Enrichment Programme

More than 70 activities take place each week covering a wide range of disciplines. Some are sporty, others arts, music or performance-related but there are alternative interesting and unusual activities that give students the opportunity to try something different, or develop a new skill.

Although some students choose to enrol in the same activity term after term so that they can develop their skills and ability in a particular area (e.g. rowing), we encourage the majority to choose a wide range of activities over their years in Senior School to broaden their horizons and possibly find a passion they would never have otherwise discovered.

The Aim of the Enrichment Programme

At the heart of our Enrichment Programme is our approach in developing our students so that they are World Ready. The Enrichment Programme offers this in a number of ways:

• Personal development – taking risks and pushing boundaries
• Developing useful life skills
• Developing passions
• Supporting and extending academic studies
• Enlivening students.

The Arts

Thespians and artists can fuel their passion with a range of activities and clubs. Our creative students have the opportunity to showcase their work, either with drama productions or art exhibitions.

Music

Our music community has the opportunity to join various groups and ensembles depending on instrument and musical preference. They perform regularly, both in the College and beyond.

Voluntary Service

From mentoring young sports boys and girls, to supporting the elderly with IT or in care homes, various projects provide opportunities for our students to give something back, whilst broadening their horizons and enriching their lives.

CAS and the IB

As part of their IB programme and reflecting the College’s Woodard ethos, many students are involved in local community service projects.

“Pupils throughout the school have a strong awareness of the needs of others out in the community and wider world, which is reflected in their extensive charity and voluntary work. They are not cushioned from hardship and willingly volunteer time and energy to support others.”

ISI Report 2018

 

Service Trips

The College has well-established student service projects in Kenya and India. Teams of Lower Sixth students attend these service trips every summer. Prior to departure, the forthcoming projects are carefully planned and fundraising efforts take place to support the plans.

Sports

Ardingly College has a reputation for outstanding sporting performance. The Enrichment Programme enables talented athletics to spend additional time training, but also provides opportunities for all students to try other sports and hopefully find one that will develop them physically, mentally and socially.

Water-based activities are offered as part of the programme; the indoor pool hosts scuba diving lessons and Ardingly Reservoir provides popular watersports and training for our sailing and rowing teams.

Equestrian

The Equestrian team competes in eventing, dressage and show jumping competitions.

Life Skills

We have a Life Skills Week for all Senior School students at the end of the academic year, and there are opportunities to develop these skills throughout the year in other enrichment clubs. Find out more

Outdoor

Everyone in Shell (Year 9) participates in outdoor enrichment during the Trinity term, which concludes in a fun but challenging overnight hike through local countryside. For other years, outdoor education is offered all year round in the form of expedition skills and climbing.

Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

The coveted DofE scheme is very popular at Ardingly and the Shell walk can count towards the Bronze level. Some students pursue the scheme to Silver and Gold level. The scheme comprises of:

• Service/Volunteering
• Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
• Physical Recreation
• Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey)
• Residential Project (Gold Award only): a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant that lasts for a minimum of five days and four nights.

Academic Enrichment and Support

The passion of our subject teachers filters down to the Enrichment Programme, with many teachers offering a range of academic clubs and pursuits to develop knowledge and interest in a particular area, including medicine, engineering, literature, philosophy and Oxbridge preparation.

Challenge weeks are organised by each department to extend students with a particular passion for that subject.

During the Enrichment Programme, there are clinics and clubs aimed to support students with their organisation, or in a particular subject they may find challenging.

Sample Enrichment Programme