Learning Beyond the Classroom

At Westage Hill Primary Academy, learning beyond the classroom is not an add-on - it's a vital, embedded part of our curriculum. Our school is located in the centre of Newcastle upon Tyne. A vibrant and busy city with hustle and bustle everywhere. For us, it is important that we utilise the wonderful opportunities our unique city brings us. Learning doesn't just occur in the classroom, it occurs everywhere!

We believe that pupils thrive when learning is active, fun, relevant and deeply engaging. Learning outside of the classroom helps to promote - 

* Deep-level learning through hands-on experiences
* Wellbeing andemotional regulation
* Physical development, with regular movement-rich activities outdoors
* Confidence and independence, fostered through risk-taking and challenge
* Social and communication skills, developed through teamwork and real-life problem solving

It doesn't matter if it is storytelling around our Forest School fire, or visiting Beamish Musum or the Laing Art Gallery, or building with real tools, our pupils gain skills and knowledge beyond the classroom that prepares them for life after Westgate Hill.

Our curriculum has been bespoke designed to include all manner of opportunites for our pupils to learn outside the classroom. We provide our children with many opportunities to enrich their knowledge of the topics that they learn about. Children in each year group benefit from carefully planned educational visits, visitors and experiences to enhance their understanding and bring their learning to life.

An overview of all of the wonderful visits and vistors we provide to each year group can be found here -

Westgate-Hill-Primary-Academy-LOtC-Overview.docx

In addition to experiences in each year group, we also have events that take place throughout the school year for groups of children. Members of our KS2 Pupil Parliament visit London to see democracy in action at the Houses of Parliament. They also visit our Civic Centre to learn about local democratic processes. Our Mini Police take part in litter picks, speed awareness campaigns and visits to the police station. Year 5 and 6 children are invited to take part in an action-packed 3-day residential at Robinwood.  

Children throughout the whole school take part in a ‘Skills Builder Challenge Day’ in the summer term, where they are encouraged to work together to reinforce their essential skills, by applying them in a real-life challenge.

These rich experiences empower our pupils to step into the future with confidence, enthusiasm and a lifelong love of learning.