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 Mr Grieves (grievest@ashfordschool.co.uk).
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
ACADEMIC ENRICHMENT
AQUAPONICS
Care
All Years
This year Ashford has successfully set up an Aquaponics system. It uses minimal resources to keep fish and to grow plants in a sustainable way. We are looking for people who have an interest in sustainability and can help to maintain water purity and green fingers to grow plants.
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’
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.
MANDARIN
Cognition
All Years
An introduction to the Mandarin language and culture. There will be an opportunity to learn words and phrases and also aspects of Mandarin Chinese culture
RUSSIAN HISTORY
Cognition
All Years
Students will enjoy an introduction to Russian history, culture and language
SPANISH FILM CLUB
Cognition
Year 7,8,9,10,11
Pupils watch films in Spanish with English subtitles
YOUNG ENTERPRISE
Cognition
This is a fun way to improve listening skills and vocabulary A C A D E M I C E N R I C H M E N T
Year 12
This Year 12 activity gives students the opportunity to set up and run their very own business The team of directors will put some of their capital into the firm, design the product, and sell it, hopefully at a profit!
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
All Years
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.
CREATIVE ARTS
ANIMATION AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Craft Year 7,8
With a foundation of visual theory, the principles learned will be employed in various animation and moving image techniques This is a course for ambitious, experimental, creative minded students. You will gain an understanding of, and experiment with a broad range of physical and digital media
ART FOR WELLBEING
Care
All Years
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
Year 7,8,9,10
Students can design, make and glaze their own animal sculptures in clay, have a go on the throwing wheel and create coil pots
CROSS STITCH & EMBROIDERY
Craft Year 9,10
Cross stitch and embroidery, suitable for beginners or experienced artists. Work on suggested projects or bring your own to work on
DT CLUB
Craft
Year 10,11,12,13
During the activity you will be given the opportunity to be involved in various projects from design to manufacturing Past examples include rocket powered cars, gumball machines and laser cut clocks.
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
Craft
All Years
Relax and unwind at the end of a busy day by colouring in intricate designs or creating paper structures
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
E24 (BUILD AN ELECTRIC RACING CAR)
Craft Year 9,10
Project manage the building of an electric Formula 24 race car and be part of the team taking the finished product to the race track
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!
REWILDING
Care
Year 10,11,12,13
Rewilding is a new approach to land management to improve biodiversity. The club will coordinate with the school to manage areas of the grounds to improve biodiversity. Dry weather activities will include planting wildflowers, mounting bird and bat boxes, and monitoring biodiversity Other activities will include talks on rewilding, identifying species of plants, birds bees and butterflies to indicate biodiversity
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!
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.
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
MATHS ACADEMY Care
Year 11,12,13
Maths Academy gives you the opportunity to plan and deliver fun Maths activities to local primary pupils
ORIENTEERING
Craft All Years
Want to learn a new skill or perhaps you are already an expert? Orienteering combines physical fitness with an ability to read a map and navigate unfamiliar terrain, all whilst making quick decisions.
STUDENT PARLIAMENT Care
All Years
The Student Parliament is an elected body of students with representatives from all Houses, Day and Boarding, and all year groups The Parliament meets on a fortnightly basis and is responsible for representing the student voice
THE IMPACT SQUAD Care
Year 9,10,11,12,13
Love making a difference? Want to be creative and work as a team? We’re looking for enthusiastic students to join our squad and support our school. Together, we’ll brainstorm fundraising ideas, create amazing products, and learn valuable entrepreneurial skills Our goal is to raise money and make a lasting impact on our community Are you creative, enthusiastic, a team player, motivated, and community-minded? Join us!
DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD BRONZE
ASHFORD SCHOOL CHOIR
Craft All Years
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
BRASS ENSEMBLE Craft
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
Year 7,8,9
Work through ballet grades with an opportunity to perform in termly showcases
BAND WORKSHOP
Craft
Year 9,10,11,12,13
Ever wanted to be in a band? Enjoy making music with friends? Take part in a regular jam session and live performance workshop 2024-25
All Years
Ashford School Brass Ensemble invites brass players of all abilities to hone their ensemble skills Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly 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
All Years
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
JAZZ BAND
Craft
All Years
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.
ASHFORD YOUTH JAZZ ORCHESTRA
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
All Years
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
All Years
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 performance opportunites throughout the school calendar
PERCUSSION ENSEMBLE
Craft
All Years
A group for all those playing or interested in percussive instruments There will be opportunity to perform at our termly concerts.
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 2025 show - The Wedding Singer.
SENIOR PLAY
Craft Year 9,10,11,12,13
Twice weekly production rehearsals for the 2025 senior play
SENIOR RECORDER ENSEMBLE
Craft All Years
Recorder ensemble featuring our upper school players. Ensembles also offer the opportunity to perform a piece for our termly concerts
SHOW POP AND JAZZ CHOIR
Craft
All Years
Come and have fun singing some great show tunes with the opportunity to perform at our termly concerts.
STRING GROUP
Craft
All Years
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.
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 All Years
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 All Years
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
All Years
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.
BASKETBALL
Craft
Year 7,8,9
Following the success of our senior teams in recent seasons we are delighted to offer basketball for our younger pupils. All levels are welcome.
CRICKET NETS
Craft
Year 7,8,9
Run in the Spring Term this activity prepares talented cricketers for the season ahead
CURRICULUM SWIMMING TRAINING
Craft
All Years
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
All Years
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.
STRENGTH & CONDITIONING
Craft
Year 10,11,12,13
A supervised and dedicated session in the school gym for those looking to support their on pitch performance and/or overall athletic ability
TABLE TENNIS
Craft
All Years
Recreational table tennis catering for anyone wishing to develop their skills and game understanding. No experience necessary
TALENTED ATHLETE SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME
Craft
All Years
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
All Years
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
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
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY & INCLUSION GROUP
Care
All Years
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.
JEWELLERY MAKING
Craft
Year 7,8
Display your creativity by designing and producing different types of bracelets, rings, and necklaces, using a variety of techniques and materials.
Craft
Year 7,8,9
Conclude your school day by working on your creative well-being Build sets from several major Lego categories - Technic, Harry Potter, Star Wars, City, Architecture and Icon.
MURDER MYSTERY CLUB
Cognition
Year 7,8,9
Work in teams or as an individual to solve a weekly murder mystery puzzle using logic, deduction, reasoning and maybe a little bit of guesswork
QUIZ TIME
Cognition
Year 7,8
Team up with a group of friends to take on a weekly general knowledge quiz Opportunities will be available to learn how to construct a quiz and confidently deliver it too your peers
SCRABBLE GO
Cognition
Year 9,10
Online version of Scrabble with automatic scoring.
2024-25
W E L L B E I N G & R E C R E A T I O N
LEGO CLUB
AUTUMN TERM 2024 ACTIVITY LIST
Club/Society/Activity
(COGNITION) Music Theory - Grades 1-8 Mon: 13:15-13:45 MTS
(CRAFT) Cello Group Mon: 13:15-13:45 Octagon 1 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Activity Swim - Year 7 & 8 Mon: 15:55-16:30 Swimming pool 7,8 (CARE) Aquaponics Mon: 15:55-16:40 J1 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (COGNITION) Psychology Club Mon: 15:55-16:40 Ch 13 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (COGNITION) Russian History Mon: 15:55-16:40 C2 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (COGNITION) Spanish Film Club Mon: 15:55-16:40 Ch 17 7,8,9 (CARE) Art for Wellbeing Mon: 15:55-16:40 Studio 5 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CARE) Mindful Colouring Mon: 15:55-16:40 J12 7,8,9 (CRAFT) Animation & Digital Media Mon: 15:55-16:40 Studio 1 7,8 (CRAFT) DT Club (Sketching and Rendering) Mon: 15:55-16:40 Cedars Workshop 10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Graphic Art Club Mon: 15:55-16:40 Studio 4 7,8 (CRAFT) Orienteering Mon: 15:55-16:40 B7 (& Cramner Changing Rooms for outside sessions) 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) AshTec Mon: 15:55-16:40 Brake
7,8,9,10 (CRAFT) Archery Mon: 15:55-16:40 Upper Nightingale/ Nightingale gym 7,8 (COGNITION) Quiz Time Mon: 15:55-16:40 C2
(COGNITION) Scrabble Go Mon: 15:55-16:40 J16 9,10 (COGNITION) Senior Debating Mon: 15:55-17:30 B4 11,12,13 (CRAFT) Junior Drama (Joseph & the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat) Mon: 15:55-17:30 Octagon 1 & Brake Drama 7,8 (CRAFT) Girls Football Mon: 15:55-17:30 Sports Hall 8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Pre season Sport Mon: 15:55-17:30 Various 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Senior Musical (Wedding Singer) Mon: 15:55-17:30 Fri: 15:55-17:30 Brake
8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Ballet - Year 7-8
17:00-17:45
Tuesday (CRAFT) Flute Group Tue: 08:00-08:30 MTS 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Jazz Band Tue: 13:15-13:45 Octagon 2 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Art Scholars with Artist in Residence Tue: 15:55-16:40
(CARE)
15:55-16:40 C1 11,12,13 (CRAFT) Football Tue: 15:55-16:40 Lower Nightingale Field tbc (COGNITION) Chess Club Tue: 15:55-16:40 Atrium 7,8,9 (CARE)
(CRAFT)
7,8,9,10 (CRAFT) Ashford School Choir Tue: 15:55-17:30 Brake Hall
7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) National Theatre Connections Festival - Senior Play Tue: 15:55-17:30 Octagon 1 9,10,11,12,13 Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme Tue: 15:55-17:30 Sports hall conference room 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 Wednesday (COGNITION) Music Theory Grades 4-5 Wed: 13:00-13:50 MTS 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Composition Club (GarageBand/Sibelius) Wed: 13:15-13:45 MTS 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Senior Chamber Choir Wed: 13:15-13:45 Octagon 2
7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Senior Guitar Quartet Wed: 13:20-14:00 The Green Room 9,10,11,12,13 (CARE) International Club Wed: 15:55-16:40 Ch 17 10,11,12,13
(CARE) Rewilding
(COGNITION) Coding
(CRAFT) Foodie Club (Year 9 - 11)
Wednesday (COGNITION) Philosophy Society
(CRAFT) Formula 24 - Build an Electric Racing Car
(CARE) Chemistry Academy
(CRAFT) Band Workshop - Live performance workshop and Jam Session
(COGNITION) Young Enterprise Wed: 15:55-17:30 B8 12 (CRAFT) Combined Cadet Force Wed: 15:55-17:30 LRC car park
(CRAFT) Ashford School Orchestra Wed: 15:55-17:30 Brake
(CRAFT) Combined Cadet Force (Year 8) Wed: 16:40-17:30 Outdoor classroom 8 (CARE) The Impact Squad Wed: 15:55-16:40 Brooke Place 9,10,11,12,13
(CRAFT) Senior Recorder Ensemble Thu: 08:00-08:30 Practice Room 2 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Junior Recorder Ensemble Thu: 11:05-11:25 Practice Room 2 7,8,9 (CRAFT) Brass Ensemble Thu: 13:15-13:45 Octagon 2 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Percussion Ensemble Thu: 13:15-13:45 Brake Hall 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Show, Pop and Jazz Choir Thu: 13:15-13:45 Octagon 2 7,8,9,10,11,12,13 (CRAFT) Vocal Ensemble Thu: 13:15-13:45 MTS 7,8,9,10 (CRAFT) Junior Guitar Ensemble Thu: 13:20-13:50 Green Room- upstairs practice room 8 (CRAFT) Ceramics Club Thu: 15:55-16:40 Studio 1 7,8,9,10 (CRAFT) Content Creation Thu: 15:55-16:40 Somerville Maths
(CRAFT) Foodie Club - (Year 7 & 8)
(CARE)
(CRAFT) Training Orchestra Thu: 15:55-16:40
(CARE)
(CRAFT)
(CRAFT)
(CRAFT)
(COGNITION) Dungeons and Dragons Thu: 15:55-17:00
(CRAFT)
(CRAFT)
(CRAFT)
(CRAFT)
(CARE)
(CRAFT)
(Craft)
(CRAFT)
(COGNITION)
Arrangements are correct at the time of publication. Please check SOCS for up to date listings before the selection window opens on Wednesday 4 September.
