Co-curricular

Our co-curricular programme is both ambitious and inspires curiosity. We are excited to offer such a full and varied listing of clubs and societies to all our pupils. Each caters for the diverse interest of our pupils and we love to see them explore and have the courage to step outside their comfort zones. These clubs and societies enhance the learning that pupils experience with their curriculum too, providing a fulfilling experience beyond the classroom.

Speech and Drama lessons are optional co-curricular activities for pupils in Years 5 and 6. The lessons are very popular and places fill up quickly. Our talented Speech and Drama teacher makes lessons fun and lots of laughter is heard from the classroom! 

The pupils may participate in the examinations of The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art, although they are not obligatory. The pupils study acting, mime, verse and prose speaking and reading. The intention of these lessons is to build confidence and encourage good diction, a wide inflection, varied facial expressions and an appreciation of the spoken and written word. 

Spontaneous and Prepared Improvisation exercises give the pupils the chance to 'go with the flow' and build the pupils’ confidence and self-esteem. It also encourages great teamwork and many new friendships are forged through the participation in these exercises.

 

We are always so excited to use our Forest School. The outdoor classroom and our Forest School provides an opportunity for our pupils to be curious and courageous, exploring the world around them through play. 

Our Forest School allows our pupils to make decisions involving risk in a safe and supportive environment, experiencing the vibrant reality of the natural world. It also provides them with the opportunity to develop their team building, social interaction and empathy skills. They get to think creatively and problem-solve, all while making connections with their peers and the natural world and ambitiously and courageously pushing themselves out of their comfort zones.

At the Prep, we always look forward to our sport fixtures. Our pupils are offer the chance to represent the school regardless of their ability and our sports (except for swimming) are rotated termly.

Throughout the year, our pupils will have swimming lessons. These lessons are for all year groups, from Reception to Year 6, and there is an Inter House competition in which all pupils compete. There is also a swimming club, which has 30 members, and has regular fixtures – both with inter school and national and regional competitions.

In the Autumn and Spring Terms, pupils participate in Rugby and Football. With Rugby, only Years 4 to 6 are involved in contact. There are Inter House competitions for all years and inter school matches for Years 4, 5 and 6.

Football is taught to all age groups with an Inter House football competition and school teams from Years 4, 5 and 6 play regular inter school fixtures and tournaments.

In the Summer Term, pupils move on to Athletics, Cricket and Cross-Country. For Athletics, we have a school team who have fixtures throughout the term and also participate in the IAPS District competition – here we have had some pupils qualify to represent the district at National level! We also hold a Sports Day in June and all pupils participate in at least one event.

Cricket is played by pupils of all ages and there is an Inter House competition for those selected in Years 4, 5 and 6. Those in Year 5 and 6 play regular inter school fixtures while Year 4 pupils play inter school pairs cricket matches. The school also offers to selected pupils additional cricket coaching during the Autumn and Spring Terms with a qualified coach. During those terms, pupils will have 10 lessons, each being 30-minutes long. Pupils are taught one to one in the Senior School Solai Indoor nets which improves their individual skills. We have had multiple pupils from the school go on to represent Middlesex or Hertfordshire over the years.

We also enjoy encouraging pupils in Cross-Country. While we have in-school events such as HabsDash and the annual Donkin Cup (the latter of which sees all pupils from all year groups participating), we also have many inter school fixtures throughout the season and pupils also compete in the County and Area Championships.