School ramps up activities and expeditions to produce ‘more well-rounded’ pupils

A LEADING school is engaging with its community and organising more activities and expeditions than ever before to inspire career choices and give pupils a more well-rounded view of the world.

The opportunities provided by Rhyl High School have been welcomed by learners and parents and carers, who praised headteacher Claire Armitstead and staff for “thinking out of the box” and not “constricting children to the classroom”.

Promoting additional skills and providing pivotal work placements, as well as welcoming key speakers and special guests from multiple industries – on the back of the launch of its new alumni network – have also been given the thumbs up.

Giving pupils a platform to be part of the decision-making process was well received, notably by the School Council, whose Year 10 chair Joe Jones said: “I feel that we have made a lot of changes this year and had an impact, both here and outside of the school.

“Beginning at Christmas where we collected and donated more than 200 selection boxes to North Wales Super Kids – a charity for disadvantaged young people – is an example of how we have had a positive effect in the local area, something we want to carry on doing.”

Year 9 class representative Jack Rowlands added: “We were asked to give suggestions for trips that we would enjoy, and everyone was allowed to have their opinion heard. I felt listened to as we have seen some of the trips we suggested happen, or they are being planned.”

Both students and their fellow council members also had an input into policies on bullying, school uniform and food waste, as well as educational and residential trips in the UK and overseas, notably Anfield Stadium in Liverpool, London, Iceland, Morocco and New York.

And their commitment and passion to help others in Denbighshire has never been more prevalent; a group of learners will be painting a mural at Rhyl Rugby Football Club (RFC), celebrating inclusion and diversity, and events have been organised with the WRU, Bangor University, Coleg Cambria, Grwp Llandrillo Menai and to promote opportunities for women in STEM, medicine, construction and sports.

There will also be workshops on health and wellbeing, and boxing training with Dyffryn ABC stalwart Wesley Jones has been a huge hit.

“We have so many learner experiences, I have never known a year like it,” said Deputy Headteacher, Ceri Ellis.

“And we are planning even more as these opportunities will play a major role in shaping the pupils’ view of the world while also giving them a flavour of the many careers out there for them, and pathways to further and higher education.

“By capturing the imagination and not confining learning to the classroom we can enrich their lives and education even more.”

Mrs Armitstead added: “They have asked for more and we have made changes to give them more, while trying to meet the needs of every child.

“What’s the point of doing GCSE Art if you’ve never been to an art gallery or choosing a career in sport and never even speaking to someone from that world? At Rhyl High School we are focused on giving them these opportunities and enabling them to be ‘Happy, Brave and Healthy’ – that’s our vision and we aim to be the best we can be.”

For the latest news and information from Rhyl High School, visit the website www.rhylhigh.denbighshire.sch.uk and follow them on social media.