Pupils at SCS are actively encouraged to embrace philanthropy as part of their lives. We lead by inclusion, and by example, with pro-active community partnership projects that share SCS talent and resource with other schools and children in our local community. Each project fully embraces our school Values. Children discover new people and environments as they venture out into their own wider community. At times leadership and resilience will be required as they face new challenges. They must think, be creative and possess self-discipline in their role as ambassadors of SCS.
COMMUNITY
Use of the SCS Grounds
SCS is blessed to enjoy 27 acres of beautiful grounds right in the heart of the medieval city of Salisbury. We pride ourselves on sharing this good fortune by providing regular access to our campus to local schools, community groups and charities.
Our neighbour, Bishops Wordsworth school, uses the astro-turf pitches for hockey practise. And, Salisbury based South Wilts Cricket club trains its junior girls’ team on our grass cricket pitches. We also invite local primary schools to use SCS grounds for an annual open-air musical performed to an audience comprised of parents and friends from within their own school communities. During school holidays, a local charity representing vulnerable people often hosts private picnics within the safety of our grounds. Furthermore, we invite other local charities to approach us with ideas of how we can offer support to their endeavours.
Chorister Recitals across our Diocese
The choristers regularly visit hospitals, homes and churches across the Diocese to sing for people who are unable to travel to watch them perform in the Cathedral. The children are proud to bring a slice of the 900 year old tradition of SCS choirs to elderly and vulnerable members of their community.
Charitable Giving
Charitable Giving is an integral, regular part of life at SCS. Collections are made at every Cathedral service and the children enjoy the honour of being selected to hold the baskets for donations at the doors. Funds are regularly raised for Ephatha primary school in South Sudan - where SCS pupils sponsor two children – the Stars Appeal for Salisbury Hospital and Children’s Chance. Children’s Chance is a small Salisbury charity that aims to give local children opportunities like sports and music lessons which would otherwise be unavailable to them.
Another regular activity supported by SCS is the Trussell Trust’s Christmas Box Appeal. Every school family decorates and fills at least one shoebox with Christmas presents for some of the poorest people in southeast Europe. All the boxes are laid out and blessed in a special Cathedral assembly before being collected for delivery to their recipients.
YOUNG FAMILIES
Bright Beginnings
Pre-school aged children are warmly welcomed to SCS on Tuesday mornings to partake in our ‘Bright Beginnings’ toddler group. Making the most of our unique setting and musical expertise, every session is lively and fun as the children sing and play instruments to their hearts’ content. Firm friendships are often forged between the children, and their families, who regularly attend.
Dangerous Things
2019/20 saw the launch of hugely popular ‘Dangerous Things (you should let your child do)’ event. We opened our grounds twice, once for prep aged children and secondly for pre-prep aged children, for brilliant bush craft community events designed to encourage children to take a step out of their comfort zone. The children delighted in mud-pie making, de-constructing electrical appliances, slack line walking, den building, creating campfires, whittling and chemical reactions. Pupils at SCS share the event with families from in and around Salisbury, taking in pride in opening their school and its grounds to the local community.
MUSIC
Voices In Spire
Launched in 2018, our Voices InSpire project has welcomed more than 800 children from primary schools in and around Salisbury to participate in collaborative singing projects with children from SCS. Each term, one of our team of choral animateurs devotes an hour a week to a local primary school. This time is spent teaching good singing practice and a variety of repertoire to the pupils in years 3 and 4. At the end of every term, all the schools involved gather together in Salisbury Cathedral for a combined rehearsal and concert. Following their performance, to an audience of family and friends, we have been delighted to invite the primary school children to watch a performance from our prep school jazz band ‘Jazbytes’. Seeing the excitement on their faces, when they hear live music performed by children just a little bit older than themselves, is always a joy to behold!
Making Music with Exeter House Special School
Our year 1 children have been working in partnership with students from the Exeter House Special School, a school which educates children with severe and profound and multiple learning difficulties. On Friday mornings, our year 1 children have visited Exeter House Special School to partner with their students to explore sounds, dance and play together. The end of term is celebrated with a party and delicious cake. We plan to create more opportunities for future visits and music-making fun as the children grow and progress through their respective schools.
