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Redstart University

For years 4, 5 & 6, an afternoon every week is dedicated to the Redstart University. There are a wide range of exciting courses for the children to choose from, and each course runs for a half term. The children are placed in small groups which encourage participation, and boosts confidence.

At the beginning, the children decide what the outcome of the course will be, eg: a presentation, display or performance. The courses are designed to take into account children of all abilities.
At the end of each course, parents are invited to attend a presentation where they can see what interesting new subjects their children have sampled.

Courses for 2011/2012

This year, our pupils will have the opportunity to experience a number of new and interesting topics on a Tuesday afternoon.(see below)

Why not ask your child about the course they are doing?

Student Voice

This facinating course is helping children to become 'Student Learning Partners'. They will eventually visit classes with the School Principal in order to look at positive learning paths within the classes. They are focusing on learning to give and take constructive criticism, by planning lessons themselves and teaching their group, who will provide feedback. So far they have learned that a sense of humour is very important, and that they enjoy being taught by someone of their own age!

Garden Design

Mrs Darch says that the children have been re-designing various outside areas around the school with a view to improving them. The children have been tidying and re-planting containers, and have used plants won in the 'Chard in Bloom Competition' in a superb container by the main school entrance.

The children made seasonal foliage decorations at the end of their course.

Multi-media Displays

The group have been tasked with promoting school activities by displaying work done by children, around the school. They will be making use of the display boards, and a monitor soon to be put in the school foyer.

Multi-media university course.

Drama

The children are working with Mrs Organ to perform a selection of scenes from Macbeth.

Dinosaurs & Fossils

Dinosaurs and fossils Dinosaur chart

Digital Animation

The children are having fun, learning to make movies using new software called 'iKITMOVIE', importing images sound & music.

Digital animation work

Native American Craft

This group are making Dream Catchers. They have learned about the origins of these items and what they represent.

Dream catcher work

Penny Pots

Using a plastic bottle, masking tape coloured tissue paper & other decorative items, the children have been making character penny pots ( a fun twist on a moneybox). They drew up their plans before embarking on their project.

A Bug's Life (Entomology)

Olivia said that she is enjoying learning about different bugs so that she won't be so scared of them! Children on this course are learning how to classify different creatures, and identify their particular characteristics. They will find out about insect behaviour, and toward the end of the course the children will learn how to use a microscope.

Mountains

Jess explained that she was learning about how mountains were made. The group had discussed the famous mountains they knew of. They have completed a fact sheet on which they had labelled various parts of mountain terrain.The children hope to make a replica of a mountain too!

Story Telling

Using their voices, faces and gestures the children in this group are learning to re-tell traditional tales in an exciting, stimulating way.The children create their own picture story board as an aid to help them remember their stories. The Reception classes will be priviledged to hear these stories presented to them towards the end of the course.