BEYOND THE CLASSROOM
FIND AN ACTIVITY THAT INSPIRES
In this booklet you will discover a wide range of clubs, societies, activities and competitions. Whether your child is sporty, musical, thespian, thoughtful, competitive, curious, caring or creative, they will find something here to inspire them.
At our Lower School Clubs and Activities Fair in early September, we encourage pupils to cultivate new interests by getting involved in a wide range of activities. Often, by joining a new club in the First Year, pupils open the door to a life-long passion. Furthermore, joining a club is an excellent way for pupils to meet other like-minded pupils and form friendships across form groups.
This booklet is designed to give you a flavour of the activities that are on offer. Most of our co-curricular activities are free of charge.
It is up-to-date at the time of printing, however, the programme will vary with time to meet the evolving interests of pupils.
For ‘live’ and more detailed information, please visit the co-curricular pages on our website: www.stockportgrammar.co.uk/beyond-theclassroom/senior-school/
Stockport Grammar School has the highest possible rating from the Arts Council England, with a Platinum Artsmark Award. By awarding Platinum, a level held by only a small number of schools in the country, the Arts Council has recognised the exceptional standard of creative and performing arts at SGS, and the school as an ‘opinion former’ ‘making a difference’ in the wider community.
“Pupils experience a broad curriculum complemented by an extensive selection of co-curricular activities.”
ISI Inspection 2023
ACTIVITY
Allotment Club
Allergy Awareness
Amnesty International
Animal Club
Coding & Animation Club First to Third Year
Art Illustration Club
Art Matters
Bible Study
Big Question Discussion Group
Board Games Club
Book Club
Charities Club
Christian Group
Take care of the animals. Animals can be taken home during the holidays.
& Second Year
Year to Sixth Form Introduction to history of art/architecture/design
Form
Form Autumn – Upper Sixth Spring/Summer – Lower Sixth
to Third Year
Classics Club Years Five and Six (Junior School)
Creative Writing
Critical Thinking
Debate Club
Digital Skills Club
Digital Leaders
Duke of Edinburgh’s Photography Skills
Dungeons & Dragons
Eco-Schools Committee & Workshops
Family History Club
First
Friday Prayers (Jumla)
History Club
Run by our Fourth Years as part of their Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
Form Speak or just come along to listen.
ACTIVITY
Knitting & Nattering
WHO IS IT FOR?
All
LGBT+ Group (PRISM) All
Library Helpers All
Literary Magazine Sixth Form
Lower School Languages Club First to Third Year
Lower School Murder Mystery Book Club First to Third Year
Mandarin Club All
Middle School Reading Club Fourth & Fifth Year
Masterchef Fourth & Fifth Year
Medical Society
Sixth Form
Medical Societyan introduction Fifth Year
Mindfulness Club All
Model United Nations Fourth Year to Sixth Form
Mini Model United Nations First to Third Year
Now & Then Quiz League First to Third Year
‘On the Same Page’ Book Review Magazine First to Third Year
Programming Club First & Second Year
Ready Steady Bake Second & Third Year
School Council All
SGS History Podcast All
SGS Historian Magazine Lower Sixth
Spanish Club First & Second Year
Spotlight On… All
Tactical Games and Chess Club All
Textiles Club Second Year
Visual Designers Club First to Third Year
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Autumn & Spring
For all those interested in learning how to knit or crochet
Spring Term – Cooking Sessions Summer Term – Competition
Spring & Summer
Autumn & Spring
Series of educational talks by pupils and guest speakers based in the Library on a range of subjects
Beginners welcome
ACADEMIC
We offer an exciting range of academic societies to expand pupils’ learning and to develop their curiosity and enthusiasm. The sessions run regularly to help pupils consolidate or extend their work in the classroom. Staff are always happy to assist pupils on a 1:1 basis.
The table below shows an overview of sessions for the current academic year, the programme evolves continuously to suit demand and interests.
Admissions Test Preparation
A Level Essay Writing Help
Ancient Greek GCSE
Art Life Drawing
Art GCSE Catch up
Art Lower School Catch up
Art Textiles Extra Support
Astronomy Club
Form
Year & Lower Sixth
Form
& Fifth Year
to Third Year
Sixth
Year
Astronomy CREST Award Second & Third Year
Biology Help Clinic First to Fifth Year (Sixth Form helpers)
IGCSE Business Support
Business and Economics Support
Capital Letters & Full Stops Club
Chemistry Club
Chemistry Quiz
Chemistry Crest Bronze Award
Chemistry Crest Silver Award
Chemistry Crest Gold Award
Chemistry Olympiad Preparation
RSC School’s Analyst Competition
Classics Clinic
& Fifth Year
Form
Year
& Fifth Year
Form
Form
Form
& Spring
– Upper Sixth
– Lower Sixth
ACTIVITY
Classics Support
Classics Extension
Computer Science
Computer Science –Canva Graphic Design
Computer ScienceRaspberry Pi Robotics
Design & Technology Support Sessions
Drama A Level Support
Drama GCSE Support
Duke of Edinburgh’s Photography Skills
Economics Extension
English Extension
English IGCSE Support
English University Preparation
Food and Nutrition Catch up
French Extension
French Oral Practice & Listening
French Role Play Practice
French Tough Translation
Further Mechanics 2
German Grammar Revision
German Oral Practice
German Extension
Geography A Level Extension
WHO IS IT FOR?
Fourth Year to Sixth Form
Sixth Form
First to Third Year
Fourth & Fifth Year
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GCSE & A Level
First to Third Year Autumn
All
Fifth Year to Sixth Form
Lower Sixth
Fourth & Fifth Year
Third Year to Sixth Form
Upper Sixth
Sixth Form
Fourth & Fifth Year
Lower Sixth
Fifth Year
Fourth & Fifth Year
Fifth Year
Fifth Year
Fourth & Fifth Year
Lower Sixth
Fourth & Fifth Year
Fifth Year & Sixth Form
Fifth Year & Sixth Form
Upper Sixth
Autumn & Spring
ACTIVITY
Geography A Level Support
Geography GCSE Support
Sixth
Year
Geography Help First to Fifth Year
History A Level Support Session Sixth Form
History IGCSE Support Session Fourth & Fifth Year
Industrial Gold Cadets
Latin Support GCSE
Literacy Club
Lower School Languages Club
Maths Support
Medical Society
Moles Club (Chemistry)
Parallel Maths Project
PE GCSE Practical Extra
PE GCSE Theory Support
Sixth
Year
Year By Invitation
to Third Year
Form
& Fifth Year
& Second Year
& Fifth Year
Year
PE GCSE Support Fifth Year
PE A Level Support Sixth Form
Physics Extension Fifth Year, Lower Sixth, Upper Sixth Autumn, Spring & Summer
Physics Drop in All
Psychology Aspire Lower Sixth
Psychology Support Session Sixth Form
Religious Studies & Philosophy A Level Support
Religious Studies GCSE Support
Form
& Fifth Year
Religious Studies, Philosophy & Ethics Society Sixth Form (Fourth & Fifth Year by invite)
Science Club
Spanish Club
Spanish Extension
Spanish Listening Practice
Spanish Oral Practice with Assistant
Statistics GCSE
STEM Club
Textiles
TSA Preparation
Year (Sixth Form helpers), Sixth Form
& Second Year
Year & Sixth Form
Sixth
&
– first half
SPORT AND OUTDOOR EDUCATION
Stockport Grammar School provides exceptional sporting opportunities for every child. We offer a diverse and inclusive programme of activities in which every pupil participates, through our curriculum and extensive co-curricular programme.
In addition to being inclusive, we aspire to the highest level of elite performance in our major games: our teams achieve national success and many of our pupils attain representative honours, including international selection.
The activities on offer are designed to be enjoyable and to challenge pupils’ physical abilities. We also aim to provide as many as possible with the opportunity to represent the school.
From mountain biking to orienteering and kayaking to climbing, there’s something for even the most adventurous pupils at Stockport Grammar School.
The school has a long history of taking pupils on hiking excursions, activity weekends, camping and ski trips. This, teamed with the large number of pupils that participate in the school’s Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, means that the majority of pupils have taken advantage of the outdoor education opportunities on offer.
ACTIVITY
A Level PE Support Sixth Form
Archery
Athletics
Badminton
Basketball
Climbing First Year Second Year to Sixth Form
Cricket (Boys)
Cricket (Girls)
Dance – Ballet/ Lyrical Choreography All
Dance – Boys Only First to Fourth Year
Dance Club First Year
Dance – Contemporary/Lyrical Second & Third Year
Dance – Contemporary Masterclass Second Year to Sixth Form
Dance – Modern & Lyrical Fourth & Fifth Year
Dance – Street Jazz/ Commercial Second Year & above
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Drop In Club Third Year to Sixth Form
Fencing
Fitness Suite
Football (Boys)
Football (Girls)
GCSE PE Catch up Fourth & Fifth Year
GCSE PE Extra Practical Fourth & Fifth Year
GCSE PE Theory Support Fifth Year
Hockey (Boys)
Hockey (Girls)
House Sport
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Autumn & Spring Terms
Autumn & Spring Terms
For those with previous Ballet experience
Intermediate/advanced dancers
Running
PERFORMING ARTS
Pupils of all ages have the opportunity to participate in performing arts. Whether they take to the stage in a show, play an instrument in a school concert, or leap on stage in a dance show there is something for everyone. Regular productions provide the opportunity for the departments to work collaboratively which provides an exciting opportunity for the pupils to grow their skills. Most recently, our 2025 production of ‘Sister Act’ saw dance, drama, music, and Design Technology work together to stage a fabulous production that had audiences in fits of giggles and tapping their feet to the catchy music. Previous productions have included ‘The Wind in the Willows’, ‘Cinderella’ and ‘The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe’.
We also offer the opportunity for pupils to help out backstage by creating props, costumes, hair and make-up, and even lighting. No matter what your comfort level, there’s an opportunity for everyone.
ACTIVITY
WHO IS IT FOR?
Arts Award All
Bronze – First to Third Year Silver – Fourth & Fifth Years Gold – Sixth Form
Dance Club First Year
Dance – Contemporary/Lyrical Second & Third Year
Dance – Ballet/Lyrical Choreography Third to Fifth Years
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Launched in January 2022 Arts Award inspires young people to grow their arts and leadership talents
For those with previous Ballet experience
Dance – Contemporary Masterclass Second Year to Sixth Form Intermediate/advanced dancers
Dance – Modern & Lyrical Fourth & Fifth Year
Dance – Jazz Fourth Years & above
Dance – Boys Only Fifth Year
Dance Show All March 2024 – Celebration of the history and culture of Stockport and Greater Manchester
Drama Club First to Third Year
Drama Leaders
Pupil leaders meet fortnightly to support Drama activities and develop their leadership skills
Green Room Team All To support productions
LAMDA
Lighting & Sound Team
Additional Cost
MUSIC
Music is a part of every child’s life at SGS. In the first two years, all pupils have the opportunity to try a large number of orchestral instruments with specialist teachers and all perform in a concert.
SGS offers outstanding opportunities to participate in music from beginners in Junior Band to concertos in First Orchestra with a vast array of ensembles, bands, choirs and orchestras covering different musical styles and concerts in prestigious venues from the RNCM to St Mark’s Cathedral, Venice.
CONCERTS WHEN
Autumn Concert November
Christmas Concert December
Carol Service December
Winter Concert January
Founder’s Day March
Spring Concert March
Summer Concert April
Leavers’ Concert May
Lower School Concert June
ACTIVITY
WHO IS IT FOR?
“M usical groups perform at a high level both within school and beyond”
ISI Inspection
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Big Band All Invitation only
Brass Ensemble All
Chamber Choir (Junior) First & Second Year
Grade 4 or above
Chamber Choir Third Year to Sixth Form By audition
Chamber Groups All
Chorus Third Year to Sixth Form All singers welcome
Concert Band All
First Orchestra All
Guitar Ensemble All
Intermediate Percussion All
Junior Jazz Band All
Grades 3 – 5
Grade 5 or above
The group is open to pupils of all levels of expertise and experience learning classical guitar, acoustic guitar or ukulele
Grade 2 or above
Junior Percussion Ensemble First to Fifth Year No prior grade or experience required
Junior Strings First to Third Year Beginners to Grade 2
Junior Woodwind First to Third Year Beginners to Grade 2
ACTIVITY
MARS Recitals
Music Exams
Music Festival
Peripatetic Music Lessons
WHO IS IT FOR? ADDITIONAL
MARS – Monday Afternoon Recital Sessions
ABRSM – three times a year
External Music Exams with an external examiner. Includes Prep Test, Grades 1 – 8, Diploma
Held in June. Initial auditions then selected pupils perform in 10 different categories on the day of the Music Festival to an audience and visiting adjudicator
Lessons for a variety of string, brass, wind and percussion instruments and singing for beginners up to Grade 8 and beyond. Half hour lesson with highly skilled and qualified music teachers. Large/expensive instruments may be available to borrow from school
ACTIVITY
WHO IS IT FOR? ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Second Orchestra All Strings: Grades 2 – 5, Wind and Brass by invitation only
Senior Jazz Band Fifth Year to Sixth Form Invitation only
Senior Percussion Ensemble Third Year to Sixth Form Invitation only
String Orchestra All Grade 4 or above
Theory Class All For those who wish to build towards Grade 5 theory
Vox First & Second Year Vocal group
Wind Orchestra All Invitation only – Grade 5 and above
ACTIVITY
COMPETITIONS
Our pupils take part in a variety of competitions both in-house and externally throughout the year. Preparation for such challenges encourages a wider study of subjects, inspires a competitive spirit and a sense of achievement, but most importantly, it is good fun. The table below shows a flavour of the competitions that our pupils will be taking part in during the current academic year.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Alan Turing Cryptography Competition Third & Fourth Year
Albert Johnston Travel Award
Form
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
A bursary offered to individuals or teams from the Sixth Form who would like to travel to further their experience or knowledge of a passion or subject. Applications take the form of a detailed written plan, including an itinerary and budget, and an interview with the award panel
Architecture Summer Essay Competition
Art – Carol Service Programme Cover
Art – Royal Academy A Level Competition
Articulation History of Art Prize
Bebras Computing Challenge
Biology
Year & Lower Sixth
ACTIVITY
Chemistry Olympiad Sixth Form
Chem Quiz Third to Fifth Year
Chemistry – Young Analyst Lower Sixth
Christmas Card Design All
CityZen Award
Sixth Form
Classics Reading Competition Second to Fourth Year & Lower Sixth
English – WS Johnson Essay Prize
First Year French Spelling Bee
Fourth Year MFL Debate
First to Third Year
Year
German Competition Second Year
Great British Woodwork Competition Lower Sixth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Civil engineering digital team challenge
Spring. Title of essay set by descendant of WS Johnson. Prizes presented on Speech Day
& Spring
Inter-form debating competition in French and German
Pronunciation Competition for Third Year German Pupils
ACTIVITY
Intermediate Maths Challenge
House Competitions
Industrial Cadets
WHO IS IT FOR?
Third to Fifth Year
All members of House encouraged to get involved
Lower Sixth
Junior Maths Challenge First & Second Year
Latin Scrabble Competition
Fourth Year to Sixth Form
Library Heroes First to Third Year
Living Edge Schools’ Art Competition
MEM Challenge
Masterchef Competition
Third, Fifth Year & Upper Sixth
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Various competitions throughout the year, eg sport, chess, bake-off and quizzes
Inter-school competition between independent schools in the North West
Inter-form borrowing competition
First Year to Lower Sixth
Maths Bombe Sixth Form
Maths Fest
Maths Olympiad for Girls
Model United Nations (MUN)
Moult Essay Prize
National Cipher Challenge
Year
Fourth Year to Sixth Form
Fourth Year to Sixth Form
First to Fifth Year
Fourth Year to Sixth Form
National Language Competition Third & Fourth Year
Northern Schools MFL Debating Competition
PiWars
Photography Competition
Physics
Physics Challenge
Physics
Physics Challenge Exam
Physics Olympiad
Poetry by Heart
RGS Young Geographer of the Year
Year
Local and national competitions
Creative essay prize, presented on Speech Day
Sixth All Lower Sixth pupils taking Physics can apply
First to Third Year
Fourth & Fifth Year
Sixth Form
Rotary Young Chef of the Year All
Royal Academy Schools’ Summer Exhibition
Second Year Enterprise Challenge
Second
Senior Team Maths
Senior Maths
Schools Challenge Quiz
Spanish
& Spring
Form
TRIPS
Each year the school runs a wide variety of trips both in the UK and abroad. This long established schedule of visits, trips, language exchanges and outdoor activity programmes supports the pupils’ learning and understanding of the world, and inspires their sense of adventure. Here is an overview of forthcoming trips. School trips incur additional costs. For further information visit our website.
DATE LOCATION
October 2025 Southern Spain
October 2025 France and Belgium
October 2025 Sicily and Aeolian Islands
October 2025 Greece
October 2025 Basque Region, Spain
DESCRIPTION
Religious Studies and Art Trip
Trip
Trip
Trip
Trip
Year & Lower Sixth
Year to Sixth Form
Year to Sixth Form
Year to Sixth Form
December 2025 Passo Tonale, Italy Ski Trip Second Year
December 2025 Krakow, Poland
Religious Studies and History Trip Fifth Year
February 2026 Disneyland Paris, France Maths Trip Fourth Year
February 2026 Dubai Cricket Tour
March 2026 Aachen and Cologne, Germany
Language and Culture Trip
Fifth Year & Lower Sixth
Second and Third Year
March
March 2026 Castleton, Peak District
April 2026 Salou, Spain
May 2026 Munich, Germany
June 2026 Arbolar, Spain
July 2026 Black Forest,
July 2026
July
July
THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AWARD
SGS is proud to be one of the largest Direct Licensed Organisations for The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in the North West with over 80% of our Third Year starting the Bronze Award each year and many seeing it through to Gold in Sixth Form.
Our in-house DofE Coordinator works closely with pupils to ensure each participant’s programme is tailor-made to reflect the individual’s starting point, abilities and interests.
Incorporating four sections at Bronze and Silver level – physical, skill, volunteering and expedition – with an extra section of residential available at Gold level.
DofE is completed alongside school studies and can include existing activities undertaken outside the curriculum. The award is beneficial to pupils on various levels, giving young people opportunities to try new activities, develop self-confidence and improve team work skills whilst working to obtain a recognised qualification that is highly valued by universities and employers.
From walking to voluntary work, canoeing to mountain biking, there is a vast array of activities that can be undertaken during the award scheme. The aim is to embrace challenges, gain skills, and have fun doing it.
“I’ve never done anything like the Bronze DofE, but despite it being incredibly challenging, I’m 100% going to do it again for Silver. I saw the best out of all my teammates and friends and I’m so, so proud of them all! I’m honoured to have been part of such an incredible group and an incredible experience. The memories will last forever.”
(Fourth Year Bronze Award participant)
“Communication, independence and building self-esteem are all traits that I have gained since the expedition and I would recommend anyone debating whether to attempt Gold DofE to go for it.”
(Upper Sixth Gold Award participant)