Enrichment

In addition to A level study, enrichment is a core part of life in our Sixth Form. Workshops, talks by external speakers and trips both home and abroad develop higher level thinking, knowledge of current affairs and wider world awareness.

Music

Music is highly valued at Alton School and we encourage our Sixth Form students to get involved in choirs and orchestra. In addition to the specialist class music teachers, a team of highly qualified peripatetic staff support the department, allowing pupils to take part in music-making at every level. Individual tuition is available in the following instruments: Piano, Keyboard, Theory, Voice, Guitar (acoustic, electric and bass), Recorder, Flute, Oboe, Bassoon, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet/Cornet, Tenor/French Horn, Trombone, Euphonium, Violin, Viola, Violoncello, Double Bass, Percussion. To organise private lessons in music please contact the music department. Arrangements for fees and lessons are with the peripatetic teacher and not the School. Dr Shahov is the contact for music: pshahov@altonschool.co.uk

Drama

The Drama Department stages an annual production which is often produced in conjunction with the Music Department. Past shows have included Matilda Jr., Beauty & The Beast, Alice in Wonderland, Singin’ in the Rain, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Anything Goes and Grease! Roles are allocated by audition; actors and crew are expected to commit to a rehearsal schedule which may include weekends and evenings. Mrs Regan is the contact for drama: aregan@altonschool.co.uk.

Physical Education

We encourage all Sixth Form students to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. We allocate one lesson session a week to sport and the students have use of our well equipped gym when supervised.

Equestrian

We offer equestrian lessons at Greatham after school on a Thursday for Years 7-13 for all abilities. You will receive further information at the beginning of each term to sign up for these lessons.

Mrs Naylor-Davis is the contact for equestrian: jnaylor-davis@altonschool.co.uk.

LAMDA and Dance

Group and individual LAMDA and dance lessons are available with our visiting teachers. Arrangements for fees and lessons are with the peripatetic teacher and not the School. Please contact the School Office for further information: office@altonschool.co.uk.

Ccf

Alton School's CCF is a partnership with the Ministry of Defence that offers challenging activities to develop personal responsibility, leadership, and self-discipline. Available to Year 8 students and up, training includes parade evenings, field days, weekend camps, and summer camp.

DofE

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is a top global youth achievement programme that fosters personal growth and empowers millions of young people to reach their full potential. It offers three levels (Bronze, Silver, and Gold) with increasing difficulty and time commitment. Students in Year 9 and above can participate and engage in community service, physical and skill-building activities. The programme's main feature is a team expedition, which includes planning routes, equipment, and menus, followed by a practice and qualifying expedition.

Day trips and Residentials

There is an opportunity to bond as a Sixth Form in the Autumn Term with a cultural trip to a European city for the Christmas Markets and various activities.

We hope that our biennial New York trip will be possible again. We fly to New York for five days of culture and squeeze in as much as we can including a visit to MOMA, the Met, Central Park and the Highline, the Ground Zero Memorial and 9/11 museum, and of course a river cruise to Coney Island past the statue of Liberty. We usually take in a show or a basketball match too.

Our Lourdes Pilgrimage is an opportunity for our students to give something back and learn about lives so different from their own. This is a hugely enlightening and rewarding experience and our students report that it is one of the highlights of their time here. It takes place during the Easter holiday every other year, and students work hard to fundraise for the pilgrimage.

Travel documents

A valid passport for oversees visits is required. The current requirements for travel to an EU country state that the passport must be:

» Issued less that 10 years before the date of entry into the country (check date of issue)

» Valid for at least 3 months after the leaving date (check expiry date)

A valid UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) allows access to state healthcare in Europe at the reduced cost or sometimes free. These can be obtained though the NHS website.