Co-Curricular Brochure

Co-Curricular Programme Over 425 Years of learning

2021/2022

Welcome to a Wealth of Opportunity

Drama Music DofE Lynsey McAuley, Assistant Head Co-Curricular

Curriculum is a balance of activities and at Wellingborough we like to think we do this well.

We offer a variety of opportunities which progress as students progress through the school. Our co-curricular programme blends inside the classroom with outside the classroom, the academic with the non-academic, and it is part of what makes the school so special.

Leadership and teamwork underpin these activities, many of which are student led. All students are offered the opportunity to participate in the Big 5: Sport, Music, Drama, CCF and DofE. In addition, there are lunchtime and after school clubs to suit all interests. Our Educational Visits programme also supplements this with opportunities such as unique Geography trips to Sri Lanka or China and annual trips such as the Ski trip to Austria. We like to think there is truly something for everyone at Wellingborough.

CCF

Sport

5 The Big

Drama Music Sport DofE CCF

Drama The School’s Drama Department produces one major production each year, at the local Castle Theatre, as well as a number of smaller performances. These provide pupils with the opportunity to take part in the full theatrical repertoire and in recent years we have performed Les Misérables, Oliver, A View From The Bridge and Sweeney Todd.

Our Drama department has grown this year and we are delighted to have three members of teaching staff as well as many who support behind the scenes at productions.

An annual major performance is usually held at the local theatre and they have varied from Les Misérables and Sweeney Todd to A Winter’s Tale. Smaller scale but no less worthy productions include the Sixth Form Plays, such as the gothic tales of Dracula and also Frankenstein.

Our new Year 7-9 Drama Club, which takes place after school, will be working towards a performance in the Trinity term and we are looking forward to our first Key Stage 3 production. Many of our pupils have gone on to perform out of school in major productions.

We are delighted that Angus, a Year 9 pupil, is currently performing around the country as the keyboard player, Lawrence, in The School of Rock. We also showcase smaller works such as GCSE and A Level coursework material in the Performing Arts Award Evening.

Music The Music Department offers individual music lessons throughout the week for a wide variety of instruments, from voice to percussion. As well as House Music Competitions, pupils can perform in bands, choirs and quartets and musical events are a highlight of the school calendar.

More pupils than ever are participating in instrumental and vocal lessons which feed naturally into the music co-curricular programme. It consists of two choirs, an orchestra, a concert band, the Blues Band and numerous string ensembles, woodwind choirs and drum groups. There are three full time members of staff and fifteen visiting music teachers offering tuition and ensemble performing opportunities.

Our Blues Band are often in high demand for school Open Days and the annual Summer Ball, our Chapel Choir also sing at key events; the Carol Service is one such event not to be missed.

Students must audition to be part of these groups, however, there are many other opportunities for anyone who wants to participate in ensemble groups and choirs with music to suit all tastes such as our new Musical Theatre group.

Performance opportunities are provided for all students from afternoon Tea Recitals, House Music, the Rock, Pop and Blues concert and more formal end of term shows such as the Christmas Concert and Spring Concert, where students from all year groups showcase their work throughout the year.

Sport At Wellingborough School we offer a wealth of sporting activities which form an integral part of school life. We strive to offer pupils every opportunity to enjoy sport and to experience success. Those who have the desire to excel and those who just wish to participate, benefit from expert coaching and positive sporting

We provide an extensive fixture list for girls and boys in all year groups, often fielding enough teams for all pupils to play on a particular day. Fixtures are usually played midweek and at the weekend.

Wellingborough School has an enviable sporting reputation, and our ‘Sport for All’ ethos has uncovered many fine talents. We aim to give every pupil the opportunity to represent the School in a sporting event or fixture. It is hoped that this superb provision for sport at Wellingborough School will instil a lifelong love for sport as well as providing individuals with the added benefits that sport provides such as self-discipline, teamwork and fair play.

Major Games Boys: Rugby, Football, Cross-Country, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics Girls: Hockey, Netball, Cross-Country, Cricket, Tennis and Athletics

Duke of Edinburgh The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an optional activity which overlaps with many CCF activities.

We offer pupils the opportunity to enter at one of three levels: Bronze, Silver or Gold, or to complete all three. They achieve a DofE Award by following a personalised programme of activities in four sections, which includes the Expedition element of the Award. The majority of participants enter at Bronze level in Year 9, and a smaller number continue to Silver and Gold.

The school Duke of Edinburgh (DofE) programme offers the Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards and takes direct entrants at all levels. Bronze begins in Year 9 and most complete by the start of Year 10 when the Silver Award begins. Once a student turns 16 years old they can be enrolled on the Gold Award programme and it officially begins at the start of Sixth Form. Employers and Universities alike respect the commitment, resilience and teamwork skills gained by participating in this Award programme.

Whilst the award is based on completing 4 sections – Physical, Skill, Volunteering and Expedition- the expedition is always the section where the most excitement occurs, and camaraderie is experienced.

We are pleased to offer three modes of travel at Gold Expedition level: walking, canoeing and cycling. During expeditions, students have travelled the length of Britain and canoed the stunning Great Glen, cycled the formidable North York Moors and walked in the lofty heights of Snowdonia and the Lake District; memories have been made to last a lifetime.

Combined Cadet Force A School tradition since 1900, the CCF aims to develop cadets’ personal qualities and leadership. Pupils start their compulsory CCF journey in Year 9 and apply for one of four sections: Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Army or Royal Air Force. At the end of Year 10, pupils can choose to begin their CCF leadership training or choose to try some other leadership options.

Steeped in history is the School’s Combined Cadet Force - a source of great tradition and pride. We are one of only 7 schools in Britain with four sections: the Royal Navy, the Royal Marines, the Army and the Royal Air Force.

Wellingborough School has produced some distinguished servicemen and women and, in 1937, Wellingborough School was the first in the country to form its own Air Section. In recent years our cadets have been awarded the highest honour as top cadets in the UK in the Royal Marines, the Army and the Royal Air Force. This year we are delighted that Tom Kenney (RM) has been appointed as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet. Our focus is very much on leadership and other essential life skills; we have placed in the National Cadet First Aid Championships many times and also as Runners Up in the prestigious Inter-Services Championship. Annual summer camps are offered to all as well as Adventure Training opportunities throughout the year.

We warmly invite you to visit us to discuss how Wellingborough School can help your son or daughter to reach their full potential.

Our Admissions Team can be contacted Here

https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/admissions/make-an-enquiry/

01933 222427 admissions@wellingboroughschool.org More information about Wellingborough School can be found online at https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/ Wellingborough School

For more information, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated Admissions Team on 01933 222427 or admissions@wellingboroughschool.org. Further details, and the dates for key admissions events and deadlines, can be found on our website at https://www.wellingboroughschool.org/ Wellingborough School