The Church of England’s vision of education Deeply Christian, Serving the common good (2026) states ‘Good schools open up horizons of hope and aspiration and guide pupils into ways of fulfilling them… rooted in God’s love and compassion for all people and for the whole of creation.’ Therefore, as a Church school our main purpose is to:

• Educate for Wisdom, Knowledge & Skills
• Educate for Hope & Aspiration
• Educate for Community & Living Well Together
• Educate for Dignity and Respect

Our overarching school vision is firmly rooted in the Gospel according to Luke 1:37:  For with God nothing shall be impossible. This is something, we believe, reflects not only our core curriculum offer, but also our enrichment offer and sits within our Christian vision:   

Through our Christian Faith, we acknowledge our responsibility to all, to enrich lives and show love and respect within our school family.

We believe in lifelong learning aiming to equip our children to live life today and for tomorrow rooted in Christian love.

 

As a small Church of England rural primary school, enrichment is a vital part of our curriculum offer and wider provision. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils, regardless of ability or background, have access to experiences that broaden their horizons, develop character, and build cultural capital.

Our semi rural context brings both strengths and challenges. We benefit from a strong sense of community, close links with the parish church, local farmers, village organisations, and nearby natural environments. At the same time, we are mindful that pupils may have more limited access to some wider enrichment opportunities due to our location, access, transport barriers, and the small size of our school. We therefore plan enrichments deliberately so that they are inclusive, equitable, and closely aligned to our  Christian vision and values and enjoyed by all our pupils.

As a school, we seek to provide opportunities that help all pupils to:

• develop confidence, curiosity and aspiration
• experience the wider world beyond their immediate locality
• build relationships across age groups and with the wider community
• deepen their understanding of Christianity, service and responsibility
• participate in activities that promote well-being, creativity and teamwork

 

Therefore, enrichment opportunities are woven throughout our curriculum, collective worship, leadership opportunities, sporting events, visits, visitors, outdoor learning, musical experiences, charitable work, and community partnerships and are inclusive and accessible to all children in school.   

At Mellor St Mary CE Primary School, we recognise that enrichments should not be limited to optional extras at the end of the day. Instead, we aim to ensure that our enrichment offer is accessible to all pupils and forms a meaningful part of their entitlement to education. As stated in the DFE document ‘Evidence on Enrichment in Schools and Colleges’ (June 2026), we know that enrichment opportunities can help expand horizons, raise aspirations and improve engagement and we want to ensure that these opportunities are available for all, not just the privileged few. The development of essential skills, including teamwork, problem solving and communication can increase sense of belonging and contribute to greater wellbeing, attainment and attendance. These opportunities can also help pupils understand and engage with the world around them, equipping them to play a role in shaping their own futures.

Our enrichment offer is underpinned and aligned to our broader priorities which include:

• raising attainment
• improving attendance
• promoting positive behaviour
• supporting career guidance
• improving our curriculum
• enhancing personal development
• ensuring positive wellbeing

How enrichments are organised in our school

As a small school, we can offer some enrichment through whole-school participation, mixed-age events, and strong community links. We also use our local area as a rich resource for learning, including the village, church, surrounding countryside, and local heritage.

Our approach includes:

• Curriculum-linked enrichment - visits, workshops and themed days that deepen learning
• Cultural and spiritual enrichment - church visits, seasonal celebrations and collective worship
• Sport and physical activity - inter-school competitions, festivals and active play
• Arts and creativity - drama, music, art and performance opportunities
• Community and service - charity fundraising, community events and volunteering
• Outdoor and environmental learning - use of the school grounds, village, fields and local nature

We regularly review participation to ensure that opportunities are fully inclusive and available to all our pupils and that barriers such cost, transport or access are removed or minimised wherever possible.

Please see our Enrichment offer for further details