Secondary Focus: Extra-curricular activities

All of our extra-curricular activities are open to all pupils and this is a great way for them to make new friends,” says Rebekah Wilkins from Wycliffe College in the UK. “We offer over 60 activities that pupils can choose from. There are some unique ones such as bee-keeping and fencing, and many popular ones such as cookery club, debating club, and e-sports.”

While academic demands for international students attending a secondary school overseas can be exacting, schools that specialize in offering a rounded education to all pupils are keen to offer a range of activities to balance out their offering. And international parents and students increasingly expect this, according to Rebekah. “Our experience is that these extra-curricular activities are expected and valued,” she explains. “Parents want their children to try new things, throw themselves into the opportunities and get fully involved. Each year our activities change as pupils’ interests change. For example, chess club and cookery club are very popular at the moment. Activities such as pilates are increasingly popular, and sport, art and music associated activities are always in demand.”

For some schools, specialisms in certain sports or interests mean that students may well chose to study at a school depending on their expertise in some areas. In Australia, Michael Atkins from Australian Boarding Schools International (ABSI), says, “All of our ABSI schools offer high level co-curricular and sporting programs. For example, The McDonald College, the only co-ed boarding school in Sydney, is a performing arts high school as well as offering an elite tennis academy. Brisbane Grammar School has its own outdoor education campus at which all year groups spend time. Loreto Normanhurst, a girls’ boarding school in Sydney, is particularly strong in the area of community service.”

Picture credit: Taunton School

Picture credit: Mount Kelly

And for other schools, their location and nearby facilities also lend themselves to offering specific activities that can enhance a school’s appeal overseas. Bobby Skelton at Mount Kelly in the UK says, “Our extra-curricular program is fundamental to school life, and activities are carefully chosen to make the most of our spectacular local environment. Located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park, and next to a World Heritage Site market town, the school offers international pupils many unique activities, including the Ten Tors expedition, run by the British Army and the Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race.”

As well as encouraging international students to find common interests and make friends there is also evidence to suggest that participating in extra-curricular sports can help with academic attainment. Bobby says, “Mount Kelly supports active education and we have statistical evidence that active pupils are more successful in the classroom. Our international pupils particularly enjoy the chance to try the traditional core sports of rugby, hockey, netball and cricket. Recent new additions are jazz and musical theatre dance, led by a teacher who trained at the world-leading Royal Academy of Dance in London. Plus, yoga and pilates, to support our focus on mental health and well-being.” He adds, “We see the same boost of self-esteem in pupils across all our other activities including chess, drama, music, debating, book clubs, art and DT workshops, science club, biomedical society, singing and choir, stocks and shares club, pottery, darts, eco club, e-gaming, volunteering, market gardening and languages.”

At Taunton School and Taunton School International in the UK, Natalie Lake says that they have over 150 extra-curricular activities on offer. “At Taunton School, our aim is always to ensure our international students feel fully included in school life,” she says. “Extra-curricular activities help immeasurably with this as students naturally get to know the other members of their clubs which often leads to friendships being formed.”

For many international students, secondary school is just the first part of their academic journey overseas and participating in activities at a young age can also help with their future academic plans. Natalie says, “A lot of our international students go on to study at universities in the UK and taking part in extra-curricular activities at school gives them a head start in the most popular British activities, plus the skills and talents they need to be able to confidently continue pursuing their extra-curricular interests at university.”

Keeping up with the latest trends

Most schools report that their extra-curricular activities are constantly under review as trends change and students seek opportunities in more sports and past times.

Natalie Lake from Taunton School says, “Our extra-curricular program is always evolving as it is heavily led by what our students want and current trends and interests. For example, we have recently added pickle ball as an option. Our extra-curricular program is one of our best assets, so we are always looking for ways to make it even better. In fact, in our Independent Schools Inspectorate inspection earlier this year, our extra-curricular provision was noted as a significant strength.”

Natalie lists some of the school’s more unique activities: “Greenpower – where students build their own electric racing car, eco council, mental health society, LGBTQ+ society, RAG, long-distance swimming around the South West coast, and neurodiversity awareness are just a few activities on offer.”

Rebekah Wilkins from Wycliffe College adds that student demand very much dictates the provision of new extra-curricular activities going forward. “We are led by what pupils want,” she confirms. “If students feedback that they want a certain activity then we do all that we can to offer this. E-Sports, gaming and the sustainability club are all examples of more recent clubs due to requests.”

Bobby Skelton from Mount Kelly adds, “Mount Kelly’s extra-curricular program is well recognized for the breadth of enrichment opportunities it offers. But it monitors its programs every year and refines its offers to meet demands and trends. Whilst this year there was demand for dance and yoga, who knows, next year it might be Quidditch and beekeeping!”