Extra Curricular Activities
Students in the Sixth Form have the opportunity to participate in a fantastic range of activities beyond the curriculum. From the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award to participating in the Mock Trial, to Young Enterprise and Sport and Music, members of the Sixth Form take a leading role. Students are expected to participate in at least one activity, but the majority will participate in many. The Presdales Sixth Form opens doors to new possibilities.
Ambassadors
The Mental Health and Anti Bullying Ambassadors support and participate in the many themed events and initiatives that run across the school year. They organise and deliver whole school assemblies, supervise the weekly wellbeing lunchtime sessions, contribute to The Presdalian student newspaper, and are strong role models for all students in the school.
Big Sisters and Brothers
The Big Sister/Brother programme has been running for decades and offers a fantastic opportunity for students in the Sixth Form to act as mentors to students in the lower school. The Year 7 programme involves students in Year 12 being assigned to a Year 7 form who they spend a registration with each week - they run activities for their form group, support the Year 7s with their transition to Secondary, and support their form group with planning assemblies. The new Year 10 programme involves students in Year 12 being assigned to a Year 10 form who they spend a registration with each week - they act as mentors supporting the Year 10s with GCSE preparation and revision techniques having just completed GCSEs themselves.
Volunteering
Volunteering at Presdales is an important part of the Sixth Form curriculum. Every Year 12 student is expected to volunteer for at least one lesson each week when they are free on their timetable. There are countless opportunities for Year 12 to choose from. Examples of the opportunities range from supporting in a KS3 Technology lesson, supporting with the Year 7 Guided Reading programme, to going off site and supporting at Pinewood or Middleton. Volunteering helps our Year 12s develop the soft skills needed to be successful in their chosen next steps.
MedSoc
Presdales Medsoc is a lively and thriving supercurricular club, whose members meet weekly. The purpose of Medsoc is to support students all the way through their journey from starting A levels to receiving their results two years later. We aim to give students the opportunity to experience activities that will give them more breadth and depth to their understanding of medical issues, which improves confidence and therefore performance at interview.
Activities covered include:
-Science in the news - students take it in turn to research and present a topical subject in science
-Ethical debates, for example, should the termination date for abortion for serious conditions be 28 or 40 weeks. Students need to be able to present arguments for either side, irrespective of personal viewpoints.
-Dissections, for example, rat
-Logic tests practise
-Interview practise - both MMI and traditional
-Help during application process, including writing a personal statement
-Writing references for work experience
-Visits from alumni, who are both currently at university and also those who have qualified
-Independent research on a specialism, eg the effects of exercise of the prevention of Alzheimers
-Links to extra reading and on-line lectures and courses
-External speakers
-Visits to lectures
.....and many more!
Activities covered include:
-Science in the news - students take it in turn to research and present a topical subject in science
-Ethical debates, for example, should the termination date for abortion for serious conditions be 28 or 40 weeks. Students need to be able to present arguments for either side, irrespective of personal viewpoints.
-Dissections, for example, rat
-Logic tests practise
-Interview practise - both MMI and traditional
-Help during application process, including writing a personal statement
-Writing references for work experience
-Visits from alumni, who are both currently at university and also those who have qualified
-Independent research on a specialism, eg the effects of exercise of the prevention of Alzheimers
-Links to extra reading and on-line lectures and courses
-External speakers
-Visits to lectures
.....and many more!
Music
Presdales produces a number of concerts throughout the year to showcase the students' talents. All styles of music are encouraged including a full orchestra, chamber choir, Rock Band alongside many other ensembles and choirs.
EPQ
EPQ – An EPQ is a single piece of work that allows students to study a subject area, of their choice, in depth and develop independent research and study skills. An EPQ requires a high level of planning, preparation, research and autonomous working. The project should demonstrate ‘extension’ of the student’s knowledge and understanding. An EPQ can be a written report of 5,000 words or a written report of 1,000 words with an artefact, a recording of a performance/activity, a multimedia or slide presentation or a photographic record. Students must keep a production log which forms part of the EPQ, as well as deliver a presentation during which they will be questioned and assessed.
Sport
If sport is a passion, then there are opportunities for Sixth Formers to play recreationally or competitively. We have sixth form teams in netball, football, cross-country, athletics and rounders. Students can also use the fitness suite which includes 4 bikes, 2 rowers, a cross trainer, a running machine, a stair master, a squat rack, 2 Olympic barbells and multiple weight plates, smaller barbells and weights, kettlebells, 4 benches, a range of dumbbells.
As part of Core PE which students in Year 12 have a single period each week, they can complete a Level 2 Sports Leaders qualification. In Year 13, students can complete a Level 3 Sports Leaders qualification which can earn them 16 UCAS points. Both qualifications enable students to develop their confidence, organisation and teamwork skills, whilst also volunteering in the local community.
Some students also choose to run dance clubs or support at extra-curricular clubs as a coach or official!
As part of Core PE which students in Year 12 have a single period each week, they can complete a Level 2 Sports Leaders qualification. In Year 13, students can complete a Level 3 Sports Leaders qualification which can earn them 16 UCAS points. Both qualifications enable students to develop their confidence, organisation and teamwork skills, whilst also volunteering in the local community.
Some students also choose to run dance clubs or support at extra-curricular clubs as a coach or official!
Drama
There is a range of theatrical opportunities at Presdales School. From performing in large scale productions to getting involved behind the scenes, working on lighting, costumes, make-up or sound, Sixth Form students take the lead in school productions. The Year 12 also put on a Sixth form review at Christmas to entertain the rest of the school.
Charity Committee
Sixth Form students at Presdales run the whole school charity events. The Committee is self-governed and self-supported and works to support local, national and international charities. Sixth Formers who get involved with Charity Committe develop leadership, personal integrity, helpfulness and a respect for others.
Middleton and Pinewood
Our Sixth Form students can volunteer to help in either Middleton School or Pinewood School. Middleton School caters for students aged 5-11 years old and Pinewood for students aged 11-16 years old. Our students work with young people with a wide range of needs including autism, speech, language and communication needs. Engagement with these students enhances the insight and skills of our Sixth Formers whilst they undertake activities that enrich the lives of others.
World Challenge
Sixth Form students have the opportunity to take part in World Challenge expeditions which helps them gain a perspective on life lived in very different circumstances to their own. Sixth Form students have recently supported projects in Vietnam.
Young Enterprise
Young Enterprise is a fantastic opportunity for students to get first hand experience of setting up and running a Business. Students come up with a business idea, create the product or service and then work in a team to produce, market, finance and sell it. Over the course of the year students attend trade fairs, Christmas markets and are invited to the regional finals where they present the Business to 5 judges and an auditorium of over 100 people. If they are successful they progress to the National Finals and then international Final in Sicily. Due to connections with Amazon, last year some of our students were given the privilege to visit the Amazon office in London and present to potential buyers. Young Enterprise is a great way for students to develop their creative and organisational skills but also work effectively as a team.
Mock Trial
The Bar Mock Trial Competition is a yearly opportunity for Year 12 students to participate in a National Competition organised by the Citizenship Foundation. The heats happen in the autumn term, and the winning school from each heat progresses to the national final in the spring.
Two criminal cases, specially written for the competition, are studied in detail and students take the part of Barristers, Witnesses, Court Officials and Jury members. After many weeks of practice the drama is played out in real Crown Courts across the country. We usually attend Snaresbrook Crown Court. The competition requires our Prosecution team to compete against the Defence team of another school. This requires students to think on their feet and give pertinent replies to unexpected questions. A degree of acting ability is necessary but the chief characteristic is an ability to speak confidently and with authority, as well as a thorough understanding of the law as it relates to the particular case.
All students find the day enjoyable and challenging. They meet with other students but learn a lot about their own ability to reach heights of competence they never imagined themselves capable of.
Two criminal cases, specially written for the competition, are studied in detail and students take the part of Barristers, Witnesses, Court Officials and Jury members. After many weeks of practice the drama is played out in real Crown Courts across the country. We usually attend Snaresbrook Crown Court. The competition requires our Prosecution team to compete against the Defence team of another school. This requires students to think on their feet and give pertinent replies to unexpected questions. A degree of acting ability is necessary but the chief characteristic is an ability to speak confidently and with authority, as well as a thorough understanding of the law as it relates to the particular case.
All students find the day enjoyable and challenging. They meet with other students but learn a lot about their own ability to reach heights of competence they never imagined themselves capable of.
