The Co-Curricular Programme

Activity Evenings

On Monday and Friday evenings the children can choose from a range of activities with which they become involved for the whole term. The tone for these one hour sessions nurtures a feeling that these activities are hobbies rather than taught lessons. The range of activities is varied including Electronics, Badminton, Table Tennis, ICT, Technology, Cooking, Guides, Brownies and Art. Such activities promote friendship and confidence, giving the children the rich education with which Beachborough prides itself.

Outside Providers

During the school day a number of outside providers are invited to Beachborough to offer activities that the academic staff are unable to offer. Currently Judo, Group Dance, Ballet, Fencing and Gymnastics are flourishing and Mr. Banks is keen to hear of other activities children and parents would like to see at Beachborough.

World Challenge

Beachborough have fostered an effective relationship with World Challenge Organisation. In recent years World Challenge has been developing their links with prep schools in the area of teamwork, leadership and communication skills. Beachborough sees these skills as being essential in getting the most out of what the school has to offer. Children in Year Seven (Form V) travel to Buxton, in the Peak District, during the summer term for a week long residential. Their activities include camping, cooking, rafting, climbing, navigation scenarios (getting lost procedures, rescue, team morale and Country Code) and abseiling. Throughout the week the emphasis is more than just on the physical challenge as the children bond and learn to work together effectively. Year Eight (Form VI) experience a week kayaking on the River Severn. During the week the children camp, shoot rapids, cook and navigate. The children are in their last few weeks at Beachborough before leaving the school and this trip is really something which begins the emotional process of leaving the familiar surroundings of Beachborough.

Post- Common Entrance Programme

During the last month of Year Eight (Form VI) the children have finished the external exams that dominate much of their last year at Beachborough and they are into the Beachborough post-Common Entrance programme. During this time the children are involved in a rich variety of activities that are seen as important experiences to have before transfer to senior school. As described, this begins with the River Severn kayaking trip. Other activities include Arts Days and Community Activities within the school grounds and with our Pre-Prep department. Visiting speakers lecture on topics ranging from responsibilities within the community to the dangers of illegal drugs. A senior school housemaster is invited to talk about the expectations that senior schools will have of new pupils. A journalist and professional sportsman talk about their lives and the experiences they have had in their careers. The children have been invited to Stowe School for a web design and podcast day and they also have a Spanish day during which the children are involved in a number of language activities as well as cooking tapas. The children have also been invited to Banbury Court House for a tour and mock trial. This is set alongside all the usual excitement of the summer term during which, for example, cricket and rounders are popular.

Sport

Sport plays an important role in the lives of all and this is reflected by the number of teams who represent the school each week. The major team sports are Rugby, Hockey, Netball, Football, Rounders and Cricket but we also play matches in sports where individuals can achieve success such as Badminton.

Music

Music is another great strength of the school and the number of individual and group music lessons that take place never cease to impress visitors. There are concerts for all instrumentalists and groups throughout the year.

All schools offer Sport and Music but Beachborough tries to go that extra mile. We expect pupils to make the most of all opportunities and they can choose to take part in Archery, Ballet, Chess, Drama and indeed almost every letter of the alpha can be used to list an activity.

Some activities are run by the schools own enthusiastic members of staff whilst many others make good use of specialist coaches who come into the school at times to suit us. Judo, Clay Group, Short and Lawn Tennis and Gymnastics are good examples of this practise.

Age is an important factor when it comes to choosing an activity and, again, Beachborough likes to think that we carefully consider the needs of specific year groups when developing our programme.

There are many day trips during the year. Museums, Art Galleries and Theatres are all well used and residential trips are increasing in number each year. Outward Bound courses, Ski Trips, Geography and Science Field Trips and long weekends to France and Spain are all established events. The greatest care is always taken with the preparation of these trips and this means that they measure up to all expectations and usually exceed most.