July 19, 2008

Activities

There is a comprehensive range of activities into which all pupils from Years 9 to 11 have to opt in the course of the year. Years 9 and 10 take part in two activites a term, while Year 11 may choose not to participate in the summer term. If a student has a school commitment, such as choir, the Young Enterprise Scheme or Rugby Sevens, or is studying an extra subject outside the curriculum, then that can count as their activity. Many students will, however, choose an activity in addition to their commitment.

The aims of the activities programme are three-fold:

to encourage a commitment to community service
to provide pupils with a range of 'life-skills', interests and sports which they are able to take beyond their school years
to expose pupils to sports and activities which are outside mainstream games.

Over the course of the two-year cycle, the idea is to offer pupils a range of activities, which is close to the 'CAS' element of the International Baccalaureate, i.e. a combination of Creative, Active and Service activities.

The majority of the activities take place on a Wednesday afternoon. There are two time-slots allowing students to undertake two different activities.

Some Community Service activities take place at other times, again allowing students to increase their involvement. The 'soup run' is limited to the sixth form. Students will go off-site for certain activities, such as golf or outdoor pursuits, thus utilising the expertise of external organisations (such trips will incur a charge). Most activities are, however, staffed in-house, drawing on the experience and expertise of our own staff.