CO-CURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES
The broad and enriching co-curriculum programme at Runnymede College complements learning in the academic curriculum to provide students with vital skills that will support them at school and into the future.
A well-balanced combination of academic and co-curricular learning increases the willingness to challenge oneself, develops social interaction, boosts confidence and enhances the development of leadership skills. It has also been found to provide students with the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that are needed to work in a rapidly changing and globalising world.
By leaving their desks and facing new challenges in a supportive environment, pupils learn to work in teams and take the initiative. This produces a resilient, enthusiastic and adaptable student who is a competent all-rounder.
A well-balanced combination of academic and co-curricular learning increases the willingness to challenge oneself, develops social interaction, boosts confidence and enhances the development of leadership skills. It has also been found to provide students with the intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills that are needed to work in a rapidly changing and globalising world.
By leaving their desks and facing new challenges in a supportive environment, pupils learn to work in teams and take the initiative. This produces a resilient, enthusiastic and adaptable student who is a competent all-rounder.
Five key benefits of participation in the co-curriculum:
- Develops social skills and relationships through interaction across year groups
- Develops time management skills – the student who can manage their time effectively will be able to prioritise a competing set of commitments, and becomes proactive and creative in problem solving
- Explores a wide range of interests and offers a range of possibilities for pupils who want to develop and nurture areas of interest
- Participation develops self-esteem – the co-curriculum offers a chance to experience success beyond the academic, or to be recognised for a contribution to an activity
- Develops commitment – participation is often about a long-term commitment to an activity and the opportunity to see it through, with leadership roles emerging as they progress through school
- Develops social skills and relationships through interaction across year groups
- Develops time management skills – the student who can manage their time effectively will be able to prioritise a competing set of commitments, and becomes proactive and creative in problem solving
- Explores a wide range of interests and offers a range of possibilities for pupils who want to develop and nurture areas of interest
- Participation develops self-esteem – the co-curriculum offers a chance to experience success beyond the academic, or to be recognised for a contribution to an activity
- Develops commitment – participation is often about a long-term commitment to an activity and the opportunity to see it through, with leadership roles emerging as they progress through school
Extra-Curricular Activities
A key component of the co-curriculum comprises after-school extra-curricular activities, which are booked through the office and Mrs Powell. These include Team Runnymede (see below), the school’s sports teams, run by the PE department, as well as all other activities which students can choose to take part in after school. These include the creative activities like Drama Club (which presents at least one annual school play), Music Club and ballet, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
These extra-curricular activities are booked on a termly basis before the start of each term, although some will accept students joining later in the term. Instructions on how to book, with a detailed timetable, are sent to parents and are available on the school website.
Most of these do incur charges if an external specialist coach is employed, the activity occurs out of school, or there are additional external costs such as travel, equipment, entrance fees etc.
Other Co-curricular Activities
These are the academically and creatively enriching clubs, societies and activities which are run within school hours (usually at lunchtimes), and which students can contribute to individually during their free time. There are no charges for these.
They include the Model United Nations Club (for Years 12 and 13), which meets once or twice-weekly at lunchtimes, in preparation for two conferences per year, and the Runnymede Times. Budding journalists who write for the school’s newsblog meet at morning break once a week, and write their articles for publication in their spare time. Other clubs in the 2020-21 academic year will include the Green Team, KS3 Science Club, KS3 Book Club, Medical Club, Writing Club, and Maths Club.
In addition, the Student Council, elected from Year 12, will be working to raise money for the school’s chosen charity, and they will communicate with class representatives from younger year groups to facilitate their fundraising events.
The Year 12 Mentors will also be working to offer social, emotional and academic support to pupils from younger years, and House Captains will be selected from Years 9, 11 and 13 to support the PE department and other staff during school events like Cross-Country Morning, Sports Day and Prize Giving.
A key component of the co-curriculum comprises after-school extra-curricular activities, which are booked through the office and Mrs Powell. These include Team Runnymede (see below), the school’s sports teams, run by the PE department, as well as all other activities which students can choose to take part in after school. These include the creative activities like Drama Club (which presents at least one annual school play), Music Club and ballet, and the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme.
These extra-curricular activities are booked on a termly basis before the start of each term, although some will accept students joining later in the term. Instructions on how to book, with a detailed timetable, are sent to parents and are available on the school website.
Most of these do incur charges if an external specialist coach is employed, the activity occurs out of school, or there are additional external costs such as travel, equipment, entrance fees etc.
Other Co-curricular Activities
These are the academically and creatively enriching clubs, societies and activities which are run within school hours (usually at lunchtimes), and which students can contribute to individually during their free time. There are no charges for these.
They include the Model United Nations Club (for Years 12 and 13), which meets once or twice-weekly at lunchtimes, in preparation for two conferences per year, and the Runnymede Times. Budding journalists who write for the school’s newsblog meet at morning break once a week, and write their articles for publication in their spare time. Other clubs in the 2020-21 academic year will include the Green Team, KS3 Science Club, KS3 Book Club, Medical Club, Writing Club, and Maths Club.
In addition, the Student Council, elected from Year 12, will be working to raise money for the school’s chosen charity, and they will communicate with class representatives from younger year groups to facilitate their fundraising events.
The Year 12 Mentors will also be working to offer social, emotional and academic support to pupils from younger years, and House Captains will be selected from Years 9, 11 and 13 to support the PE department and other staff during school events like Cross-Country Morning, Sports Day and Prize Giving.