Extra curricular activities
We offer a range of enriching academic courses to support students’ post-16 aspirations. These include AS Thinking Skills, the Extended Project Qualification, a statistics course designed to support Biology, Geography & Psychology and a Financial Capability Certificate in Financial Studies.
There are also many opportunities to enjoy activities beyond purely academic study and all students are expected to take advantage of these. Many students take part in a paired reading scheme where they meet regularly with a younger student to support their literacy skills, or act as Peer mentors to younger students. We run a Young Leaders of Learning programme where Sixth Form students deliver lessons to younger students. Some of our Sixth Formers arrange to help in Homes for the Elderly or for disabled people. Others support in local Primary Schools or in after school clubs. We welcome students taking the initiative in other Community Projects.
We have a range of visiting speakers throughout the year, during our enrichment block and also during assemblies. This year external speakers have ranged from University professors, the Disabled Ski Team of Great Britain, Engineers and Drivers from Millbrook Proving Ground and the Unit Production Manager for the James Bond Films. We also have annual presentations from charitable and volunteering organisations including Oxfam.
Students also have the opportunity to take part in externally recognised schemes such as the Sports Leaders Award. As well as a Journal Club for students interested in Science and a Senior Reading group for those of a more literary bent, we have an active Debating Society for budding politicians and anyone who wants to have their voice heard.
As befits a school with a proud musical tradition, many or our Sixth Formers are leading players in many of the school’s bands and ensembles. Sixth formers are also heavily represented on the annual Music Tour, travelling to play at venues across Europe and the UK. Every year we also have a Senior school drama production; recent extravaganzas have included ‘We Will Rock You’, the amazing ‘Les Miserables’, Gilbert and Sullivan’s swashbuckling ‘Pirates of Penzance’ and Marjory Blackman’s thought-provoking ‘Noughts and Crosses’.
One expectation we have of all of our Sixth Formers is to run a lunch-time club for younger students. This requires time (one lunch-time per week) and commitment but the pay-off in terms of pleasure and appreciation from the younger pupils is immeasurable. As a Media Arts School, many of you will have the opportunity to use the Media facilities both in and out of lesson time. Sixth Formers run our in-school radio station, ‘Sounds Just Like’ as well as producing the half-termly school podcast. Some Sixth Formers help run a very successful lunch-time film club. Others have been involved in making short films of life around the school.
