At Norman Street Primary School, we believe in nurturing the whole child – not just their academic growth, but their social, emotional, and physical development as well. That’s why we offer a diverse range of extra-curricular activities and opportunities that complement the curriculum and inspire our pupils to explore their interests and passions.
We’ve got staff with passion, – people who are really passionate and caring about their areas of expertise, whether it be music or sports or reading, or our residential package. People really want the best for the children, and then our interests impart onto the children as well. It is somewhere we’re proud to work, and we see that the kids get a really good deal. (teacher)
Our children benefit from a wealth of educational trips and visits that build on the skills and knowledge they’re learning in the classroom. From local excursions to Hadrian’s Wall, the theatre, and Carlisle Castle, to farther-flung adventures like Beamish in County Durham, Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh and Old Trafford in Manchester, our pupils are given the chance to experience the world beyond the school gates.
At Norman Street Primary School, we believe that the arts are for everyone. Music, drama, poetry and creative expression are woven through our curriculum and celebrated widely beyond the classroom. Our thriving extra‑curricular arts programme gives children rich opportunities to perform, create, and grow in confidence — from their very first days in school all the way to Year 6.
We are incredibly proud of the breadth and quality of our arts provision. Whether children are singing in choirs, learning instruments, reciting poetry, or performing on stage, we nurture their talents and encourage them to shine.
Our offer includes:
The arts help our children develop creativity, teamwork, resilience and self-belief — skills that last a lifetime.
Every year, Norman Street takes part in the Carlisle Music and Drama Festival, one of the highlights of our arts calendar.
Our commitment to developing a strong foundation in spoken language begins right at the start of school life. Reception children begin their oracy journey by reciting poetry, building confidence, memory, and expression.
From there, our participation grows year by year. We enter over 200 children annually across a wide range of classes — poetry, choral speaking, drama, instrumental performances and more. The festival is a celebration of creativity, courage and talent, and our pupils never fail to make us incredibly proud.
Singing is at the heart of our school community. Our choirs and singing groups work to a high standard, performing regularly both in school and across Carlisle.
Our commitment to musical excellence has led to our pupils being invited to perform at corporate and community events, showcasing their talent to wider audiences. These opportunities give children a real sense of achievement and the experience of performing in professional settings.
Whether it’s singing for families, visitors, local partners or the wider community, our children bring joy, confidence and enthusiasm to every performance.
In music and drama, we ensure that every child — regardless of ability or experience — has the opportunity to take part and feel proud of what they can achieve. Clubs and groups run throughout the year, offering a range of experiences that appeal to all interests.
Creativity sparks imagination, builds character and helps children understand themselves and others. At Norman Street, we ensure the arts remain vibrant, accessible and celebrated.
Our arts offer is not simply about performance; it’s about giving children a voice, helping them express themselves, and developing confidence that extends far beyond the stage.
If you would like to know more about our music and arts programme, please contact the school office. We are always delighted to share the opportunities we provide.
Sport and physical activity are of paramount importance to us at Norman Street and we value children’s physical health and sporting experiences as highly as anything else we do in school. We give children every possible opportunity to participate in the wide variety of events that are available for Carlisle schools and ensure that participation is for all – maximising the number of children that represent our school. We aim to establish a balance of being competitive and selecting children we believe will give us every chance of success, but also selecting children who deserve the opportunity and will represent Norman Street to the best of their ability.
Incredibly popular here at Norman Street, we currently run three football clubs for year 5 and year 6 training for a term and children in year 3 and 4 set to train in a later term. We compete in numerous football competitions across the year ranging from ultra-competitive to friendly festivals. A school cluster football league was re-established last year for both boys and girls who competed against every school in the area and we can’t wait to go again this year. We are also very thankful to local companies who have kindly sponsored us for brand new football kits for the upcoming season.
We have a thriving netball team at Norman Street that also train weekly. Boys and girls from year 4 to 6 enjoy the friendly but competitive sessions and will build towards a couple of primary school tournaments in the new year. We’d love to, as we have with the football, re-establish a cluster league for netball so that the children can showcase their abilities more often.
Over the last couple of years, and continuing again this year, Norman Street have been very lucky to be invited to Panathlon events – where children with special educational needs have the opportunity to represent school in competitive physical activity. Ten-pin bowling, multi-skills and athletics events have been thoroughly enjoyed by our children and we are delighted to provide our children with these experiences that they have never had previously.
We also aim to lead after school clubs to prepare the children for as many of the Carlisle School sports activities as we can. In addition to these, we always endeavour to participate in other sports festivals and competitions which may arise; collaborating with Adam Whitfield and the Manchester United Foundation and sports leaders from local secondary schools. We have also welcomed sport providers into school – including wheelchair basketball and karate.
We are very lucky here at Norman Street to be a primary partnership school with the Manchester United Foundation – where we welcome Adam Whitfield into school each week. He works closely with the team in our Eden Provision supporting and coaching children with to regulate their emotions and leading sessions on team work and team building.
He provides the children with essential learning on life skills and healthy eating and is making a very positive difference to these children’s learning experiences. In addition to his work in Eden, Mr Whitfield contributes to a number of aspects of school life including revolutionising girls’ football – establishing record numbers of interest, as they attend a weekly after-school club at Central Academy. We have selected 4 year 5’s this year as sports leaders who will create physical activities that the younger children can benefit from at lunchtimes and in their PE lessons and brand new this year, we have selected 4 year 5’s as Eco-Reds – who will serve to enhance the children in school’s understanding of looking after our school environment, recycling and looking after our planet.
At Norman Street Primary School, sport plays an exciting, inclusive and inspiring role in school life. Throughout the year, our children take part in a huge range of competitions, festivals and enrichment activities — from football finals to wheelchair basketball, from bouldering to swimming in our own pop‑up pool!
Every month offers something new, giving children of all abilities the chance to participate, compete, and discover sports they may never have tried before. Here’s a look at our sporting year:
Dodgeball
Our Y5/6 pupils kick off the year by competing in a high‑energy dodgeball event alongside numerous Carlisle schools.
Wheelchair Basketball
Nat from Inclusive Sport delivers a full day of wheelchair basketball on our playground. Children gain an invaluable insight into adaptive sport, linking brilliantly with our PE disability unit.
Football – Y5/6 Boys
A fantastic start to the season as our boys win the Carlisle Schools competition and qualify for the county finals.
Football – Y5/6 Girls
Our girls’ team competes against strong opposition across Carlisle.
Cross Country
Twenty-four runners from Years 4–6 race at the Sheepmount. Three pupils finish in the top 16 and qualify for the county finals.
Hockey (New this year)
A friendly Y3/4 introduction to hockey, building skills and confidence.
MUFC Foundation Leadership Day
Four Y5 pupils visit Old Trafford to begin their journey as sports leaders, developing confidence and leadership skills for use back in school.
Swimming – Pop-Up Pool (New this year)
We become the first school in Cumbria to host a Primary Pools pop‑up swimming pool on our playground! Over four weeks, every class receives high‑quality lessons with greatly reduced travel time — boosting swimming achievement across the school.
Football – County Finals
Our Y5/6 boys represent Carlisle in the Cumbria finals and finish a very respectable 5th place.
Sportshall Athletics
Two groups of Y5/6 and Y3/4 children take part in sprinting and field events, offering opportunities to pupils who do not usually get to represent school.
MUFC Foundation Football Competition
A team of Y4/5/6 boys compete brilliantly and win the final in a dramatic penalty shoot‑out.
MUFC Eco Reds Day
Four Y5 children head to Old Trafford to begin their Eco Reds journey — learning how to look after themselves, their school and their environment.
KS2 Panathlon
A fantastic inclusive event allowing children with SEN to represent the school in competition.
Bouldering
Every Y5 pupil visits Eden Rock for a full bouldering experience — learning technique, problem‑solving and speed climbing skills.
Tag Rugby (New this year)
Y5/6 pupils enjoy a competitive rugby event with Carlisle schools.
Cross Country County Finals
Our three qualifying runners compete against Cumbria’s best in Sedbergh.
