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At Lordswood, we share a conviction that great schools are built on rich extra-curricular programmes and high-quality pastoral care as well as an inspiring creative curriculum, expertly taught. We know there are no limits for pupils and staff where commitment and enjoyment go together.
As members of Griffin Schools Trust, we share a belief in the three pillars of Proud Traditions, Wide Horizons and High Achievement and this is reflected in the opportunities that we provide for our pupils. As a school we support children to become self-confident, resilient individuals, who will take their talents and love of learning forward to the next level.
Co-Curricular
Every Lordswood child is exposed to an extensive range of curriculum enrichment activities to broaden their experiences. Through academic excursions to museums, theatres, art galleries and sporting events, as well as inviting a number of workshops in to school, we aim to bring to life the subjects being taught in the classroom.
Extra-Curricular
We encourage pupils to pursue a healthy, active lifestyle, making the most of their existing talents as well as exploring new ideas and opportunities. To enable this we provide a rich variety of creative and sporting after school activities:
- music clubs to foster a love and enjoyment of music making
- drama to boost confidence and creativity
- art classes to develop a love and appreciation of the Arts
- sports to build better social interactions through positive team work
Trust Engagement
Throughout the year there are a number of Trust-wide events that Lordswood takes part in:
There are a variety of exciting sports events throughout the year, fostering competition and teamwork. These include the Griffin Sports Festival held in October, where students compete in track and field, handball, and football showcasing their diverse abilities. Another highlight is the Griffin National Finals in June, where curling, basketball, infant agility take centre stage. The year culminates in the prestigious crowning of the Sports Personality of the Year. These events provide students with opportunities to excel, build friendships, and celebrate sporting achievements at a Trust-wide level.
Founders Day raises funds to support a cause chosen by students and connected with the theme of the year. In every school the day centres on community: what it means to be a citizen so that students experience the difference they can make individually and collectively. This often lights leadership sparks in our students.
The Griffin Science Symposium (GSS) addresses the Trust theme of the year. Eminent scientists come from the John Innes Centre and the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge and London to give lively talks, demonstrations and workshops to students in years 6 and 7 from all schools.
The Griffin Arts Festival (GAF) is two-fold; all schools run two weeks of events which include performances and activities open to their local communities, plus there is a four day residential for ten Year 5 students from each school. There are now two centres for the GAF residential experience: London and Birmingham, where the competition winners enjoy visits to national arts venues, and workshops with professional choreographers, poets and musicians. The festival ends with our very own Last Night of the Proms concert which itself is preceded by performances from our schools.
By the time they leave primary school, pupils have begun to discover their inner musician, artist, poet, scientist, philosopher, sportsperson or campaigner.
Partnerships
Artsmark
Lordswood is proud to have achieved the prestigious Artsmark Platinum Award, which recognises and celebrates our school’s commitment to embedding arts and culture at its heart. The Artsmark Award has been created to help unlock the potential of children and young people, to develop their character and talent, and increase their knowledge and understanding. In short, Artsmark has been designed to bring the arts and culture to life in every classroom.
Visit artsmark.org.uk for more information.
Drama Partnership with Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (Coram SSF)
Lordswood is recognised as a Bronze Shakespeare School. This means we have been recognised and appreciated by Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (Coram SSF) for achievements in our commitment to creativity.
Lordswood now collaborates with other local Trust schools to deliver “Shakespeare in a Day”. Supported by the Trust Art lead all year 5 children experience workshops delivered by a Westend director and then perform jointly to parents their own version of a Shakespeare Production.
Shakespeare wrote of both royalty and rebels and we believe his plays are the best way to bring people together; from uniting a cast to bringing a community into a theatre. We know that what we do has the power to change lives. We are proud of our commitment to the arts, showcasing the talents of our young people, performing to new audiences and sharing the passion, energy and love we feel for the theatre.
Medway Creative Schools Partnership
Strong links within the Creative Schools Partnership has enriched our provision, signposting us to local companies and museums, giving us access to expertise that strengthens the staff delivery of the Arts.
Links with the Royal Opera House has enabled Lordswood staff to join the Cultural Champions Leadership training programme ‘Create and Dance’, ‘Create and Sing’ and ‘Create and Design’ to drive the Arts across our creative curriculum.
Dynamics – The Medway Music Education Hub
This provides opportunities for our children across different year groups to have access to weekly drumming and ukulele lessons, ‘Make Music with Technology’ and experience of performing in the annual Medway Music Festival for School.
Our Offer
Cross-curricular themed days embedded within our curriculum across every subject give children a greater understanding and appreciation alongside National events, some of which include celebrating Black History Month, World Religion Day and World Earth Day.
Strong links with local Grammar schools have enhanced our offer for some children to experience 11+ tutoring, science workshops and ‘Super Saturdays’ where children are involved in drama, art and technology activities, delivered by staff from the University of Kent.