A very wide-ranging programme of Additional Studies and extra-curricular activities is available. Students should make decisions based upon their own individual needs, interests, skills and aims.

You could also take an additional certificated fourth academic subject. Please follow the links for information.

College life provides an opportunity to develop and broaden skills and experiences but also to develop some new skills. The number and type of courses chosen will be determined by many factors, including the demands of your academic programme, together with your particular interests and career aims. You are advised to choose one Additional Study course in the first instance, although you may choose to take part in further activities if these are available and fit into your overall programme. Personal Tutors will help with advice and guidance. Additional study courses normally run for two terms. Most involve a commitment of one or two periods per week. There are also a broad range of clubs, societies, field trips or expeditions and extra-curricular activities.

In addition to the option of studying an academic sports courses (A Level Sport & PE or Applied General Certificate or Extended Certificate in Sport) and the Principles of Coaching Sport, a range of sports options open to all students include:

  • Badminton
  • Basketball Academy (men’s and women’s squads)
  • Equine Studies – theory options and Equestrian events
  • Golf
  • Hockey (mixed) 
  • Netball
  • Rugby (men’s and women’s squads)
  • Running Club
  • Soccer (men’s and women’s squads) 
  • Table Tennis
  • Tennis
  • Trampolining
  • Volleyball
  • Weights and Fitness

The College also offers an excellent sports activation programme - which introduces interested students to a range of different and less mainstream sports (eg: Boxing) on a more ‘taster’ or ‘short block’ basis.

Whether you just want to try to keep fit and have some fun, or you take your sport very seriously and compete at a high level, we have something to suit you. On-site sports facilities include a sports hall, fitness centre and all-weather pitch. For sports requiring specialist sports fields or other facilities we will continue to provide free transport to a range of high quality sports venues around the town.

There are regular Wednesday afternoon matches for our teams in all the major sports and the College enters teams for local and national competitions in many other fields, including Cross Country and Volleyball. A wide range of sports teams take part in the British Colleges Championships with regional events followed by National Finals, moving to a different venue each year.

An Annual Sports Award event helps us to celebrate the tremendous contributions and achievements of our individual sportsmen and women and our successful teams.

There is a wide range of excellent Performing Arts facilities and opportunities for students to create music or perhaps performing in dance or drama at the College. Whatever your current level of performance and whatever type of music, dance or drama you are interested in, you should be able to find ways of taking part. You do not have to be an A Level Music, Dance, Drama or BTEC Performance Studies student to become involved in one or more of the wide range of Performing Arts additional studies. All who are interested and enthusiastic are welcomed.

Examples of Additional Study performing arts choices available include:

  • Band
  • Choir
  • Contemporary Dance
  • Dance Choreo Lab 
  • Drama Clubs – Shakespeare and Contemporary
  • Music Instrumental Tuition
  • Orchestra
  • Performance Activities
  • Productions
  • Rock Music Workshop
  • Theory of Music

The wide range of College concerts, productions and plays are not the only opportunities for you to perform. ‘Unplugged on the Concourse’ events, the annual Battle of the Bands competitions and a series of student led activities have also continued to produce student performances of a very impressive quality. A good audience is important, so even if you don’t feel you have the skills to take part you will be very welcome to attend these events.

The Performing Arts Department organises a good number of visits to productions, hosts external productions and has significant levels of engagements and support from former students now working professionally in the field of performing arts. The department organises an annual Performing Arts Awards Evening.

A range of clubs and societies give you a chance to spend more time on activities connected with your studies or to follow interests that are outside your main timetable. Examples of Additional Studies or clubs and societies (other than those previously mentioned) include:

  • Arts and Culture Committee
  • Ceramics
  • Christian Union
  • Conservation Group
  • Creative Writing
  • Debating Society
  • Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award
  • Environment Committee
  • Financial Studies Certificate
  • Friends not Foes Group (Citizenship)
  • Introduction to Japanese or Mandarin Chinese
  • Medics
  • Russ Fair Trade Coffee Shop
  • Signing
  • Storm Radio

The College is a vibrant young adult community and there is a great deal going on. If your particular interest does not seem to be offered then you could get together with others who share your ideas and start your own society. Full details of the wide range of Additional Studies courses for 2018/19 will be provided at the Induction Day in June and a copy of the Additional Studies Handbook is posted in the documents section of the website on an ongoing basis.