Wider Learning Week 2026 - Year 8
Wider Learning Week (WLW) is one of our favourite weeks in school, as students come off their usual timetables to participate in enriching learning experiences—in both familiar and new contexts. Throughout the week, students are challenged, with activities designed to promote wider understanding and develop independence. Find out more about the Year 8 week below - this website also has reports on the Year 7, Year 9 and Year 12 weeks.
Codebreaking
In this interactive maths day, students rotated around several fun problem-solving activities, including: a team murder mystery case; a cube stack challenge to build towers out of origami cubes; a ‘prison break’ activity involving solving maths clues; and an immersive picture codebreaking task!
Dragons’ Den
Each house had the chance to enter the Dragons’ Den! Based on the hit BBC TV show, students had to design and then pitch a new product to a panel of ‘Dragons’, made up of representatives from various industries. We were very impressed by students' creativity throughout. It is fair to say that the Dragons felt they were witnessing some successful future entrepreneurs!
Film Day
After a screening of classic 90s film ‘Jurassic Park’, students spent the day exploring how music is used in cinema to bring stories to life. They then headed to local Osterley Park armed with a ‘top secret’ folder containing a film genre, along with its history, key techniques and professional examples. Students planned their own shot to reflect their genre – horror, science fiction or action. Staff used professional equipment to take the shots according to student instructions.
MFL Day
Students explored the rich traditions of Spanish and French sports and games in the classroom, before walking to Redlees Park to put this into practice! Students enjoyed a picnic lunch and the chance to play games like pétanque and petanca. Back at school, the day finished with a screening of a French or Spanish film. This was a fantastic way to increases students' 'cultural capital'.
Nutrition Day
Students explored nutrients in everyday foods, before applying the principles of a ‘balanced diet’ to elite athletes – discussing how a sportsperson’s diet is different to their own. Students then worked with our caterers, The Pantry, for a special cookery session – making bread! It was a fantastic (and delicious!) hands-on session with a huge educational benefit too.