The Crypt School Sixth Form
Enrichment Activities 2024-25
Enrichment at Crypt Sixth Form
As a School, we pride ourselves on the fantastic and diverse enrichment offer that students can engage with. Enrichment encompasses the many things that students can choose to do beyond their academic lessons and the normal requirements of their life in the Sixth Form: it helps to develop our students’ social, moral, spiritual and cultural strengths and supports them to succeed in their education, when at work and in broader society too; enrichment also contributes to each student’s Personal development.
The three core areas we work under are:
● Academic and work-related learning
● community participation
● health and well-being
The expectation is for students to do at least 100 hours of enrichment over two years; time will be made available for enrichment activities during the school week, whilst students should also commit some of their own time to their enrichment activities outside school hours. Students will be encouraged to record their activities on Unifrog: students can then use their recorded experiences to write a personal statement, build a CV, work towards a non-qualification Crypt EDGE Employability Award whilst meeting new people and having fun!
Wednesday afternoons are dedicated to enrichment activities, although some enrichment activities are available on other school days
In year 12 students will sign up for one enrichment activity in Terms 1 and 2, then a new activity in Terms 3 and 4 In Terms 5 and 6, we run a series of 25-30 careers talks held in school by professionals from a range of backgrounds. Students sign up for the relevant talks to help them learn about potential career paths for their future.
In year 13 students will sign up for enrichment activities predominantly based on health & wellbeing during Term 1 and 2 or they can sign up to Formula 1 or Future Careers Support . Should students choose to sign up for health & wellbeing activities or Formula 1, then their Careers Support will be provided on a different afternoon, so no one misses out
Our enrichment offer can vary slightly every year depending on student feedback and needs. However the following pages provide a good overview of what activities are usually available for students to participate in.
Academic and work-related learning
Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Work shadowing
Chemistry Olympiad
Biology Olympiad
Academic Enrichment
Art
Drama performing
Drama backstage
Lamda
Business Interview Day
Career talks
Visiting Speakers
Work Experience week
Debating Society
Music lessons
Young Enterprise
Careers Convention
Robotics
F1 Engineering
Law and Mock trial day
GirlsGetSET Robotics and Engineering Project
Foreign Film Club
Creative Writing competitions
Oxbridge Support Group
Health and Well Being
Rugby Football
Cricket
Netball
Dance
Athletics
Table Tennis
Tennis
Fitness in multi gym
Badminton
Yoga
Rock climbing
Chess club
Book club
Step Club
Orchestra
Choir
String group,
Jazz band
Chamber group
Sixth form girls’ choir
Close harmony group
Well- being sessions
Team building day
Basic cooking
Community participation
Duke of Edinburgh
Student Executive Team
Head Boy/ Head Girl
School Parliament Prefects
House Captains
Form Captains
Sports leaders
Subject and Peer Mentoring
World challenge
Charity events
Community volunteering
Primary school mentoring
Year 7 mentoring
Student Librarian
The Young Citizen contributions
First Aid
Personal Development Lessons
Tutor Time
Assemblies
Other:
International trips over the last few years have included:
Iceland
South Africa
Barbados
Peru
France
Italy
Austria
The following pages provide a summary of the different enrichment opportunities:
Duke of Edinburgh
Description of Activity
Who would be suitable?
The D of E is an award for taking part in other enrichment activities. You can complete either the silver or gold award. The silver takes a year to complete the gold 18 months. You must complete Volunteering, Physical and Skill activities for an hour a week to complete the award which you must organise in your own time. Finally, you must do an expedition and the school will support you to complete this.
Any student willing to put in their free time to work in the three areas of Volunteering, Physical and Skills over an extended period of time
What is the value of the activity?
You will develop in all three of their chosen activities in areas such as teamwork and leadership. You will gain self-confidence and learn self-reliance and ultimately a sense of achievement. Additionally, the D of E Award is looked at very favourably by employers and universities.
Website/ Further Information Visit www.dofe.org or speak to Mr Antonious
Rugby
Description of Activity
An opportunity to play competitive sport and represent the school Training is on a Monday after school and then games are predominantly played on a Wednesday afternoon with the occasional Saturday fixture.
Who would be suitable? Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced rugby player we would love to see you involved. Training and games are very social with a real focus on individual and team development.
What is the value of the activity? Be part of a team and proud to represent the school. Social benefits of working with students from Y11, 12 and 13 Develop rugby specific skills as well as individual skills such as communication, leadership etc
Website/ Further Information www cryptsport co uk for fixtures @cryptPE on twitter for weekly updates
Climbing
Description of Activity
Students have access to the bouldering section of the Warehouse Climbing Centre in Gloucester. They are independent when they are there but we encourage them to challenge themselves through the variety of different routes they can attempt. Who would be suitable? Students they may have climbing experience or want to try something new off site
What is the value of the activity?
Challenge and fitness
Website/ Further Information For further information see Mr Hart or look at the Warehouse website
First Aid
Description of Activity
Lead- External provider
Taught by an external qualified first aider the course covers basic first aid and leads to a certification of attendance
Who would be suitable? Anyone who feels first aid is an important life skill
What is the value of the activity? This enrichment offers students: ● Increased confidence when working outside your comfort zone
● A valuable skill to write on your CV or UCAS form.
● Gain new employability skills. For example, the ability to be a first aider in the workplace.
● An essential life skill – you could save someone’s life!
● Develop effective communication skills
● Develop teamwork skills
Website/ Further Information For further information see Mr Hart
Girls Sport
Description of Activity
Lead- Miss Leask
Represent the school in competitive fixtures across the county. It’s great for keeping fit and getting to know others in your year group and others in year 13. Learn new skills or develop existing ones in a fun and friendly environment. Netball kit provided
Who would be suitable?
What is the value of the activity?
Any ability welcome from beginner to experienced player
Shows commitment and dedication to it will enhance your CV/Personal statements
Provides an opportunity for you to represent the Crypt School and make a positive contribution
Website/ Further Information See Miss Leask
Chess/ Board Games
Description of Activity
Students come to compete in the ultimate mental sport: chess, a challenge of strategic thinking and sheer cerebral stamina
There is also a range of board games to allow students to enjoy less dualistic games and more relaxed collaborative play, general knowledge games and other strategic classics
Who would be suitable?
What is the value of the activity?
Website/ Further Information
F1
Description of Activity
● Students who want to test themselves, who enjoy competing against each other and seek to improve their game;
● students who wish to learn how to play chess
● students who wish to relieve stress through doing something completely different;
● cerebral heavy-hitters who need their mental metal stretched, forged and honed in the heat of battle on the chessboard
● You could show that you are a rounded, disciplined individual who has good gamesmanship and enjoys challenge and competition
● You would possibly impress others (including employers/universities) as many people have a basic grasp of chess and find it (rightly or wrongly) intimidating and daunting, the preserve of “clever” people
● There is also an important social and interpersonal dimension to game playing, as well as an ability to pass time together in a pleasant way that is arguably neglected in our digital age
There are a plethora of websites offering advice and techniques, tactics, rules, etc.
Lead- SJ
F1 in Schools is an all-encompassing and thoroughly rewarding student run project, in which a team of 6 design and manufacture their own miniature Formula 1 car, reaching speeds of up to 45mph! The project is run as a professional business, running our own sponsorship, marketing, and testing
Who would be suitable? Anybody and everybody is welcome, particularly those with an interest in DT, physics, entrepreneurship, graphic design, and web development – or just anybody looking for a nice challenge!
What is the value of the activity?
Over the course of the year you’ll have an amazing experience to last a life time by competing at a regional level, which can then lead on to both national and international competitions. You will also develop a wide range of valuable skills like teamwork, presentation skills, and problem solving F1 in Schools is also an ideal project to mention in your personal statement or CV, and can be talked about in length in interview to make you stand out from the crowd
Website/ Further Information www advancedracing co uk
Yoga
Description of Activity
Lead by an External provider
Yoga for beginners. Learn main positions and have fun whilst improving your mental and physical health.
Who would be suitable? Everyone
What is the value of the activity?
Website/ Further Information
EPQ
Yoga improves your physical and mental health
•Improves your flexibility
•Builds muscle strength
•Perfects your posture
•Prevents cartilage and joint breakdown
•Protects your spine
•Betters your bone health.
•Increases your blood flow.
•Drains your lymphs and boosts immunity
Lead- Mrs Gasan
Description of Activity The EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) is a qualification consisting of an independent research project Students will complete a 5000 word essay, presentation and production log The area of independent student is free choice (although students are assigned a mentor for guidance)
Who would be suitable?
● Independent learners – the qualification is not teacher led
● Conscientious students who are willing to continuously work on the project aside their other studies
● Students who are willing to deliver a presentation
● Students with good essay writing skills
● Students who are wishing to add to their UCAS applications/CVs
Students who are ready to take the challenge of degree style work
What is the value of the activity?
● The qualification is worth UCAS points (equivalent to an AS level) and can bolster university applications or give an area of discussion at interview
● Some universities alter their entry requirements if they have an EPQ in addition to their A-levels (please check with universities directly) or look an EPQ students more favourably.
● Universities requested such a qualification as they wanted young people to have opportunities to hone research and independent skills before undergraduate study. The EPQ is therefore respected by universities.
● The EPQ replicates degree dissertations and focuses on research skills
● The area of topic is free choice so students can choose to do something they enjoy, linked to their future aspirations or study something entirely new.
Website/ Further Information
Work Shadow
Description of Activity
Who would be suitable?
What is the value of the activity?
https://cryptschool.org/sixth-form/curriculum/ http://www.aqa.org.uk/programmes/aqa-baccalaureate/extended-project/theaqa-epq
As part of work shadowing, you will be finding and attending a work experience placement every week during enrichment (Wednesday afternoon). You will be responsible for finding your own placement. We will need a letter from the employer as well as a letter from your parent/ Guardian giving you permission to carry out the shadowing.
This would be suitable for any hard working and motivated students that want to enhance their CV and UCAS application. You must also punctual and committed to attending your placement every week.
Work experience can enhance your CV, UCAS application and also strengthen key skills and employability Previous students have commented on how their placement has improved teamwork, communication skills and confidence, and has also helped them reach decisions about the direction of their future career
Website/ Further Information
Departmental Mentoring
Description of Activity
Who would be suitable?
What is the value of the activity?
For further information see Ms Glock or Mrs Price
Website/ Further Information
As part of mentoring, you will be finding and attending a placement with a department every week during enrichment (Wednesday afternoon) You will be responsible for finding your own placement and organising this with the relevant teacher We will need an email from the relevant teacher confirming that you will be with them on a Wednesday afternoon
This would be suitable for any hard working and motivated students that want to enhance their CV and UCAS application You must also punctual and committed to attending your placement every week.
Mentoring can enhance your CV, UCAS application and also strengthen key skills and employability. Previous students have commented on how their placement has improved teamwork, communication skills and confidence, and has also helped them reach decisions about the direction of their future career.
See Ms Glock
Access to Bristol Lead- Ms Glock
Description of Activity
Access to Bristol offers 26 subject streams, reflecting the variety of academic activity at the University. You will take part in academic taster sessions within a subject, giving you an idea of what it is like to study at the University.
As well as developing your subject knowledge on one of the subject streams, our student support session will introduce you to other aspects of university life at Bristol. For example, visit the Students’ Union, learn about what our careers service can offer you and hear about study abroad opportunities at Bristol
On completion of the scheme, you will be invited to a graduation ceremony in the grand setting of the Great Hall in the Wills Memorial Building This will be an occasion for you to celebrate your successful completion of the scheme with invited friends and family as well as giving you a taste of what a university graduation ceremony will be like
Who would be suitable? Aimed at local students studying towards AS and A-levels (or equivalents), the Access to Bristol scheme gives you a taste of life as a student at the University of Bristol.
What is the value of the activity?
1 First-hand experience of what it’s like to study at one of Britain’s top universities
2 Additional support with your A-level studies from our world-class teaching staff
3 A boost to your CV and UCAS application
4 The chance to meet local students from a range of backgrounds
5. Gain a guaranteed offer at Bristol University Website/ Further Information Please speak to Ms Glock
Food Lead- Mr Antonious
Description of Activity
Who would be suitable?
What is the value of the activity?
Demonstrations and practical cookery course, cooking every Wednesday Week 2, period 5 lesson, up to Xmas (demos and theory happen in week 1) Foods/dishes that have been made by past students include simple pasta bakes, quick n cheap stir fry meals, slow-cooked casseroles and stews, simple "free" desserts, curried leftovers, classic lasagne, potato-based dishes, and Xmas treats However, the course objectives are partly generated by the students' wishes and needs.
Anyone. From novice cooks to those who would like to enhance their culinary capabilities.
Learn the basics of budgeting, shopping and food management on a grant/loan/low income; Learn/develop new culinary skills (or perfect existing ones) through practise: knife skills, using limited resources etc; Learn how to apply the principles of the Eatwell Plate (now Eatwell Guide) and healthy eating;
Take home a delicious, nutritious, cheap and healthy dish to share with friends and family once a fortnight
Website/ Further Information
www.crypt.gloucs.sch.uk > intranet > Departments > Food > Year7/8/9 folders > recipes www.bbcgoodfood.com is also a tried and tested one.