Your Co-Curricular Journey
At Uppingham, we encourage all pupils to go on a journey of discovery and growth. We want you to be inspired to try a diverse range of experiences; to thrive as you cultivate your talents and grow your passions; and to make an impact as innovators and leaders within the School and beyond.
BE INSPIRED
Fourth Form
Try new things, be curious and participate in as wide a range of activities as possible.
THRIVE
Fifth Form
Embrace challenges and be creative as you develop your talents and grow your passions.
MAKE AN IMPACT
Sixth Form
Forge your own path, be innovative, take leadership roles and inspire others.
Our co-curricular programme is central to developing courageous, curious, compassionate, adaptable, and passionate young people. People who are ready to navigate their own path through life and influence the world around them for the better.
UPP&Out, which takes place on a Friday afternoon, is an integral part of Uppingham’s co-curricular programme.
It is structured to help you make the most of the opportunities available to you at Uppinghamensuring you enjoy stimulating and life-enhancing experiences throughout your time at school.
Courageous Actively seeks challenges, takes risks and learns from failure
Compassionate Empathetic, respectful, and kind
Curious Open-minded and inquisitive
UPP& Out
Passionate Inspires others with their commitment and enthusiasm
Adaptable Embraces change, thinks locally and globally, takes inspiration from others
Contact:
Assistant Head: Co-curricular
Dr Kyi Muller
km2@uppingham.co.uk
What can you do in UPP&Out?
Who can take part?
The Friday afternoon programme is open to all pupils in the Lower Fifth through to the Upper Sixth.
What is on offer?
There are six main options available to you on a Friday afternoon. You will be required to choose one of these and commit to the programme for the duration of the academic year.
What is involved?
Before you decide on which programme you will take part in, please take the time to look at the overview for each of these programmes. If you would like further information, please contact the staff listed under each of the options available.
Upper Sixth
If you are in the Upper Sixth, and you are a Scholar involved in CCF, DofE Gold or are completing community service programmes that support your academic applications for life after Uppingham, you will be required to take part in the UPP&Out programme. Upper Sixth not doing any of these options will be required work in their Houses on their UCAS or further study applications and will be signed in by matrons, HsMs or Deputy HsMs.
What if I want to do more than one option?
Pathway 1: Pupils who would like to participate in CCF and DofE
What should you select?
CCF will be your main activity on a Friday.
You will also be enrolled in the DofE programme (contact Mr Bradley to do this).
This will be met through your CCF programme
This will be met through your CCF programme
* You will be able to access support sessions for DofE at various times throughout the term.
Pathway 2: Pupils who are Scholars and who
What should you select?
You will have been allocated into the Scholars option for UPP&Out as this will be your main activity. You will also be enrolled in DofE (contact Mr Bradley to do this).
would
like to complete DofE
This will be met through your Scholars programme
You can do this through your games option
Duke of Edinburgh
We can support you to complete community service during the week. Mr Bradley will be in touch to determine when this is possible within your individual timetable.
You can do this through your games option.
You will do your expedition with the main DofE group. You will need to commit to the workload that is needed to meet the needs of both CCF and DofE.
You will join the main DofE group at intervals to gain navigational practice and complete your expedition with the main DofE group. You will need to commit to the workload that is needed to meet the needs of both Scholars and DofE.
* You will be able to access support sessions for DofE at various times throughout the term.
Pathway 3: Pupils
who are Scholars and who would like to take part in a community service project.
What should you select? Community Service
You will have been allocated to the Scholars option for UPP&Out already as this will be your main activity.
We can support you to complete community service during the week. Please contact Mr Clark so that he can determine how to best support you within your individual timetable.
UPPSkill
Contact:
Head of UPPSkill
Mr Andrew Huxter
anh@uppingham.co.uk
Overview
UPPSkill enables the development of new skills and provides the opportunity for you to challenge yourself. Although the activities repeat each year, the content varies and there is a structured programme which leads to increasing depth and complexity. If you participate in the Coaching Programme over three years, you will be able to complete the coaching course, and you can also concurrently complete your DofE should you wish to.
Programme Structure
Contact:
Combined Contingent Commander
Mr Andrew Huxter
anh@uppingham.co.uk
Combined Cadet Force (CCF)
Overview
Uppingham School Combined Cadet Force aims to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline through a varied and engaging programme. Pupils who join the CCF select to join one of the services – Army, Navy and RAF, and within each half of term you learn skills related to the service you have chosen. In addition, there are six further areas of the CCF syllabus; Survival Training, Target Sports, Adventurous Training, Navigation and Expeditions, Personal Development and Community Service (see the tables below for when these are delivered and what is involved). These activities are completed alongside the weekly Army, Navy or RAF training sessions. Involvement in the CCF programme provides you with opportunities to take what you have learned further, on field weekends, summer camps and external training courses. It can also lead you to complete Adventurous Training or Leadership Qualifications as you progress. The syllabus is also designed to enable you to also complete DofE should you want to – see pathway option 1 (on page 4).
Programme Structure
Adventure Training Choose from four options
Survival First Aid
Save a Life – CPR and Defibrilator Introduction
Water Water Rescue
Choose from four options Ski-ing, Orienteering, archery, climbing
Save a Life – CPR and Defibrilator Qualification
Water Rescue Skills to support access to Gold DofE
Outdoor Fires, Traps, Water Fires, Traps, Water, Leading
Navigation and Expedition Skillsets to support access to Silver DofE
Community Service Charity A Charity Event
Skillsets to support access to Silver DofE
Choose a strand to lead/support
Co-ordination and Leadership Skillsets to support access to Gold DofE
Plan a Charity Event Lead a Charity Event Mentor a Charity Event
Personal Development Teamwork
Target Sports Zeroing, Aim Off, Building Position, Fitness for Shooting
Teaching Skills (CFIT)
Leadership Programme - Theory, planning and decision making, managing conflict, leading command tasks, presentations.
Archery, 2.2, Air Rifle, L98 Archery, 2.2, Air Rifle, L98 A2 Cadet Rifle
ILM Level 3/BTEC parallel curriculum.
Coaching Skills ARD Safety Skills, Learning to Lead and Support Background Activities
Testimonials
I have enjoyed my experience working alongside my peers as leaders on field weekends and training exercises, as we develop to become the leaders of next year.”
Charles, L6th
The CCF is a brilliant example of like-minded people coming together to share experiences that they enjoy. The bonds formed through sharing challenging experiences are incredibly strong.” Sam, U6th
Contact:
Head of Community Service and Entrepreneurship
Mr Sam Clark
Sc2@uppingham.co.uk
StartUPP (Entrepreneurship)
Overview
Do you have a big idea or product you want to create? Then this programme is for you. StartUPP will take you through the steps of what it takes to become an entrepreneur and by the end of this year you will have learnt what it takes to become one and even had the opportunity to develop your own product or business idea and then pitch it to a panel at our end of year ‘Uppingham Shark Tank’ event. We will also be linking you to OU mentors who can support you along the way.
Programme Structure
There are three main elements to the StartUPP programme:
1. Startup Sprint: A Startup Sprint teaches you the key skills you need to be able to use to develop your own ideas.
2. Meet your mentor: you will then be able to develop your own idea into a business or product and have the support of an industry mentor.
3. Uppingham Shark Tank: You will complete the programme with a 5-minute pitch to a panel of industry experts.
You will also have the opportunity to attend events, talks and where possible connect to industry partners.
What
is
a Startup Sprint?
Uppingham StartUPP will begin with a Startup Sprint which is just a fast way of learning the key components to how to take your big idea into a reality. This programme will take you through nine key learning areas.
Learning Area What do you learn?
Let’s get started
- An overview of the course and how to use the resources provided.
- What is an entrepreneurial mindset?
- Case studies on entrepreneurship – successful ventures vs those that did not work.
It’s a team thing
What’s the problem?
Compare the market.
- What management styles are there?
- What are your skills and how do you build your dream team.
- Describe the importance of being immersed in the problem instead of the solution.
- Investigate the tension between making money and ethics.
- Development of your problem statement.
- How to use a validation canvas.
- What are the different techniques to conduct market research?
- What is the problem solution fit?
Idea generation
Minimum viable product
All about the money
- What is creativity and how can we be creative?
- What is the difference between innovation and invention?
- What is an MVP and why do we need one?
- Development of your own MVP and testing this in the market.
- How do you set up a business – business basics.
- Develop your own balance sheets
- Where can you get funding for your great idea?
Brand it
Pitch it
- How can you market and brand your product?
- Identify a range of strategies for your product.
- Build a pitch and be able to communicate your product/service.
Contact:
Head of Expeditions
Mr Simon Bradley
sjb3@uppingham.co.uk
Duke of Edinburgh
Overview
Participating in the Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) Award gives you invaluable skills and will benefit you when you apply for college, university or enter the workforce. In addition to your academic achievements, universities increasingly want to see evidence of what are often termed ‘soft skills’. These are usually developed through co-curricular activities, and include skills and attributes such as effective communication, leadership, and teamwork. The DofE Award is a fantastic way to demonstrate and evidence these skills in addition to making a difference to other people’s lives and your community, increasing your fitness and improving your health, not to mention making new friends and obtaining memories that will last a lifetime.
Programme Structure
In 2024 if you are in Lower Fifth you will start DofE with direct entry into the Silver Award. The Friday afternoon programme is designed to support you to complete all the elements needed.
Silver Award begins in the Lower Fifth and is completed over two years. In the Lower Fifth you will be timetabled one term of skills, and two terms of expedition training. In the Upper Fifth you will complete a whole year of community service which will enable you to fully meet the requirements of the Silver Award. Games sessions are used as evidence for the physical section of the Award. There will be a full practice expedition during the Easter holidays of the Lower Fifth and the assessed expedition at the end of the Lower Fifth. The Silver Expedition will be conducted in the Yorkshire Dales. In special circumstances there is also a provision for completing the expeditions in the Upper Fifth.
Gold award begins in the Lower Sixth and is completed over two years. You will spend the first half of the Lower Sixth adding to your community service section. Then, to prepare you for your Gold DofE expedition you will complete further expedition training. There will be a practice expedition at Easter and the qualifying expedition at the end of the Summer Term. In the Upper Sixth you will then complete the remaining six months of community service whilst also completing the skills section independently. Your games sessions are used as evidence for the physical section. The Gold Expedition will be undertaken in North Wales.
Further information on the Duke of Edinburgh Award can be accessed by visiting: www.dofe.org
Testimonials
DofE is such a good opportunity to spend time in new and different places and with new and interesting people. DofE equips you well for a successful future, filling you with the right intent and outlook on life. I would highly recommend that anyone jumps at the opportunity to take part in the scheme.”
Charlie, L5th
Contact:
Head of Community and Entrepreneurship
Mr Sam Clark
sc2@uppingham.co.uk
Community Service
Overview
The Community Service option gives you the opportunity to serve the community in a variety of different ways, in what is a valuable programme with lasting impact. There are a range of sectors you can get involved in, and you will remain with the same service programme for the full academic year, in order to develop strong and fruitful relationships and make a real difference in the wider community.
There is a wide range of opportunities available, including, but not limited to:
Countryside Conservation: The Countryside Conservation Group offers the opportunity to spend time working with, and contributing to, organisations and individuals who manage, care for and advocate on behalf of the British countryside, wildlife and associated activities. These include significant charities and conservation research bodies, such as the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust. The emphasis is on enjoying and helping our surrounding countryside, with the chance to expand your understanding at the same time. Recent OUs who have taken part in the programme have gone on to work in related fields such as DEFRA and the Wildlife Rangers.
Primary Science: Each week, Years 3 - 6 from Leighfield Primary School attend science sessions within the Uppingham School Science Department. It is an opportunity for the children to learn some fascinating science, develop their practical skills, and above all, to have fun. If you are doing your Youth STEM Award this will contribute towards the Engaging Science module.
Uppingham Conservation Project: This year we are establishing a new conservation project in The School’s Arboretum. This fantastic space, which is already a hub for nature and wildlife, is going to form a key part of the School’s ongoing commitment to the environment and there will be a number of ways to become involved. These include monitoring of wildlife friendly areas, the creation of nature trails and the teaching of conservationism to primary school students.
Care for the Elderly: A significant part of the Community Service Programme is to help care for elderly members of our local community. This comes in two forms, both through helping to support individuals and through visits to care homes. In these spaces there are a variety of activities that pupils engage in, such as reading, listening, and crossword clue solving.
Programme Structure
The Community Service programme lasts for a full academic year. This is so that you can meaningfully participate in your chosen activity, building lasting relationships with those community groups you are involved in. As well as being a stand-alone programme, you can also use this programme to help support the completion of the volunteering component of the DofE Award scheme.
Testimonials
The girls and residents have had a lovely time getting to know each other. Top marks to them all for being so unphased by everything. Well done to Alice who put a smile on one of our resident’s faces, who is not known for smiling and gave her a really wonderful afternoon making her feel happy and confident. Alice can be especially proud of herself, as they all can.”
Hallaton Manor Care Home
The pupils that visit Leighfield are lovely, friendly and happy to do any job that is given to them. They are great with the children and their visits are very much looked forward to.”
Leighfield Primary School
Alice and Davina were both very charming and fun people. We have decided that baking is our common joy (theirs to bake and mine to sample) although I think they will get through a few of the products!”
Local resident
Scholars
Contact:
Head of Enrichment and Scholarship
Miss Jane Stevens
js1@uppingham.co.uk
Overview
UPP&Out provides scholars with the opportunity to spend dedicated time working in their scholarship area.
The bespoke programmes are designed to allow scholars to make individual progress in their specialism, whether leading discussion groups, developing their sporting skills, working on higher level design projects in the Leonardo Centre, receiving professional chamber music coaching or participating in drama workshops. The ability to work with other scholars across differing year groups helps you to build a sense of community and allows for mentorship between years, with the Sixth Form scholars often taking leadership roles within each discipline. The schedule for each pupil will vary during the year, but at its core is the development of the individual.
Programme Structure
Academic scholars form part of the Leighton Group - an invite-only group of pupils who share a high level of academic rigour and curiosity. The group is divided between Humanities and STEM subjects to provide a programme tailored to the specialisms and interests of the scholar. Scholars work on research, internal and external essay competitions, seminars, presentations, experiments - in fact, anything that allows you to focus on your passions. Within the humanities strand, a series of seminars, led by subject specialists, requires pre-seminar reading and engagement from the pupils, whilst STEM scholars also can attend a series of lectures. Further support is given for potential university Mathematicians via the STEP programme.
Design and Technology scholars can develop their core design skills using traditional and modern methods. You are encouraged to focus on areas of weakness and given the support to improve and develop these to make you ‘industry-ready’ in whatever area of design and technology you wish to pursue. Beyond the confines of the Friday afternoon session, the Sixth Form scholars run Production Creation sessions where you are given the opportunity to mentor Fourth and Fifth Form pupils, allowing you to develop your leadership and problem-solving skills.
Art scholars are encouraged to develop and explore a range of media and application techniques. Specialist workshops and a focus on development of your interests and expanding upon what you have access to is encouraged. As you progress through the programme you will be given opportunities to lead in discussion and mentor students in the lower years.
Drama scholars are involved in the same programme regardless of age. The programme is a blend of specialised workshops given by visiting drama schools (such as AMDA or East15), theatre companies (e.g., Frantic Assembly and Gecko) and professional actors who explore different types of theatrical performance. There is also space for scholars to prepare for Drama post-Uppingham through audition preparation and practice, dance workshops and production of their acting portfolio. Scholars also lead and promote the arts through work in local primary schools, allowing them to display their leadership skills and to create workshops of their own.
For Music scholars, the Friday afternoon programme provides an opportunity to come together in small ensemble work – playing chamber music, singing in bespoke choirs, exploring jazz improvisation, developing music technology skills, studying composition and conducting, alongside performance practice and repertoire classes. Whilst the groups are coached by staff, scholars are encouraged to work independently during these sessions, engaging in higher level listening skills and undertaking the type of rehearsals that they would be involved in when studying music beyond Uppingham.
The Sports scholars’ programme offers support and guidance as the scholars explore their path as athletes. This includes small group sessions with professional coaches to improve both technical and tactical skills, mentoring to improve psychological skills, and workshops that are intended to help maximise potential. The whole-person approach allows for external speakers to discuss matters such as nutrition, sleep and breathwork. As the scholars progress through the School, the focus moves towards leadership, with the Sixth Form scholars not only continuing with their personal goals, explored in the Fifth Form, but also acting as ambassadors for Uppingham Sport as the athletes and coaches of the future.
For the Textile Scholars, the programme is based around a series of workshop tasks designed to be accessible to scholars throughout the School, whilst still challenging them to improve their skills beyond the expectations of the standard syllabus. Scholars will often work on skills and techniques that would more usually be expected of an undergraduate pupil, thus helping them to prepare for future studies in the subject. Beyond these workshops, guest speakers and field trips are also an integral part of the programme.
The Thring scholars are encouraged to design, develop and then run a series of events and initiatives throughout the school year. Support is given to help them understand the needs of managing both short- and long-term projects, including talks from marketing, events management and financial experts to provide them with the tools for such tasks. The scholars work in year groups, cross-year Thring ‘family’ groups and specialist groups to reflect the diversity of the Thring scholars and their own personal areas of interest and expertise. This programme is intended to encapsulate the values that a Thring scholar embodies – integrity, courage, responsibility, respect, kindness, ambition and curiosity.
Testimonials
The Leighton Group has proved to be an invaluable method to pursue my own interests within school time in a supportive environment. It has allowed me to also learn new skills in projects such as 3D modelling when trying to model a rocket, or in the medical field by better understanding the uses of different kinds of radiation waves, be they implanted, ingested, or emitted onto your body. Leighton Group has allowed me to grow and excel in the direction I want to, unprohibited by a time schedule or curriculum that I must stay on track with.
L5th Academic Scholar
To be a part of Leighton Group has always been a privilege. It has allowed me to challenge myself and my approach in researching questions that fascinate me. Seminars presented by teachers, pupils and the Headmaster encourage us to debate and critique articles and books that generate challenging questions. The comfortable but focused atmosphere of Leighton Group has made a Friday afternoon one of the highlights of my week and I look forward to being a part of it once again next year.
L6th Academic Scholar
Joining in Sixth Form I found the scholars’ programme to be a great way to make instant friends and dive straight into the vibrant drama presence in this school. Scholars’ time was always informative and highly enjoyable and allowed me to form one of my most valued communities within school. I had the opportunity to take part in a multitude of workshops with different practitioners, many of whom changed my outlook on theatre.
U6th Drama Scholar
I’ve really enjoyed the Friday afternoon ‘Champions Programme’ specifically for rugby, as the extra sessions of actual training are extremely beneficial and fun, but also the extra talks and lectures have been very interesting and taught me good skills to apply to sport and my life in general.
L6th Sports Scholar
I have really enjoyed the small choir groups I have been involved in. They have allowed me to develop good friendships with people that have similar interests as well as greatly develop my choral skill set.
U5th Music Scholar
How do I sign up to an UPP&Out Programme?
Signing up
You will be informed in the second week of term when the window for signing up is open, please do not try and do this before then as you will not have access. Please follow the following steps to sign up to your Friday afternoon UPP&Out option. *If you are a Scholar, you will have already been signed up to your scholars group and will not be able to select an option. If you wish to do an additional option such as DofE, CCF or community service please speak to the member of staff concerned.
STEP 1:
Sign into your SOCS account by clicking on the link
STEP
2:
Go to the activities page and click on ADD next to the activity you wish to choose for the year.
https://www.socscms.com/login/257/pupil/
STEP 3:
The activity will then appear in your calendar. This is NOT confirmation of your final allocation and you will be notified when your selection has been confirmed. If you would like to choose community service please complete the online form for this option which will collate your first and second choice.
If you would like to take part in StartUPP you will need to apply for this using the online form.
What do I do if I don’t have a password?
If you have forgotten your password or if you have not yet set a password, please click “Forgot Password” and follow the instructions. You will be taken to the school’s login page where you can log in. Once you have entered your login credentials, you will be logged into SOCS.
When you are logged in, you are able to change your password by clicking on Settings
Update your password on the My Details & Settings page
UPP&Out Contacts
Changing your choice
You will have until the first leave out weekend to change onto another programme. However, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to move into your first preference as some programmes may be full and there are limitations on the number of pupils that some programmes can take.
Need help?
If you want to find out more about the programmes on offer, please contact the following staff:
Assistant Head: Co-curricular: Dr Kyi Muller (km2@uppingham.co.uk)
CCF and UPPSkill: Mr Andrew Huxter (anh@uppingham.co.uk)
Duke of Edinburgh: Mr Simon Bradley (sjb3@uppingham.co.uk)
Community Service: Mr Sam Clark (sc2@uppingham.co.uk)
Scholars: Miss Jane Stevens (js1@uppingham.co.uk)
StartUPP (Entrepreneurship): Mr Sam Clark (sc2@uppingham.co.uk)