Extra-curricular Activities at NSB
As well as the academic success at Northampton School for Boys we are renowned for our extensive extra-curricular programme and the amount of time the staff give to provide this outside the classroom. Our ethos encourages students to become well-rounded individuals who balance academia with other interests and who will have important practise at time-management and organisation and who will develop important skills, improve wellbeing and resilience as well as making themselves more attractive to employers and universities.
Attached to this article is the vast range of extra-curricular activities on offer at NSB. Sixth Form students are expected to take part in activities as part of their co-curriculum and every student from Year 7 to Year 11 is expected to take part in at least one activity in addition to Home Learning and subject support provision. There are numerous clubs including a vast sports programme, music provision and expressive arts as well as more specialised activities and all of these provide opportunities for students to challenge themselves, learn, develop or master a skill, have fun, work outside their comfort zone, build confidence, meet new people and improve communication and social skills within year groups and across them. One of the areas commented on in the yearly Form Tutor report is the social, moral, spiritual and cultural development of individuals and the engagement with, and benefit of, engaging in extra-curricular activities is a significant part of this.
Each student should look through the extra-curricular activities and discuss with their parents what they intend to do and what the commitment to that club entails, e.g. becoming part of a production, music group or sporting team will mean attendance is compulsory whereas some clubs might be on a drop in basis or by invitation only. Students will be informed about House Competitions throughout the year as different year groups and competitions are on at different times.
Home Learning clubs are really useful for students who want to have more spare time out of school, for those who want to use IT facilities in school or need the library to research and those who need help organising their time. Although they are voluntary, if a student is given a 3 or 4 for Home Learning they may well be directed to attend these clubs as a positive strategy and this may form part of a home/school agreement.
Subject support; students and parents should take the time to see what is on offer and parents should encourage their son/daughter to attend regularly as the extra time will certainly aid their progress by giving them an opportunity to consolidate learning, practise, refine work or go over difficult concepts with their most invaluable resource-the teacher. More subject support sessions will be added at critical moments and as we move towards the examination periods.
Other clubs will pop up during the year, e.g. the sports programme will adapt for the different seasons and these will be updated on the website and the students will be informed through posters, notice boards and student registration notices.
