Co-Curricular Clubs

At KGS, our motto is ‘Work well and be happy’: fundamentally, we believe that to make progress academically, and to develop the life skills needed for the wider world, it is essential to achieve a healthy balance between academic studies and the myriad of other opportunities available to students, whether within art, drama, music, sport or any of the other co-curricular activities on offer

We have three core school values: aspiration, respect and engagement We want our students to aspire to be the very best that they can be, to challenge themselves to go further than they think may be possible; we want them to respect themselves, their peers, staff, the local community and the environment; and we encourage them to actively engage, not just in their lessons but outside the classroom too, by involving themselves in clubs and societies, trips and expeditions and by supporting their House

The Co-curricular Programme at KGS encompasses eight key areas of character education: leadership, team skills, communication, curiosity, creativity, confidence, resilience and compassion Students learn how to work as part of a team, develop leadership skills and become more effective communicators whilst having fun in a welcoming and inclusive environment

Co-curricular engagement encourages skill development, but it can also help to build lasting friendships and provide support for mental health and wellbeing For this reason, we encourage all our students to get involved and to enjoy themselves

Mr A Beard, Assistant Head (Co-curricular and Character Education)

CLU

UBS

Combined Cadet Force

Consisting of an Army and RAF section involving students from Third Year to Upper Sixth, CCF training is held all year round In addition to the weekly parade nights, the CCF also involves camps, exercises, ceremonial parades, leadership development courses and various adventure training activities, often during weekends and school holidays

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

This involves four sections: Physical Recreation, Skill, Service to the Community and an Expedition Each individual section involves participants in a wide range of activities The Physical Recreation is sport based (individual or team) In Service to the Community, students are encouraged to get involved in worthwhile projects outside school e g serving in a charity shop or helping the elderly The Skill section is about pursuing a new non-physical hobby or skill, or developing an old one e.g. playing a musical instrument Gold candidates (Sixth Form) have to complete their expeditions in wild country, and Bronze candidates (Fourth Year) venture to rural Surrey for their expedition element.

Third Year upwards

Fourth Year (Bronze); Lower and Upper Sixth (Gold)

Young Enterprise Language Leaders

The Young Enterprise Company Programme offers Lower Sixth students the incredible opportunity to start their own company from scratch Teams from schools around the country compete to create the most innovative and profitable start-up Each team must raise capital, elect managers, decide on a product or service which they would like to market, and then advertise and sell their innovation to friends, family and members of the public In addition to incorporating feedback from external business advisers, teams will pitch their product to local judges at a number of dedicated markets in Richmond and Kingston Boroughs, before presenting their final results and plans for a sustainable and profit-making future to an area board of judges

This demanding process will give students the chance to grow in a number of areas: confidence; business-based problem solving; financial management; marketing; logistics; organisation and presentational skills are all developed through real-life situations.

Sixth Form

This initiative helps you learn how to become a language teacher You’ll plan and teach short activities and lessons, improve your subject knowledge, develop your leadership and interpersonal skills and boost your confidence

Students get the opportunity to work with and mentor younger students both at KGS and more widely in local primary schools as part of the KGS Outreach Programme

Third Year upwards

Football Rowing

Football is a growing sport at KGS and is regularly played by more than 250 girls and boys throughout the school year. We regularly field 22 teams from U12s-U16s and four senior teams We aim to create a sporting and learning culture to cover all aspects of the game, from the technical to the tactical

We have a dedicated coaching team of professional UEFA-qualified football coaches The majority of the football sessions are played at our amazing pitches at Ditton Field where we have three full size pitches, one 9-a-side pitch and two 5-aside grass pitches

KGS participates in the English Schools FA, Independent Schools FA and Surrey Schools competitions The 1st XI and 2nd XI also enter the London Independent and Trinity Cup competitions. In 2015 we introduced girls’ football to the sporting programme and have reached the last 16 of the English Schools FA Cup on three occasions Every two years we have a European Tour with previous destinations including Valencia, FC Porto and Benfica

All students

Most of our rowers start from complete novice during the Third Year, while some come to us later in their school life and go on to be very successful Rowing is a ‘late development’ sport meaning that it is very possible to come to it from another sport and achieve success It is not unusual for a student to start from complete novice and go on to be a national champion within their time at KGS

Underpinning our success is a commitment to developing superb student-athletes who achieve on the water and in the classroom We introduce over 100 students to the sport every year and over 80 KGS students have represented Great Britain We are one of the only schools in the UK to have produced both a male and female Olympic champion in James Cracknell (’00 and ’04) and Sophie Hosking (’12). We train at the RC Sherriff Boathouse inThames Ditton We compete from J14 to J18 at local regattas and the major national regattas - National Schools Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and the British Championships

Third Year upwards

Cricket Hockey

Cricket at KGS continues to grow year in, year out and while the majority of our fixtures take place in the summer, we provide training opportunities all year round. Cricket is a sport that is open to all; boys and girls will compete separately, as well as, at times, side by side We pride ourselves on offering a fun atmosphere to all, as well as an ambitious and challenging environment for those who are keen to play at the highest level

In 2022 we started our own Player Development Programme, a system that offers over 50 young cricketers access to 1-1 coaching with our superb team of specialist cricket coaches, ensuring that the most ambitious young players are supported in reaching their goals. We have four outstanding cricket pitches at Ditton Field, along with six artificial nets, four grass cage nets and four bowling machine nets, along with two cricket nets on the main school site which are used for 1-1 coaching We have achieved a number of county titles in recent years and challenge in a number of national competitions

Hockey is the main sport for boys and girls during the Autumn and Spring terms KGS boys’ & girls’ sides compete in the Tier One National Schools Championships at U18, U16, U14 and U13, the Independent Schools Cup at U19, U15 and U13 and the National Indoor Championships at U18 and U16 We have an impressive record in school hockey, regularly producing junior international players at U16 and U18 level

KGS has a strong coaching team made up of current and former International and Premier League players We are proud to have strong links with a number of prominent clubs in the area Hockey sides regularly tour within the UK and to Europe, as well as to South Africa every other summer.

All students

All students

Tennis Netball

Tennis at KGS is both a performance and participation sport and is popular and successful.

With eight permanent all-weather courts and four temporary astro courts at our Ditton Field sports ground, we are able to cater for large numbers of students. Our squads have twice-weekly practice sessions (after-school and in Games), and group coaching sessions on Saturdays are available to students of all standards Students take part in a wide variety of competitions: the Surrey Schools leagues, festivals and knockouts, the LTA Youth Schools competitions, the Independent Schools National Championships and the LTA Road To Wimbledon tournament. In addition, there are friendly fixtures against local schools, the internal House Tennis and Family Tennis competitions, as well as the annual Kingston Challenge Cup v Tiffin KGS Tennis has enjoyed fantastic results over the years, with teams winning regional and county competitions At an individual level several of our students play at county level and compete in national tournaments

All students

Netball is played during both the Autumn and Spring terms and is played from U12U18. It is offered as a Games option for students from the Third Year We have six all-weather courts at Ditton Field and two floodlit courts at the main school site This is where most of the competition takes place, after school, where every age group has its own training night We often field up to 15 teams, with the top teams in each age group, competing at county level We are proud to have players representing the Surrey Storm Academy.

Every other year our U14s and U15s go on an international tour, while our senior sides join an annual pre-season training camp in the UK.

All students

Futsal Athletics

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced football game that is widely played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA KGS is at the forefront of school Futsal and we currently run the National Futsal Championships on behalf of ISFA

The nature of the game places a large emphasis on technical skill and ability in situations of high pressure, and is subsequently an excellent breeding ground for football competencies that can be translated into the 11-a-side format of the game

Many of the top world-class footballers played Futsal in their youth and credit it with supporting their footballing development

From First Year to Fourth Year, students participate in a compulsory block of Athletics in their Physical Education lessons where they study the techniques and tactics needed to compete in jumping, throwing and running disciplines

During the Summer term, Athletics Club takes place at Kingsmeadow where students can use the Track and Field facilities on offer to improve their individual time, distances or overall performances It is also a Games option for those in the senior years of the school

Across the Summer term students also have the opportunity to represent KGS in various competitions against other schools in the area We also field a team to compete in the Borough Finals aiming to qualify for the Regional and National competitions.

All students

All students

Chess tutoring is available to students of all ages As well as regular matches (The Briant-Poulter Surrey League), KGS chess players also participate in the Inter-Schools’ UK Chess Challenge. Chess tutoring is run by Chris Briscoe

Chess Table Tennis

Table Tennis Club is an opportunity to develop your skills within a fun and relaxed environment It is directed towards the participation end of the performance pyramid and is open to all players of any age and skill level There are no formal competitions against other schools, but the Club does provide an opportunity to hone your skills ahead of the annual House Table Tennis competition Bats and balls are provided

First to Third Year

Golf coaching takes place at World of Golf New Malden Driving Range

There are opportunities to play in competitive fixtures throughout the season.

All students All students

Golf Boxercise

Boxing fitness and technique sessions occur on a weekly basis all year round

A typical session will involve learning and practising movement, defence and counter-punching You will then apply all the skills you ’ ve learned through shadow boxing and pad work Circuit training is used to improve fitness and strength

All students

This is an opportunity for all junior artists to get involved in a variety of exciting art and craft projects They can also practise their drawing, painting, printmaking and 3-D skills Projects are wide-ranging and both group and individual pieces are created

First to Third Year

Junior Art Club Technology Challenge

A must for students interested in design and technology. An opportunity to get involved with a variety of projects and competitions including the Green Power Electric Car Race and Robotics Challenges (students have appeared on the BBC’s Robot Wars TV show with their own robot, Frostbite)

All students

For those who are interested in learning how to use a digital camera, what functions their camera has, take fantastic photos and maybe use them for seasonal cards Students are encouraged to bring their own cameras and to be responsible for them but we do have lots of cameras for them to borrow if they do not have their own.

First and Second Year

Digital Photography Club Photography Club

Open to GCSE and A Level Art students with an interest in black and white photography Participants are taught how to process and print film in the School’s darkroom and the results will support their coursework projects

GCSE and A Level Art students

Inklings

The Inklings is a creative writing group for students who are interested in writing their own material, be it short stories, poems or novels Members of the Inklings are encouraged to enter into creative writing competitions such as the BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words competition

All students

‘Have I got Ethical News for You!’ is a junior discussion group that takes a key issue from the week’s news and discusses the ethical issues surrounding the story

Whether it be Freedom of Speech, Medical Ethics or Save the Hedgehog, students discuss and debate the current affairs that concern our world

Equalities Society

The Equalities Society meets to discuss issues relating to equal rights (for example, on the basis of race, religion, disability, gender and sexual orientation) within an informal and supportive environment Subjects that have been discussed have included the gender pay gap, as well as the #metoo campaign and the impact of gender discrimination with schools, education and the media

First to Fourth Year

‘Have I Got Ethical News For You!’ Breakfast Book Club

A discussion of the best writing for teenagers chaired by the Librarian Students focus primarily on the Trinity Schools Book Award in the Autumn and Spring terms and can then vote on which books they would like to discuss in the Summer term Meets fortnightly

First to Third Year

Fourth Year upwards

Junior Christian Union (JCU)

The KGS Christian Union is an amazing opportunity to hang out, make friends and learn about Jesus: it is open to everyone, whether you would call yourself a Christian or not Each week, as well as fun and games, we spend time looking at the Bible and finding out how it is relevant to our everyday lives During the Easter break the JCU goes away for a four-day holiday, which anyone is welcome to attend. In addition, the CU Summer Camp (for all ages) – a week away in August, full of games, trips out and time spent looking deeper at the claims of Jesus –is the highlight of the year for many people!

First to Third Year

Senior Christian Union (SCU)

The KGS Christian Union is an amazing opportunity to hang out, make friends and learn about Jesus: it is open to everyone, whether you would call yourself a Christian or not Each week, as well as fun and games, we spend time looking at the Bible and finding out how it is relevant to our everyday lives The CU Summer Camp (for all ages) – a week away in August, full of games, trips out and time spent looking deeper at the claims of Jesus – is the highlight of the year for many people!

Fourth Year upwards

Gibbon Society (Debating)

GibSoc meets every week and holds exciting and thought-provoking debates on topics ranging from celebrity scandals to political matters Some meetings are dedicated ‘technical’ sessions, designed to enhance debating skills and prepare students for upcoming competitions There are separate GibSoc groups for junior and senior students The Junior GibSoc meetings tend to consist of playing debating games, such as ‘Just A Minute’ and ‘Articulate’ to help pupils develop their public speaking skills We also hold prepared and unprepared debates on topics that students want to get their teeth into The Senior GibSoc sessions are more focused on debates and technical sessions

All students (separate groups exist for juniors and seniors)

Politics Society

At Touchstone, we embark upon a quest to address the ultimate questions about life, the universe and everything. Whether or not we arrive at a final answer is not vital, it is the process of enquiry in which we are interested If philosophy is exercise for the enquiring mind, then Touchstone will provide you with an intense and enjoyable workout Everyone has the opportunity to present ideas, debate concepts and have their views challenged There will always be a member of the Religion and Philosophy Department present for support but, at Touchstone, students are in the driving seat

This group invites a number of well-known and high-profile speakers from a broad range of different political beliefs and occupations to come and talk to students We organise trips to the House of Commons, the British Library and the Jonathan Dimbleby Programme on a regular basis. All Politics students are required to attend lectures by visiting speakers, but other students are welcome to attend and broaden their horizons Speakers are invited on an ad hoc basis and have included former Cabinet Ministers such as Ed Davey and Estelle Morris

Sixth Form

Touchstone Literary Quiz Club

Literary Quiz Club helps students prepare for the various external quizzes we enter over the year – the first being at the end of November

In 2017, the KGS Kids’ Literary Quiz Team were crowned UK Champions and went off to Canada to compete in the World Championship, where they finished an impressive third overall!

First to Fourth Year

Sixth Form

Charity Fundraising Community Service

Charity is an important part of KGS We like to encourage all students to get involved in activities which will help us raise resources or money for people less fortunate than ourselves

Each house is encouraged every year to nominate a charity (or charities) to support and to undertake fundraising activities to facilitate this

All year groups have Representatives and it is through them that you will learn about charity events that are taking place

That is not to say that you cannot get involved yourself We are always looking for willing participants, and it may be that there is a charity that has personal significance to you for which you would therefore like to raise money We are very happy to help you do so!

Students are involved in a wide variety of community service activities during school time, at weekends and during holidays These include hosting tea parties for residents of local care homes, undertaking reading with local primary schools and working with projects supporting the homeless

All students

Second and Third Year; Sixth Form

Junior Science Club explores the theory and practice of science within a fun and relaxed environment. Recently, for instance, students looked at the chemistry of chocolate, made slime and looked at ‘mini explosions’ utilising methane bubbles If you are a budding Newton, Darwin or Einstein then this is the club for you!

First and Second Year

History Society

The History Society meets periodically to listen to speakers on a range of historical topics. Previous speakers have included TV historian Dan Snow, Rifles author Mark Urban, constitutional and Whitehall expert Lord Peter Hennessey, and former Labour MP and now Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Tristram Hunt The History Society holds regular meetings where students have the opportunity to address an audience on historical topics which interest them

The History Society also undertakes an annual trip to the Chalke Valley History Festival

Junior Geography Club

The Junior Geography Club is for any First or Second Year student who is interested in all things geographical. The club uses a hands-on approach to learn more about geography Last year we made weather instruments, erupting volcanoes, tornadoes, snow, clouds and weather cookies

First and Second Year

We learn about the Ancient Mediterranean World and have fun building Ancient Greek temples out of spaghetti and marshmallows!

First to Third Year

Faraday Society

The Faraday Society gives Sixth Form students the opportunity to explore topics outside of the A Level Physics and Chemistry specifications The meetings are a mixture of student-based practicals (e g the physics of soap bubbles), discussions of classic experiments from the history of science (e g building a voltaic pile) and looking at some of the latest research, published in journals such as Nature or Scientific American

Sixth Form

Computing and ICT

Computing and ICT Club explores programming, computer gadgets including the Raspberry Pi, Drones and robots

All students

Engineering Club

This club is of particular interest to those in the Lower Sixth considering applying for Engineering courses. The focus will be on designing and building ‘challenge’ projects and there are only a limited number of places available

Sixth Form

An extension class open to Upper Sixth students applying for Medicine, Veterinary Science or allied subjects

Upper Sixth students

Junior Drama Club

Junior Drama club is open to all students in First, Second and Third Year The club is lively and informal and led by our Sixth Form scholars It allows students to improve their confidence alongside their performance and improvisational skills

Senior Technical Theatre

From the Fourth Year upwards, students learn more advanced elements of technical design/operation and programming and apply these skills to our large-scale productions Students will be given creative control of elements of production This course is compulsory for students taking the technical option at GCSE and A Level

First and Second Year

Middle School Drama Club

Middle School Drama club is open to all students in the Third and Fourth Year. The club is lively and informal and allows people to improve their improvisation and performance skills

Third and Fourth Year

Junior Technical Theatre

This is an outstanding opportunity to learn about all areas of technical theatre from our professional technical staff Open to all students in First, Second and Third Year, students will learn about the basics of lighting, sound and stage management Students will contribute practically, applying their skillsets to our large-scale productions

Fourth Year upwards

House Drama

This school-wide event facilitated by the Drama Department but led by students takes the format of a drama competition between the KGS houses Focussing on developing self-expression, creativity, resilience, teamwork and independent thinking, students are given a theme and must create a piece of Drama to perform in the Michael Frayn Theatre Bringing together actors, writers, directors, designers and technicians, students perform in front of professional theatremakers and actors who decide the overall winners in Oscar-inspired categories

Previous adjudicators include Anne-Marie Duff, Siobhan McSweeney and Arthur Darvill

All students

Senior School Play

Run by the Director of Co-Curricular Drama for Sixth Form students, this club borrows its format from a book club A production is selected every half term, with members independently viewing the performance Students will then analyse their experiences and select the next fringe production to watch Ideal for anyone with a love of theatre looking to explore a more alternative style of performance

A large-scale production in the Michael Frayn Theatre for Sixth Form students The Drama Department proudly produce a high-quality production each year in the first term Every two years we choose a musical Students develop their inter-personal skills alongside their performance ability in a professional level environment. Past productions have included Made in Dagenham, Rhinoceros and 13

Sixth Form

Edinburgh Fringe Festival

Every two years students have the opportunity to attend the Edinburgh Fringe as performers A production will be selected by the Drama staff and rehearsed for a week in the summer holidays The students and staff will then travel to Edinburgh in the last week of August to perform their show and take in the fringe experience No-one forgets their first fringe!

Sixth Form

Sixth Form

Fringe Theatre Club Middle School Play

A large-scale production in the Michael Frayn Theatre for Fourth and Fifth Year students The Drama Department proudly produce a high-quality production each year in the second term All students are welcome to audition. Students develop their resilience and teamwork skills alongside their performance abilities Past productions include A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Great Britain and The Vote

Fourth and Fifth Year

First Year Showcase

Designed to inspire and build confidence, resilience and teamwork in our youngest students the First Year Showcase consists of song, performance and dance. Performed in the Michael Frayn Theatre with full technical support, the Drama Department facilitates and develops the creativity and talent of the First Year students allowing them to continue onto many more cocurricular opportunities in the future

First Year

House Dance

This school-wide event facilitated by the Drama Department but led by students takes the format of a dance competition between the KGS houses. Each house must create a duet, original choreography and a musical theatre number to perform in the Michael Frayn Theatre Guest judges from the industry are invited to KGS to judge and crown the winners

All students

Junior Symphony Orchestra Popular Music Club

A fantastic opportunity to gain experience of playing standard orchestral repertoire. A wide variety of different repertoire is rehearsed and performed throughout the year and this is the perfect ensemble to help you expand your musical horizons and experience.

All students of Grade 3 and above

Junior Chamber Choir

This choir is by invitation and is formed from the more advanced singers of the School Choir The Choir’s repertoire covers a wide range of classical and popular music styles, with an emphasis on ‘ a cappella’ singing Members also have the opportunity to learn basic conducting and directing skills

The Popular Music Club rehearses and performs a wide range of contemporary rock and pop music

All students

Flute Group

The Flute Group is open to flautists who wish to gain experience of playing in an ensemble Aside from performing in school concerts there are performance opportunities outside school.

Flautists of Grade 4 and above

First to Third Year, by audition Drum Club

A truly inclusive group for everyone interested in learning to use drums effectively to create exciting rhythmic patterns

All students

Junior Choir

This choir gives students the chance to sing together and focuses on developing voices and musical skills using a broad range of music Junior Choir participates in all the major school concerts

Music Technology Club

First and Second Year

Third Year Choir

We learn and perform popular pieces of music and you, as choir members, will have a great deal of say in terms of the song choices This choir is all about having fun and putting on great performances

Third Year

Junior Guitar Group

A guitar ensemble for active players

First to Fourth Year

The Music Technology Club is a place where you can learn how to record and edit music Whether you have a composition in mind or just want to learn techniques, this is the ideal place. You will have the freedom to work on a project of your choice and the opportunity to learn the best skills and methods, using state-of-the-art equipment and software found in many professional recording studios.

All students

Senior Guitar Group

For classical and acoustic guitarists with some experience of playing Notational skills required with some TAB provided.

Fourth Year upwards

Brass Ensemble

Our trumpet specialist runs this group for all those who play brass instruments, Grade 3 and above

All brass players of Grade 3 and above

Senior Choir

This is our flagship choir and welcomes students from the Fourth Year upwards (all voices) We perform at school concerts, external venues and the annual Choral Society Concert The repertoire covers a wide range of classical and popular music styles

Fourth Year upwards

Jazz Orchestra

For all keen jazz lovers who play wind, brass or percussion instruments The club rehearses in school and performs a wide range of jazz and contemporary music It also performs in the annual Jazz Night

Students who play wind, brass or percussion of Grade 4 and above

Wind Band

This group is open to those wind players who wish to gain experience of playing in an ensemble Wind Band participates in all major concerts.

All brass players of Grade 4 and above

Symphony Orchestra Trombone Choir

The Symphony Orchestra rehearses and performs a wide range of music and is the main instrumental group for anyone who is at a more advanced standard on their instrument The Symphony Orchestra participates in music tours and occasional concerts outside school and in all of the main school concerts

Students must be at of Grade 5 and above

This group is open to those who wish to gain experience of playing in an ensemble Aside from performing in school concerts there are performance opportunities outside school

All students