Guide
Introduction
‘We
should not just provide the opportunities for students to achieve good academic results but actively promote the benefits of a wider curriculum to students. They should be encouraged to recognise the value of these activities as part of their development – in other words Co-Curricular, not extra-curricular.’
Professor M Andrews Former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Keele University
At Cokethorpe we recognise that the classroom is only a small part of the story. Whilst remaining central to School life, we see life beyond the classroom through Co-Curricular activities as being vital to a rounded education. The emphasis on a broad Co-Curricular Programme throughout the School is based on the conviction that individuals thrive in an environment in which their abilities and talents are recognised and nurtured.
We offer an extraordinary range of activities to develop pupils’ skills, complement and extend learning in the classroom, and stretch both mind and imagination. The energy and variety in our Co-Curricular Programme is such that every pupil is sure to find something to inspire them. In fact, if there is interest in an activity not currently available, we will do everything in our power to make it available.
Part of our Co-Curricular offerings are known as AOBs (Any Other Business). This refers to the extensive variety of clubs and societies offered to pupils as part of the School’s Co-Curricular Programme, and it is more than just an afterthought on our agenda!
Over 160 AOBs are available for pupils to choose from each week with sessions predominantly taking place during the School day. This huge selection is designed to encourage pupils to try new things, extend an interest in academic subjects and devote more time to developing skills. They are divided into five categories: Cerebral; Physical; Creative; Hobbies; and Service. Pupils select a minimum of three AOBs each per term.
A pupil may choose to delve deeper into an academic area of interest or take an additional GCSE in a new subject. They could look to refine a pre-existing skill or try something completely new.
Drama
‘I still remember our First Form Production, when the whole year group took part and performed to our parents. I was so nervous, but I am so glad I did it and I have been in every Drama production since. I love it.’
Jess, Fifth Form
Drama Activities
Drama plays an important part in the cultural life at Cokethorpe. It encourages pupils to think beyond the page, question the world in which they live, formulate their own opinions and develop self-confidence and creativity.
A vibrant calendar of drama performances ensures all pupils have the opportunity to explore a range of genres and acting techniques. The main productions, for which any pupil may audition, are the highlight of the year with recent shows including adaptations of Little Shop of Horrors, Treasure Island and Matilda.
Performances take place in the purpose built, 200-seat theatre that is affectionately known as The Shed, and productions are brought to life with an extensive wardrobe and full-time costume designer.
Drama at Cokethorpe extends beyond the stage with pupils learning and undertaking the support specialities of sound, lighting, make-up, set design and wardrobe.
The Cokethorpe Academy of Dramatic Arts (CADA) is open to Sixth Form students at the School through auditions allowing them to embrace a full range of performance skills, take productions on tour, explore wider technical support roles and other industry benefits.
Drama AOB Examples
C-SALT (Sound and Lighting)
Drama Termly Production
Script Writing
Drama Award Holders
The Drama Academy
Music
‘Playing in the Concert Band was amazing as, up until that point, I had only ever played with other string musicians. The teachers played too.’
James, Third Form
Music Activities
Music at Cokethorpe is as impressive as it is diverse. From traditional recitals and choral concerts to the all-inclusive Inter-House Music Competition, from the choir and concert band to the contemporary Live Lounge evenings; there is something to suit every performer and audience. A lively calendar of musical events provides a wealth of opportunities for pupils to perform. In addition to the formal school programmes, pupil-led events are also encouraged.
A highlight for many pupils is the bi-annual musical production which showcases the talents of pupils across a range of disciplines from singers and musicians to set designers and lighting engineers.
In addition to performance spaces and rehearsal rooms, the School also offers a suite of Mac computers equipped with Sibelius and Garage Band. Using this industry standard software enables pupils to explore composition and song writing, and gain technical recording and editing skills.
Music AOB examples
Chamber Music Concert Band
String Orchestra
The Cokethorpe Orchestra
The Choir
Lower School Band
Jazz Band
Music Technology
Sport
‘I couldn’t believe how many different sports I could try. The coaches are so nice as well.’
Chloe, Second Form
Sport Activities
Excellence at the highest level is underpinned by an ethos of participation at Cokethorpe. The wide range of sporting activities offer a balance of skills and physical demands so that every pupil can discover a sport they enjoy. Pupils of all abilities are encouraged to play meaningful and competitive sport at Inter-House, School Representative or purely recreational level. Through sport, pupils develop confidence and resilience by exposure to physical, technical and mental stimulus which provides the opportunity to develop strong teamwork and leadership skills.
The major sports of rugby, hockey, football, netball, cricket, tennis and athletics are complemented by a range of other sports including badminton, basketball, golf and dance. The parkland setting provides the perfect backdrop to the extensive facilities which contribute to Cokethorpe’s reputation for sporting excellence.
All pupils from First Form to Upper Sixth are required to take part in compulsory programmes five times a fortnight, with Wednesday afternoons being the major day for fixtures. In addition, the AOB programme sits beside this.
Sport AOB examples
Football
Girls Football
Indoor Hockey
Pre-Season Rugby
Pre-Season Cricket
Table Tennis
Badminton
Golf
Strength and Conditioning
Tennis
Athletics Club
Running Club
Basketball
Outdoor Education
‘Climbing Club is definitely the highlight of my week! As someone who was never that good at Football and Rugby I have found something that I really enjoy. I represent the School as well.’ Max, Lower Sixth
Outdoor Education Activities
Using our glorious 150 acre parkland setting as a base, the School offers pupils an exciting range of outdoor education opportunities. Over the course of their Cokethorpe career pupils of all ages get the chance to engage in the following activities: kayaking, sailing, clay pigeon shooting, air rifle shooting, skiing, orienteering, forest school and the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Pupils from the Third Form can access Outdoor Education activities as part of the Games Programme on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. In addition, all pupils have access to those activities that form part of the AOB programme.
Outdoor Education AOB examples
Climbing for Beginners
Sailing
The Cokethorpe Shooting Club
Kayaking
Duke of Edinburgh Drop-In Horse Riding
Bushcraft, Campfires and Cooking
Creative
‘My friends and I love Textiles Club, even though we had never done it before. I can’t believe we actually managed to make something!’
Rosie, Fourth Form
Hobbies
‘In Build-a-Bike we re-built a BSA Bantum. We even had a journalist from Classic Bike magazine come in and interview us!’
Jamie, Fifth Form
Hobby and Creative Activities
Creative AOB examples
Textiles Club
Art Club
Design in Minecraft
Origami
Ceramics
Modern Dance
Photography Club
Hobby AOB examples
Knitting and Crocheting Club
Dungeons and Dragons
Strategy Games
American Football – The Board Game
Build-A-Bike
The Kitchen Garden
Chess Club
Sci-Fi Symposium
Self-Defence
Cognitive
‘Before I joined Cokethorpe I remember reading about Dissection Club and thinking that it sounded very cool. I was right.’
Millie, Third Form
Cognitive
AOB examples
Dissection Club
Robotics
Student Investor
Mandarin
Sign Language
Public Speaking
#PhysicsISforgirls
Below the Line (Junior Newspaper)
The Line (Senior Newspaper)
The Periodycal (Science Newspaper)
Christian Discussion Group
Everyday Economics
Elementary Enlightenment
By Archie Pryor (Fourth Form, Swift)
Different elements are used to give fireworks certain colours. So, with November 5th coming up, here is a quick guide to which elements correspond to which colours:
Barium will give a firework a green colour.
Strontium will give fireworks a red colour, Lithium, however, will give a pinkish/red shade.
Sodium will turn a firework yellow. Calcium will give fireworks an orange colour and fireworks with Aluminium will have a silver colour. Lastly Copper will turn fireworks blue.
Eco Club - Remember: Pumpkins are food - not just decoration!
By Millie Warrilow (Fourth Form, Harcourt) and Ebony McDowall (Fourth Form, Harcourt)
Every year, 10 million pumpkins are grown in the UK. Of those, 95% are used at Halloween and then thrown away, creating 18,000 tonnes of food waste (which is the same as 360 million portions of pumpkin pie). According to the US Department of Energy, pumpkins that end up in landfill will decompose and eventually end up emitting methane, which is a greenhouse gas, with more than 20 times the warming effect of carbon dioxide.
If your pumpkins are still new, then you can use them for your favourite sweet or savoury pumpkin recipes. By not throwing your pumpkins away, you’re contributing to global
Some elements don’t add a colour and instead they will add an effect of some kind. For instance Iron will add sparks with the heat dictating how many sparks, Magnesium will give white sparks. To give firework a glow in the dark effect add Phosphorus, and to give silver sparks add Titanium will add a smoke effect to fireworks and if you add Antimony you get a glitter effect.
Pumpkin seeds are believed to have a range of health benefits, helping with sleep, blood sugar levels and cholesterol. They are also highly nutritious and rich in Vitamin A, have high antioxidant content, and may reduce risk of chronic disease. Some antioxides pumpkins are alpha-carotene, beta-carotene and beta-cryptoxanthin, these can neutralise free radicals, stopping them from damaging your cells.
After taking all these facts into consideration, we believe this year that everybody should use their leftover pumpkin to make food, rather than emitting greenhouse gases.
prevention and getting much more
Sixth Form Skills Programme
The Sixth Form Skills Programme is a bespoke and unique aspect of Sixth Form timetabled provision and directly addresses employers’, teachers and parents concerns that many students lack some fundamental skills when leaving full-time education.
The programme places great emphasis on the development of practical skills and as such students undertake a variety of units including interview preparation, presentation skills, chairing a meeting, professional and public communication, cooking, first aid, touch typing, mindfulness, and finance and budgeting.
Sixth Form Skills Activity examples
CV writing
Interview technique
Music Technology
Digital Art
Open University Online Courses
Persuasive writing
Health - Drugs and Alcohol
Accessing newspapers
Navigating your emotions
Speaking in public
An introduction to cooking
Yoga
First Aid
Etiquette
Social Media
Chairing a meeting
Wellbeing
Personal Finance
An introduction to sewing
In our second session, the Catering Staff taught us how to make a white sauce. We filleted fish a couple of weeks later.’ Jack, Recent OC
Curriculum Enrichment Week
For our First, Second, Third and Fourth Forms, the School year culminates with an exciting week of activities that differ from the normal School timetable. Activities are varied and change from year to year but previous examples included whole year group camps, a languages week including an overnight trip to France, and an Outdoor Education based week including water sports, climbing, shooting and paintballing.