Wednesday afternoon enrichment is compulsory for all students.
We have made enrichment compulsory because we want to extend and broaden your education by providing opportunities that will help you to develop your leadership skills, build resilience and improve your language skills.
Some enrichment activities will help you develop relationships with the community through our Active Citizen/Volunteering programme whilst others will enable you to delve deeper into things that really interest you.
You can also choose an enrichment activity which will enable you to explore artistic, literary, cultural or sporting activities.
Actively engaging in Wednesday Afternoon Enrichment will support your UCAS personal statement and enable you to have an even more competitive UCAS application.
Enrichment will provide opportunities and ideas that will help you develop your high level thinking skills that will give you a chance to show your real potential and ability at interview. University admissions interviews are all about thinking laterally, applying your thinking to new ideas and different contexts. They are not about reciting what you already know!
This booklet contains a list of activities we will be running in the Autumn term 2023. Read the information carefully before making your decision. Some activities are restricted by age group. You will be able to talk with the staff leading the enrichment activity at our Enrichment Fair on the 13th September.
When you are deciding which enrichment activities to do have a couple of reserves in mind in case you don’t get your first choice. The activities are divided up by themes and it would be good for you to try an activity from each theme. Remember enrichment is all about broadening your horizons and trying things outside your comfort zone!
Each term you will be able to choose new enrichment activities if you wish or you can stay with the same ones if you are involved in a project or sports club. Your teacher will let you know if it is possible to carry on.
Enrichment activities run for 1½ hours or 3 hours. You need to choose either two 1 ½ hour activities or one 3 hour activity.
Attendance at your enrichment activity is compulsory.
If you miss your enrichment activity and have not been given permission to be absent your attendance will be recorded as unauthorised.
Remember some of the enrichment activities involve you being part of a team; deciding not to attend will have an impact on the other students and the quality of their enrichment activity. Be a team player and take responsibility for your attendance.
Besides our Wednesday afternoon enrichment activities we also offer a range of clubs and opportunities outside of the school day. e.g. Duke of Edinburgh award scheme, badminton, golf (seasonal), Upper School competitive football and yoga.
There is also a range of clubs and activities organised by the Boarding Team.
Wednesday Enrichment activities, autumn 2023
ACTIVE CREATIVE ARTS COMMUNITY
Running Club Drama Club Active Citizen – Volunteering
Football – Junior Art and Design Student Lead Conferences
Walking Club Happiness Programme
Rowing Journalism & Publishing
MUSIC
Classical Music
Song Writing Club
SCIENCE / TECHNOLOGY
THINKING
Science and Technology – STEM MUN – Model United Nations
Coding Club
Music Performance Masterclass Maths Beyond the Curriculum
Medic Club
PROMOTES
HEALTH & WELLBEING
CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Open to all students
Academic Reading
Strategic Thinking
TED Talks
Young Enterprise
British Culture & Values
Improve Your Presentation Skills
Abbey College Project
Open to Year 10 and Year 11 students only
Open to Year 12 and Year 13 students only
DEVELOP LEADERSHIP SKILLS LEARN SOMETHING NEW
THINKING OUTSIDE THE BOX
TEAMWORK & COLLABORATION
Do you love running or want to improve your general fitness? Join the Abbey College Cambridge running club!
Running is a fantastic way to improve your fitness and enhance your own sense of wellbeing. To be academically excellent you also need to be physically healthy and running is one way for you to stay active. We will be using the local environment to run and will take you out to green spaces to explore.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
Improving fitness and sense of wellbeing. Making new friends.
All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF Phil White, Laura Senior
OUTCOMES
OTHER
Improve general fitness, enter running events at weekends (Park Run, Trail events)
Kit required Running trainers (We advise trail running trainers as we will be going off road at times), Appropriate running clothing. You also have the option of purchasing a Abbey College Cambridge running jacket.
You will take part in weekly football sessions which will include fitness work, skills coaching and competitive match experience. You will develop skills in ball control, as well as passing and shooting as well as an understanding of the different positions on the pitch and how each have an impact on the other
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
Developing teamworking skills, improving fitness making friends and having fun! Useful for a career that involves working effectively as part of a team.
Year 10 and Year 11
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF
OUTCOMES
David Savage, Simon Thacker, Daniel Stratford
You will improve your football skills, as well as your teamwork and decisionmaking during match situations. You will also improve your English as you will need to communicate with others during training and matches.
OTHER Kit required Football boots and Abbey College PE kit.
On a Walking Club excursion, we explore different parts of Cambridge. It provides us with the opportunity to engage with both our physical and mental capabilities, leading us to appreciate the importance of both. We explore urban and countryside settings, including trips to local parks, botanical gardens and National Trust properties. Whilst we are out and about, you will develop knowledge of road safety in the UK, the Country Code, resilience in walking in all weathers.
BENEFITS
Improving fitness and sense of wellbeing. If you are planning to attempt the Duke of Edinburgh Award, this club can help you with building up your distance walking. Making new friends.
YEAR GROUPS All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Alison Bignell, Sarah Still, Neil McKenzie
You will be working towards distance medals. It is essential that we preserve the environment, whilst also achieving sustainable economic growth. The Walking Club brings these important goals to the fore.
OTHER Walking boots or strong training shoes
Experience Cambridge from a whole new perspective – Learn to Row! Rowing is a popular sport for many in Cambridge and a very traditional sport which the University of Cambridge takes part in. Learn to row on the River Cam in an 8 person boat, just like the professionals use. You will be taught by a Rowing Coach and will use the high quality facilities at the City of Cambridge Rowing Club. Sessions will mostly involve on water training in an 8 person boat, but also some indoor training on rowing machines and the opportunity to use an indoor rowing tank to enhance your skills.
BENEFITS
Teamwork skills, apply to join rowing clubs as an existing rower.
YEAR GROUPS All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF Ben Reid
OUTCOMES
Develop Rowing technique over a 6 week course within a boat of 8. Learn basic technique to a standard (British Rowing Level 1). Students may have the opportunity to enter races within the summer term if a suitable standard is reached.
OTHER Autumn term only
Step into the Spotlight! Join our Abbey Drama Society and unleash your potential as a sensational performer! Explore the art of live acting, where stories come alive on stage. Dive into Character Development, creating compelling personas that will mesmerise audiences. Join us in this extraordinary journey of creativity and passion and build your confidence and charisma. The spotlight is waiting for you—come and shine at the Abbey Drama Society!
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
Master the importance of articulation, projection, and voice variation in Using Your Voice. Learn the art of active listening and reacting, adding depth and authenticity to your performances. Learn the art of active listening and reacting, adding depth and authenticity to your performances.
All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF Kieron Toner, Russell Bailey
OUTCOMES
Take part in the Abbey College Drama production
Discover your own creative side with the Art and Design. tHis enrichment is perfect for anyone who wants to elevate their design skills and produce an original t-shirt design. You will explore how you can use applique, print making, stitching, stencil, tie-dye, cutting and pleating to create your own personal design.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
Develop your creative skills, learn new skills and self-expression. Make friends. No experience required!
All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF Serena O’Connor
OUTCOMES
You will have designed and produced your own wearable T-Shirt
This is for anyone wanting to live a healthy, happy & well-balanced scholarly life. The Happiness Programme will promote your holistic development by making you aware of how living in the present can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better It is will also help you to manage day to day stress, improve concentration and improve your attitude towards life.
The Happiness Programme will give you the tools and techniques to keep a healthy body & mind through movement, meditation, breathing etc. There will be opportunities for you to appreciate and practice “gratitude & giving” .
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
Explore digital detoxification by engaging in mindfulness activities such as calligraphy, art, drawing, origami etc. and make healthy choices regarding diet and nutrition by partaking in activities such cooking, making health chart etc.
All Year Groups
3 Hours
STAFF Sim Liggitt, Divya Anand
OUTCOMES
The opportunity to become a Wellbeing Ambassador. Mindfulness Champions.
Develop a ‘hands on’ insight into the world of journalism and publishing by producing your own student led Student Magazine. Learn about content generation, editing, design, photography and the issues that journalists face on a day to day basis.
Discover the different channels available for the content they create, both in print and online.
Improve your writing skills for your English exams!
Improve your speaking skills (doing interviews/surveys)!
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Develop research skills – Primary and Secondary. Be part of the student news team and improve teamwork skills – Leadership and planning.
Help to connect students and staff around the world!
All Year Groups
1 ½ Hours
Anna Edmunds, Tory Robeson
Plan and publish two magazines over the course of the year (one in December and one in April).
Generate additional content for online platforms; blogs, vlogs, social media.
Use your enrichment time to support others. The Abbey Active Citizen programme is all about volunteering in school, the local community or the wider community. It enables you to play an active part in society by helping others whilst at the same time gaining invaluable skills and life experiences.
DURATION
Volunteering develops your communication and interpersonal skills as you will meet new people. It is good for your physical, mental and emotional health and helps boost yourself confidence. You can also get involved with projects that help the planet.
All Year Groups
3 Hours +
STAFF Tauhida Raquib-Khan, John Bauer
OUTCOMES
Work towards the Abbey College Cambridge Active Citizen Awards. Supports your Duke of Edinburgh Award. Gain professional experience which you can put on your UCAS form or CV.
Choose from one of our three student lead conferences:- Hidden Leaders, Equality Diversity and Inclusion and Artificial Intelligence. You will be part of a team that will plan and design a conference for students and host the conference in school. The conference delegates will come from local schools and students will work together on a range of activities related to the conference theme.
You will develop your leadership skills including team building, negotiation, active listening, creativity and positivity.
Improve your English and communication skills.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
Gain experience of event management and planning
Gain an insight into topical issues.
Make new friends.
All Year Groups
3 Hours
STAFF Helen Walker, Carolyn Dunn, Andrew Humphris
OUTCOMES Conference takes place
OTHER
You will do one conference only
Enjoy making and performing music together by playing and arranging music in a small ensemble.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
You will develop your teamwork and also independent work. You will become confident to perform in front of an audience. You will also learn about musical theory or composing/arranging music and will use music software (musescore). There will also be an opportunity to appreciate classical music from different cultures.
All Year Groups
1 ½ Hours
Chris Ashford, Niall Holland
Performances. New arrangements/compositions. Education of others about music.
The Song Writing Club is designed to ignite creativity and enable self-expression through the art of song writing This club provides a supportive and collaborative environment for you to create your own original songs. Embark on a creative journey that begins with crafting lyrics, progresses to developing chord sequences, and culminates in creating memorable melodies! The club provides resources and equipment, including video production tools and loopers for recording, to enhance the musical experience and showcase your compositions to their full potential.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Student leadership, making new friends, collaboration, the ability to give and receive constructive criticism in a supportive environment.
All Year Groups
1 ½ Hours
Andy Barnes, James Noton
Bring songs to life through performance or recording. You will also have the opportunity to perform or have your songs performed before the wider school in concerts and calendar events.
A dynamic and inclusive activity that empowers students to unlock their full musical potential. It cultivates a passion for music, fosters discipline and perseverance, and provides a platform for students to excel as confident and skilled performers. The masterclass provides a supportive and inspiring environment where students receive personalized guidance and instruction from experienced musicians. They are encouraged to set individual goals and work towards achieving them through dedicated practice and exploration of diverse musical genres and styles.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Regular peer-to-peer performances offer students valuable opportunities to showcase their progress, build confidence, and receive constructive criticism from their peers. These performances foster a collaborative spirit, where students learn from one another and develop an appreciation for different approaches to musical interpretation.
All Year Groups
3 Hours
Ed Davison
Independent learning projects will encourage students to explore different facets of performance, such as music theory, music history, or audio production, enhancing your overall musicianship. Those participating in this activity will have regular opportunities to perform to the wider school at concerts and calendar events
Investigate areas of science that are not covered by the GCSE and A-level curriculum and develop a project to explore a topic that you are passionate about.
You will develop a range of transferrable skills that will help you in your studies:
– Researching and referencing
– Developing strategies and making informed decisions
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
– Formulating creative hypotheses and developing appropriate approaches to test them
– Problem-solving in both intellectual and practical contexts
– Planning how to use your time and access the resources you need
– Collaborating in a group, dividing up tasks to reach a shared outcomes
– Presenting scientific information both orally and in writing
All Year Groups
3 Hours
Bea Gini, Will Taylor, Susana Rios, Paul Bushen
A CREST Award is an excellent way to boost a University application, especially in subjects that require scientific skills, such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine-related fields, Engineering, Psychology and social sciences. Universities have high regard for ways of objectively demonstrate these skills
The Python coding club aims to give you the opportunity to learn Python with no experience. You will work on multiple different projects including: self-contained applications, group projects and Raspberry Pi based projects.
During the course of the enrichment activity you will learn a wide range of skills and techniques that will be applied in projects. This will then develop into groups working together to achieve a bigger goal, this might be a more complex programme or working with Raspberry Pi components. The skills gained will be useful for you both at University and in your future lives, group work, decision making and discussion are all key components of bigger projects.
YEAR GROUPS All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Stephen Du Plessis
Every project provides an opportunity to have a usable application, whether that is a dice roller or a more complex project. You will also gain an understanding of Python as a language itself. Python is of increased interest and usage in many academic areas and careers which are related to analysing data as well as Artificial Intelligence.
Student led talks on real life mathematical applications beyond the classroom. This enrichment activity is ideal for anyone interested in studying maths or STEM related subjects at university and will delve deeper into maths and other STEM themes.
BENEFITS
You will gain much needed background knowledge in your field of interest and will become more confident in pursuing your field of their interest. You will also develop research skills and presentation skills as well as leadership skills through student led talks and discussions.
YEAR GROUPS Year 12 and Year 13
DURATION 1 ½ Hours
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Edward Lyria, Stephen Phillip
You will be given awards based on presentations through different categories, such as most inspiring and most engaging.
A compulsory session for all year 12 students planning to make a future Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science application in the following academic year. They will also apply to gain clinical shadowing places in Hospitals, GP surgeries, dentals surgeries and veterinary surgeries.
BENEFITS
You will be learning to improve communication skills, work collaboratively and thus increase self-confidence. You will also begin to think creatively and develop your business acumen whilst being rewarded for giving back in this meaningful way to the community
YEAR GROUPS Year 12 Medics - Compulsory
DURATION
1 ½ Hours
STAFF Sephora Day, Nick Holmes
OUTCOMES
Complete online courses to learn about their field of interest, write a personal CV and apply for volunteer work.
A club for Year 13 medic students to be experts in excelling Medical, Dental and Veterinary school interviews. In term 2 you will be work with other students from different fields of expertise (Medics, Business Studies, Economics, Scientists, Mathematicians, Humanities) to utilise your individual talents to collaboratively work together to achieve the common goal of raising money for the EAAA charity by turning £100 into a £1000 or more!
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
Learn to answer questions about difficult science topics, medical ethics, teamwork, leadership, problem solving, The NHS and personal insight. In addition, students will be learning to improve their communication skills, work collaboratively and thus increase self-confidence to perform well in high pressure scenarios
Year 13 Medics - Compulsory
1 ½ Hours
STAFF Sephora Day, Nick Holmes
OUTCOMES
Students will gain a competitive edge over other candidates in acing their university interviews.
Being part of MUN Club is great experience for anyone interested in a career in Politics, International Relations, Law, Diplomacy, History, Geography, Economics, Ecology, Business, Sustainable Management and many others! We will be involved in developing, delivering and participating in MUN simulations of committee sessions. You will learn how to act with diplomacy and work as part of a team to present a range of viewpoints.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
Develop your public speaking skills, debating and persuading skills as well as your negotiation and leadership skills. Carry out research and producing informal and formal documents, including working papers and resolutions.
All Year Groups
DURATION 3 Hours
STAFF Emma Smith, David Shah, Carolyn Dunn
OUTCOMES
Improve speaking and writing in a formal, academic English style. There will be the opportunity to hold our own ACC MUN Conference with a range of committees.
We will participate in University level conferences like LSE Youth MUN.
The Academic Reading will provide you with the opportunity to read a wide variety of self-selected texts on a range of interests and disciplines. The course will contain a great deal of academic language related to the students’ subjects and will require upper-level thinking skills. The passion, communication and empathy that derive from reading are essential for the sophisticated skills demanded by high-level professional work in the world we live in today.
By capturing their own sense of agency and choice, students will effectively build their reading ability, vocabulary development, self-confidence, and motivation.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
The reading skills and invaluable study habits, ability to comprehend stimulating issues and the breadth of knowledge gained on the course, will be of great benefit when applying to university.
Year 12 and Year 13
1 ½ Hours
John Morgan, Alistair Gray
Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive a certificate congratulating them on the number of pages/texts they have read, along with an Amazon book voucher(s).
Welcome to the Strategic Thinking Enrichment Club, where we will embark on an exciting journey into the world of strategic board gaming through the game WarChest. Get ready to enhance your critical thinking, decision-making, and probability skills while having fun!.
BENEFITS
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
OUTCOMES
Develop your strategic thinking skills. Foster teamwork and collaboration. Enhance your probability and risk assessment abilities and cultivate adaptability and flexibility through fair play and sportsmanship.
Year 10 and Year 11
1 ½ Hours
Matthew Taylor, John Hughes
Strategic thinking:
– Decision-making
– Probability and risk assessment
– Tactical planning
– Communication and teamwork and sportsmanship
– All relevant to careers in business management and consulting and analysis
Through the development of a detailed research topic of your choice, the aim is to ultimately present your research, in the form of a short presentation, to a small audience. Supported by a series of 13 ‘explorations’ you will begin by considering what makes a great TED Talk, how to create an interesting ‘story line’ for your research and lastly, how to structure and finally present a piece of research to an audience in a meaningful and engaging way. TED Talks is the club for you if you are interested in research, journalism, teaching, lecturing, marketing and sales, doctors, scientists in fact any career that requires researching and presenting ideas in a formal and engaging way.
BENEFITS
You will gain research skills, the skills of giving fair feedback, debating and communication skills, higher order thinking skills and presentation skills. Students will learn how to overcome challenges and face their fears!
YEAR GROUPS Year 12 and Year 13
DURATION 1 ½ Hours
STAFF Jo Dickerson
OUTCOMES
You will aim to formally present your research topic to a small audience which is connected to the global platform of TED Ed. You will gain recognition for having been part of the TED Ed platform.
Young Enterprise was founded in 1962 based on the successful Junior Achievement programme and its ability to foster work readiness, entrepreneurship, financial literacy skills and its philosophy of “learning by doing”. Every year thousands of young people are able to develop their employability and financial literacy skills through YE’s programmes and services.
The Company Programme empowers you to set up and run a student company (up to 32 students in a team) under the guidance of an external business volunteer.
Participants gain practical business experience and key skills.
BENEFITS
You will set up and run your own student company. You will make all the decisions about your business, from deciding the company name and product to managing the company finances.
YEAR GROUPS All Year Groups
DURATION 1 ½ Hours
STAFF Stuart Walton, Meghan Miller
OUTCOMES
You will gain the practical business experience, adaptability, entrepreneurial mindset and employability skills needed to secure successful futures. Plus, you get to keep your profits!
This enrichment activity will ‘Enable you to fully participate in the social and cultural life of the UK now and at university.’
This will be achieved through a range of activities including critical reading of UK media, listening to podcasts, the use of Financial Times Resources. Through debate on the Party Manifestos – 2024 will be an election year and listening to outside speakers.
Attend an event at possibly the Cambridge Film and/or Literary Festival.
YEAR GROUPS
DURATION
STAFF
You will gain skills and knowledge around UK life, debating and critical analysis of media print and digital. Very useful skills for a career in journalism, communication or management.
Year 12 and Year 13
1 ½ Hours
Marie O’ Keefe, David Tilley
Ability to access a wider and richer university experience
Increased self-confidence
Improved language skills
Better ability to perform in future interviews
Broader general knowledge
Attend an event at possibly the Cambridge Film and/or Literary Festival
No matter if you are a part of finance, editorials, HR, or if you are an entrepreneur or undertaking scientific research, there will always be situations, from presentations to pitches. Such opportunities will knock on the door now and then, and you will find these skills particularly useful at that time.
BENEFITS
Build confidence in presenting and be able to speak in public. You will also ignite your creativity and improve your English
YEAR GROUPS Year 10 and Year 11
DURATION
1 ½ Hours
STAFF Alice Bacon, Neha Kataria
OUTCOMES
With weekly practice you will be asked to prepare a formal presentation to present at the end of each term. Prepare a presentation and if possible present it in front of staff/students at a gathering here at Abbey college on a relevant occasion/topic.
Extend and develop your knowledge beyond the curriculum through undertaking an independent research project on a topic of your choosing. This can be related to your chosen career or just something that really interests and excites you. Academic research and report writing are important skills needed across many subjects and career pathways including medicine, scientific research, business, economics. Many degree courses require you to undertake academic research too.
BENEFITS
Develop your independent research and project management skills. Deepen your knowledge of a particular topic. Learn how to write a write an academic report . Develop your presentation skills.
YEAR GROUPS Year 10 and Year 11
DURATION
1 ½ Hours
STAFF Allan Smith, Darren Kelly
OUTCOMES
Identify a research project. Produce a written academic report. Present your research.
Abbey College Cambridge Homerton Gardens
Cambridge CB2 8EB
Tel: +44 (0) 1223 578280
www.abbeycambridge.co.uk
