Y9 Afterschool Activity Option
WE’RE SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST OUR EXCELLENT ACADEMIC REPUTATION.
At Nottingham High School we provide more than academic excellence; we aim to give our students opportunities to gain skills that prepare them for life, develop their current interests and explore new ones.
Our co-curriculum is everything that we run alongside our academic curriculum, and is an important part of what we offer here at the High School. We promote skills in areas such as teamwork, communication, leadership, physical activity, culture, and service to others.
From elite level involvement in the Performing Arts and Sports, to participation in clubs and societies and charity events, there is an absolute wealth of opportunities here at Nottingham High School.
OUR CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
Whether students want to get up close and personal with our school minibeasts, brush up on their Classical Greek, embark on an outdoor adventure or volunteer in the local community, there are a multitude of clubs and societies to encourage them to follow their passions.
Through tutor support and guidance we champion each individual student, nurturing their talents and encouraging them to pursue their interests and try new things. From performing arts to coding club and so much in between, there are opportunities for everyone.
If a student has an interest that isn’t represented in our current co-curricular programme, they are more than welcome to start their own club or society. Many new opportunities have been created by students eager to share their passions, and they are supported along the way to get their ideas off the ground.
YEAR 9 CO CURRICULAR OPTIONS
This term is a busy one for Year 9 in terms of making choices about what they do in the future, for GCSE subjects, in signing up Bronze Duke of Edinburgh, and for Cocurricular Options (Monday after school activities). I hope your young person is feeling excited about the possibilities ahead.
Some key dates relating to co-curricular placements are as follows:
Wednesday 3rd September – Students complete taster sessions
Thursday 11th September – Applications process begins (in form time)
Thursday, 25th September - Co-curricular options fair (in form time)
Saturday 27th September – Popup Parent information stand at Highfields
Saturday 4th October – Popup Parent information stand at Valley Road
Friday 10th October - Deadline for applications
Week ending 17th October - Applications reviewed and placement offers made Monday, 3rd November – begin induction - no uniform/kit required at this stage Monday, 24th November – complete induction and order kit
Students will then remain in their placement until February of 2027, inclusive of Activities Day. Attendance then becomes optional.
Reportingto:
ADVENTURE TRAINING CLUB
Adventure Training (AT) Club offers a range of activities designed to build physical fitness, mental resilience, and teamwork Through adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, and survival skills training, members develop confidence, leadership, and a spirit of exploration. Suitable for all skill levels, the club promotes personal growth throughexcitingexperiencesinnature.
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Hours
Mondays(termtime)
4:10-6:00pm February/June ActivitiesDays
Engage fully in all training sessions, activities, and events such as hiking, climbing, camping, or team challenges.
Work collaboratively with other members, offering support and encouragement during group tasks andexercises.
Follow all safety guidelines and instructions from leaders or instructors to ensure personal and groupsafety.
Show enthusiasm, perseverance, and a willingness to step outside your comfort zone, even in challengingconditions.
Use your participation in AT club to develop a Skill asPartofTheDukeofEdinburgh’sAward.
As you progress into Year 10 you may wish to take on a leadership role, supporting younger members in their skills development in various activities.
PersonSpecification
Selection Criteria
Experience
Experience of, or interest in, developing skills and knowledge relating to adventurous and outdoor activities E
Competencies and Personal Attributes
Reportingto:
MrAllison
Hours
Mondays(termtime)
4:10-5.30pm
February/June
ActivitiesDays
Pluseventsincluding RemembranceParade andInspectionDay
COMBINED CADET FORCES (CCF) – ARMY
Within the CCF you will gain the necessary skills to become an effective cadet with support from the Senior NCO’s and officers. You will play a fundamental part in maintaining thetraditionsandstandardsoftheCCFcontingent
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Correctlywearuniformthroughoutparadenights Carryoutdrillmovementssmartly
Engage with all aspects of the syllabus / military skills
Earn badges though practical tasks relating to the syllabus
Engage in activities days, competitions and other opportunities.
AdditionalOpportunitiesmayalso include
WeaponsHandling
ArmySummerCamp
RangeDays–Firingweapons
ExternalCCFCourses(instructor/leadership)
HighRopes/LowRopes
PersonSpecification
Experience
Being genuinely interested in Military and Adventurous Training
Competencies and Personal Attributes
A positive, flexible approach to work and duties and a willingness to undertake occasional CCF compulsory public events (Remembrance)
Reportingto:
MrAllison
Hours
Mondays(termtime) 4:10-5.30pm
February/June
ActivitiesDays
Plusevents,including RemembranceParade andInspectionDay
COMBINED CADET FORCES (CCF) – NAVY
Within the CCF you will gain the necessary skills to become an effective cadet with support from the Senior NCO’s and officers. You will play a fundamental part in maintaining thetraditionsandstandardsoftheCCFcontingent
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Correctlywearuniformthroughoutparadenights Carryoutdrillmovementssmartly
Engage with all aspects of the syllabus / military skills
Earn badges though practical tasks relating to the syllabus
Engage in activities days, competitions and other opportunities
AdditionalOpportunitiesmayalso include
AfloatTraining–Canoe/PowerBoat,Sailing
BridgeSimulator(ShipControl)
AircraftCarrierVisits
MinesweeperExperiences
PortsmouthHistoricalDocksVisit
SubmarineMuseum
RoyalMarineVisit
PersonSpecification
Reportingto:
COMMUNITY ACTION
Through Community Action, you will develop important skills while giving your time to support the wider school and local community. This will involve helping with events, assisting staff or students, or contributing to school initiatives Like the backstage crew of a production, your efforts may often go unseen, but they are fundamental to the success of the projects you support You'll gain valuable experience, work as part of a team, and make a meaningful difference within and beyond the school environment
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Hours
Mondays(termtime)
4:05-5:00pm
February/June
ActivitiesDays
Occasionallylater finishwhen volunteeringatalocal charitable organisation(once, maximumtwiceper term)
AdditionalOpportunities mayalsoinclude
Feedingthehomelessin
NottinghamCityCentre
Supportinglocalfoodbanks withtheirwork
Designingandrollingout yourowncharityevents
Developingkey employabilityskills, including:leadership, teamwork,communication, organisation,problemsolvingandtime management
Support School Events: Assist with the setup, running, and clear-up of school events such as the Community Christmas Lunch and outreach events.
Help Around School: Offer practical help where needed, such as tidying and organising shared spaces,ororganisingresources
Contribute to the School Community: Take part in projects that improve the school community, such as display work, recycling initiatives, or helping in theschoolgarden.
Engage with Local Community: Get involved with local charitable organisations (both independently and as part of the Community Action programme), charity collections, awarenesscampaigns,oroutreachwork.
Work as a Team: Collaborate effectively with other Community Action members, showing respect, excellenceinyourworkandindividuality.
Develop Responsibility: Demonstrate a positive attitude, complete tasks to a good standard, and takeprideincontributingtothewidercommunity.
Reflect on Your Impact: Keep track of your activities and consider how your actions are helping others and developing your own skills by keepingarecordofyourvoluntarywork
MrBeattie
PersonSpecification
Competencies and Personal Attributes
Reportingto:
MrAllison
Hours
Mondays(termtime) 4:10-5.30pm
February/June
ActivitiesDays
Plusevents,including RemembranceParade andInspectionDay
COMBINED CADET FORCES (CCF) – RAF
Within the CCF you will gain the necessary skills to become an effective cadet with support from the Senior NCO’s and officers. You will play a fundamental part in maintaining thetraditionsandstandardsoftheCCFcontingent
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Correctlywearuniformthroughoutparadenights Carryoutdrillmovementssmartly
Engage with all aspects of the syllabus / military skills
Earn badges though practical tasks relating to the syllabus
Engage in activities days, competitions and other opportunities
AdditionalOpportunitiesmayalso include
RAFAnnualCamp–Octoberhalf-term
Initial flight training – learning to fly powered aircraftandgliders
Visitstolocalaviationandengineeringassets
External camps and courses – Aerospace, Leadership,OutdoorPursuits
Weaponshandling&rangedays
PersonSpecification
Competencies and Personal Attributes
Reportingto:
Hours
Friday(termtime)
4:15-5:45pm
Additionalevenings
e.g.‘NightHike’ ActivitiesDays
Camps
Scouts are a go-getting group of young people who master new skills and try new things, make new friends, have fun and go on adventures, at home and abroad, explore the world around them, help others and make a difference, in their owncommunitiesandbeyond.
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Scouts have key values that we expect all memberstoembrace,theseare:
Integrity - We act with integrity; we are honest,trustworthyandloyal
Respect - We have self-respect and respect forothers
Care-Wesupportothersandtakecareofthe worldinwhichwelive
Belief - We explore our faiths, beliefs and attitudes.
Cooperation - We make a positive difference; wecooperatewithothersandmakefriends.
MrLeBlancq
PersonSpecification
Twoimportantnotes:
1. To participate in Scouts you must pay an annual subscription or ‘subs’. Scouts are also expected to buy a Scouts shirt and to buy gear needed for outdoor hiking, particularlywalkingbootsandawaterproofcoat.
2.Scouts only have a limited number of places and so even candidates who pass the criteriabelowmaynotachieveaplace
Selection Criteria
E.g. Relevent experience of showing leadership or helping in the community. E.g. being a form rep etc., taking part in junior Drama production, helping at a local church or temple.
Experience of, or interest in, developing skills and knowledge relating to the co-curricular placement e.g. First Aid, Climbing/Lifeguarding Qualification, Promotion through CCF rankings
A positive, flexible approach to work and duties and a willingness to undertake occasional activities outside normal
Reportingto:
MrBurgess
Hours
Mondays(termtime)
16:05-17:00
February/June
ActivitiesDays.
YOUNG ENGINEERS
In Young Engineers we aim to develop the work you will have done across all your STEM subjects and make you start thinking like an engineer Working with outside organisations you will solve real life problems developing and presenting solutions to clients you are working for There is also the chance to enter competitions and competeagainstotherschoolsfromacrossthecountry
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Working either individually or as a team to solve a varietyofengineeringproblemsandchallenges.
Learningaboutengineeringsystems
Developingyourproblem-solvingskills
Learn how to communicate your ideas to a third partywithconfidence
AdditionalOpportunitiesmayalso include
Entering into a national competition across a numberofdifferentdisciplines
Developing your own project or solving your own problem
Learningnewtechniquesandskillsnotavailablein theschoolcurriculum
Please take a moment to review the person specification detailed below We kindly request that you articulate how you fulfill the essential criteria and, if applicable, the desirable criteria. Your thoughtful responseisgreatlyappreciated
PersonSpecification
Personal Attributes
Genuine interest in engineering and innovation
Willingness to learn new skills and explore new technologies
to work well in a team and respect others' idea
attitude towards challenges and problem-solving
thinker with a curious and inquisitive mindset
communication
Resilience in the face of failed experiments or difficult problem
Competencies and Experience
Basic understanding of STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics)
Ability to follow written and verbal instructions in a project-based environment
Experience working on small group projects or class-based teamwork activities
with basic problem-solving and logical thinking tasks
participation in science fairs, coding clubs, robotics teams, or maker events
Knowledge of engineering design process (e.g., brainstorming, prototyping, testing)
Familiarity with 3D design software (e.g., Tinkercad, Onshape)
to electronics or mechanical kits (e.g., LEGO, Arduino etc)
Reportingto:
DrJowsey
Hours
Mondays(termtime) 4:10-5:15pm February/June
ActivitiesDays
Possible regional/national competitions (dependenton qualification)
Extrabuild/test sessionsinweek beforecompetitionsif required
As a member of VEX Robotics you will work in a small team to design, build, program and drive a competition robot for the annual VEX IQ Challenge, which this year is “Mix and Match”. You will learn practical engineering skills, coding in VEXcode IQ (Blocks and/or Python), teamwork and strategy, and contribute to the team’s Engineering Notebook. Across the year, the aim is to iterate designs, test mechanisms, develop autonomous routines, and prepare for competitions. You’ll gain hands on experience with safe tool use, problem solving and engineering documentation
MainTasksandResponsibilities
Design, build and test VEX IQ robots to meet the season’sgameobjectives
Program autonomous and driver assist routines in VEXcodeIQ(Blocks/Python).
Plan, carry out and record design iterations in the EngineeringNotebook.
Operate as Driver/Programmer/Builder/Notebook
Leadduringclubsessionsandevents.
Design metrics to rate performance and use data toimprovedesigns
Collaborateonmatchstrategy,drivepractice,and alliancecommunication.
Follow lab safety procedures and maintain an organisedpit.
Entering into a national competition across a numberofdifferentdisciplines
Developing your own project or solving your own problem
Learningnewtechniquesandskillsnotavailablein theschoolcurriculum
AdditionalOpportunitiesmayalso include
TakepartinVEXIQonlinechallenges–somewith qualificationforNationals/Worlds
CADsketchesorsimple3Dmodellingof mechanisms
Learnthesensorintegrationandtuning(Distance/Colour/Gyro)forreliable autonomousroutines
Introductiontobasiccontrolideastooptimiseautonomousskillsruns
Designingteambrandingandpitdisplayassets
Eventrolesatcompetitions(fieldreset,queuerunning,inspectionsupport).
MentoringYear7/8teams.
SupporttheNHSVEXprimaryoutreachday
Selection Criteria
Experience
Attendance at STEM/robotics/computing clubs in or out of school
Reportingto:
PRODUCTION TEAM
Within the Production Team you will gain the necessary skills to provide the technical support for the productions, giving your time to help create sets, learn about theatre as well as being a fundamental part in running shows on performanceevenings.
MainTasksandResponsibilities
·Runningthetechnicalaspectsoftheperformances
Creatingandsourcingprops,costumesandset ·Operatinglightingandsounddesigns
Hours
Mondays(termtime)
4:05-5:00pm
February/June
ActivitiesDays
TechnicalandDress rehearsals:Week beforeProductions includingaSundayper show.Performance nights
Numberof posts:
–6peryear
·Running the backstage area during productions and concerts
·Assistingwithcostumechanges
Learninghowtoriglanternssafely
·Using your own ideas to help create solutions on the stage
AdditionalOpportunitiesmay alsoinclude
·Designingsoundscapesforproductions
Designingthelightingforproductions
·Learning how to use power tools for the creation of set/props
·Assistingwithrunningrehearsals
·Learninghowtouseasewingmachine
PersonSpecification
Please take a moment to review the person specification detailed below We kindly request that youarticulatehowyoufulfilltheessentialcriteriaand, if applicable, the desirable criteria. Your thoughtful responseisgreatlyappreciated
TregiWorsley