In our experience at St Michael's, the benefits that outdoor learning experiences bring to your child’s unique learning journey make them an essential part of any all-round education.
1. They increase independence and confidence.
2. They take your child out of their comfort zone.
3. They contribute to a wider world perspective.
4. They are a great way to learn and remember information.
5. They teach new skills.
6. They make a classroom topic feel new and exciting.
Year 6 Residentials
Every year, our Year 6 pupils are invited to attend a residential. During this time, the children spend two nights away from home and spend time team building; solving problems; overcoming fears and developing new friendships. This is the perfect way to try new and exciting activities in a safe environment that they might not have the opportunity to try in their every day lives.
Geography
Summer Term 2025
Year 5 visited Starcross and Exmouth to learn about the flood defence system. They travelled on the ferry to Exmouth and completed fieldwork on the beach.
Reception class visited Heavitree Park and learnt about map work skills. They drew their own maps and followed these.
History
Autumn 2024
Year 5 visited the RAMM museum to learn more about the ancient Egyptians. They researched artefacts and were fascinated by the mummies and the sarcophagii.
Year 4 went to Escot to learn about life in Anglo-Saxon times. The children had a range of experiences including being put in the stocks!
Year 1 had some visitors in the autumn term telling them all about toys from the 1960s. They brought lots of toys in to look at and the children loved hearing about how they enjoyed playing with them.
Spring Term 2025
In the spring term, Year 5 have the renowned story teller, Clive Pig leading a Tudor storytelling workshop.
Summer term 2025
Year 2 visited Kent's Cavern to link to their history.
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In the spring term 2025, Year 4 had a Hindu visitor. She spoke to them about her beliefs and the children were encouraged to ask lots of questions.
In January 2025, Year 6 pupils visited Belmont Church for an interactive experience to find out more about Christianity.
In November 2024, our Reception classes visited Father Ben at the church. They had a sensory tour, and Father Ben pointed out the symbols in the church, including the cross. He also showed the children the font as they had been learning about christenings.
Science
Autumn Term 2024
In October, Space Odyssey Planetarium came to school to help the Year 5 children learn more about space. The children loved learning within the dome and said the experience was really interesting.
Summer Term 2025
Year 6 learnt a great deal about extinct creatures and their fossils at Lyme Regis in September. They were able to explore exhibits from the museum and then accompany Chris, a fossil expert on a fossil-finding adventure! The vast majority of the children and adults came home having found one even though we'd been warned that it would be unlikely!
STEM Workshops
Each year, parents and friends of the school who have a career which involves Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths, come in to deliver a presentation about their jobs in a way that's relevant to a current science unit being taught.
In January 2024, we welcomed a parent who works at the Met Office to talk to our Year 1 children and Year 4 children about different types of weather, including showing them images of the world's largest hail stone as well as explaining to them how meteorologists measure the weather. She even brought in a weather balloon!
Last term, our Year 3 children were visited by one of our parents, who is a paediatrician doctor who talked to the children about bones and muscles.
PSHE
Autumn Term 2024
Our year 6 classes were transported to Narnia in November. They visited a Narnia workshop and entered a magical world, where they had three different experiences. In each room, they had opportunities to think about how they were special and unique. C S Lewis himself introduced the occasion and the children thoroughly enjoyed themselves.
PE
Sports' Day returned this year, with KS2 attending Ladysmith Junior School to uase their facilities. Activities included:
1. long jump
2. sprint
3. javelin
4. obstacle races
5. relays
The children had a superb afternoon and were given opportunities to run long distance races as well.
Dance Breakfast and After School Club
This is our third year of dance showdowns at the Barnfield Theatre. The event is spectacular with opportunities to watch dances from other schools within our Trust.
Football Club
The Year 6 team are excited to be part of a school's league and play matches most weeks at local secondary schools.
Netball Club
Our netballers played in a tournament against Maynard School in the summer term. The children played some fantastic games and showed superb team spirit.
Music
Spring 2025- Year 5 children were invited to St Peter's High School to watch their latest production. It was lovely to see so many of our former pupils taking part.
Summer 2025- KS1 children were invited to take part in a classical music workshop in the spring term. They also were able to watch musicians play their instruments in collective worship and ask questions.
2024- Year 5 children were excited to watch St Luke's performance of 'Fiddler on the Roof' in March. They loved the singing and acting and said they couldn't wait till they were in Year 6 for their own production!
Performance Opportunities
Taiko Drumming (2024)
In the Spring term, the children across KS2 had the opportunities to learn the art of Japanese Taiko drumming. Performances will occur the week before Easter to other classes and parents/ friends of the school.
Choir Church
Choir church perform regularly for our Eucharist services in school. They also performed at Exeter Cathedral recently.
St Michael's Choir
This year, the choir has performed a number of pieces at Heavitree Park. They sang a number of songs including some traditional carols and Xmas songs. They had a small group of Year 6 children singing in trios and quartets as well as another 60 children singing! The event was supported extremely well and a huge round of applause was given! The choir were also invited to perform at a local residential care home and they certainly enjoyed the experience of singing 'Jingle Bells' with their audience.
Instrumentalists' Concert
We were very excited to hold two evenings of instrumental playing in January. Every child, who has lessons with a peripatetic teacher in school, was asked if they would like to perform at our concert.
School Nativities
Each year group in Key Stage One (Years 1 and 2) and Foundation perform a Nativity to the school and to their parents. For many, this is their first experience of performing to large audiences and we aim to give them confidence and a passion for performing that will remain with them through primary and into secondary education.
Year 6 Productions
Every year, the children in Year 6 finish their time at primary school by creating a production for their parents and the other children in the school. This year, the children performed ' Oliver with a Twist'.