2013/14 6Xtra Booklet

Front cover

2013/14 Sport and enrichement choices

University admissions tutors and employers want to know what else you have done during your time at sixth form.

How have you contributed to the sixth form community, how have you furthered your experiences and how can you demonstrate your own personal added value.

Introducing 6Xtra In this very competitive market for both university places and employment with training standing out from the crowd and being able to show extra skills, knowledge and experiences could be what makes you successful.

All new first year students are required to participate in at least one enrichment activity. All activities are open to everyone unless othterwise stated. The activities run from September until Christmas. Some activities continue after Christmas.

How to choose Read through this brochure and select the option which interests you most. On Induction Day 4th September, your Personal Tutor will discuss the enrichment activities with you. You will then be able to opt for your choice of enrichment through an online system.

Your choice will be confirmed with you as soon as possible. Be aware that availability is limited on many options and enrolment is on a first come first serve basis.

Making your choice.

We’ve divided our 6xtra programme into four categories. Now you can choose your enrichment activity based on what you want to achieve from this programme. If you want to develop skills in a career you want to work in after sixth form, choose ‘work experience’ or if you want to try a new activity you’ve never had the opportunity to try before, have a look through the ‘recreation’ options.

Remember, you are only required to choose one enrichment activity so read about all the activities carefully.

Leadership and volunteering You will develop your ability, knowledge and understanding of what it is to be an excellent leader. You will be able to volunteer in a variety of organisations and on projects both in the sixth form and externally.

Performance and excellence Activities will enable you to develop further skills you already have and to perform these in leagues, competitions and performances throughout the year.

Recreation Develop and learn skills and meet and work with a variety of students whom all have similar interests to you.

You will develop new friendships and share interesting experiences.

Work experience Liaise with our work experience coordinator to secure invaluable work experience in a placement that matches your career and progression aspirations. It may be that you will choose another activity until your placement is arranged.

Leadership & Volunteering 1 Hour a week & competitions - Tuesday after academic sessions

Debating Society Should a 59 year old woman receive fertility treatment?

Is Father Christmas a bad influence on children?

If you enjoy a good argument (without any physical contact!) then debating could be for you. It develops your skills of thinking about issues, making your point and challenging others.

We take part in competitions, both in and out the sixth form, and practise the finer presentational points you need to be a successful debater. Past members of the Debating team have won places at Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, Warwick and other top universities.

Some may even end up on TV's "Argumental". But most importantly: it's fun.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, organising and planning

Tuesday after academic sessions and various hours and days

Duke of Edinburgh Our D of E programme is a real adventure from beginning to end. It doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from. You just need to join us and realise there’s more to life than sitting on a sofa watching life pass you by.

The award is run at three levels, bronze, silver and gold, but at the sixth form we recommend you go direct for gold because of your age.

At Gold level there are 5 sections; physical, skill, volunteering, expedition and residential each taking a minimum of 6 to 18 months.

You will learn the essential skills of leadership, communication, organisation and motivation and in addition will grow in confidence and self-belief.

The personal journeys that you undertake whilst learning to lead, prepare you for a future career and for life itself.

You arrange their own physical, skill and volunteering sections, but the sixth form offers a residential opportunity and provide training and supervision for your expedition.

D of E is a huge commitment but highly rewarding and is valued by employers and universities alike as a kite mark for perseverance, stamina and leadership skills.

It is Important, though, that you are aware of the commitments you would be taking on.

For the expedition we insist on a minimum of three training weekends (approximate cost £20 each) and the 4-day expedition, including travel and familiarisation, requires another week of your time (approximate cost £85).

With expeditioning, health and safety is our prime concern, so we insist on high levels of attendance at our weekly training sessions as well as the practice expeditions.

Other sections will each require about an hour of your time per week and their cost will depend on your choices. Obviously, if you choose skydiving as your skill - then be prepared to shell out! You also don't need to do everything at once.

You might choose to do your physical and skill in your first year and your volunteering in your second. In fact you have until you are 25 to do the award, so many of our students finish off their Gold once they leave.

2 hours a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Eco Action Group Joining Eco Action gives you a fantastic opportunity to make a difference to the environment inside and outside of sixth form. The award-winning group are involved in a wide variety of fun and rewarding activities such as setting up events, recycling schemes, tree-planting / wildlife conservation and visits. We have also recently set up a veg and flower growing project in a brand new polytunnel.

It is all excellent experience for future studies, careers and personal development.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, organising and planning and leadership

Various hours and days

High School Mentoring and Community Volunteering You will learn a variety of skills in order to help you mentor younger people within local high schools and the wider community.

These sessions aim to raise the aspirations of the younger pupils and provide positive role models for these young people. It will build your communication skills and your ability to problem solve.

This will enhance your future university applications especially for those interested in working with young people.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 hour a week after academic sessions, plus volunteering

Various hours and days. Runs all academic year

Sport & Physical Activity Volunteering

Student Librarians

There are opportunities to become involved with the Blackpool PE and School Sport Partnership, organising local initiatives for schools, whilst gaining qualifications such as CSLA.

. Provide positive role models to library users. . Develop a sense of student ownership of the library. . Create opportunities for student input. . Raise the profile of the library through promotion to peers. . Extend students’ skills in using the library. . Enable students to work as part of a team. . Assist with a range of library duties.

Along with courses like Emergency First Aid in Sport, Equity in Your Coaching, Safeguarding, and How to Coach Disabled People in Sport.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, organisation

Performance & Excellence Sports academies Develop your understanding and ability to play competitive sport. The aim is to improve your skills and bring the group together as a team. To be eligible for our sports academies students are selected after trials, which are held in late August.

Some interesting stats about our sport academies: 172 students have represented sixth form in our sports teams.

Our teams represented Blackpool Sixth in British Colleges, North West Colleges, Lancashire Schools, and Varsity League Competitions.

134 fixtures were played last academic year.

Approximately 2800 miles have been travelled to away fixtures, which is the distance between Blackpool and Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

Male basketball, male rugby and female netball were all placed near the top of their respective league tables. Male Basketball and female Netball remain unbeaten. Male basketball have also reached the final 8 in the BCS national cup.

Individual honours for: Fleetwood FC scholar Mike Smith who was called up to the England Schools under 18s team.

Netball player Rebekah Aspin who was called up to the BCS North West squad.

Basketball player Lewis Jones who has been playing under 19 national league basketball for Preston.

Hockey player Alix Townsend has been called up to play for British Colleges national squad.

Rugby League player Jordan Curtis is currently at the Wigan Warriors Academy.

Rugby Union player Adam Wrigley is playing for Fylde senior colts and is currently the sixth form’s leading try scorer.

Activities will enable you to develop further skills you already have and to perform these in leagues, competitions and performances throughout the year.

2 hours a week - Wednesday after academic sessions & performances

Big Band and Concert Band The Big Band Orchestra performs a variety of music ranging from 'Rat Pack' standards to rock ‘n’ roll to funk music. It’s a great opportunity to develop playing technique and strengthen your understanding and appreciation of different styles of music.

There are many performance opportunities including a music tour abroad and regular concerts in Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde. This is certainly an exciting option if you can play an instrument and you have the commitment to rehearse once a week and perform in front of large audiences.

Concert Band meets on a Wednesday afternoon and includes many instrumentalists from the woodwind, brass and rhythm section. Anyone is welcome to come along and join in. The parts vary in difficulty so students can choose a level they are happy performing to.

The repertoire includes film music (The Great Escape, Harry's Wonderous World from Harry Potter, Mission Impossible) and fun medleys (Selections from Hairspray, Queen in Concert, Cartoon Symphony). The Concert Band performs in both the autumn and summer terms.

Concert Band has performing connections with the Blackpool Music Service. They have performed at the "Christmas Festival" at the Ice Drome in Blackpool and at "Schools Alive" at the Grand Theatre.

The Concert Band also enjoys playing in many of the local primary schools. They are regularly working towards the international tours and seasonal concerts.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

5 hours a week - Male and Female teams

Basketball Academy You will develop an understanding of the importance of both mental and physical preparation, and be encouraged to set personal goals. Our highly trained coaches assist you to reach these goals to help you become the best that you can be. The academy also offers supplementary courses related to basketball and you are encouraged to develop new skills and become qualified to use them in later life.

The Basketball Academy runs alongside the individual’s chosen academic studies, and students are expected to have excellent attendance levels in both areas.

Our Basketball Academy holds the England Basketball, Basketball Mark Award, and has strong links with the accredited local club, Blackpool Lights.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

5 hours a week - Monday & Wednesday after academic sessions

2 hours a week & performances - Monday after academic sessions.

Runs from September until Easter.

Choir Choir brings students together from all over sixth form.

Singing is a fun activity and joins many communities together and the college choir seeks to do exactly this.

Students and members of staff meet to sing a variety of music including gospel numbers from Sister Act, popular music such as Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody and classical numbers including Rutter and Jenkins.

The choir perform at several events throughout the academic year. Their main event is the College Carol Service, which takes place at St Chad's, Poulton, every December. They are regularly working towards international tours and the seasonal concerts.

The choir is open to anyone in the sixth form and is a fun, social event that caters for a variety of musical tastes.

Employability skills: Team work, confidence, leadership

Female Football This team competes regularly in the British Colleges competition.

The sixth form uses qualified football coaches for this team. There are also opportunities to travel to sports camps both in the U.K. and abroad.

This team is linked with Blackpool Ladies Football club.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

5 hours a week - Male team

Football Academy There are three teams which compete regularly in competitions organised by the British Colleges, and the North West Colleges organisations.

The sixth form uses qualified football coaches for this academy. There are also opportunities to travel to sports camps both in the U.K. and abroad.

This academy is linked with F.A Chartermark club Poulton Town FC. Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

5 hours a week - Female team

Netball Academy The team play fixtures all over the North West in the British Colleges and North West Colleges competitions.

Students also have the opportunity to attend trials for the national colleges squad.

Students also have the opportunity to complete umpire and coaching courses, and take part in tournaments throughout the North West.

There is an A team and also a development team.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

5 hours a week

Hockey (Mixed) You will engage in regular group activities, which will improve team building skills, whilst raising fitness levels. Experience will be gained through the competitive environment of college fixtures.

Regular matches are played by the team.

Employability skills: Team work, confidence, leadership

2 hours a week & performances - Monday after academic sessions.

Runs from September until Easter.

Music Theatre Production Every year the sixth form Performing Arts, Music and Media department produces a large scale musical theatre production in March.

All students are invited to audition and become part of this highly demanding but rewarding recreational activity. Past productions include Oh! What a Lovely War, Cabaret, Return to the Forbidden Planet and most recently, Our House.

We perform with a live band consisting of music students to packed houses on each night in our state of the art theatre.

Employability skills: Team work, strategic planning, communication, working to a deadline

5 hours a week - Male and Female teams

Rugby League & Union Academies In both codes, our rugby teams regularly compete in the British Colleges and North West Colleges competitions. At these academies students will enjoy a high level of training and competition.

Supplementary courses in coaching and officiating are also an option for academy students.

The academies have strong links with local, governing body accredited rugby clubs. We are currently also running a female development team.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

Recreation 1 Hour a week - Tuesday lunch

These activities are an opportunity to start or continue a new skill or interest. They include special interest groups and a chance to take part in creative activities.

1 Hour a week - Monday lunch

American Flag Football

Basketball (Recreational)

American Football is an explosive game, which is great to play. Whether you have played before, or if you are a newcomer to the sport, it is a lot of fun and everybody who turns up is guaranteed to have a good time learning a new, exciting sport.

This is an opportunity for basketball enthusiasts not involved in the academy to participate.

This is a once a week session where students are organised into teams to play.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 Hour a week - Monday after sessions

Athletics Club This activity is linked with Blackpool Athletic Club.

Whether you are a runner, a jumper, or a thrower you can get involved and develop your athletic abilities.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 Hour a week - Tuesday after academic sessions

Body Attack Workout Body Attack is the sports-inspired cardio workout for building strength and stamina. This high-energy interval training class combines athletic aerobic movements with strength and stabilisation exercises.

Dynamic instructors and powerful music motivate everyone towards their fitness goals.

1 Hour a week - Wednesday afternoon

Book Club/The Big Read 1 Hour a week - Thursday lunch

Badminton This activity is both a social and coaching activity.

Those taking part will learn the basic strokes and movements, whilst tactical play and fitness will be improved by playing games with others. There will be an opportunity to compete against other colleges.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

Book Club is a great way to argue about your favourite books! We choose a book each month, and then spend each week talking about whether we love it or hate it, and also analysing and reviewing the book. You will have to read a little out of your comfort zone.

Dracula, George Orwell and The Book Thief have all made their appearance recently. We also have weekly activities – e.g. which words deserve to go in Room 101; finding online book review sites and exploring other people's views; first thoughts on new books.

If you love reading and love a good argument, Book Club is the place to be!

Employability skills: Analysing, communication

1 Hour a week - Monday lunch

2 Hours a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Chrisitan Union

Sixth Sense Magazine

The group meet on a weekly basis to pray, and explore Christianity. Students will help organise charity events taking part throughout the year. Guest speakers are invited into sixth form to help you strengthen and understand your faith. There will be an opportunity to attend the annual pilgrimage to Lourdes.

Your chance to join the staff of Sixth Sense: the College magazine that's by students for students.

New ideas and experience always welcome.

Employability skills: Teamwork, listening, communication

1 Hour a week - Monday lunch

Code Breaking Code breaking follows the National Cipher Challenge.

There is a message to be decrypted every week and then submitted to the competition with a chance of a prize both weekly and at the end of the competition.

Employability skills: Strategic planning, logical thinking

1 Hour a week - Wednesday afternoon

Creative Writing Short story, poetry, sketch, novel, blog, review, play, speech, song lyrics. Whatever you are interested in writing, this group can help.

It is open to writers of any level of ability or expertise but you must be enthusiastic about writing and prepared to let other people read your work.

There is an opportunity to share your writing and receive supportive, constructive feedback from the rest of the group. You will also meet visiting writers, be encouraged to enter competitions and might even try to get your work published...

Employability skills: Creativity, listening, communication

Come along and make a difference. Not just for writers (although we need you too) but photographers, graphics enthusiasts, cartoonists, advertising/marketing types.

Whatever skills you have to keep the magazine relevant and entertaining.

Employability skills: Creativity, planning, time management, team work, communication,

1 Hour a week - Monday after sessions

1 hour a week - Thursday lunch

Creative Arts and Crafts

Female only gym session

Using life’s left overs, this programme of activities will show you the ropes when recycling everyday objects, leading to the creation of your very own quirky and original artefacts.

Starting an exercise programme can be a daunting experience. A visit to your local gym can seem very intimidating. You look around and are dazed by the array of machines and exercise equipment. What is it?

How does all this stuff work? Even the vocabulary seems like a foreign language.

The weekly workshops will teach you a range of contemporary approaches to crafting, where you can develop skills and techniques in mixed-media, design and stich. If you like to look at things closely and are slightly obsessed with cute stuff and hand-me-downs then this is for you.

Encouraging others to rethink, reduce and reuse, the group will showcase their big ideas on a small scale in a mini exhibition at the end of each session.

In this course our instructor explains some of the most common pieces of exercise equipment and workout accessories that you will find in a gym. You will then be able to design your own work out programme and complete it during this session.

Employability skills: Confidence, goal setting

In short there will be loads of crafty goodness, the occasional sweet treat alongside the regular bits and bobs focusing on handmade goodness and nice people doing cool stuff.

Employability skills: Creativity, organising

1 hour a week - Tuesday after academic sessions

Dodgeball The objective of the game is to hit the opposite team with the balls, causing them to be eliminated from the game. The team with the last person standing wins. This game is typically played with 5 to 10 players with soft balls, or balls made of foam. Dodgeball is a fun game.

It’s a great way to have fun with friends and burn off some energy.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1.5 hour a week - After academic sessions. Runs from September until Easter

Female Rugby Structured training and skill development for female students keen to develop further interest in rugby.

There will be opportunities to compete against other colleges. No prior rugby experience necessary as our Level 2 coach will teach you all the tactics and rules.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

1 hour a week - Friday lunch

Film Club

Futsal

The Film Club enrichment is all about watching films you might have never seen before, so students get to pick themes and areas of interest and we suggest some possible films to watch.

Recent films shown include: 10 Things I Hate About You and the classic Hitchock thriller Rear Window.

Employability skills: Communication, discussion and debate.

Futsal is an exciting, fast-paced small sided football game that is widely played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA. 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.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

1 hour a week - Monday & Thursday lunch

French

Five a Side Football

These lessons will cover:

This takes place in our sports hall. Teams are picked on a weekly basis and players take part mini tournaments. A fully qualified referee is provided. Don’t forget to keep the ball below head height!

Reading - Learn to recognise and read familiar words and phrases.

Speaking - Answering questions and talking about interests.

Listening - Understanding the difference between present, past and future events Writing - Write a report, article of story, conveying opinions and points of view.

Employability skills: Communication, confidence.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1.5 hours a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

1 hour a week - Tuesday after academic sessions

Golf

Handball

Our golf activity enables students who might never get a chance to learn to play golf properly, get great tuition from the pros at The De Vere golf club. You may want to learn to play golf by having lessons but these are very expensive.

Handball is a fast-paced invasion game played indoors.

This gives you an insight into what golf is really all about. At the end of a year we hope to be able to take you onto a golf course for a try at the real thing.

Employability skills:

Patience, strategic planning, problem solving, goal setting

1 hour a week - Various hours & days

Two teams of seven (six field players plus a goal keeper) face each other, trying to score more goals than the opposition by throwing a ball about half the size of a football into a goal three metres wide and two metres high. The rules for handling the ball are similar to basketball.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

Gym Sessions

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Starting an exercise programme can be a daunting experience. A visit to your local gym can seem very intimidating. You look around and are dazed by the array of machines and exercise equipment. What is it?

How does all this stuff work? Even the vocabulary seems like a foreign language.

Preparation for working in Health and Social Care

In this course our instructor explain some of the most common pieces of exercise equipment and workout accessories that you will find in a gym. You will then be able to design your own work out programme and complete it during this session.

Employability skills: Confidence, goal setting

This is an activity for those studying Health and Social Care. The weekly session prepares you for the world of work and especially in a Health and Social Care setting.

The session gives you a chance to get a feel for the working environment, how you should present yourself, an understanding of the types of roles available, assess and demonstrate customer service skills, develop employability skills that contribute to an effective work placement and prepare for interviews.

You will also participate in designing and carrying out activities service users will find stimulating including arts and crafts.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

International Society In this society you will: . Organise social events (meals out, social gatherings, sixth form events etc.) . Push for improvements in the experience for international students at Blackpool Sixth.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Japanese How much you know about Japan?

This course is a beginners’ guide to learning the language. You will be taught the alphabet, as well as popular phrases useful in conversation. You will also gain an insight into Japanese tradition and culture.

Employability skills: Cultural awareness, listening, communication.

. Support international students in their learning to achieve their full potential . Form links with students from across the world.

The society is open to all students (not just International) and meets weekly on a social basis to enjoy and plan up and coming social events.

In 2012/2013 we enjoyed many meals out (including Italian and Chinese), an in house International Evening with food from all over the world, a traditional British Christmas with presents and the sixth form's first International bake off.

Employability skills: Team work, leadership, communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Italian These lessons will cover: Reading - Learn to recognise and read familiar words and phrases.

Speaking - Answering questions and talking about interests.

Listening - Understanding the difference between present, past and future events Writing - Write a report, article of story, conveying opinions and points of view.

Employability skills: Communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Knitting and Crochet Knitting has recently enjoyed a renaissance, with the likes of Madonna, Gwyneth Paltrow, Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling all being spotted knitting.

Lots of groups have started up across the UK to enhance social skills, but on a more serious note, the processes, planning and creative side of knitting are well known to be therapeutic and help to overcome stress and anxiety.

Academic achievement can also be boosted by the skills that knitting promotes, such as, problem solving, reasoning, goal setting and handling mistakes by adapting plans.

Einstein is said to have knitted to clear his mind.

Employability skills: Creativity, planning, concerntration.

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Photography The enrichment is for photography students who wish to have extra practical training on equipment or use the session to support their learning.

Employability skills: Creativity, strategic planning, organisation

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Power Hour Power hour is a high energy, circuit based fitness session that will push you to your limits. If you like a physical challenge then Power Hour is for you!

Employability skills: Confidence, goal setting,

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Robotics/Gadget Club Robot club is all about programming Arduino microcontrollers. These are devices that can sense their surroundings and make decisions, controlling outputs such as motors, lights and solenoids.

Students work on individual projects of their own choosing using computers to write the code needed. Students can use the club to provide a topic for their EPQ. Employability skills: Problem solving, strategic planning, organisation, team work, analytical thinking

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Pilates Pilates is an exercise method, designed to elongate, strengthen and restore the body to balance. Based upon an anatomical understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems.

Classes will focus on specific areas individually whilst using exercises that integrate the whole body to re-educate and restore it to optimum muscular and skeletal function.

It is this holistic approach that sets Pilates apart from many other forms of exercise. It is one of the safest forms of exercise today.

Employability skills: Confidence, goal setting,

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

1 hour a week - Wednesday after academic sessions

Salsa

Italian

Salsa dancing mixes African and European dance influences, through the music and dance fusions that are the roots of Salsa. The basic step of all styles of salsa involves 3 weight changes (or steps) in each 4 beat measure. The beat on which one does not step might contain a tap or kick, or weight transfer may simply continue with the actual step not occurring until the next beat. Come along and experience the salsa rhythm with our qualified instructor.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, confidence

These lessons will cover: Reading - Learn to recognise and read familiar words and phrases.

Speaking - Answering questions and talking about interests.

Listening - Understanding the difference between present, past and future events Writing - Write a report, article of story, conveying opinions and points of view.

Employability skills: Communication, confidence.

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Short Tennis A fun session should you aspire to be the next Raphael Nadal or Venus Williams. Modified rules and equipment allow this sport to be played indoors and be available to many students.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, confidence

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Sports Journalism This session covers all the roles of a sports journalist highlighted below • Sports writers/reporters for print media (including newspapers and magazines) • Sports editors for print media (including newspapers and magazines)

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Sign Language The course aims to provide the students with a basic knowledge of communication in British Sign Language.

Students will be informed on aspects of deaf culture, organisations for deaf people and environmental aids.

The intention is to engender enough enthusiasm that students will wish to further their knowledge of BSL in the future.

Classes are conducted in a light-hearted manner to develop confidence and group interaction skills and to provide informative but enjoyable sessions to counterbalance the pressures of examination classes.

Employability skills: Communication, confidence

• Hosts of radio or television sports shows • Sports announcers/commentators for radio or television • Sports writers/reporters for television or radio broadcasts Students will get the opportunity to report on sixth form sports fixtures for publication in the local press in addition to the sixth form website, magazine and newsletter.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, confidence, strategic planning

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Table Tennis Serious players or beginners, singles or doubles. Grab a paddle and a ball and have some fun with our recreational session that takes place in the sports hall.

Employability skills: Team work, communication

1 hour a week - Monday after academic sessions

Website Design This activity is an introduction to the design, creation, and maintenance of web pages and websites.

Students learn how to critically evaluate website quality, learn how to create and maintain quality web pages, learn about web design standards and why they're important, and learn to create and manipulate images.

The course progresses from introductory work on web design to a culminating project in which students design and develop websites for their own use or maybe local community organisations.

Employability skills: Team work, communication

1 hour a week - Thursday after academic sessions

Zumba/Urban Dance Zumba is the only Latin-inspired dance-fitness programme that blends red-hot international music, created by Grammy Award-winning producers, and contagious steps to form a "fitness-party."

Since its inception in 2001, the Zumba programme has grown to become the world's largest – and most successful – dance-fitness programme with more.

Employability skills: Confidence, enthusiasm

Various hours and days

Work Experience Each year many students enjoy a work placement with local employers. There is also a large programme of volunteering through which students work in hospitals, schools and industries.

A work placement gives you insight into your chosen career and the experience you need to give you the best chance when applying for jobs in the future.

Work experience is a way of:

Developing more flexible communication skills and self-confidence.

Last but definitely not least, they want a chance to apply some of the knowledge or skills they have gained so far to the real world.

Employability skills: Team work, communication, organisation, confidence, career specific experience, commercial awareness

Confirming your career choices or confirming that you’ve found a career that you don’t want to persue.

Establishing a network of contacts to be used in the future, maybe for further work-experience opportunities, or to help with finding a job after graduation.

Having a good company name on their CV that will give them extra credibility in the future.

Gaining a referee who will support them.

Seeing work from the inside, the good and the bad, and gaining a realistic view of what is involved.

Bradley Everied completed over 100 work experience hours with Virgin Trains and Virgin Atlantic.

A - Z of 6Xtra activities American Flag Football Art Athletics Club Badminton Basketball Academy Basketball (Recreational) Big Band/Concert Band Body Attack Workout Book Club – The Big Read Choir Christian Union College Magazine Code Breaking Creative Arts And Crafts Debating Society Duke of Edinburgh Award Dodgeball Eco Action Group Female Only Gym Session Film Club Five A Side Football Football (Male) Football (Female) Futsal

Golf Gym Sessions (Open) Handball Hockey (Mixed) Italian Japanese Knitting and Crochet Music Theatre Production Netball Academy Photography Pilates Power Hour (Circuit Training) Robotics/Gadget Club Rugby Union Rugby League Rugby (Female) Salsa Spanish Sport & Physical volunteering Student Librarians Student Mentoring Table Tennis Work Experience Zumba/Urban Dance