Activities
After School
Each term a wide-range of extra-curricular activities, run by
staff and outside specialists, is offered in school between 4-5pm.
All pupils are encouraged to be part of the programme. An
Activities Fair is run at the start of each term, so pupils can see
all that is on offer and make their choices.
Running alongside important sports, drama, music and homework
commitments, the programme includes cardiovascular exercise in the
gym, British Sign Language (certified course), Chess, Cipher Club
(code-cracking), Climbing, Digital photography, ECDL (certificated
computer 'driving licence'), Fencing, Craft Club, Cross Stitch,
First Aid (certificated course), History Club, Jewellery and Bead
Club, Pumas (running club), Sailing, Screen Print Club, Science
Club, Spanish, Snooker, Table tennis, Ten Tors Club, Wacky, Old and
Weird (Anthropology and Archaeology) and Yoga/Body Balance. There
is also the opportunity to take extra academic subjects, such as
Greek, Spanish and RE, to GCSE and there is always a 'Prep' room
for each year group with a member of staff, so every pupil has the
opportunity to complete homework.
Combined Cadet Force
The Combined Cadet Force is a disciplined organisation designed
to enable boys and girls to develop powers of self reliance,
initiative and leadership. Although a small number join the regular
armed forces every year, it is not intended the CCF shall be a
means of recruitment for the armed services.
Entry into the CCF is voluntary and takes place at Year 10 for
boys and girls. Service is for two years initially, but NCOs are
chosen from those cadets who stay into the sixth form. There are
three sections from which to choose; Army, Navy, RAF. The total
strength of the CCF is normally around 150 with about half that
number in the Army.
There is a clearly defined training syllabus for each section,
satisfactory completion of which leads to the award of proficiency
certificates and promotion to NCO. In addition to military training
there are opportunities to participate in a range of outdoor
activities at little or no extra cost to the individual. These
include: climbing/abseiling, sailing, orienteering, shooting,
canoeing and flying. Camps and courses take place in the Easter and
Summer holidays and all cadets are encouraged to participate in
these during their time in the CCF.
Every two years the CCF is inspected by a senior serving officer
from one of the three services. The unit is subject to an annual
'efficiency audit' as a condition of MOD recognition and
finance.
The miniature 0.22 Range was rebuilt in 1989 and is now one of
the best indoor ranges in the South West. Two years ago the CCF
moved into the basement of the administration building, which
contains instruction rooms, stores and an office.
Outdoor Activities
As soon as pupils join in Year 7, they are introduced to Outdoor
Activities. In their first few weeks they will have the opportunity
to enjoy a Tutor Group Camp at Whiteworks, our Outdoor Activities
base on Dartmoor. This experience is built on during the year
culminating in Activity Week at the end of the Summer term.
Years 8 and 9 also have opportunities for activities based on
Dartmoor as well as at the Mountbatten Centre. By Year 10 most
pupils will have a good skills base and can join in with many
activities such as Ten Tors, Duke of Edinburgh Award or Combined
Cadet Force.
Many pupils go onto more adventurous trips such as hiking in
Scotland or exploring the High Atlas Mountains of North Africa.
Also, there are numerous other opportunities available such as The
Gambia Aid trip, ski trips and Biology-based expeditions.
In the sixth form many prefects are used as helpers especially
with the Year 7 camps and with running Whiteworks for other junior
groups.
Latest blog posts:
Theatre Club
The Theatre Club (Yrs 10 and above) runs frequent trips to the
Theatre Royal in Plymouth. Pupils' tickets are at greatly reduced
prices, averaging £6-£8, and the range of productions is such that
this is a very well supported evening activity. This is a fun,
cultural, social activity - for students to come along to the
theatre to enjoy a production (musical, ballet, play, comedy, for
instance) in the company of their friends. Occasionally Years 7, 8
and 9 are invited to come along too, if they like.