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At OLSJ, we want every student to make the most of their gifts and talents and to enjoy a healthy, active and well-rounded lifestyle. We firmly believe that enrichment and extra-curricular activities contribute to the development of the whole child.
Our extensive enrichment programme enables students to broaden their interests, meet new people, develop confidence and enjoy new experiences. Some opportunities are open to the whole school, allowing students of different ages and interests to learn and contribute together. Others are designed for particular year groups or ability levels so that activities remain appropriate, accessible and engaging.
Alongside sports teams and training, subject clubs and in-school intervention, our enrichment offer is fluid and responsive. It develops throughout the year to reflect the interests, needs and aspirations of our students. Staff are encouraged to contribute their own skills and interests, enabling us to offer a varied and evolving programme.
Our sporting opportunities include football, netball, rugby, badminton, cricket, rounders and athletics. Students represent OLSJ in local leagues and competitions against schools across Blackburn with Darwen and the wider Lancashire area.
Students can also participate in activities such as dance, dodgeball, benchball and outdoor pursuits, including archery, bouldering, orienteering and canoeing.
Non-sporting enrichment is equally important at OLSJ. Opportunities include cooking, drama, debating, bike maintenance, woodwork, engineering, robotics, model-making, board games, languages, media, gardening and photography.
New opportunities for 2026 include:
In Year 10, students are encouraged to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Through the programme, students may volunteer in local primary schools, support school and community projects, develop new skills, participate in physical activities and complete a camping expedition.
The award helps students to build confidence, independence, resilience and teamwork while forming friendships and creating memories that can last a lifetime.
Our enrichment programme complements the safeguarding curriculum at OLSJ. It provides safe and supportive spaces, strengthens relationships, promotes inclusion and helps students develop confidence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging.
We welcome ideas from our students and will continue to adapt our programme so that every young person can find an opportunity in which they feel interested, supported and included.
Enrichment is often what young people remember most vividly about their time at school. The knowledge and skills developed in lessons—including the mathematical skills students will use throughout their lives—are essential. However, few adults can recall one individual mathematics lesson in detail. Many can readily remember a school trip, representing their school in a team, performing on stage, joining a club, learning a new skill or taking part in a special event.
These experiences create friendships, build confidence and help young people discover interests and talents that may remain with them for life. For this reason, enrichment is not an optional extra at OLSJ; it is an important part of a broad and balanced education and of our commitment to developing the whole child.
All clubs and activities are advertised to students, and participation is now recorded accurately. This helps us understand who is taking part, identify students who may need encouragement or support to become involved, and ensure that we offer the right opportunities to the right students.
Our enrichment programme will continue to grow each year in response to students’ interests and the emerging needs of our school and wider community. We want every student to leave OLSJ with strong qualifications, valuable life skills and positive memories of experiences that helped shape the person they became.
