Extension & Enrichment
Welcome to our Extension & Enrichment page. These are links and activities that staff at Highfields have suggested to keep you engaged and active outside of school. We hope you enjoy them.
Online Learning
BBC Bitesize: Lockdown Learning - Students can watch programmes supporting the curriculum these are also complimented by drama adaptations as well as relevant BBC Science and History programmes. Episodes are available on BBC IPlayer.
Oak National Academy: Online Classroom - Nearly 10,000 free video lessons, resources and activities for KS3 and KS4 students.
WV Virtual Squad - Online activities and educational resources for children and young people of all ages. There’s everything from sport and cooking to learning activities and music lesson ideas.
TED Talks for Kids - Talks on a variety of subjects - fun, informative and captivating talks to inspire young minds.
Podcasts
Podbean - An amazing collection of podcasts for free. It has lots of categories, such as, You're Dead To Me (History podcast, also available at BBC sounds), One Good Thing (finding any good thing about bad films), Coffee Break Swedish and Coffee Break Spanish (language learning/practice, several other languages are available).
BBC Sounds - Explore podcasts in a range of different categories.
History and Culture
Historical Association - Write your own historical fiction competition: Deadline: 28th May 2021.
History Podcasts - The greatest and strangest stuff you missed in History lessons!
Virtual Tours
Free Virtual Tours of World Museums, Educational Sites & Galleries For Children - Explore the world at your finger tips through virtual tours including Ancient Rome, The British Museum, The Eiffel Tower and many more.
Science Museum Group Tour - Explore over 350,000 objects and archives from the Science Museum, Science and Industry Museum, National Science and Media Museum and National Railway Museum and Locomotion.
How to experience London virtually - Visit some of the capital's best-loved museums, galleries and historic buildings without getting up from your sofa such as the British Museum, Houses of Parliament & National Gallery.
Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre - Enjoy a free virtual tour and have a go at the interactive quiz to test your knowledge.
Google's National Park Tours - Virtual Tours of US National Parks.
Books & Literature
Take your Pick - Have a look at the recommended reading list for your year group on the Communications page of the school website. Choose a book from the list to read and enjoy, and let your English teacher know what you think.
Reading Challenge - Try to read at least one book from each of these categories. If you’re struggling to choose, have a look at Communications page of the school website for a recommended reading list or email Mrs Ward (nward@hswv.co.uk) who will be more than happy to recommend a good read!
A nonfiction book (memoir included)
A bestselling book
A book recommended by a friend
A newly published book whose reviews you like
Audible - If you wanted to listen to books try some of the FREE books currently available.
Creative Writing Challenge - Choose one of these ideas to help you to write your own story:
The doughnut apocalypse is coming soon. What do you do to get ready?
You are a vegetarian tiger. Write a story about a day in your life
15 people are trapped in a cave during a tornado. What happens next?
The Perfect Summer
Send your stories to Mrs Allen, Head of Communications Learning School (kallen@hswv.co.uk).
Book Worm - Design an alternative front cover for your favourite book. If you want to, you could even write an alternative ending. Where will your favourite characters end up?
Film & Languages
The Show Must Go On - Every Thursday at 7pm The National Theatre are showing free full length productions of their best shows such as ‘One Man Two Guvnors’ with James Corden.
Royal Opera House - Never been to the opera or seen ballet performed live? Now is your chance.
Film Stories: Become a Film Critic - Submit a review of a film you have enjoyed. You could have your review published in their magazine!
Linguascope: Have a go at practising what you have been learning in your languages lessons, or teach yourself some new vocabulary. Speak to your MFL teacher if you need a reminder of the username and password for your class.
La Música - Listen to the top 40 on the Spanish music charts on YouTube and choose your favourite song.
Chillax - Find time to unwind with some Spanish Cosmic Yoga.
Science, Maths and Natural History
A Perfect Planet - BBC IPlayer - Presented by David Attenborough discover how incredible, awe-inspiring life is driven by its natural forces - and how we can ensure humans become a force for good.
Magic Numbers: Hannah Fry's Mysterious World of Maths - Documentary series in which Dr Hannah Fry explores the mystery of Maths. Is it invented like a language or is it discovered and part of the fabric of the universe?
KS3 CREST Challenge - Design a game controller.
KS3 CREST Challenge - The perfect cup of tea.
STEM at home for post-16 students - Supporting lessons children are doing at home, a selection of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education activities that can be easily adapted for the home setting.
The Royal Institution: Christmas Lectures - Watch past Christmas Lectures and catch up with past episodes in full and for free on our ever expanding online archive.
Year 7 Seawater Challenge - A Science challenge based on being stuck on a desert island.
CREST Award Incredible Inoculations Brief & PowerPoint - KS3 Vaccination Project
How to grow vegetables from kitchen scraps - Save money, cut down on food waste, and learn valuable lessons about nature and sustainability.
Stop the Natural Hazards online game - Learn of the risks posed by natural hazards and manage your resources.
Wildlife watch games - Exploring the great outdoors and find out a bit more about the weird and wonderful creatures we share our world with.
Woodland Trust Tree ID games - Printable tree ID guides are a fantastic way to help children learn about trees.
National Geographic - Discover all there is to know about the Natural World.
Access Mars - Experience the surface of Mars, as recorded by NASA rover.
Creativity & Music
Brian May Isolated; Bohemian Rhapsody Tutorial in his living room - There's a lot of people giving music lessons online, usually via Instagram or YouTube, including Brian May! He has been sharing "micro concerts" where he teaches various Queen songs on guitar, such as Bohemian Rhapsody.
Drum Lessons - If anyone is an amateur drummer, here is a good series of short lessons for absolute beginners to get a taster (parents and neighbours may not thank us).
Drumming Without Drums - Drum kits aren't always required to practise either.
100 Art Therapy Exercises - A popular internet list of art therapy activities originally posted up in 2011 by the Nursing School Blog updated to reflect the most inspiring art therapy directives on the internet today.
The Design Museum: Create and Make at Home - Enjoy a family Create and Make workshop at home. Colour, cut and build to create your own design project.
Photography Club - Grab your camera or use your phone and get involved.
Mental Health and Mindfullness
Headspace - A paid service, but gives 10 free days of guided meditation, that can be replayed as often as people want- I used it for over a year just with those 10 free sessions. It's very easy to follow, super relaxing, and explains everything with animations to help make all the theories and exercises clear. The paid service has more specific support, such as helping with sleep and mindful exercise.
Smiling Mind - Run by an Australian non-profit so it's totally free, it's a collection of mindfulness programs (including family, youth and classroom programs). Currently running a Thrive Inside project to help keep people mentally healthy during the lockdown period. The sleep program especially is brilliant!
Virtual Camping Challenge - With mountains and hills, rivers and coasts, forests and woodlands, we’re pretty spoilt for choice, and there’s never been a better time to enjoy the great outdoors on your doorstep.
#Be Kind - Have a go at writing your own blog about how to look after your mental health during lockdown. Young Minds are looking for writers to add to their blog and will publish any ideas they think will help young people. The website is full of helpful tips about how to look after mind so have a read whilst you’re there!