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Wider Curriculum and Activities

Why wider curriculum opportunities? 

Wider curriculum opportunities are any activity or learning opportunity that takes place outside normal school lessons. Research has shown that where students regularly participate in these wider learning activities, attainment of the subjects they study at KS3 and KS4 improves. Participation in a wider curriculum activity also has a positive influence on attitude to learning, personal wellbeing and impacts on attendance at school.

Lunch and after-school clubs

What do we do at The Cottesloe School?

The Cottesloe School's clubs’ aim is to offer students a wide range of opportunities from sporting activities, representing the school in a sports team or as part of the performing arts department clubs, alongside Character, Healthy Relationship and 6Cs aligned hobby clubs as well as a quiet space in the Library to complete homework or work on independent projects. These activities are provided to help students enhance their learning of curriculum areas, to support the study that takes place or to provide new activities that they have never tried before. It’s not compulsory, but we hope that all students will find something that’s for them.

How does it work?

  • Any student wishing to be on site after 3pm must be attending a supervised session. Due to health and safety restrictions, it is not possible for students to remain in school unsupervised. There are no unsupervised areas of the school open to students after 3pm each day.
  • All students are expected to be off the school site by 4:15pm each evening, and as soon after the end of their club or activity as possible.
  • Students commit to attending a club each week. They need to tell the club leader before the session if they are unable to attend.

PE and Sports Clubs

Spring 1 Timetable (PDF) 

Sports Clubs

These clubs are not only for students wishing to be considered for school team selection but also for students who would like to improve their fitness, develop their skills and enjoy some physical activity with their peers. The PE department will be happy to help with queries about any Sports Club.

  • All Sports Clubs take place in the Sports Hall unless stated on the timetable. 
  • Kit – usual PE kit, or appropriate activewear, correct footwear (boots for football and rugby) and additional safety equipment (e.g. gum shield for rugby)
  • If a student is selected for a school sports team, information is posted via the Team Google Classroom.
  • Students are responsible for informing their parents of the details of fixtures including timings and arranging to be collected afterwards. Parents must complete medical and consent forms, which are emailed directly.
  • Some Sports Clubs run at lunchtime to ensure participation rates are high. Because a large number of our students travel by bus, they've not been able to attend clubs after school. 

What to do if you want to go to a lunchtime sports club:

  1. Bring a packed lunch on the day of your club - eat this at the end of lunch

  2. Eat well at break time so you've got the energy to participate

  3. Get changed promptly at the start of lunchtime

  4. You may wear your PE kit to period 5 if you would like so you're not late to learning because of getting changed after the club

Performing Arts Clubs

Whichever aspect of Performing Arts you have an interest in, there is a club for you.  There are evening performances held every term to showcase the wide range of talents our students have, on stage and behind the scenes. Below is our timetable.

    

Spring 1 Timetable (PDF)

Trips and Visits

PLEASE NOTE* These dates and trips are not confirmed and are subject to change 

Wicked Theatre  | Year 7s

Year 7 students visit The Apollo Victoria Theatre in London on Wednesday 18th October 2023 for the matinee performance of the hit show “Wicked”.

Performing Arts 

  •  Years 9,10,11 | The Life of Pi - Thursday 21st September
  • Years 10 and 11 | The Woman in Black - 10th October
  • Milton Keynes Music Festival | March 2024
  • Honeycomb Musical Theatre | 3rd April
  • Honeycomb Dance | 4th April
  • Aladdin | Thursday 25th April 2024
  • Brickstock | Sunday 29th May 2024

Design and Technology | Year 13

Ercol Factory - TBC October/November 

Cologne Christmas Markets | Year 10

Our students will try out their German skills in the city of Cologne as well as see the Lindt Chocolate Museum and the German Museum of the Olympic Games

Ski Trip 2024, Kaprun, Austria | Years 8 to 10

Years 8 to 10 - 29 March to 6 April 2024

Auschwitz and Treblinka | Years 10 and 11

We recognise the importance of witnessing sites of interest to the Holocaust and run trips every other year. 

2024, we are going to Warsaw to visit Treblinka instead from 14 to 16th Jan 2024.

Outward Bound | Years 8 and 10 (selected students)

  • Year 10 - Aberdovey, Snowdonia | December
  • Year 8 - Aberdovey, Snowdonia | May

Thorpe Park | Years 7 and 8

TBC

World Challenge | Years 11, 12 and 13

  • Cambodia, South East Asia | 13th July to 9th August 2024
  • Malaysia |  July 2025

Year 7 Character Camp (New Intake 2024)

TBC August 2024

DofE

For DofE please see our dedicated page https://www.cottesloe.bucks.sch.uk/curriculum/duke-of-edinburgh

National Museum of Computing | Years 12 and 13

TBC

Art

Ashmolean Museum | Years 12 and 13 A-Level Art

Tate Britain | Years 11,12 and 13 February 20th 2024

 

Sixth Form

  • Geography Tour - Swanage | March
  • Psychology - December
  • University Tours 
  • Apprentice Show - March
  • Careers Fair - February

History Year 8 | Battlefields Trip - France and Belgium

5th to 7th July 2024 

Peripatetic Music Lessons

We are delighted to share with you the musical opportunities that are available to all of our students, which are taught by specialist instrumental teachers. 

If you wish to take up or continue lessons in an instrument, please contact the relevant teacher directly, or, if you have any questions please contact a member of the Performing Arts Team.

Below is a booklet of what we currently offer (PDF)

 

Duke of Edinburgh

Revision and Intervention

At different times of the year, individual departments may offer revision sessions or a programme of intervention to prepare students for exams or support with the completion of practical coursework for example in Art or Design and Technology. When relevant, students and parents will be informed via letter about these opportunities.

Check back later in the year!

Outward Bounds

In the autumn term of Year 10 and the spring term of Year 8, a group of selected students have the opportunity to attend an Outward Bounds adventure and challenge course at Aberdovey, Wales. The course is a week-long and aims to develop students’ self-confidence, self-reliance, teamwork, and determination as well as promote the school’s Healthy Relationships ethos and develop the students' use of the 6Cs in a novel and challenging environment. 


Students will participate in activities such as rock climbing, hiking, camping, canoeing, gorge scrambles and many others. 


They will learn to consider others and support those who may not be as strong as them in some activities and will at times show strong leadership qualities. It is a fantastic trip and students often return reinvigorated and determined to reach their goals, both in their Year 11 exams and beyond.

https://www.outwardbound.org.uk/aberdyfi