At the Avenue, learning is not confined to academic lessons in the classroom.
Children gain so much from learning in many different ways and particularly benefit from first hand learning experiences out of the classroom environment.
We pride ourselves at The Avenue with the opportunities we offer our young children to grow and develop and believe that if you embrace a child's natural curiosity and love of learning, their future will be a bright one.
Several after school clubs are provided to further enhance our pupils’ creativity and physical skills. These are available for KS1, vary throughout the year, are important additions to school life and financed by the school.
Examples on offer are football, dance, drama, tennis, touch typing, Lego and woodwork
The prep school curriculum is often enhanced by visiting speakers, helping to foster an understanding of cultures, attitudes and interests which lead to mutual respect and tolerance.
We organise visits from a variety of outside speakers to engage and inspire our children. In the past we have welcomed visiting authors/poets, our local Met as well parents who can contribute to a topic e.g. religious festival.
We believe that school trips, linked to the curriculum, play an important part in children’s learning.
Each class in the Pre-Prep will go on at least one school trip per term. All trips are linked to the relevant topics for each class and are designed to develop the children’s understanding and learning.
The Science & Natural History Museums, Museum of Childhood, National & Portrait Gallery, Fire Station, Knebworth House, Windsor Castle and Postal Museum are just some of the places our pupils visit.
Our cookery classes offer children an opportunity to learn about where food comes from and how to make healthy food choices. Getting children involved in making their own food often encourages them to try new foods and develop an Interest in food preparation.
These classes are cross curricular and help children develop a wide range of skills including; Maths skills, Fine Motor skills, an appreciation of other cultures, an understanding of where food comes from and good hygiene practices, to name a few. The classes link into current topics and festivals we celebrate providing a practical experience of things they learn about in the classroom.
"There can be few more rewarding experiences – for either children or adults – than watching the seeds they have sown, sometimes more in hope than expectation, push up through the soil and grow into beautiful flowers or vegetables that they can pick and eat.” Dame Gillian Pugh Chair, Cambridge Primary Review and the National Children’s Bureau
Research has proved that pupils who spend time outdoors – both for learning and for playing – are happier and healthier all round. Our children are encouraged to get involved in our gardening projects during the warmer spring and summer days.
Benefits of gardening
- opportunities for increasing scientific knowledge and understanding,
- improving literacy, numeracy and oracy
- improves pupils’ confidence, resilience and self-esteem.
- sense of responsibility
- fosters positive behaviour
