Wraparound Club Spotlight: Bishop Sutton and Stanton Drew

This term we’re visiting our wraparound care at Bishop Sutton Primary School, which provides breakfast and after school care for children from both Bishop Sutton and Stanton Drew primary schools, in neighbouring villages in the Chew Valley, Somerset. It’s a club built on familiar routines, kind words and children looking out for one another.

Sessions

• Breakfast club: 7.30am to 8.50am
• After school session 1: 3.20pm to 4.30pm
• After school session 2: 4.30pm to 6pm
• Full after school session: 3.20pm to 6pm

Meet the team

Carol leads the club and is going into her sixth year with PH ActiveEd as wraparound care site lead. She describes her role simply: giving the children care, kindness and structure, and making club a safe and enjoyable place for children from Bishop Sutton and Stanton Drew at the start and end of the school day.

For a number of years Carol ran the club on her own. Chen joined as a wraparound care assistant around six months ago and has quickly become the person to find if you want a game. Having two of them means there’s now time for organised games outside as well as free play, and Chen is usually at the centre of whatever is being played.

Together they strike a good balance between calm, steady routines and plenty of energy.

What club looks like

Club runs in the school’s main hall. After school, weather and other after school clubs permitting, the children also use the playground, around half of the field and the paths outside the classrooms.

Activities and snacks are set out before the children arrive, so Carol and Chen can give everyone their full attention as they come in. The team collects Key Stage 1 children from their classrooms and everyone washes their hands. After registration there’s a light snack, such as rice cakes with fruit or carrots. Then children choose from building blocks, construction straws, card games, reading, colouring , animals and dinosaurs, fidget toys and the theme activity.

At 4.15pm everyone heads outside for a game while parents arrive at the back gate for the 4.30pm pick up. Children staying for the later session sit down to pitta or wraps with ham, chicken or salami, cheese, salad, breadsticks and fruit, then carry on with activities until home time.

What makes this club special

Every session begins the same way. At registration, each child answers with a “good afternoon ”, then the group shares how they’re feeling and why. It often sparks a chat about their day and helps the team spot anyone who might need a little extra attention that afternoon. Anyone who’d rather not share is offered a quiet chat instead.

Next come the club promises: good manners, be honest, adults only zones, respect our equipment and ask an adult before you leave the room. These sit alongside the school’s rule of “Be kind, Be safe, Be responsible” and its values of Respect, Resilience and Reflection. Club uses the school’s line up routine too, and the team shares information with school staff, so moving between the school day and club feels seamless.

Carol is proudest of the behaviour , respect and good manners shown by children from both schools, and of the way older children help the younger ones join in .

What the children love most

We asked children from both schools what the best thing about club is. Here’s what they said:

• “The staff are fantastic and kind”
• “Food is delicious and [there are] great choices”
• “Fun activities”
• “Great craft ideas”
• “Lovely colouring sheets”

The game they ask for most is 40 40, a club favourite whenever they get outside.

One moment from this term stayed with the team. A Reception child told them: “We should work together to keep our school clean and tidy.” We couldn’t have put it better.

In summary

The school is very happy with the club and confident in the team running it. Above all, children from Bishop Sutton and Stanton Drew are well cared for, engaged and given the attention they need at the start and end of the school day.

Next time you pick up from club , ask your child how they were feeling at registration today, or which club promise they think matters most.