Wednesday Clubs:
On Wednesday afternoons, the students across the school, have the opportunity to take part in a club activity. A wide variety of clubs are on offer, such as Board games, Photography, Cricket, Mindfulness, Art and Craft, Music and Dance, Outdoor sports, Bingo etc.
Lunch time Clubs:
During lunch times, the students are able to participate in a variety of sporting activities such as Football, Dance, Sensory Circuit, New Age Curling and dodgeball. An external Dance instructor visits the students on Tuesday lunch times to teach dance and an external Boxing instructor visits some classes to teach Boxing.
Horse-riding:
Once a week the primary classes get to attend a structured horse-riding session at Chigwell Riding Trust. The riding school was established over 50 years ago and is specifically for people with special needs. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to increase physical health, boost confidence, reduce anxiety, develop and improve social skills and improve cognitive function.
Lambourne End:
‘Lambourne End Centre for Outdoor Learning is passionate about developing people, with a particular focus on young people. Using our unique blend of adventure, farm and environmental activities we aim to inspire people to make a positive contribution to their lives and their communities. In a safe, welcoming, yet alternative environment we will encourage people to stay healthy to have fun learning, build their confidence, raise their self-esteem and experience a sense of achievement. ‘
Some classes have the opportunity to visit Lambourne End and have a lot of fun learning about farm animals and how to care for them. Students get the opportunity to feed goats, chickens and rabbits.
Lambourne End also offers a variety of other activities, such as The Earth ball activity where students learn to work together as a team.
Chellington residential:
Some students from Key Stage 3 and 4 enjoyed a residential trip to The Chellington Centre. While we were there, we had a visit from ‘Animal Edge’ who brought their rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, goats and pony. This was made possible with the money used from the students’ Jack Petchey Award. The students took part in the ‘Great Chellington Bake Off’ and produced some very artistic creations. We had a picnic in the local country park and used our Numeracy skills to buy drinks from the café. We made tie dye T-shits to keep as a souvenir of our trip. We had a campfire, ate s’mores, sang songs and danced. Most of all, we enjoyed the beautiful countryside with our friends.
Horticulture:
Here at St John’s we have the privilege to have our own greenhouse. Our students get the opportunity to grow plants from seeds, grow vegetables, plant flowers, learn how to look after plants and use gardening tools safely. Our produce is used in our cooking sessions and the plants are sold on our Fete day.
Canoeing:
Some of our students had the opportunity to learn how to work together as a team and paddle in KataKanus at Fairlop Waters Outdoor Activity Centre. Although they were a little nervous at first, the students soon learned the ropes and it wasn’t long before they were able to manoeuvre around the lake like experts.
Fishing:
A group of KS4 students were lucky enough to be invited to a day’s ‘Fly Fishing’ in Maldon, by the Essex Freemasons. The students were supported by expert fishermen and landed several Rainbow Trout which they were able to take home for their dinner. The class were also treated to a Barbeque Lunch and a great day was had by all.
