does your dc's school do much other than the academic stuff?

[paddingtonbear1]

found out today that dd's doesn't. Have suspected for a while - it's very academic, more emphasis on SATS results. Not many after school clubs, which doesn't worry me too much, but I thought they'd be able to do more music in juniors - in the other schools nearby they have music lessons in school time (when they learn to play an instrument). dd's school doesn't allow this - is this usual? both dh and I did it and I assumed (silly me) it was the norm. Other mums take their kids to after school dance classes etc but dh and I can't always do this as we work. dd doesn't seem bothered yet but is she missing out?!
I would like her to do music as I did and she seems interested, although she's young yet. I guess I could do private lessons when she's older.

[roisin]

Our (state) primary school do loads above and beyond the academic focusing on SATs results.

Every year every child in school takes part in professional dance workshop & performance, watching visiting theatre groups, poetry workshop & performance with visiting poet. They put on three productions a year (Christmas is YR, Yr1&2, Easter Yr3&4, Summer Yr6). Every child in school is on stage and involved in the production in some way. They also have lots of singing, assemblies, lots of PE and swimming; every week they have class music lessons with subject-specialist music teacher, same for French and IT.

On an individual basis there are a wide variety of extra-curric activities and individual or small group instrumental lessons.

[Blondilocks]

Sometimes it seems that DD's school do more of the non academic than the academic, although I'm sure that's not true & she just tells us about selective things!

DD does music lessons at lunchtime and after school. I did most of my music lessons when I was at secondary school & don't feel like I missed out. They also have a wide range of clubs, so she does gym at the moment.

[Hulababy]

DD's (private) school is very academic once it hits prep/junior age, but it still incorprates an awful lot of additional activities beying the academia. They do a lot of music with 70% of pupils having musical tution and playing instruments. They do a lot of sporting activities including ballet, gymnastics, fencing, mini tennis, hockey, etc. They learn French from Y1 age, and can learn Spanish and Japanese in after school clubs. There are may clubs on offer Thy do a lot of art/craft based work. And they alld o drama and speech, plus all take part in annual productions.

[Reallytired]

My son's state school offers loads of things. For year 2s there is the option of French clubs, cookery, Urdu club, Dance, choir and football. I have no idea what other years are offered but I do know that the choices on offer increase in juniors. There are also breakfast and after school clubs.

My son does French and choir at lunch time and cookery after school once a week. He also goes to the after school club everyday.

[paddingtonbear1]

gosh dd's school seems to have much less, there is after school club but they don't do much in it - mainly I'd just call it 'supervision'. We don't use it as it closes at 5 which is too early for work! I think there is cookery club but not till yr 4, and a few sports clubs for juniors. Practically no music at all, they won't let music teachers come in, even after school. This is a state school btw. They have 2 PE sessions a week.

[Reallytired]

That is sad. All schools in our area are part of an extended schools constorium. They cooperate to make varied activites possible. In the future extra curricular activites will be assessed as part of OFSTED. Your daughter's high achieving school might be in for a shock with their next OFSTED inspection.

My son's after school club does all kinds of things. They do art and crafts, paracute games, lego, they get to play in the nursery playground with a range of lovely toys. Each day there is an optional activity or if they are too tired they can just chill out on the bean bag.

We have the problem of the after school club closing at five, but I work in a school so its not such a problem. It would be nice if it stayed open longer so I could get a job that pays a half decent salary.

Still our SAT results are crapola because we are in such a deprived area.

[paddingtonbear1]

dd's school got 'outstanding' at their last OFSTED, and they have several awards which the head is very proud of. This must be largely based on academic results though, so yes they will be in for a shock!
dd goes to an independent after school club which does have lots of toys, arts and crafts and an outside area.
Some mums at dd's school take their kids to music, dance etc after school themselves (elsewhere in the village), but as dh and I both need to work we can't often do this.

[cory]

Ds's state junior school offers a good range of musical instruments (lessons during school hours), run a choir, orchestra, arts club, IT club, and several after-school sports clubs. They recently got an Outstanding for their music in the Ofsted. Academic results are also quite good, though not quite outstanding. They put on plays and concerts at Christmas and in the summer, and the choir and orchestra have performed at various events.

Dd's secondary also does the music and sports, also drama club, Latin club etc.

[ByTheSea]

DDs' state primary does loads of non-academic things, as well as getting decent academic results. There are lots of after-school and sports clubs, various performances, choir, instrumental music lessons and a small band, KS1 clubs, chess and computer clubs, lots of trips, gardening, etc.