Since September, children at Clyro Church in Wales Primary School have been given the opportunity to experience something a little different each week - every Friday is ‘Friday Try-Day’.

This day is based on the Belle Wallace TASC (Thinking Actively in a Social Context) wheel. The TASC model aims to develop pupils’ attitudes towards learning (in all contexts, not only school), as well as their thinking and problem-solving skills, all within a social context.

The staff received training and decided that incorporating this into the school week would provide the children with all sorts of invaluable experiences. It was explained to the children that every Friday they would be given the chance to work in teams and try something new. They were asked to give this day a special name and after holding a competition, the winning entry was ‘Friday Try-Day’.

For the younger children, every Friday Try-Day task usually starts with a message, via a ‘morpho’ video, letter or mysterious object from a well-known character, like the troll from ‘The Three Billy Goats Gruff’ who presents the children with a challenge.

The troll explained that his bridge had been knocked down in a storm and asked the children to create model bridges for him to give him an idea as to how to rebuild his bridge.

This task provided the children with the chance to develop many key skills, particularly STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) as well as giving the children the opportunity to develop their speaking and teamwork, problem solving, maths, and creative skills.

Clyro pupils trying something new
Pupils at Clyro School have been trying out new activities every Friday since September (Clyro School)

Many challenges require the children to use their literacy skills to record ideas, before the teams present their products to the rest of the group. The presentations help to develop pupils’ confidence and speaking skills.

All pupils from Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 work together during this day, giving them the opportunity to develop friendships and to work with others outside of their normal year groups and classes.

In Key Stage 2, the tasks are brilliant opportunities for the children to work together to use a wide range of skills to design and create something or solve a problem.

Clyro pupils trying something new
‘Friday Try-Day’ is helping to improve skills such as teamwork, creativity and problem solving. (Clyro School)

One of the most popular tasks was a mountain rescue in which children grouped together to find the best way to save an injured walker who was stranded on the top of the Brecon Beacons.

The children had to consider how they would reach the walker, what equipment they would need and how they would carry him down safely. The children have also planned and budgeted for a school trip which allowed them to apply their knowledge of time and money. All tasks help to develop various skills from the curriculum, but Friday Try-Days also encourages children to evaluate their efforts and application of the necessary skills, allowing children to recognise their own progress.

Clyro pupils trying something new
The new scheme has been praised by the school’s senior management team for the positive effects that it is having on the children. (Clyro School)

Following a recent observation by the school’s Senior Management Team, it was noted: “It was a delight and a pleasure to see how engaged all the children were, how well behaved they were, how well they worked as a team and how they were thoroughly enjoying the tasks and the day. The children at Clyro are very lucky to be given such experiences.”

Headteacher Mrs Sarah Groves said: “The children love Friday Try-Days and fully immerse themselves in the experiences.”