Enrichment
An exciting programme of outdoor activities is available for pupils of all ages, interests and abilities. The opportunities offered through our activities are important in broadening the experience of young people. They provide challenge and competition and promote teamwork, skill and athleticism, as well as helping to cultivate a sense of personal achievement.
There is a very popular and thriving Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme, and many pupils continue right through to the Gold Award. The Combined Cadet Force presents opportunities for developing confidence, teamwork and leadership skills, both at school and at camp. Pupils can even learn to fly through the RAF section.
We want our pupils to develop broad interests, to be outward-looking and culturally aware. There are visiting writers, artists, speakers and theatre companies.
There are field-trips, visits to art galleries and exhibitions, visits to museums, to the theatre, the opera and ballet, to universities, to industrial sites and factories, study visits to the Continent, and annual exchanges to France and Germany.
Ski parties have visited European and American resorts; the History Department goes annually to the First World War battlefields; expeditions have been offered to China, South America, the USA and Iceland; and there have been Classics trips to Italy, Greece and Turkey.
In clubs and societies as diverse as chess, debating, dance, science, textiles, warhammer and life-saving, pupils are encouraged to make the most of their time and opportunities at Bablake, to achieve qualifications and develop the interests and skills to enrich their future lives. Our activities and expeditions bring together pupils of different ages and create an environment in which informal relationships between staff and pupils flourish.
Academic studies are complemented by the wide range of extra-curricular activities that are an important feature of life at Bablake. Pupils value this opportunity to relax, to mix with others, to broaden horizons and develop new interests. We are continually finding new opportunities for our pupils to develop beyond the academic timetable, and so gain further in self-confidence, whilst experiencing a sense of pride and achievement.
6th Form Enrichment Programme
This currently runs on a Friday afternoon in the U6th year. The aim of the programme is for pupils to enjoy some new activities and learn some new skills before they leave home and enter the world of work or go to University. There are 4 sessions, each lasting for 4-5 weeks (half a term). Pupils have a free choice of the courses that they wish to follow and each of the 4 sessions concludes with a talk or event for the whole year group.
The following list of courses gives an indication of what has been offered recently:
An introduction to Marketing
A beginner’s guide to politics and voting
Life confidence- FIT Living Programme
A beginner’s guide to DIY & simple household repairs
Student survival- cooking for yourself on a budget at University
Creative Photoshop
Practical PC repair, maintenance & rebuilding
Music performance
Creative writing
The River Cottage project
GCSE Astronomy
Stage combat
Photography
Magical musical mystery tour
Chinese language, history and culture
The programme is reviewed each year and new courses will be offered as time progresses.
