CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
SENIOR SCHOOL AND SIXTH FORM
Co-Curricular Activities at Rossall
At Rossall School, we offer a diverse array of co-curricular activities designed to enrich your educational experience. This booklet provides detailed descriptions of each activity to help you decide which ones best align with your interests.
Once you have identified the activities you wish to participate in, you will sign up for them on a termly basis through the SOCS application. If you wish to discontinue or switch activities at any point during a term, please consult with Mr. Fairhurst or your Head of Year beforehand.
Students in Years 7 to 11 are required to sign up for a minimum of two activities per week.Year 11 students should maintain this commitment during the Michaelmas and Lent terms. Sixth Form students must sign up for at least one activity per week. Many students choose to engage in more than the minimum. Students enrolled in signature programmes are exempt from signing up for additional activities but if they wish to, they can.
If you are unable to attend an activity, please inform the activity leader as soon as possible.
On days when day students in Years 7 to 10 do not have scheduled activities, they should either attend supervised prep in the Sumner Library or go directly home after their lessons conclude at 4:15 pm. These options should be selected through the SOCS system.
Please be aware that not all activities are offered every term. A comprehensive list of the current term’s available co-curricular activities can be found on SOCS.
SPORTS AND FITNESS
BOYS’ HOCKEY
The pre-season hockey sessions are designed to prepare students for the Lent term, providing them with the opportunity to enhance their skills, improve their fitness, and build team cohesion before the competitive season begins.
GIRLS’ HOCKEY
Inclusive hockey practice sessions are available for girls across all age groups, providing a welcoming and supportive environment for players of all skill levels. Whether new to hockey or experienced players, all can grow, learn, and thrive together on the field.
CROSSFIT
CrossFit is a high-intensity fitness program that incorporates elements of weightlifting, cardiovascular exercise, and functional movements to promote overall strength, endurance, and agility.
FOOTBALL
Football practice sessions cater to both team members and those interested in playing socially, meeting various skill levels and interests. These sessions provide structured training for competitive players to enhance their techniques, and fitness. At the same time, they create an inclusive environment for social players to enjoy the game, improve their skills, and foster a sense of community. By accommodating different needs, football practice promotes enjoyment for all participants.
NETBALL
Netball Shooting: A session for those that play GS or GA to develop shooting technique, accuracy and circle tactics. Open to girls that play GS or GA.
Netfit: A netball specific fitness session, aimed at developing agility, speed, strength and ball control. Open to all girls.
Open Netball: Enjoy the game and improve your performance. Open to all girls.
SPORTS AND FITNESS
SOCIAL 5K MONDAYS
Join our Social Chatty 5K Run Club, where we enjoy a relaxed pace of between 6 to 6:30 minutes per kilometre.This club is perfect for runners who love to chat and connect while staying active. Come join us for a refreshing run and great conversations every week!
SQUASH
Squash is a fast-moving racket sport which is excellent for working on speed of reactions, and general fitness. It has been included as an Olympic Sport in 2028 in Los Angeles. So what better time to learn this excellent game ? We offer two squash courts on-site where you not only get to play the game but also receive coaching if you’re a beginner or aiming to improve your skills. Our approach is centred around a social style of play with 4-5 participants per court, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone involved. All equipment including rackets, balls, and eye protection is provided; simply come dressed in your PE kit ready to join our sessions and have a great time on the court!
YEAR 7-13 MIXED ROSSALL FIVES
All are welcome to explore this unique Rossall sport! Rossall Fives is a fast and skillful hand-ball game played in a three-sided court, where players wear padded leather gloves. Rossall Fives is great for building hand-eye coordination and dexterity. We will be building teams for external fixtures & House matches, as well as introducing newcomers to the sport and accommodating those who just want a friendly game.
YEAR 9-10 AND YEAR 11-13 MIXED TENNIS
While we are forming squads for external matches and House competitions, we enthusiastically invite those who simply want to enjoy a friendly game. Bringing your own racket is recommended (though school rackets are available), ensuring everyone can fully participate and have a great time on the court.
MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
ABRSM THEORY CLUB
The ABRSM Theory Club offers dedicated assistance to students in learning music theory according to their grade levels.The club aims to help students excel in ABRSM theory exams and enhance their overall musical growth.
CHAPEL CHOIR
The Chapel Choir is a joyful ensemble that offers regular performance opportunities inside and outside of school. We delight in singing together, sharing the magic of music through festive Christmas Carols and services for the entire school and the public. Join us for an uplifting experience.
MUSICAL THEATRE PERFORMANCE COACHING
In this lunchtime club we will set weekly solo song challenges as we explore the world of musical theatre. Be prepared to perform in front of the group and receive feedback on how to improve your performance work. The goal is to provide regular performance coaching on musical theatre - acting through song and will focus heavily on weekly improvements.
PIANO ACADEMY SKILLS CLASS
The Musicianship and Scales Classes are exclusive to Piano Academy students, serving as a mandatory component of their curriculum. These sessions are de signed to deepen students’ understanding of music theory, improve their techni cal proficiency through scale exercises, and enhance their overall musicianship. These classes ensure a well-rounded musical education tailored specifically for aspiring pianists within the academy.
ROSSALL SCHOOL JAZZ BAND
This ensemble meets weekly to play through and discover the music of the Jazz genre. We play arrangements of jazz, swing, popular dance music and film soundtracks, so there really is a wide variety of music to be immersed in.
ROSSALL SWING BAND
As a very flexible ensemble of Woodwind, Brass, Strings, Keyboard and Percussion, they explore the exciting genres of Swing, Jazz and Pop Music in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The aim is to provide music for lunchtime concerts and school functions throughout the coming year.
SCHOLARS DRAMA SOCIETY
Come join the Scholars Drama Society as we rehearse for our production. Don’t let the name fool you, our playgroup is open to all students and is a great chance to brush up your acting skills and perform.
MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS
SCHOOL ORCHESTRA
The School Orchestra provides an immersive musical experience for students in Grade 3 and above. Students will have the chance to showcase their musical talents through concerts, and community events.
SENIOR SCHOOL MUSICAL REHEARSALS
Following the fun and success of last year’s musical, we now look forward to rehearsing for our next musical ...while we can’t say what it is yet, we hope you will come join us on what will be a really entertaining experience.
SENIOR BRASS ENSEMBLE
The Senior Brass Ensemble is a Brass group consisting of players of Grade V standard and above, who join together to play and explore many different genres of music. Small group work is all about learning to play together and blend as a team, whilst having lots of fun.
The brass ensemble provides music for many school functions including lunchtime concerts, The Christmas Markets and Prize Day.
STRINGS CLASS – MUSIC
An opportunity for ALL string players to come together as an ensemble to discuss and debate all things string related! Primarily a performance class in a friendly, supportive environment, we shall also work through topics such as technique, improvisation, how to practise, performance nerves, musical aspirations, inspirational musicians, sight-reading, aural etc. We shall also tailor other topics to the individual needs of each string player, regardless of level.
ACADEMIC
ADVANCED SPANISH – GCSE
In this club, students will enhance and advance their linguistic skills through a variety of engaging tasks and activities, including board games, films, games, and interactive exercises.
A-LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE
Join us to study CIE International A level in Computer Science where you will deepen your understanding of essential computing principles and practices.
BIOLOGY
For students interested in discovering more about the natural world! We will hopefully do a variety of things; dissections, growing plants, surveying local nature, understanding diseases and learning about how living organisms function.
DEVELOPMENT OF DESIGN TECHNOLOGY SKILLS
Dedicated sessions are available for Year 10 and 11 Design and Technology pupils to further develop their drawing and modelling skills. These sessions ensure that students are well-equipped to excel in their design endeavours.
EAL CLUB
Join our EAL support group to enhance your English skills! Whether you need extra help or want to extend your learning, our sessions provide personalised support. Improve your reading, writing, speaking, and listening in a friendly environment. Sign up now and boost your confidence and abilities!
FRANCOFUN CLUB KS3
Join FrancoFun, our exciting French club for beginners and those who want to build their language skills further! Improve your French through fun games, engaging activities, and interactive sessions. Make new friends, explore French culture, and boost your language skills in a vibrant and supportive environment.
GERMAN A LITERATURE SUPPORT
This is a drop-in session for German A Literature students, both L6 and U6, who would like additional help with their literature studies outside class, for example addressing aspects of essay writing.
ACADEMIC
IELTS CLUB
This program is designed specifically for Year 12 and Year 13 students who are preparing for the IELTS exam. Each week focuses on refining a specific skill essential for success in the test. Participants will receive targeted guidance and practice to enhance their proficiency in all facets of the exam, ensuring they are well-prepared for achieving their desired scores.
KS4 FRENCH CLUB
Join us on Tuesdays after school for our KS4 French Club, where you can enhance your speaking skills, build confidence, and delve into French culture through interactive games and enjoyable activities. Perfect for students looking to improve their French in a relaxed and supportive setting. All levels of profi ciency are encouraged to participate!
MEDSTREAM
Are you interested in a career in the medical field? Medstream offers you the opportunity to deepen your understanding of a career in this and related areas, extend your knowledge of current global medical issues, medical ethics, dis cussion of case studies, hands on scientific extension projects, external speakers, work experience advice and assistance with your university application process (including admission tests and mock interviews).
PPE CLUB
PPE Club (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics) is an interdisciplinary activity aimed at engaging current events and ideas through the lens of each discipline. We will explore ideas such as liberalism and conservatism, as well as elections and economic issues suits students thinking about PPE at university, or pre-sixth Form students wanting to know more about politics / economics / philosophy before making Sixth Form subject choices.
PHYSICS SOCIETY
The Physics Society is an informal group that aims to deepen understanding and promote scientific curiosity among students passionate about exploring the principles of Physics. We tackle Mr Dixon’s problem of the week, prepare for national competitions and get ready university entrance exams. (KS5; KS4 students by invitation)
ACADEMIC
STEP/MAT CLUB
This is a club mainly for A level students who wish to improve their ability to complete MAT and STEP examination papers, which are University exam papers containing the most devious maths problems that could be solved with the skills you learn at GCSE and A level Maths. You need to be getting 8s and 9s at GCSE or getting As at A level to access it, but you are welcome to give it a go if you want to.
TSA SUPPORT
This is predominantly for year 13 pupils who will need to sit a University Entrance Test involving Thinking Skills. We will practise by looking at Oxford and Cambridge’s Thinking Skills Assessment (TSA) but the question types are very similar to the UCAT or BMAT or other entrance tests.
YEAR 10-13 ART AND DESIGN
After school sessions will provide you with the opportunity to complete ongoing coursework providing you access to the necessary equipment and materials required. One to one support will be available for additional help and this is also a good opportunity for individual tuition on specific techniques and processes.
ADVENTURE
COMBINED CADET FORCE (CCF)
Join Rossall CCF for unparalleled experiences in sailing, fieldcraft, shooting, obstacle courses, adventurous training, gliding, and flying. Transform your life with thrilling, military-themed activities and expeditions. Be a cadet; discover something for everyone.
SHOOTING CLUB
The weekly shooting club meets every week for an hour, catering to CCF members interested in honing their marksmanship skills. Attendance is mandatory for all club members, who must also maintain active membership in the Combined Cadet Force. This structured session provides a focused environment for participants to improve their shooting proficiency under supervised conditions.
CLIMBING
We welcome students of all abilities to practice their skills on our climbing walls. Whether you are a beginner eager to learn or an experienced climber looking to refine your technique, we welcome participants of all abilities. Our climbing facilities provide a supportive and challenging environment for everyone to grow, build confidence, and enjoy the thrill of climbing. Join us and take advantage of this exciting opportunity to enhance your physical fitness and mental resilience.
DofE BRONZE AWARD
The Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) challenges students aged 14+
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
ACROSS THE SEA PROJECT
The Across the Sea project connects students from Rossall and Valencia to explore cultural and social aspects of coastal towns. Working in teams, students will engage in bi-weekly virtual conversations, culminating in a video presentation. Sixth Form volunteers will assist, promoting communication and idea-sharing throughout the year.
ARCHIVES ACTIVITY
The school archive activity involves organising and preserving historical records, photographs, and documents. Students engage in cataloguing, digitising materials, and creating displays. This hands-on experience fosters appreciation for the school's heritage, enhances research skills, and promotes teamwork, ensuring the preservation of the school's legacy for future generations.
BOARD GAME CAFÉ
Come and join us at the board game café where we have a large collection of board games, perfect for unwinding, relaxing, and meeting new people. Our sessions are held at Mondo’s, allowing you to enjoy drinks and snacks in a café setting. We typically choose highly-rated board games that offer an excellent balance-easy to learn yet challenging to master. Occasionally, we also play cooperative games like Pandemic.
CHEMISTRY DISCUSSION GROUP
A student-led extracurricular group where students can explore aspects of Chemistry beyond the classroom.
CHESS CLUB
Whether you’re a seasoned player or a curious beginner, Chess club offers a welcoming space to explore the fascinating world of chess. Develop critical thinking, enhance concentration, and forge lasting friendships. Chess isn’t just a game; it’s an intellectual adventure that exercises your mind, fosters empathy, and offers a lifetime of strategic enjoyment. So, whether you’re a novice or a seasoned player, come and join chess club.
CODE BREAKERS
The University of Manchester will host two national mathematics and cryptography competitions in January 2025: Maths BOMBE for GCSE and lower sixth students, and the Alan Turing Competition for KS3 students. To prepare, we will run an after-school activity on Mondays and a follow-up session on Tuesday lunchtimes, focusing on solving puzzles quickly for rewards. During the Michaelmas term, a lunchtime club will review previous puzzles, build teamwork, and form teams, with the competitions culminating in an invitation to a live code-breaking event at the university.
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
DEUTSCH ENTDECKEN
Are you interested in learning a new language? Why not discover the German language and culture, whilst expanding your horizons at the same time? Dive into ‘Deutsch entdecken’ and interact with native speakers. Discover the fun of learning German! Los geht’s!
ECO-SOCIETY
Join our environmental club, which is currently composed mostly of IB students, but is excited to announce that it will soon be open to other year groups, encouraging wider participation and collaboration. The club is actively engaged in its current project, transforming the area known as The Oasis behind EAL2. We aim to create a green, sustainable space that benefits both the school community and local wildlife.
DEBATING (JUNIOR AND SENIOR)
Students will engage in structured arguments on assigned topics, developing critical thinking and public speaking skills. Teams present and defend their viewpoints, while judges evaluate their performance based on content, delivery, and rebuttal effectiveness.
ESCAPE ROOM
Join the Escape Room club where, each week you will race against the clock and work in teams to solve puzzles and challenges. We will tackle a range of online puzzles and in-person tasks with prizes to be won for the winning groups. Once you become an expert, we will even have a go at designing our own games.
EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION SOCIETY
The Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Society at Rossall School promotes a culture of respect and acceptance. It explores diverse perspectives and fosters inclusive environments through events, workshops, and discussions. The society empowers students to stand up against discrimination and supports equitable opportunities for all.
FARM
Come and join us for interactive, hands-on learning about the animals here at Rossall.This includes health checks, animal handling, grooming, and feeding and cleaning animal enclosures. The sessions include factual information as well as supervised physical interactions with the animals.
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
GREENPOWER ELECTRIC RACING CAR
Greenpower electric car construction, design, engineering and racing competition. Greenpower involves the design and engineering of a single seater electric racing car. The team will need three drivers as well as pit crew, designers and engineers. Heats take place at racetracks across the North West, with the final being held at either Goodwood or Rockingham circuits.
INVESTMENT CLUB
This activity will allow you to explore financial investments and gain an understanding of the basics of investing. We will be using an online platform, which mirrors the stock exchange. Prizes to be won for those who make the most money in the term!
KNITTING CLUB
The Knitting Club is a creative space where students of all skill levels can come together to learn and enjoy the art of knitting. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a complete beginner, our club offers a supportive environment to develop your skills and make new friends. If you’re new to knitting, don’t worry! We provide beginner lessons to get you started with the basics, from casting on to knitting your first scarf. The club supplies needles and yarn for practice, but you are welcome to bring your own materials for personal projects.
KS3 ARTS AND CRAFTS CLUB
Come to Arts and Crafts club this term to make ceramic pieces for Halloween and Christmas. Basic press moulding and carving techniques will be covered, together with relief work and glazing.
LINGUISTIC OLYMPIAD
UKLO (United Kingdom Linguistics Olympiad) is a languageanalysis competition for all ages. Students will solve linguistic puzzles and devel op their analytical, mathematical, creative and logical thinking skills. They will also learn to appreciate the differences across all languages and find similarities or patterns in some of the most unknown languages in the world.
LITERARY FARRELL SOCIETY
The Literary Farrell Society explores all kinds of literature accompanied by the best refreshments any club can offer! We have diverse themed weeks and welcome student input/ideas.You can even lead sessions and competitions for younger students if you like. Universities LOVE well-read students. Farrell Society: come for the food, stay for the mood...
INTERESTS AND HOBBIES
MODEL UNITED NATIONS
Model United Nations (MUN) is a school activity where students simulate UN meetings, debate global issues, draft resolutions, and develop diplomacy skills. Participants represent different countries, enhancing their understanding of international relations and public speaking abilities.
PROGRAMMING AND CONTROL
This activity involves learning how to program and control a range of different motors, controls and systems. We will be working on developing a robot to navigate a maze as well as displays with water and lighting.
UK/GERMANY CULTURE CONNECTION
The club aims to strengthen cultural ties and mutual understanding between students of both nations. Through engaging activities and language exchanges, members develop valuable language skills and forge lasting international friendships, enriching their global perspective and appreciation of diverse cultures.
WARHAMMER CLUB
Students in the Warhammer Club gather to paint miniatures, learn game rules, and engage in strategic tabletop battles. They foster creativity, teamwork, and strategic thinking, while exploring the rich lore of the Warhammer universe in a fun, social environment.
WELLBEING AMBASSADORS
Looking to pave the way for shaping wellbeing here at Rossall? Join our Wellbeing Ambassadors program where you will have the chance to get creative in enhancing wellbeing at our school.
WOLLOW: THE WORLD OF LANGUAGES AND LANGUAGES OF THE WORLD
In this activity, pupils will complete activities from a range of different subjects and will learn to understand patterns of grammar, uses of script and how learning through language can help shape their understanding of the world. This will be a club led by one of our staff members and one of our Sixth Form Students.
YEAR 8 CRAFTING CLUB
The Year 8 Crafting Club gives pupils the opportunities to create jewellery and gifts from resin, jesmonite, polymer clay and using the 3D printer. We provide Year 8 Crafting Entrepreneurs the chance to make items that they can sell at the school fair.
CHAPLAINCY ACTIVITIES
MORNING PRAYER
Start each new week with a short morning prayer (and a hot chocolate) before heading to your form. Open to students of all ages and for you to bring prayer concerns or simply start the week really well.
YOUTH ALPHA
If you would like to discuss answers to the really BIG questions in life, Youth Alpha is the right place for you.We follow the popular structure of Alpha courses around the UK to understand more about ourselves, our world, our faith and our God.
CHARITY CLUB
Let’s have a think about things we can do to support others in our community: we will plan activities to raise both money and awareness for the occasions and charities most important to us and will then put them into action together.
OPEN HOUSE MEMORIAL CHAPEL
Every Thursday evening, after prep, the Chapel will be open for reflection and/ or prayer. We will listen to and play contemporary worship music, so bring your instrument and/or your voice along to enjoy Memorial Chapel in an informal get-together.
TGIF
Finish the school-week with us at ‘Thank GOD it’s Friday’, where we take time to study the Bible, discuss what we find out and right the wrongs of the world over hot chocolate and biscuits. A chance to reflect on the week, dig deep into scripture and pray together.
SERVICE @ CHRIST CHURCH
If you would like to go to church on a Sunday morning, join us for the 11am service at Christ Church in Thornton, which incidentally was once run by the founder of Rossall. Christ Church is a lovely CofE family church and celebrates holy communion every other week.
