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Outside the classroom

The Co-curricular Adventure

Life in the classroom is complemented at Bablake by an exciting range of activities outside the classroom.

Pupils discover fresh talents, extend their learning, compete in competitions and experience a huge array of extra Sport, Music, Drama and clubs. They have the opportunity to take on leadership roles, support others and benefit enormously from a rich array of house activities and expeditions. The enjoyment and confidence that stem from it are as important to their development as their academic studies. It forms part of our distinctive commitment to give our pupils the best possible start in life.

Sport

All our pupils have a PE and a games session as part of their timetable and there is an extensive programme of competitive sport.

Our experienced staff and specialist coaches encourage our pupils to try new sports and are dedicated to unlocking the full potential of every pupil.

We encourage and support those aspiring to reach the highest levels of achievement, be it in county, regional or national sports competitions. Lessons include football, rugby, netball and hockey in the winter.

Summer sports include tennis, cricket, rounders and cross country. We hold regular house matches providing a platform for students of all skill levels to experience healthy competition.

Facilities: Bablake benefits from excellent indoor sporting facilities, including a large sports hall, swimming pool, gym, dance studio and climbing wall. We also have outdoor tennis and netball facilities, astroturf pitches and vast playing fields for rugby, rounders, cricket, athletics and football.

Performing Arts

Bablake champions the performing arts, fostering students’ artistic and creative abilities.

Bablake has a reputation for drama productions of the highest quality. Drama plays a central part in the co-curricular life of the School. In the younger years pupils have a drama lesson as part of their timetable.

These lessons promote confidence, communication and performance skills Further up the School drama develops pupils to a more advanced level, with many opportunities to get involved in plays, musicals and more technical theatre. Recent productions have included Les Miserables, The IT and Billy Elliot.

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Music

Our commitment to the arts makes music a key component of our curriculum and co-curricular provision.

In Years 7 to 9 pupils have Music lessons as part of the curriculum. They learn how to make music, whether using their voices, instruments or software.

Performance skills and opportunities for public performance develop discipline as well as building confidence,. There are numerous opportunities to perform with ensembles, chamber groups and, through the Arts Award, to organise and lead charity concerts.

Clubs

There are over 100 clubs and societies on offer at Bablake. Activities run before and after school, and during lunchtimes.

Each term we publish a full extra-curricular timetable to enable pupils to choose what they would like to take part in. From guitar club to art workshops, philosophy club to strength and conditioning, dungeons and dragons to stock market club – there really is something for everyone.

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Pupils broaden their life skills and gain experience through the comprehensive co-curricular programme, generously supported by the provision made by school’s leaders and governors.

Independent Schools Inspectorate, May 2023

Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is a real adventure from beginning to end.

There are programmes at three levels, which when completed, lead to a Bronze, Silver or Gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. The Award is achieved by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections (five for Gold) – Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and for Gold, a Residential.

We encourage our students to participate in the DofE Award Scheme. Through the programme, they will find themselves helping people or the community, getting fitter, developing skills, going on an expedition and taking part in a residential activity.

Visits and Trips

Trips and overseas visits take place throughout the year.

We run a range of local, national and international trips, whether it’s a field trip to the Lake District, a skiing trip to Austria, a netball and hockey tour to Malaysia or a cultural visit to Barcelona. There are plenty adventures in the Bablake calendar.