Co-Curricular Programme 2023-2024

INTRODUCTION

I am delighted to introduce this year’s co-curricular programme; I hope you will find the range of clubs and activities on offer exciting and interesting

The co-curriculum is an integral part of an Ashford School education, and we expect all our students to be actively engaged

Our co-curricular programme is designed to support you to become enthusiastic, talented, and curious in all that you do beyond the classroom

Some elements of the co-curricular programme are compulsory and some are entirely voluntary and the participation expectations vary across the different years of the school.

Our aim is to encourage you to select a well-rounded programme of activities, across three broad areas of focus

Care Craft Cognition

Care is focused on wellbeing, caring for others and the environment around us. Craft focusses on learning and applying practical skills and techniques while Cognition centres around thinking, learning and developing cognitive skills.

Each individual activity is labelled with one of the 3Cs, clearly identifying its main area of focus, while these activities sit in more traditional categories - Academic Enrichment, Creative Arts, Life Skills, Outdoor Education and Community Service, Performing Arts, Sport, Wellbeing and Recreation

Pupils in Year 7-9 work towards the Care, Craft and Cognition Award by aiming to select a range of activities encompassing choices from each of the 3Cs

This booklet details a wide range of activities from across the three school terms Not every activity is available in each term and pupils and parents should check SOCS for the current list of “active activities”

I do hope you enjoy reviewing the different activities on offer this year. We are always keen to consider and support new activities, these can be communicated directly to grievest@ashfordschool.co.uk

ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT

BOOK CLUB

Cognition

Year 10,11,12,13

A great opportunity to choose new books to read and discuss together throughout the term!

BOOKS INTO FILM

Cognition

Year 9,10

Stephen King says, “Books and Movies are like apples and oranges They both are fruit, but taste completely different ” Relish some fantastic literary reads and then enjoy exploring how they are transformed into film

HISTORY AROUND US

Cognition

Year 7,8,9,10

This is a unique opportunity to find out about and help solve the mysteries of school buildings with more than four centuries of history In the process, you might be contacting local, national or international people and organisations, examining old documents and objects, exploring places not normally open to students, and doing other useful ‘detective work’

JAPANESE CLUB

Cognition

Year 7,8,9

INTERNATIONAL CLUB

Care Year 10,11,12,13

The International Club will look into the way nationalities communicate, act and react, whether they use high context or low context language in negotiations, whether they are protective or not of their material and, mainly, intellectual resources, whether they prefer stability to change and so much more There will be use of a lot of real life events, gaffes, anecdotes, success stories or otherwise etc. The IC will be looking at Europe as it's morphing into something that transcends national boundaries

In Japanese club, students will enjoy activities which introduce them to the Japanese language and culture. They will learn basic Japanese words and phrases and how to write some Japanese characters (kanji) and also learn about aspects of Japanese culture such as origami and manga

MAGAZINE CLUB

Cognition

Year 11,12,13

Develop your journalism and design skills by helping to produce 'A. Magazine' – a twice yearly magazine showcasing student work Involvement with this can take many forms, including writing articles, editing contributions, selecting images to illustrate the magazine and helping to lay out the pages – every aspect of the magazine production process

PHILOSOPHY SOCIETY

Cognition

Year 11,12,13

A mixture of philosophical discussion extending beyond the syllabus and watching films which pick up key themes from the subject Informal and perfect for those who like sharing their ideas and grappling with life’s big questions!

PSYCHOLOGY CLUB

Cognition

Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Psychology club will include an array of activities and discussions based on how your brain works, boost your focus, cultivate a culture of calm and maximise your mind by exploring psychological theories, mindfulness practices and reflection work

SPANISH FILM CLUB

Cognition

Year 7,8,9,10,11

Pupils watch films in Spanish with English subtitles This is a fun way to improve listening skills and vocabulary

STEM CLUB

A C A D E M I C E N R I C H M E N T

CREATIVE ARTS

ART FOR WELLBEING

Care Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

A relaxed and fun environment to try out new processes and skills, work on an ongoing larger project, or to just get creative and let out how you are feeling in any art form you like

ART SCHOLARS WITH ARTIST IN RESIDENCE

Craft Year 7,8,9,10

A weekly session in which the students and our resident artist, will work together on a joint project to exhibit in the Spring Term

CERAMICS CLUB

Craft

Students can design, make a sculptures in clay, have a go create coil pots

CROSS STITCH & EMBROI

Craft

Cross stitch and embroidery, experienced artists Work on bring your own to work on.

DT CLUB

Craft

During the activity you will b be involved in various projec manufacturing. Past example cars, gumball machines and

GRAPHIC ART CLUB

Craft Year 7,8

The Graphic Arts Club is offered as an introduction to design and typography Including fun with fonts, working with typefaces, creating monograms and logos.

MINDFUL COLOURING & ORIGAMI

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Relax and unwind at the end of a busy day by colouring in intricate designs or creating paper structures

C R E A T I V E A R T S

APP DESIGN

Care Year 8,9

In teams, students will work through a series of interactive modules on designing an app, learning IT and transferable career skills. Everyone who completes the full course will receive a certificate from Amazon Web Services

CODING

Cognition Year 10,11

Learn the basics and extend these new techniques down avenues of interest in this fast developing and crucial life skill.

FOODIE CLUB

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11

A chance for students to select and make various food dishes from around the world, sweet or savoury!

FUNDAMENTALS OF DIGITAL MARKETING

Craft Year 11,12,13

Master the basics of digital marketing with a course accredited by Interactive Advertising Bureau Europe and The Open University The activity will be a space for students to complete an online course which includes 26 modules, which are packed full of practical exercises and real-world examples to help students turn knowledge into action

INTRODUCTION TO BRITISH SIGN LANGUAGE

Care Year 9

Learn how to communicate with sign language in this online course which is ideal for those who are taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme The course can be used for your three month skill section and a report, based on your achievements, can be written and submitted directly to the DofE portal This course contains ten lessons

SENIOR DEBATING

Cognition Year 11,12,13

Learn how to express your views clearly and speak in front of a small and supportive audience. Critical thinking is also explored all in the context of parliamentary style debates.

TOUCH TYPING

Craft Year 7,8

Learn to type without looking at the keyboard! A very useful skill nowadays as more and more work is done on a computer, so being a fast and accurate keyboard user is essential!

OUTDOOR EDUCATION & COMMUNITY SERVICE

AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL Care

Year 9,10,11,12,13

Our vibrant Amnesty International Youth Group aims to raise awareness of human rights in school and the wider community.

CHEMISTRY ACADEMY Care Year

11,12,13

Supplement your chemical knowledge with exciting and spectacular chemistry practical experiments designed to wow an audience and delivered to local primary pupils.

COMBINED CADET FORCE Craft Year

8,9,10,11,12,13

The Combined Cadet Force is a youth organisation in the United Kingdom, sponsored by the Ministry of Defence, which operates in schools The CCF will take you out of your comfort zone with a variety of different activities in a safe and fun environment

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD BRONZE

Care Year 9

A life-changing experience A fun time with friends An opportunity to discover new interests and talents. A tool to develop essential skills for life and work A recognised mark of achievement; respected by employers. All Year 9 participate in this award.

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD SILVER & GOLD

Care Year 10,11,12,13

Take your Duke of Edinburgh journey to the next step by signing up for Silver and then maybe even Gold Expeditions go slightly further affield and you are challenged along across a broader set of skills

ECO-WARRIORS

Care Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

You don't have to be interested in Science to do this activity - it is for anyone that is interested in our World and would like to think about ways we can become more sustainable at home and at school

Care Year 11,12,13

Maths Academy gives you the opportunity to plan and deliver fun Maths activities to local primary pupils

Care Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

O U T D O O R E D U C A T I O N & C O M M U N I T Y S E R V I C E

MATHS ACADEMY

STUDENT PARLIAMENT

PERFORMING ARTS

ASHFORD SCHOOL CHOIR

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Ashford School Choir members are some of our school's most important ambassadors - the choir often represents the school at concerts, church services and external events Singers and musicians alike are encourgaed to take up choir as ensemble singing is an invaluable way to expand musical knowledge and sightreading skills and well as practical singing technique and ensemble skills.

ASHFORD YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Kent's premier Jazz ensemble and Big Band.

ASHTEC

Craft Year 7,8,9,10

An opportunity for students to learn the technical aspects of production, including supporting the Senior Production set-build and lighting/sound design

BALLET

Craft

Work through ballet gra perform in termly show

BRASS ENSEMBLE

Craft

Ashford School Brass E abilities to hone their e offer the opportunity to concerts

DANCE

Craft Year 7,8,9

A new dance club for pupils wishing to develop their skills in dance and expressive movement Each half term will focus on a new style

FLUTE GROUP

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Ashford School Flute Group invites flute players of all abilities to hone their ensemble skills Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

JAZZ BAND

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Ashford School Jazz Band offers the chance to play exciting jazz and big band arrangements, and also offers opportunity for those who learn instruments not included in our classical orchestra groups Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

PERFORMING ARTS

JUNIOR DRAMA CLUB

Craft Year 7,8

An opportunity for students to develop their Drama skills and work towards performance material for the Junior Production in the Summer Term

JUNIOR GUITAR QUINTET (INVITE ONLY)

Craft Year 7,8

Guitar group featuring dedicated guitarists in Years 7 & 8. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

JUNIOR RECORDER ENSEMBLE

Craft Year 7,8,9

Recorder ensemble featuring our lower school players. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

MUSIC THEORY GROUP - GRADES 1-3

Cognition Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

A great way for new musicians to compliment their practical studies, or for more experienced musicians to brush up on their foundations.

MUSIC THEORY GROUP - GRADES 4+

Cognition Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

For higher level music theorists. It is a requirement to obtain Grade 5 Theory before embarking upon ABRSM practical exams above Grade 5 level, and higher level theory group provides the tools to succeed in obtaining this.

ORCHESTRA

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Our main school orchestra features dedicated musicians from our upper years groups Our school orchestra provides valuable ensemble experience for those wishing to pursue their musicianship throughout school and beyond, as well as multiple ce opportunites throughout the school calendar

SENIOR GUITAR ENSEMBLE

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Senior Guitar Ensemble is our largest guitar ensemble featuring the school's most experienced guitarists. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts.

SENIOR GUITAR QUARTET (INVITE ONLY)

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Guitar group featuring dedicated guitarists in Years 9-13 Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

SENIOR MUSICAL

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Twice weekly production rehearsals for the 2024 showLittle Shop of Horrors

SENIOR PLAY

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Twice weekly production rehearsals for the 2024 senior play.

SENIOR RECORDER ENSEMBLE

Craft Year 7,8,9,11,12,13

Recorder ensemble featuring our upper school players. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

STRING GROUP

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

String Group invites string players of all abilities to develop their musicianship in an ensemble setting. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts.

TRAINING ORCHESTRA

Craft Year 7,8,9

Training Orchestra is ideal for strings, wind and brass players to develop their technique in their instrument through sight-reading, ensemble skills and tuning. Pupils must be Grade I - III or have been playing at least a year TO is the best route to achieving a place in the Senior Orchestra

VOCAL ENSEMBLE

Craft Year 7,8,9,10

Smaller singing ensemble which offers the chance to sing genres not covered by our main school choir, such as musical theatre. Great for singers wishing to develop musicianship and harmony skills Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts

P E R F O R M I N G A R T S

YEAR 7 INSTRUMENTAL SCHEME (SINGING)

Craft Year 7

All Year 7 students take part in this lunchtime activity, forming a choir to perform regularly at concerts across the academic year

ACTIVITY SWIM

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

A supervised swimming session for competent swimmers who wish to improve their technique and/or improve their fitness

ARCHERY

Craft Year 7,8

A beginners Archery course designed to give you a good understanding of how a bow and arrow should be used correctly, firm knowledge on what the different parts of Archery equipment are called and how to adjust your point of aim to be able to hit the target every time!

ASHFORD SCHOOL SWIMMING (PATHWAY AND PERFORMANCE)

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

A periodised programme for our most talented swimmers who share a desire to compete competitively and local, regional and national level Led by our Director of Swimming, sessions take place before and after school.

ATHLETICS

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Run in the Summer Term, this group will cover all majoy athletic disciplines and pupils will be encouraged to compete at local and regional events as well as prepare for sports day.

BADMINTON CLUB

Craft Year 10,11

A social game of badminton with internal competitions in both singles and doubles

CRICKET NETS

Craft Year 7,8,9

Run in the Spring Term this activity prepares talented cricketers for the season ahead.

CURRICULUM TRAINING

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

A weekly opportunity for our multi-sports pupils to extend their fitness and supplement their curriculum lessons

FOOTBALL

Craft Year 7

An opportunity to play football with friends Small sided games every week.

PRE SEASON

Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13

Weekly sessions focussed on preparing our sports teams for the upcoming season In the autumn term our focus is boys hockey and girls netball, in the spring term the focus for both boys and girls is cricket and in the summer term boys prepare for rugby while the girls switch to hockey.

RUGBY 7S

Craft Year 11,12,13

Run in the Spring Term the rugby 7s group train weekly under the lights at ASHFORD RFC and compete at local tournaments.

RUNFIT

Craft Year 7,8

A varied running session designed for pupils wishing to compete in laser run or cross-country competitions as well as increase their own general fitness.

SPORTING EXCELLENCE PATHWAY

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Part of our sport scholarship programme, students receive individualised training programmes in accordance with their stage of development, age and maturation. Our young athletes can discover significant sports psychology, sports nutrition and pathways to professional sports in addition to understanding how to care for their own physical growth and development

TABLE TENNIS

Craft Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

Recreational table tennis catering for anyone wishing to develop their skills and game understanding. No experience necessary.

TALENTED ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME (TASS)

Craft

Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

The Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) is a Sport England funded partnership between talented athletes, education institutions and national governing bodies of sport. We work together to bring the best out of our country’s most exciting young talent.

TENNIS

Craft

Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

C ft Y 10 11 12 13

Run in the Summer Term this activity caters for those wishing to play competitively for the school and also for those looking to enjoy tennis simply as a recreational activity.

BOARD GAMES CLUB

Care Year 7,8,9,10

Come and play traditional board games in a relaxed environment with your friends.

BRACELET MAKING

Craft Year 7,8

In this activity you will get to make different types of bracelets using a variety of techniques and materials.

CHESS CLUB

Cognition Year 7,8,9

Develop your reasoning and strategic thinking with this 1500-year-old board game, played by 605 million people worldwide! A great skill to have that can challenge everyone (knowledge of how to play the game is required).

DUNGEONS & DRAGONS

Cognition Year 7,8,9,10

Work as a team to explore a fantastical world where your character will grow with the story. Collaboration, communication and creativity are vital to success

ESPORTS

Cognition Year 7

An esports league run under guidance from the British Esports Federation. Competitive gaming will encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, strategic planning, and adaptability. Students can engage in complex decisionmaking processes, honing their cognitive abilities while sharpening their reflexes and hand-eye coordination. These programmes also foster creativity as students explore game design, streaming, and content creation, offering a gateway to careers in the burgeoning media industry

EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION GROUP (EDI)

Care Year 7,8,9,10,11,12,13

The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Committee will lead the way for specific EDI events throughout the school year, as well as opportunities to educate others and promote change to improve education. You will learn the leadership and communication skills needed to be successful whilst fully utilising the school's seven learning habits

SCRABBLE GO

Cognition Year 9,10

Online version of Scrabble with automatic scoring

W E L L B E I N G & R E C R E