Senior School Co-curricular Brochure

SENIOR SCHOOL

CO - CURRICULAR

We are delighted to introduce you to the vibrant array of co-curricular activities available at King Henry’s.

We encourage our pupils to pursue their interests, to challenge themselves and to try out new activities.

90 With over

activities to choose from

“Pupils enjoy busy and successful lives beyond the classroom and this represents a successful fulfilment of the School’s aims to encourage each pupil to discover and develop their talents.”

ISI INSPECTION 2023

YEARS 7 - 9

One lunchtime a week.

Pupils experiment and explore how to use photography, develop their creative skills and strengthen their knowledge.

Studio Sessions FOR GCSE AND A LEVEL

These studio sessions are run for our older pupils to further develop their work with additional support where needed.

ART

Art and Photography Club Seeing Art Differently

DRAMA

We encourage everyone to be part of one our productions in their school career, whether as part of the cast, band or crew. Pupils enjoy our productions as they are a great opportunity to build skills, stage quality theatre, create lifelong memories and have lots of fun.

School Productions

Our Upper and Lower School productions alternate each year between a musical and a play. They are performed in the Burgess Hall and rehearsals take place during lunchtimes and after school.

Recent productions include Legally Blonde the Musical, Hairspray, Christmas Carol, King Matt and Sleeping Beauty.

House Drama

We run a House Drama competition each year where each house presents a short performance which pupils direct and perform themselves.

Drama Club YEARS 7 - 9

Lunchtimes during Autumn and Spring terms.

Drama Club builds teamwork and performance skills with an emphasis on enjoyment. Pupils devise original drama and explore scripts.

Technical and Backstage ALL YEARS

Pupils learn about the processes of making a production, working closely with our performing arts technician and show directors.

There is the opportunity to run all elements of our shows including lighting, sound, set, costume and make-up.

Studio Productions YEAR 10 - UPPER SIXTH

This club is a great opportunity for Upper School pupils to stage smaller scale productions in our Drama Studio. Pupils take on medium and larger-sized acting roles and hone their performance, design and technical skills.

Rehearsals are great fun and take place during lunchtimes and after school. Recent productions include Blithe Spirit and Shakers.

Sixth Form Drama Ambassadors YEARS 12 - 13

A leadership opportunity for post-16 pupils where they coach younger pupils. Ambassadors choose a role which can include assistant direction or choreography for productions.

They assist in Drama lessons, represent the Department at key events through the year and lead the annual House Drama competition.

Tours and Events

The Music Department goes on tour every two years taking a varied programme with them.

This year we are visiting Budapest following our two most recent tours to Prague and Venice, where we accompanied a service in the beautiful St Mark’s Cathedral.

On non-tour years, we perform a fantastic gala concert in the Butterworth Hall at the University of Warwick. This is a full-sized symphony concert hall and is a joint event between the Senior and Junior Schools featuring around 500 performers in front of an audience of over 1,000 people.

Senior Orchestra INSTRUMENTALISTS GRADE 4 AND ABOVE

The Senior Orchestra performs in all concerts with a varied repertoire. Recent performances include Mozart’s overture to The Magic Flute, Vaughan Williams’ Folk Song Suite and the annual Christmas performance of Sleigh Ride. The Orchestra also accompanies our concerto performances given every year at the Summer Concert by our outstanding Upper Sixth students.

Junior Choir YEARS 7 - 9

A fun choice for mixed voices. All pupils are welcome to come and sing a vast array of repertoire from show tunes to the latest blockbusters.

Senior Choir YEAR 10 - UPPER SIXTH

The School’s flagship choir, Senior Choir performs a wide repertoire including show tunes, classical and 20th century music. The choir recently performed the world premiere of a piece especially written for them in a gala concert in the Butterworth Hall at the University of Warwick.

Barbershop

A group of male voices that explores close harmony singing through a variety of traditional and modern works.

Henry’s 9

A chamber choir for female voices made up of the best singers in the School who perform a variety of different repertoire.

MUSIC

There are so many opportunities to be involved in Music at Henry’s. With over 20 groups and ensembles, and fabulous tours and performances, there is something for everyone.

Chamber Music Groups

Our chamber music groups vary each year depending on what instruments pupils play. Performance opportunities include the Autumn, Christmas, Spring and Summer concerts.

Blues Band

This is an opportunity for our best instrumentalists and vocalists to shine. There is a heavy emphasis on improvisation and reworking of classic blues and R&B tracks.

Wind Band

This group is for pupils just getting going on a wind instrument. It is a chance to learn how to be in a group, and to meet other like-minded pupils.

Cello Quartet

A group that meets weekly to give cellists the experience of playing in an ensemble. Recent repertoire has included sea shanties, Britten and Leonard Cohen.

Clarinet Choir

A large-scale group which gives pupils the chance to experience a variety of instruments, Eb and bass clarinets are a regular feature. This group regularly includes Junior School children and is a lot of fun.

Clarinet Quartet

This is the smallest of our clarinet groups and draws from the best performers. This ensemble often competes nationally in the Pro Corda Chamber Musica competition.

Guitar Ensemble

This is open to all classical guitarists who have been learning for over a year. Repertoire is broad from Sor to Coldplay and Bruno Mars.

Flute Quartet

A great opportunity to play in a group developing both sound and ensemble skills. This quartet recently appeared on BBC Breakfast with Lizzo.

Piano Trio

Performing opportunities include chamber concerts, events and assemblies.

Pit Band

We are proud of putting pupils at the centre of all our performances and the pit band that accompanies our full scale musical theatre productions is always a highlight. Recent performances include Hairspray, Little Shop of Horrors, Legally Blonde and Les Miserables.

Percussion Ensemble

An ensemble for all our percussionists, the repertoire is designed to fit what instruments are available and performances are a lot of fun.

Rock School

A long running programme helping young instrumentalists learn how to play in bands, pick repertoire and most importantly put on our fantastic rock concert every year. Pupils from all years can get involved including backstage opportunities with light and sound.

Sax Ensemble

A chance for all our saxophonists to experience being in an ensemble that often performs funky music. They recently gave a terrific rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Superstition.

String Quartet

Quarters are formed from the players available so standards and repertoire vary. Groups have performed Mendelssohn and Schubert in the past.

Vivace Strings

A training string group which enables players at lower grades to gain experience of being in an ensemble.

OUTD O OR EDUCATION

Outdoor Education Club

Climbing Club

YEARS 7 - 8

WE HAVE THREE CLIMBING CLUBS: YEARS 7 - 8, YEAR 9 - UPPER SIXTH AND YEARS 10 - 11 (GCSE)

This is an opportunity for our pupils to experience weekly fun-filled adventures both inside and outside (in the Yurt). Pupils develop their leadership skills and improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing.

Activities include fire lighting, cooking over open fires, cutting tool workshops, creative activities, nature art activities, rocket building and launching, campcraft, rope work, outdoor first aid and so much more.

Orienteering Club YEARS 7 - 9

Pupils learn the skills of orienteering through a variety of fun activities. This includes how to read a map, map folding, orienting a map, taking a compass bearing, directional awareness, speed vs accuracy and much more. There will be a variety of orienteering courses both on our school site and at local parks with permanent orienteering courses.

Pupils will be entered into competitions if they would like to compete.

Pupils practice and learn about the sport of indoor climbing on our very own climbing wall.

With around 30 routes for bottom roping ranging in grade from 3+ up to 6b with routes being changed on a regular basis. Climbers also have the opportunity to pursue the sport of bouldering and we hold an annual bouldering competition. We offer trips to other indoor climbing walls and an annual climbing trip for our older pupils.

For GCSE pupils, there is an opportunity to fine tune their climbing skills and technique in the GCSE climbing grade. Pupils learn about coaching climbers and working towards accredited National Governing Body awards in the sport.

Sports and Outdoor Education Leaders

Pupils work towards an accredited award in this club and further develop their leadership skills through a variety of games and activities, as well as leading activities and events for activities for younger pupils including Junior School pupils throughout the academic year.

Practice nights and fixtures are planned through the School Calendar so fixtures and team information can be easily accessed.

AUTUMN TERM

SPRING TERM

SUMMER TERM

Boys’ Rugby and Hockey clubs

Boys’ Hockey club

Indoor Cricket nets

Indoor Cricket nets (after half term)

Athletics club

Girls’ Hockey and Netball clubs

Girls’ Hockey and Netball clubs

Striking and Fielding clubs

Tennis club

Sports Development and Health & Wellbeing Programme

The mission of our Health, Wellbeing and Sports Preparation Programme is to inspire our pupils to develop a deep passion for sports, exercise and mental health. Regardless of their personal goals, our objective is to equip every child with the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed lifestyle choices.

The Programme aims to foster a strong connection between physical and mental wellbeing, enabling individuals to lead balanced and stress-free lives, whether they aspire to be Olympians or excel in the professional world.

PE & GAMES

Our Sports clubs form part of our regular fixture programme with lunchtime and after school training sessions. We work hard to strike a balance between offering major games at school and providing opportunities for all our pupils to participate in. We focus on developing both individual pupils and teams, emphasising core skills, advanced techniques and tactical knowledge.

Other Sports Clubs Fantasy Football Club

Pupils test their football knowledge and compete head to head against one another.

Girls’ Rugby JUNIOR: YEARS 7 - 9

Lunchtime practice to start building towards rugby tournaments in March. It’s like netball but with a bit more ‘bosh’!

SENIOR: YEAR 10 - UPPER SIXTH

Lunchtime practice developing Rugby 7s teams ready for the 7s season in the Spring term.

Gymnastics Club

Fun, fitness and opportunities to increase co-ordination, balance, strength, self-confidence and self-motivation.

Miss French, an ex-county squad gymnast and a Level 2 British Gymnastics coach runs the club and specialises in Women’s Artistic squad coaching. There is a wide range of equipment available including A-bars, P-bars, vault, beam and rings.

Pétanque/Boules Club

A lunchtime society where pupils play pétanque, a game similar to bowls but with smaller, metal balls that players aim to get near to the jack or cochonnet. Pupils can develop their skills as pointeur or tireur and find out what the ‘baguette’ is used for.

Table Tennis Club

This lunchtime activity gives pupils the opportunity to develop their table tennis skills. Hand eye coordination and quick reactions all play their part as pupils enjoy this fun game in a sociable environment.

Walk for Wellbeing

A weekly walk in the Memorial Park to recharge the batteries, chat with friends and refresh the mind.

Weightlifting Club

Weekly sessions with the goal of learning how to Snatch, Clean and Jerk.

SIXTH FORM

Sessions focus on specific topics each week to ensure students are ready for assessments and A Level exams. Students may be invited to attend or can just drop-in.

Biology Extension Group LOWER SIXTH

A Summer term club to extend Biology understanding beyond the A Level specification. There is an opportunity to take the Intermediate Biology Olympiad at the end of Lower Sixth and Biology Olympiad in Upper Sixth.

Junior Chemistry Club YEARS 7 - 8

One lunchtime each week pupils have the opportunity to try something different and gain useful practical skills, whilst having fun. There are plenty of handson activities such as making oil paints, glass, bath bombs and soap as well as experiments and demonstrations to support Chemistry lessons.

Chemistry Olympiad and Cambridge Chemistry Challenge SIXTH FORM

Weekly lunchtime sessions to provide a challenging forum for Upper Sixth to prepare for the Chemistry Olympiad. During the Spring term, Lower Sixth are encouraged to participate in the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge.

Sessions involve dissecting difficult questions from past papers.

SCIENCE

Biology A Level Masterclasses

Crest Science Club

Pupils develop a sense of curiosity by completing a real-world STEM project.

Completing Bronze, Silver and Gold certified awards look great on any pupil profile.

Medical Society LOWER SIXTH

MedSoc is a hugely popular lunchtime club for students interested in a career in Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine.

Ethics:

• Looking at scenarios and how to approach them (the 4 Pillars) • Reflective practice

• Help to prepare for the application process

• Looking at the Gibbs’ Cycle to help with Personal Statement writing

• Help to prepare for interviews

• How to register/how to prepare

Our objectives:

• Support preparation for Admissions Tests What is covered:

• Choosing your Med School – thinking about strategic applications and balancing this with teaching style, locations and other factors.

• Life as a Doctor, Dentist or Vet – a range of visiting speakers: undergraduates and Junior Doctors/Dentists.

• The NHS – hot topics and structures

• Aptitude tests

• Presentation skills

Students lead presentations to develop confidence, knowledge and understanding (excellent preparation for selection interviews).

At the start of Upper Sixth, we also hold a Mock Interview Evening to help prepare for the real thing.

ROBOTICS

We are one of the country’s leading schools in the field of robotics, winning both the Junior and Senior National Championships in 2025. Our senior team were also UK triple crown winners in 2023 and became the most successful UK team ever at the World Finals in Dallas, USA, winning the Engineering division of 100 teams and then reaching the world quarter finals placing them in the top 16 out of 22,000 teams.

VEX Robotics

Pupils learn to design, build, code and drive amazing robots and compete in complex challenges against other schools. It is entirely pupil-led and therefore the learning becomes deeply embedded and transferrable. We take part in a new VEX game each year and compete in their global competition.

At King Henry’s, we have several robotics arenas and a dedicated junior robotics suite, run a local primary robotics league, host one of the largest regional competitions in the country and regularly qualify for the UK National and World Finals.

OTHER CLUBS &

SOCIETIES

Our clubs and societies are open to all year groups unless otherwise stated.

Allotment Club

A collaboration between pupils from Years 6 and 7, we aim to offer produce to staff and parents in exchange for a small donation to fund future planting and development of our raised beds in the Outdoor Education area.

Beginners’ Ancient Greek

An opportunity to learn a new language with its own alphabet.

Board Games Club

A variety of fun games including The Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, Carcassonne and Jungle Speed plus many more.

Chess Club

Open to pupils in all year groups to learn how to play and improve skills.

The School enters teams into the Coventry Schools League and the Coventry Schools Cup. There is an individual Lightning Chess competition at the end of the season.

Christian Union

An informal club for all year groups that runs on a Friday breaktime for anyone interesting in thinking about and discussing faith and the bible. Games, prayers, doughnuts and a chance to meet other Christians, share ideas and experiences. Other denominations and faiths welcome.

English Society YEARS 7 - 9

A pupil-led book club developing reading for pleasure as well as opportunities for creative writing.

Cyber Explorers and Coding YEARS 7 - 9

A chance for budding coders to discover more about the world of coding. There are opportunities to program robots, create games and take part in some great competitions.

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D)

A co-operative role-playing game where pupils work together with other players to go on adventures in the D&D universe.

Food Group YEAR 7

An informal gathering to have lunch together which takes place outside during the better months in the Summer.

Geography Society SIXTH FORM

An informal opportunity for students to ask for help, support or extension opportunities to support University applications in Geographyrelated courses.

History Society

The chance for pupils to explore areas of History not covered in curriculum time. Pupils carry out research and mini presentations about a topic of their choice which then feed into the School’s History magazine which Sixth Form editors take a leading role. There is also an opportunity to enter the Historical Association’s annual Great Debate competition.

History Club

Activities that differ from the classroom to encourage pupils to develop an enjoyment of History. These include creative projects like building a medieval castle and making a board game.

Italiano

Conversational Italian where pupils have a virtual tour of Italy and practice ordering food and drinks, and how to introduce themselves.

Junior Classics Club

This club enhances pupils’ understanding of the ancient Greek, Roman and Egyptian world and immerses them in ancient myths and legends as well as modern retellings and creative interpretations through arts and crafts, puzzles, escape rooms and drama.

Law Society

The Law Society enables pupils to experience law in action as real-world cases are investigated and a variety of contemporaneous topics are debated.

Henry’s competes in the National Mock Trial Competition against other independent schools at crown courts to play out a criminal case taking the role of barristers, witnesses and other vital members of criminal proceedings.

Linguistics

A lunchtime club that delves into the exciting world of minority languages from across the world, from scripted languages to hieroglyphics. We enter the Linguistics Olympiad and recently won three bronze awards.

Maths Club YEARS 7 - 10

Pupils learn exciting uses for Maths outside the classroom through arts and crafts, games, puzzles and even magic tricks. The club also tackles some Maths Challenge problems.

Maths Enrichment SIXTH FORM

Pupils prepare for Maths Challenges and Olympiads as well as entry level preparation for University entry papers.

Maths Mentoring

This is aimed at particularly able Mathematicians to support them in tackling challenge problems from Olympiads and similar challenges.

Model United Nations

An exciting opportunity for pupils to engage with a variety of different skills from debating to public speaking as well as considering the legally and politically important legislation relating to topics of the day. Pupils take on the roles of different members of the UN General Assembly and negotiate in the best interests of their state and the world. There is a final competition in Oxford between different schools.

National Cipher Challenge

People have been using ciphers and codes to send secret messages for thousands of years.

The National Cipher Challenge gives pupils the opportunity to crack the code with language, maths and programming skills, and compete with teams and individuals from across the country.

NCH Philosophy Certificate YEAR 9

The NCH Philosophy Certificate is an opportunity for pupils to take their learning further in the field of Philosophy and stand them in better academic standing in their subjects across the board. This is also a chance to explore a topic or issue of their own choosing and develop their essay writing, project planning and reference use skills to a level beyond their peers.

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) Society

A society for exploring, analysing and considering current affairs through the interconnected disciplines of Philosophy, Politics and Economics.

Key questions are explored arising from today’s society, enabling pupils to enhance their critical thinking, debating and research skills.

Psychology Workshop

A drop-in support session for pupils every Monday lunchtime delivered from the departmental base in the Sixth Form centre.

Public Speaking & Debating Club SIXTH FORM

An after school club that covers the analysis and construction of logical arguments as well as how to present and respond to arguments under timelimited conditions. Topics chosen are relevant to today’s society, including social media, climate change and democracy.

Puzzle Club

Pupils can test their brainpower as they investigate logic puzzles from basic sudoku to more complicated puzzles from around the world.

STEP/MAT/TMUA Preparation UPPER SIXTH

This is invaluable support for students who will take the Sixth Term Examination Paper (STEP), Mathematics Admissions Test (MAT) and Test of Mathematics for University Admissions (TMUA) in preparation for university applications.

Vanguard Society YEAR 10 - UPPER SIXTH

The Vanguard Society develops a broad academic interest in all subjects within the curriculum and outside of it. It is closely linked to the scholars.

World Languages

Learn new languages from around the world including Panjabi, Italian, Portuguese, Japanese and Mandarin.

Young Explorers YEARS 7 - 9

A Geography-based club that uses games and quizzes to expand global knowledge. The club also practices for the World Wise Geography quiz team, competing against other schools.

Young Journalists ALL YEARS

Pupils can be part of an inaugural team designing, researching and editing a pupil-led newspaper.

Led by inquisitive pupil journalists, the newspaper reports on all things in our community, from current affairs to the latest sport fixtures. This is best suited for pupils who are eager to have a platform to express their opinions and improve their writing skills.

THE

HOUSE SYSTEM HOLLAND’S

SHERWYN’S

HALES’

Our House System serves as another major channel for our co-curricular programme with events in four main areas: sports, academic, community and the arts.

Each pupil is assigned to a house when they join the School and their contribution to house events earns their house points toward the Band Trophy (House Cup) standings.

At the end of the year, the Band Trophy is awarded to the house with the most points across the year.

House Sports

The main House events include House Music, House Drama, House Cross Country and Sports Days as well as smaller events throughout the year including dodgeball, quizzes, spelling bees and art contests.

The friendly competition is a real highlight of pupil life at Henry’s and we encourage every pupil to actively participate.

House Music

WHITE’S

To book a tour or for more information, please contact Admissions on:

henrysadmissions@csfoundation.org.uk 024 7627 1190

@KingHenryVIIISchool

kinghenrys.co.uk Last updated: 11/25