Try it to find it!

Whenever we ask our current pupils what advice they would give to new Year 7s joining the school, they almost always say, “Try as many different things as you can”. It is heart-warming to know that our pupils appreciate the myriad of co-curricular opportunities available to them at The Grove. They have learnt that, by trying as many of these opportunities as possible, you increase your chance of finding that one activity that is pure “you”…whilst having a lot of fun along the way!

We refer to our programme of activities as co-curricular – rather than extra-curricular – to communicate its importance and our belief that these opportunities sit alongside our academic offering, adding to learning in the classroom and providing the full and rounded education that is key to unlocking the potential in each individual pupil.

When they arrive in Year 7, pupils are offered in the region of 40 different co-curricular activities that they can take part in during the school week: a variety of sports, from rugby to chess; a huge number of performing arts groups, across a wide range of music genres; and drama and theatrical opportunities, including back stage and Tech Club. Pupils can also explore a number of more specialist groups, such as Robot Club, Dungeons & Dragons Club and book clubs.

We encourage our Year 7s to get stuck in and try a range of different co-curricular options; those that may already have some experience in – but also to be brave and try something brand new.  Taking part in these groups and clubs not only enriches their Grove experience but is an excellent way to make new friends and settle in to school life.

The skills and attributes that develop through the co-curricular programme are an integral part of a pupil’s Grovian education: the self-belief and confidence that grows from performing in front of an audience for the first time or representing the School at their first sports fixture; the leadership skills developed captaining a team or leading a music group; the creativity that flourishes in a Dungeons & Dragons session; the strategic and logical thinking required in a Chess tournament; and the ability to think out of the box in Robot Club. All these prove invaluable in learning, education and life in general.

A very special feature of our Co-curricular Programme is the staff that run the different activities. All are incredibly passionate and engaged and go above and beyond to pass on their knowledge and enthusiasm to the pupils. At The Grove, teaching does not just happen inside the classroom – it happens in the fencing salle, in the Theatre Tech Box and with the roll of a 20-sided die during a Dungeons & Dragons adventure. Each September we can’t wait to meet our new Year 7s and watch them flourish within our Co-curricular Programme, discover their passion and become the very best version of themselves that they can be. All we ask is that they:

Try it to find it!

I am my unlocked potential.

I am Grovian.