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Extra-Curricular Policy
AIM
OBJECTIVES
The Extra-Curricular Policy will seek to achieve the above aim through:
a) The Eight Aptitude framework (see Pastoral/eight aptitudes),which encourages pupils to consider and reflect on the eight different intelligences or aptitudes which they have and to develop these in a range of activities and challenges throughout the course of their time at Wellington.
b) A broad, creative and ambitious ECA programme which is sufficiently flexible to allow every pupil at Wellington to engage in a range of activities and to demonstrate progress in these activities over time.
c) Fostering a delight in new challenges and opportunities in our pupils and an appreciation of the rich variety of experience on offer to them.
d) Encouragement of pupil leadership as much as is practical, in delivering the ECA programme.
e) Promoting Service as a core part of all that Wellingtonians do beyond the classroom
SUCCESS CRITERIA
The policy will be considered successful if:
a) Every pupil at Wellington is actively involved in and stimulated by the ECA programme.
b) There is a culture of adventure and a delight in challenge amongst the pupil body in Wellington. In other words, Wellingtonians embrace new opportunities or challenges with relish.
c) There are very high standards in the Arts, the Sports, Leadership, Service and so on.
d) All Wellingtonians are actively engaged in Service and understand that the privilege of an education like this also involves the privilege of giving back to society.
e) All Wellingtonians enjoy the ECA provision and develop enthusiasms, skills and interests which will stay with them for life.
METHODOLOGY
a) As part of our commitment to a holistic, eight aptitude education all members of Wellington Common Room are expected to contribute actively to the Extra Curricular provision in College and several members of Support Staff will do so voluntarily too. A member of staff’s contribution to the ECA programme will form part of their bi-annual performance review and will also be a key discriminator during recruitment.
b) The creativity and scope of our programme means that Extra Curricular provision is run and overseen by a wide range of key staff, including: the Director of Arts, the Director of Sports, the Head of Clubs and Activities, the CCF Contingent Commander, the Head of Service, the Head of Leadership, the Round Square Coordinator, the Head of Sustainability and so on. A range of activities is offered in all of these areas for all our pupils and more specific details about their extensive provision can be found in the Extra-Curricular area of our website.
c) Timetabling: As can be imagined, scheduling our ambitious and extensive EC programme is challenging and a carefully crafted weekly structure is in place to try to ensure sufficient time is allocated to the various different areas of EC provision. There is a system of “priority” time agreed whereby Sport, Arts activities, CCF or Service or “academic” extension activities are given priority over other activities. See the Shape of the Week grid.
d) Year groups:
i) At the start of the school year, a “College Carnival” is held which presents all of the activities on offer.
ii) In the 3rd Form, pupils engage in a Wednesday Afternoon Activities programme. Through this, pupils are able to choose which activity they would like to experience each term; the aim of the Programme is to allow the pupils to see what Wellington has to offer in many different areas.]. A Clubs and Activities Fair is held at the start of every School year where activities take “stalls” and pupils can get a sense of the immense amount on offer.
iii) In the 4th Form, CCF is a compulsory element of their activity programme. However, within this, the pupils have the option to experience military or non-military activities; through this, they can also choose whether they wish to complete a Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award, or take part in CCF camps.
iv) In the Fifth Form & Sixth Form, pupils are required either to carry on with CCF or to opt for a Service programme on Wednesday afternoons. This is delivered by our Service Coordinator and Head of Service and more details can be found on the website at Extra-curricular/service.
e) Much of the Extra-curricular programme is offered through the House structure through House competitions. There is a very wide variety of these including House competitions in all the major Sports, the Arts: Dance, Drama, Singing, Art, and also in less easily defined areas: House drill competition, House rock climbing, House debating, House Sustainability, House Scottish dancing even House conker competitions and so on. The Houses are grouped together into groups of threes for some of this competitions (to include girls and boys and a mix of day and boarding).
f) Much extra curricular activity is generated by pupils: in accordance with our emphasis on pupil leadership, wellbeing and the IB learner profile. MYP personal projects, charity and service initiatives, drama or musical performances are frequently inspired, managed and run by pupils. Pupil feedback on the extra-curricular provision is regularly invited both through informal channels: in tutorial or HM discussions and more formally through committees like the Arts Society or the College Council.
MONITORING
a) Each individual’s extra curricular involvement is monitored and encouraged in Houses through the tutorial system. Tutors meet weekly with their tutees and once a term, tutors and tutees agree a personal contribution grade, which reflects the pupils’ eight aptitude contribution to the extra-curricular life of the College and to their own development.
b) Reference to a pupil’s extra curricular activity throughout the term and year, will be made in reports home to parents in either the Tutor or the HM report.
c) The relevant members of SLT meet regularly with the Directors of Arts, Sports, Service, Leadership and so on, to review and refresh the termly and annual programmes on offer to ensure breadth, challenge and accessibility.
d) Extensive calendar planning occurs each term and calendar meetings allow for detailed and regular scrutiny of our extra-curricular provision in the context of the rest of College activity.
e) Pastoral monitoring: It is the role of the tutor and HM to ensure that no pupil is over committed and being pulled in too many directions. On occasions when clashes do occur, the Deputy Head will decide what activity the pupil should do if it cannot be resolved by the relevant Heads of Department.
EVALUATION
This is primarily the responsibility of the Deputy Head, The Deputy Head Pastoral, and the Deputy Organisation working with those who manage the relevant areas of College life. Evaluation will be ongoing and will include:
a) Feedback from pupils
b) Feedback from staff
c) Scrutiny and monitoring the personal contribution grades
d) Review of the calendar and shape of the week
REVIEW
The Deputy Head will review this policy annually.