materials, manufacturing and business workings.
Upper Wharfedale School are proud to, in 2017, have been represented by 3 teams, winning many awards and even winning our category. 2018 looks to be a highly competitive and exciting year.
Craft Club
The Craft club was started seven years ago and is currently open to all who may benefit from developing positive peer relationships, raising self-awareness, self-esteem and social skills. We wanted to create a safe and nurturing environment where children could relax and express themselves creatively. We actively encourage children to be independent and to make their own decisions. We encourage students to build strong and meaningful relationships based on mutual respect and value.
Students are allowed to bring their lunch to the club as this helps the students to develop conversation skills while eating.
The students are offered a variety of craft based activities using a variety of materials and media which help to develop their fine motor skills. It also teaches them about patience and perseverance, both transferable skills into the more formal setting of the classroom.
The club is by invitation only and by referrals from teaching staff who feel that their students would benefit this type of environment.
The club runs Tuesday and Thursday lunchtimes.
Musical Shows and Choir
In extra-curricular sessions our main aim is to enhance and expand on classroom learning. This could be practically or theoretically. We want pupils to engage and inspire to develop a love of performing arts and so increase their self-confidence, creativity and sense of achievement in and out of the classroom. In performing arts we aim to encourage personal development through practical participation and performance in a range of performing arts disciplines. We want to give learners a wider understanding and appreciation of performing arts and give learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills, techniques and personal attributes.
Sporting Clubs
It allows students to practise the skills previously learnt in lesson. It gets them ready for inter and intra-school competitions, promoting their independent learning skills as well as their leadership and coaching skills. It promotes pride for their school, and encourages support for each other.
The Big Dig and After School Archaeology Club
The Big Dig is an annual event that takes place in the first week of the summer holidays. It combines students from Upper Wharfedale School and its primary feeder schools who work alongside professional archaeologists in a week- long dig! Students learn about all aspects of archaeology including excavating, finds recording, photography, artefact identification, surveying and archaeological drawing. It is also a great opportunity for new students to meet their peers and make friendships before September.
In addition to this the school runs the After School Archaeology Club (ASAC) where students take part in field walking , metal detecting and archaeology at weekends at various locations across Wharfedale.
Both activities are very popular and hugely enjoyed by all taking part. For more information contact Mr Mitton at jmitton@uws.n-yorks.sch.uk.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award
What is the DofE?
A life-changing experience. A fun time with friends. An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work. A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers.
The DofE is many things to many people, supporting generations to successfully navigate adult life.
14-24 year-olds can do a DofE programme at one of three progressive levels which, when successfully completed, leads to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
There are four sections to complete at Bronze and Silver level and five at Gold. They involve helping the community/environment, becoming fitter, developing new skills, planning, training for and completing an expedition and, for Gold only, working with a team on a residential activity.
Any young person can do their DofE – regardless of ability, gender, background or location. Achieving an Award isn’t a competition or about being first. It’s all about setting personal challenges and pushing personal boundaries.
Through a DofE programme young people have fun, make friends, improve their self-esteem and build confidence. They gain essential skills and attributes for work and life such as resilience, problem-solving, team-working, communication and drive, enhancing CVs and uni and job applications. Top employers recognise the work-ready skills Award holders bring to their business.
At Upper Wharfedale School we run the Bronze Award which is open to all our Year 10 students.
