Enrichment Framework – Elm Tree Community Primary School

Our Vision

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, enrichment is a fundamental part of our curriculum and reflects our commitment to providing every child with a place to thrive, socially, emotionally and academically.

As a specialist SEMH primary school, we recognise that many pupils require meaningful experiences, opportunities to develop confidence and resilience, and exposure to the wider world in order to overcome barriers to learning and future success. Our enrichment offer is carefully designed to ensure all pupils access a broad range of experiences that support personal development, aspiration and preparation for adulthood.

Through a planned programme of enrichment opportunities, pupils develop essential knowledge, skills and experiences that complement their academic learning and enable them to become confident, engaged and successful members of their communities.

Definition of Enrichment

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, enrichment refers to the planned experiences, opportunities and activities that enhance and extend pupils' learning beyond the statutory curriculum. Enrichment is designed to help pupils develop personally, socially, emotionally and culturally, whilst enabling our pupils to access experiences that broaden their horizons, build aspirations and prepare them for future success.

School Context

Elm Tree Community Primary School provides education for pupils with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) who have a range of additional needs, including Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) needs, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Moderate Learning Difficulties (MLD), Severe Learning Difficulties (SLD) and Speech, Language and Communication Difficulties (SLCD).

Elm Tree is dedicated to opening doors and expanding horizons for every child. We intentionally design our environment to bridge gaps and provide rich, vibrant experiences that extend far beyond the immediate neighbourhood. Supported by Pupil Premium funding for 71% of our wonderful pupils, we channel our resources into creating an ambitious, inclusive, and therapeutic enrichment curriculum. At Elm Tree, we see potential in every child and ensure they have the tools, care, and opportunities to thrive.

The Purpose of Enrichment at Elm Tree

Enrichment is not an addition to our curriculum it is an integral part of how we help our pupils thrive. Through enrichment our children are supported to develop their:

Equity and Inclusion

At Elm Tree, we believe that every young person deserves a vibrant, well-rounded education filled with memorable experiences. Our enrichment framework is built to ensure that all pupils have full access to these exciting opportunities, completely independent of their academic background, personal circumstances, or individual needs. Every child at Elm Tree is entitled to a broad, inspiring range of enrichment experiences throughout their school journey. We celebrate the unique potential of each pupil and are proud to foster an inclusive environment where everyone can explore, grow, and succeed together.

 

Elm Tree's Enrichment Principles

Personal Development

Our enrichment offer makes a significant contribution to pupils' personal development by supporting:

These experiences help pupils become active and responsible members of society.

The Five Elm Tree Enrichment Categories


The following five categories provide the structure for enrichment at Elm Tree Community Primary School. They are based on the principles of the National Enrichment Framework but are adapted to meet the needs of the children within our school

Civic Engagement Involves activities that enable learners to participate in democratic processes, contribute to their communities, develop leadership and advocacy skills, volunteer for social causes, and take informed action on issues affecting school, local, national, and global communities. At Elm Tree examples include:

  • Student Council
  • Eco Council
  • Vision and Values Council
  • Pupil Parliament (Lancashire)
  • Buddy Time
  • Reading Mascots
  • Fundraising events for charity
  • Student interviews for new staff
  • Student participation in school improvement planning
  • Voting on school initiatives
  • Pupil Voice

Arts and Culture involves activities that enable learners to create, perform, experience and appreciate music, visual arts, drama, dance, literature, media and cultural heritage. This includes participation in creative activities, engagement with professional artists and cultural institutions, and access to high-quality cultural experiences that broaden horizons and develop creativity, expression and cultural understanding. At Elm Tree examples include:

  • Dance Club
  • School performances
  • Visits to local theatre performances
  • Visits e.g art galleries, local museums, heritage sites
  • International culture days – “Wow Days”
  • Music Club
  • Creative Club
  • Art Therapy Sessions

Nature, outdoors and adventure involves activities that enable learners to explore, understand and care for the natural environment while developing confidence, resilience, teamwork and independence through outdoor learning, sustainability initiatives, environmental action, gardening, adventure activities, residential experiences and engagement with nature

  • Forest School
  • Eco Council
  • Eco Awards
  • Junior Duke
  • Outdoor Learning – Elm Tree Forest & Pond
  • Elm Tree Allotment
  • Conservation Projects
  • Wildlife Projects
  • Gardening Club
  • Fieldwork
  • Visits to local farms
  • Orienteering
  • Sustainability Awareness Events
  • Environmental campaigns
  • RSPB – Bird Watch
  • Community conservations e.g local litter picks, canal clean ups, beach cleans
  • Habitat improvement e.g wildflower planting, bird feeding, bug hotels
  • School residentials

Sport and physical activities includes activities that enable learners to participate in, compete in, lead, officiate and enjoy sport and physical activity. This includes team and individual sports, dance, fitness, active travel, leadership opportunities, school representation and exposure to live sporting events, promoting physical health, wellbeing, teamwork, resilience and lifelong participation in physical activity.

  • Local swimming competitions
  • Local Primary Football Competitions
  • Lunchtime Sports Clubs
  • Liverpool Football Coaching Sessions (1 Term annually)
  • Wigan Athletic Coaching Sessions (1:1 sessions)
  • Dance Club
  • Community Day Performances
  • Mindfulness club
  • Bikeability
  • Watching local rugby matches
  • Watching local football matches
  • Sports Day
  • Chill Factor

Developing wider life and future skills

Activities that equip learners with the practical knowledge, employability skills, digital confidence, leadership capabilities and personal attributes needed for success in adult life, further education and future careers. This includes digital literacy, STEM, enterprise, financial capability, cooking, careers education, leadership, communication and independent living skills

  • Science Club
  • STEM Week
  • Number Day
  • Careers Day
  • D:T Festival
  • Love of Reading Festival
  • Life Skill Intervention

Elm Tree 101 Club

The Elm Tree 101 Club forms a cornerstone of our enrichment offer. It provides every pupil with a guaranteed entitlement to a broad range of high-quality experiences that promote personal development, aspiration, cultural capital and life skills. By removing barriers to participation and promoting equality of opportunity, we ensure that all pupils can access meaningful experiences that broaden horizons, develop character and prepare them for future success.

Pupil Leadership

Pupil leadership is important at Elm Tree. Pupils have opportunities to develop leadership skills through:

  • School Council
  • Eco Council
  • Visions & Values Council
  • Mega Council (School Council, Visions & Values Council and Eco Council Combined)
  • Lancashire Pupil Parliament
  • Buddy Time
  • Reading Mascots

Enrichment Responsibility

Enrichment is a whole-school commitment at Elm Tree, with responsibility shared across all levels of the school community. Senior leaders provide strategic direction, ensuring that our enrichment offer is ambitious, inclusive and aligned with the needs, interests and aspirations of our pupils.

Teachers and support staff bring enrichment to life through high-quality curriculum experiences, clubs, visits, events and wider opportunities that inspire curiosity, creativity and personal growth.

Therapists and specialist professionals work collaboratively to ensure activities are accessible, meaningful and appropriately adapted, removing barriers and enabling all pupils to participate successfully.

Pupils play an active role in shaping and engaging with enrichment opportunities. Through pupil voice, school councils, leadership roles and regular feedback, pupils help influence the experiences available and are encouraged to take ownership of their personal enrichment journey, including working towards the enrichment opportunities in Elm Tree 101 Club.

Parents and carers are valued partners in the enrichment process. They support and encourage participation, celebrate achievements, share feedback and, where appropriate, contribute to enrichment opportunities through community links, experiences and events. Strong partnerships between home and school help maximise participation and ensure pupils gain the greatest benefit from the rich range of opportunities available.

Governors play an active role in monitoring the quality, reach and impact of enrichment, providing challenge and support to ensure that every pupil benefits from a broad, balanced and transformative educational experience that prepares them for success in school, in the community and in adult life.

The Eight National Enrichment Benchmarks

 

  1. A Strategically Aligned Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, enrichment is fully aligned to our vision of "working together to give all children a place to thrive" and our core values of Trust, Acceptance, Respect, Resilience, Inclusivity and Friendship.

We recognise that, for many of our pupils, meaningful experiences beyond the classroom are essential in developing the confidence, skills and resilience needed to achieve success both in school and in later life. As all pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), enrichment is intentionally designed to support individual outcomes and wider personal development goals, including communication, emotional regulation, independence, social interaction and preparation for adulthood.

Enrichment is therefore not viewed as an additional extra; it is an integral part of our curriculum, therapeutic approach and commitment to providing every child with opportunities to thrive. Enrichment experiences are carefully planned to complement classroom learning, remove barriers to participation and enable pupils to apply and develop important life skills in meaningful real-world contexts.

How we demonstrate this

  • Enrichment opportunities are planned to support EHCP outcomes and personal development priorities.
  • Enrichment is embedded within curriculum planning and annual school improvement priorities.
  • Pupils access a progressive programme of experiences through the five enrichment categories and the Elm Tree 101 Club.
  • Participation, engagement and impact are reviewed termly by senior leaders.
  • Staff work collaboratively with therapists and families to ensure enrichment opportunities meet individual needs and aspirations.

Evidence we collect

  • EHCP reviews and annual review documentation
  • Pupil voice and feedback
  • Parent and carer feedback
  • Participation and attendance data
  • Staff observations and case studies
  • Personal development and wellbeing monitoring

2. A Broad and Well-Rounded Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, we believe that every child is entitled to a rich variety of experiences that broaden horizons, develop talents and interests, and support personal growth. Many of our pupils face barriers to accessing opportunities beyond school; therefore, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils benefit from a diverse and ambitious programme of enrichment throughout their time at Elm Tree.

Our enrichment offer is structured around five key categories that reflect the needs of our pupils and support their personal development, wellbeing and preparation for adulthood:

  • Civic Engagement
  • Arts and Culture
  • Nature, Outdoors and Adventure
  • Sport and Physical Activity
  • Wider Life and Future Skills

Through educational visits, residential experiences, leadership opportunities, therapeutic activities, outdoor learning, creative projects, sporting events and engagement with the local community, pupils develop confidence, resilience, independence, communication skills and aspiration.

Where appropriate, enrichment opportunities are carefully linked to curriculum learning, enabling pupils to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful and authentic contexts. The Elm Tree 101 Club further ensures that all pupils have access to a broad range of memorable experiences that contribute to their cultural capital, personal development and future success.

How we demonstrate this

  • A termly class enrichment calendar maps opportunities across all five enrichment categories.
  • The Elm Tree 101 Club guarantees access to a broad range of enrichment experiences for every pupil
  • Educational visits, events, clubs and special projects are planned throughout the academic year
  • Enrichment opportunities are linked to curriculum themes and personal development priorities where appropriate
  • Activities are adapted to ensure all pupils can participate successfully, regardless of need or starting point
  • Opportunities are regularly reviewed to ensure a balanced and ambitious offer across the school

Evidence we collect

  • Class enrichment calendars and long-term planning documents
  • Participation records and attendance data
  • Elm Tree 101 Club tracking
  • Photographs, displays and enrichment portfolios
  • Pupil voice and feedback
  • Parent and carer feedback
  • Monitoring and evaluation carried out by leaders and governors

3. A Well-Communicated Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, we believe that effective communication is essential to maximising the impact of enrichment. We are committed to ensuring that pupils, families, staff and governors are well informed about the wide range of opportunities available and can celebrate the achievements and experiences that enrich school life.

Many of our pupils benefit from clear, consistent and accessible communication. Therefore, information about enrichment opportunities is shared in a variety of formats that meet the needs of our school community and enable all families to engage with and support their child's enrichment journey.

We recognise that strong communication strengthens partnerships between home and school, promotes participation and helps families understand how enrichment contributes to their child's personal development, wellbeing and wider achievements.

How we demonstrate this

  • Dedicated enrichment information is available on the school website
  • Enrichment opportunities, visits and events are shared regularly through Class Dojo, newsletters and parent communications
  • Celebration assemblies recognise and showcase pupil participation and achievements
  • Photographs, displays and social media updates highlight enrichment experiences across the school
  • Information is shared using accessible and inclusive approaches, including visual supports and adapted communication where appropriate
  • Pupils and families are informed about opportunities linked to the Elm Tree 101 Club and wider enrichment programme

Evidence we collect

  • Parent and carer surveys
  • Feedback from pupils and families
  • Website and communication engagement
  • Attendance at enrichment events and celebrations
  • Records of newsletters, Class Dojo updates and school communications
  • Evidence of parental participation in enrichment activities and events

4. An Enrichment Offer Shaped by the School Community

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, we believe that the most meaningful enrichment opportunities are those shaped by the voices, interests and needs of the school community. Our enrichment offer is continually developed through collaboration with pupils, families, staff, therapists, governors and community partners to ensure it remains relevant, engaging and responsive.

As a specialist SEMH school, we recognise the importance of providing opportunities that reflect pupils' interests, aspirations, strengths and developmental needs. By actively seeking and valuing the views of stakeholders, we create an enrichment programme that motivates participation, promotes belonging and supports positive outcomes for every child.

This collaborative approach ensures that enrichment remains ambitious, inclusive and reflective of the diverse experiences and talents within our school community, while also strengthening pupils' connections to the wider world.

How we demonstrate this

  • Regular pupil voice activities inform the planning and evaluation of enrichment opportunities
  • School Council, Eco Council and Vision & Values Council contribute ideas and feedback on enrichment provision
  • Parent and carer surveys, consultations and informal feedback help shape future opportunities
  • Therapists and specialist staff provide guidance to ensure activities meet pupils' developmental, sensory and emotional needs
  • Governors review enrichment provision and contribute strategic challenge and support
  • Staff identify emerging interests, needs and opportunities through ongoing observations and relationships with pupils
  • Links with local organisations and community groups help enrich and expand the programme

Evidence we collect

  • Pupil voice records and surveys
  • Minutes from pupil leadership groups and council meetings
  • Parent and carer feedback questionnaires
  • Staff and therapist consultation records
  • Governor monitoring reports
  • Enrichment planning documents demonstrating stakeholder contributions
  • Evaluations following visits, events and enrichment activities

 

5. An Accessible and Engaging Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, inclusion sits at the heart of our enrichment provision. We believe that every pupil should have equitable access to enriching experiences, regardless of their needs, abilities, background or starting point. As a specialist setting, we recognise that many pupils may require additional support, preparation or adaptation in order to participate successfully and confidently in enrichment opportunities.

Accessibility is not viewed as an add-on to our enrichment offer; it is a fundamental principle that underpins the planning, delivery and evaluation of all enrichment activities. Through careful consideration of individual strengths, needs and EHCP outcomes, we work proactively to remove barriers to participation and ensure that every child can engage meaningfully in the wider life of the school.

Our therapeutic and personalised approach enables pupils to develop confidence, resilience, independence and a sense of achievement through positive and successful experiences. By creating opportunities that are engaging, motivating and appropriately adapted, we ensure that all pupils can experience success and develop a genuine sense of belonging.

How we demonstrate this

  • Enrichment activities are carefully adapted to meet individual needs and abilities
  • Individual risk assessments and access plans are used where appropriate
  • Visual timetables, social stories and pre-visits are provided to support preparation and reduce anxiety
  • Sensory needs are considered when planning activities, visits and events
  • Therapists and specialist staff contribute to the planning of activities where required
  • Flexible staffing arrangements and additional adult support are provided to maximise participation
  • Reasonable adjustments are made to ensure pupils can access experiences alongside their peers
  • Pupil interests and motivations are considered when designing enrichment opportunities
  • The Elm Tree 101 Club provides a wide range of experiences that enable every pupil to find opportunities that engage and inspire them

Evidence we collect

  • Participation and attendance records
  • Individual risk assessments and access plans
  • Pupil voice and feedback
  • Parent and carer feedback
  • Staff observations and case studies
  • Records of reasonable adjustments and adaptations
  • Engagement and wellbeing monitoring

  •  
    Photographs, enrichment observations on Evidence For Learning App

pupils with a wider range of experiences than could be achieved through school provision alone.

These partnerships play an important role in broadening horizons, raising aspirations and helping pupils develop confidence and independence within the wider community. For many of our pupils, carefully supported opportunities to engage with people, places and organisations beyond school are essential in preparing them for future education, employment and adult life.

Through strong partnerships, pupils can access authentic real-world experiences, develop new interests and talents, and build positive connections with their local community. These collaborative relationships also enable us to ensure that enrichment opportunities remain relevant, engaging and responsive to the needs and aspirations of our pupils.

How we demonstrate this

  • We work with local community groups, charities, sports organisations, and specialist services to enhance our enrichment offer
  • Pupils participate in community-based projects, events and learning opportunities
  • Partnerships provide access to experiences that may otherwise be unavailable to our pupils
  • External providers contribute specialist knowledge, expertise and resources to enrichment activities
  • Families are encouraged to engage with and support enrichment opportunities where appropriate
  • Links with local schools, organisations and services help pupils develop confidence in environments beyond Elm Tree
  • Partnerships are regularly reviewed to ensure they continue to provide meaningful and high-quality experiences

Evidence we collect

  • Records of partnership activities and events
  • Participation and attendance data
  • Pupil voice and feedback
  • Parent and carer feedback
  • Evaluations from external providers and community partners
  • Monitoring reports completed by leaders and governors

 

7. An Outcomes-Focused Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, we believe that the true value of enrichment lies not simply in the experiences pupils access, but in the positive difference those experiences make to their lives. Enrichment is carefully planned to support meaningful outcomes that contribute to pupils' personal development, wellbeing and long-term success.

As a specialist setting, we recognise that progress may look different for every child. Therefore, the impact of enrichment is evaluated through a range of measures linked to pupils' EHCP outcomes, individual targets and wider personal development goals. We place particular emphasis on the development of communication, emotional regulation, resilience, independence, social interaction, confidence and engagement with the wider community.

Through a carefully sequenced programme of enrichment opportunities, pupils are supported to apply and develop key skills in real-life contexts, helping them to build self-belief, overcome barriers and achieve greater success both within and beyond the classroom.

How we demonstrate this

  • Enrichment opportunities are planned to support EHCP outcomes and personal development priorities
  • Staff identify intended outcomes for significant enrichment activities and experiences
  • Pupil progress is monitored through observation, discussion and ongoing assessment
  • Teaching staff, therapists and support staff work collaboratively to evaluate impact
  • Pupil voice is used to capture pupils' views, reflections and experiences
  • Enrichment opportunities provide regular opportunities to practise and transfer skills in meaningful contexts
  • Participation, engagement and personal development outcomes are reviewed termly by senior leaders

Evidence we collect

  • Observation records linked to EHCP outcomes and personal development targets
  • Pupil voice and self-reflection activities
  • EHCP reviews and annual review documentation
  • Participation and engagement data
  • Staff, therapist and parental feedback
  • Photographs, enrichment observations on Evidence For Learning App
  • Behaviour, wellbeing and regulation monitoring where appropriate

. A Continually Improving Enrichment Offer

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that our enrichment offer remains ambitious, inclusive and responsive to the evolving needs of our pupils and school community. We recognise that high-quality enrichment is not static; it requires ongoing reflection, evaluation and development to ensure that every pupil continues to benefit from meaningful and impactful experiences.

As a specialist SEMH setting, we regularly review our provision to ensure it reflects pupils' interests, aspirations, developmental needs and EHCP outcomes. Through a cycle of planning, delivery, evaluation and improvement, we continually refine our enrichment programme to maximise engagement, remove barriers and provide the best possible opportunities for all pupils.

Feedback from pupils, families, staff, therapists, governors and community partners is valued and actively used to inform future developments. This culture of continuous improvement helps ensure that enrichment remains a key strength of the school and continues to support pupils in becoming confident, resilient and successful individuals.

How we demonstrate this

  • Enrichment forms part of the school's self-evaluation and improvement planning processes
  • Participation, engagement and impact are reviewed termly by senior leaders
  • Pupil voice and stakeholder feedback are regularly gathered and analysed
  • Governors monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of the enrichment offer
  • Staff identify emerging needs, interests and opportunities to enhance provision
  • Quality assurance activities, including learning walks, reviews and evaluations, inform future planning
  • Professional development opportunities are provided to strengthen staff expertise in delivering enrichment
  • The Elm Tree 101 Club and wider enrichment programme are reviewed annually to ensure they remain relevant, ambitious and inclusive

Evidence we collect

  • Enrichment participation and attendance data
  • Pupil voice surveys and focus groups
  • Parent and carer feedback
  • Staff evaluations and reflections
  • Governor monitoring reports
  • Quality assurance records and action plans
  • Annual reviews of enrichment provision
  • Case studies highlighting the impact of new initiatives and improvements
  • School improvement planning documentation

Conclusion

At Elm Tree Community Primary School, enrichment is a fundamental entitlement for every pupil. Through a carefully planned, inclusive and ambitious programme of experiences, we ensure all children have opportunities to discover their strengths, develop confidence, build aspirations and engage positively with the world around them. Our enrichment curriculum helps every child leave Elm Tree better prepared for the next stage of education and life, having experienced a place where they can truly thrive.