CO-CURRICULUM

EVERY FIRE IS STARTED WITH A SINGLE SPARK. THAT SINGLE SPARK CAN COME FROM ANYWHERE – AND LEAD YOU ANYWHERE.

Taking advantage of one of our exciting co-curricular activities could take your child on a journey that defines the rest of their life. It might help them to create new friendships, perfect a new skill and improve their self-confidence. Pupils benefit greatly from being able to try their hand at anything, and are encouraged to do so.

Across the School we provide over 100 co-curricular activities to complement our academic curriculum. First to Third Form pupils are offered the majority of these and have the opportunity to choose from the entire range as they progress through the School.

Activities include:

Adventure & Outdoor Education: options include kayaking, archery, paddleboard, Junior Explorers, Shooting Club, Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award (from 14 years of age), caving and sailing

Art, Design & Technology: options include Art, Design, sewing, Robotics Club and Digital Leaders Group* Debate & Discussion: Junior Abingdon Debating Society and various academic clubs

Lifestyle: options include Book Club, Conservation Club, Poetry Club, Chess Club and the School Magazine

Performing Arts & Media: options include ballet, choir, drama, various different bands, Photography Club, David Attenborough Documentary Club and the School Radio

Service & Outreach: options include CCF (from the Third Form), Environmental Group, charities and community service

Sports & Games: options include croquet, fencing, athletic development, squash, Laser Quest, swimming, basketball and Warhammer Club.

* We are a Childnet Digital Leaders accredited school with a growing team of pupils who serve the community (both in school and by doing outreach activities). We are also progressing towards the 360Safe Online Safety Mark.

CCF The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) has always been an integral part of life at Downside. It exists to enable the development of personal responsibility, leadership and self-discipline.

All Third Form (aged 13+) pupils are able to experience the full range of CCF activities during the academic year. At the end of the Third Form, pupils can elect to move onto the Royal Navy or Army section in their senior years. One full afternoon per week is allocated to CCF activities, with additional camps, expeditions and training sessions scheduled throughout the year. The CCF also has a band who lead the Bath Remembrance Parade each year.

Weekends Weekends are busy and purposeful at Downside, where pupils are engaged in a wide variety of co-curricular options: clubs, games, socials and trips, alongside non-co-curricular activities such as sporting fixtures and Sunday Mass. We welcome Day pupils to join our Sunday activities, if they wish to spend time with their friends.

Trips First to Third Form pupils enjoy a wide variety of trips including retreats, pilgrimages and outdoor learning. In the Michaelmas Term, as part of their welcome to the School, the First and Second Forms visit the Cotswolds for a team-building bushcraft expedition. In the Summer Term, the Third Form travel to Skern Lodge in Devon for a weekend of outdoor learning and fun.

THE SCHOOL HELPS TO THE SCHOOL HELPS TO DEVELOP THE CHARACTER DEVELOP THE CHARACTER AND CONFIDENCE OF YOUNG AND CONFIDENCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE THROUGH SPORT PEOPLE THROUGH SPORT AND EXTRACURRICULAR AND EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES

ISI Report ISI Report