New for 2024 at The Kingsley School, we’ve developed an exciting programme of Friday Afternoon Activities, providing every pupil in Year 10 and above with the opportunity to take part in a variety of diverse and enriching co-curricular activities aimed at broadening and enhancing their education.
Before reaching this stage, Year 9 pupils experience a carousel of activities, rotating through options such as canoeing, lifesaving, politics, and language development over the course of the year.
Selected activities are co-educational activities are offered in collaboration with Warwick School.
This specialist programme is crafted for advanced musicians, offering an enriching experience to hone their craft
Participants will delve into advanced skills such as collaborating with an accompanist, conducting, musical analysis, and chamber music coaching. Additionally, the course includes expert sessions on the psychology of performance.
Tailored to the interests of each cohort, this programme provides an exciting opportunity to grow alongside other talented musicians. It is ideal for dedicated musicians eager to advance their abilities, whether they plan to pursue music at university or a conservatory, or simply wish to develop a lifelong appreciation and skill in music.
Location: King’s High – Auditorium
Cost: £TBC
Open to: Year 10+
Create Joy Through Visual Creations
This activity will be dedicated to producing artwork for local charities, hospitals, schools and our wider community who require visual stimuli within their interior spaces. This artwork could range from painted landscapes, crafted cards, printed bookmarks – there is no end of choice to what can be created and most importantly, what can brighten someone else’s day.
Location: King’s High – Art 1
Cost: £TBC
Open to: Year 11+
Elevate Your Drawing Techniques with Our Atelier Masterclass
Are you ready to advance your drawing techniques? Join our atelier masterclass, where the traditional French concept of an "atelier" – meaning "workshop" or "studio" – comes to life. In the art world, an atelier is a space where artists gather to work and learn under the guidance of a skilled master.
Our atelier drawing school follows classical techniques, training students in the art of realistic drawing and painting, just like the Old Masters. By mastering these technical skills, you’ll be able to bring any vision to life on paper.
This masterclass is designed for students who have already developed a love for drawing, mastered the basics of accurate proportions, varied tonal shading, and attention to detail. Now, it's time to tackle more challenging subjects. With expert guidance and support from your favourite friendly art teacher, you'll dedicate your Friday afternoons to perfecting your drawing skills.
No equipment is needed – just bring yourself and a bucketload of enthusiasm!
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)
Develop a range of fitness components.
Activities will be based in our new fitness suite but not be limited to this. You will work individually, in pairs or small groups, and there will be an introduction to new training methods. This session is targeting games players, individual athletes and those who enjoy exercise and want to develop their fitness. Choose this activity if you have high levels of motivation, a good base level of fitness and an abundance of enthusiasm.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)
Innovative Projects for Garden Wildlife
In this exciting class, you'll embark on a creative journey to design and build products that invite wildlife into your garden
Whether you're interested in constructing an insect hotel or a bird feeder, you'll have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the environment right from your backyard.
Throughout this course, you'll dive into various stages of the design and manufacturing process. You’ll start with researching the needs and habits of local wildlife, gaining insights into how to create inviting and safe habitats. Next, you'll channel your creativity and design skills using cutting-edge computer-aided design (CAD) software, bringing your ideas to life with precision and innovation.
But the learning doesn't stop there! You'll also get hands-on experience with laser cutting technology, translating your digital designs into physical components with accuracy. Finally, you'll hone your basic woodwork skills to assemble your projects, creating functional and aesthetically pleasing homes for insects, birds, and other garden visitors.
By the end of this class, you'll not only have a deeper appreciation for wildlife but also a set of valuable skills in research, design, CAD, laser cutting, and woodwork. Get ready to make a difference and transform your garden into a vibrant sanctuary for nature's wonders. Let's get started and make your garden a wildlife haven!
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)
Discover the Art of Fencing
In fencing, two opponents face off against each other, each with a sword in hand, and try to score points by touching each other with the tip of their blade while avoiding being hit themselves. It's a fast-paced and intense sport that requires quick reflexes, mental agility, and physical dexterity.
What sets fencing apart from other sports is the combination of grace and power. Fencers move with a fluidity and elegance that is often compared to ballet dancers, but at the same time, they possess a raw athleticism that allows them to lunge, parry, and riposte with lightning-fast speed.
The goal of fencing is simple: score points by hitting your opponent with your sword. Points are awarded for a successful hit, and the first fencer to reach a set number of points is declared the victor. However, fencing is not just about brute force. It requires mental agility and quick reflexes to anticipate your opponent's moves and react accordingly.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0 introductory offer for first time, then [PRICE?]
Open to: Years (9-13) ?????
Experience Nature at Foundry Wood
You will be spending 1hour 15 minutes each week at Foundry Wood. This is an area of urban woodland to the south of the town centre, which has been allowed to rewild old industrial sites and associated railway sidings. The area is often open to the public and requires year-round maintenance.
You will develop skills in woodland management together with the benefits of connecting with nature and working outdoors for a great cause. This club will run in all weathers. Therefore, sturdy outdoor kit will be essential (e.g waterproof coat, walking boots/wellies, over trousers).
Essential items for task-based work will be provided by Foundry Wood (e.g gardening gloves and gardening equipment). Please go to Foundry Wood | An Urban Community Woodland for more information.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)???
Bridging IGCSE and A-Level Math
This activity is for the continuation of the additional mathematics course which started last year. The material bridges the gap between IGCSE and A-Level mathematics and is provided to extend the knowledge of students interested in studying mathematics at a higher level. Although not a requirement, we work towards taking the OCR Level 3 FSMQ examination in summer 2025. There are overlapping themes with the IGCSE and the study of this course. Therefore, there are opportunities to revise over the more complex topics covered in timetabled lessons.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £46 entry fee if entered for the final examination.
Open to: Years (9-13)???
Earn an Additional IGCSE in World Literature
This session is open to pupils who would like to gain an extra IGCSE qualification with the focus on World Literature. Great enthusiasm for reading, analytical thought and the ability to discuss literature is required. We study a range of short stories (10), one play and one prose text (novel) in preparation for two examinations and two pieces of coursework.
Students from the Kingsley School who have already started the course should continue for this term (Autumn 2024, until Christmas, sitting the exam in Summer 2025). New starters across all schools in the foundation are encouraged and welcome to join but will need to commit to the course requirements of over two terms.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)???
Join us for a fun way to get fit, try something new, and push yourself to new heights!
You will be learning to climb at Warwick indoor climbing centre. We will be following the NICAS (National Indoor Climbing Assessment Scheme) which will give you a certificate depending on what level you reach. We will travel from Kingsley by minibus and have a full hour (possibly a bit more) of climbing each Friday afternoon. The instructors are very experienced and fully qualified. You will receive a comprehensive safety briefing before beginning and learn about many techniques.
This club will run in all weathers. All equipment will be provided, but if you have your own climbing shoes or harness, you are welcome to bring them along. You should wear comfortable clothes (leggings are ideal) and make sure your hair is tied up and no jewellery is worn, for safety reasons.
Location: Warwick University Climbing Centre
Cost: £160 per term
Open to: Years (9-13)
Experience the Power of Film: Study and Create
Film is an important part of many people's lives. Those who choose to study it characteristically bring with them a huge enthusiasm and excitement for film which constantly motivates them in their studies. They experience a powerful medium which inspires a range of responses from the emotional to the reflective as they are drawn into characters, their narratives and the issues films raise.
In these sessions, you will understand films as entertainment, and analytical texts ranging from Hollywood blockbusters to UK independent films. There will also be opportunities to plan, film and edit your own creations but you don’t need any prior knowledge or skills. It is not surprising that many consider film to be the major art form of the last hundred years and that many feel it important to study a medium which has such a significant influence on the way people think and feel. Just bring an enthusiasm and a creative desire.
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)???
Exploring Healthcare Careers and Skills
As part of the WISF Medical Pathway, this activity will provide an opportunity for Year 10 and 11 students to begin preparing for their applications to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Sciences, and other healthcare professions. >br>
Students will explore the various careers and fields of Medicine, develop their critical thinking skills, explore ethical scenarios, and improve their manual dexterity. We will be looking at Biology beyond the GCSE specification, performing dissections for comparative anatomy, learning basic sign language and much more.
Location: King’s High – B3
Cost: £TBC
Open to: Year 10+
International Issues and Critical Thinking: A Model UN Program
How can students resolve the conflict in Syria? What can they do about rising sea levels? Should drone warfare be banned? Is there an international solution to the plastic pollution problem? How should we respond to the growing threat of cyber warfare?
Model United Nations offers students the opportunity to research, debate, and potentially resolve international issues and crises. Each week, they will explore a different issue from the perspective of a specific country. Students will research their assigned country’s position, negotiate with like-minded countries, and propose and debate solutions to pass a resolution.
Participating in Model United Nations will help students hone their debating skills and develop a deeper awareness of global affairs. The programme is highly regarded by international universities and can provide valuable support for students applying to study history, politics, and international relations, particularly those preparing for interviews. To benefit fully from Model United Nations, students must be prepared to argue their case. If your child is interested in international affairs and enjoys problem-solving, negotiation, and debate, this activity would be an excellent fit for them.
Location: King’s High – CH4
Cost: £TBC
Open to: Year 11+
Advanced Science Exploration: Hands-On Lab Experience
This is the ideal activity for committed scientists who love to experiment, investigate, and ponder. Freed from the confines of the syllabus, we aim high, aspiring to develop synthesis, analysis and applied techniques more commonly used in undergraduate laboratories. Students work alongside each other, developing communication skills as they form efficient working relationships. There is a degree of responsibility, some of the techniques require careful risk assessment, and the quality of results will depend upon each student’s own experimental diligence as well as their ability to work as a team. We offer options in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Engineering, and we anticipate that students might choose to follow the particular strand that appeals to them. Pupils who have an interest in undertaking a degree in science, or related degree, will find this activity helpful for their UCAS application; participation in this unique programme has proved to give students the edge when applying to prestigious universities.
Location: King’s High – B4l
Cost: £TBC
Open to: Year 12+
Unleash Your Musical Talent: Join Friday Afternoon Bands and Choirs
If you enjoy playing in a band, singing in a choir, or playing in a small ensemble, then there is space on Friday afternoons to come together to play in a variety of groups.
You will be able to choose the styles of music and composition of the groups will depend on who signs up to be involved, but it can include rock/pop groups (like our Thursday afternoon School of Rock last year) a capella singing groups (like our Ragazze group) or small classical instrumental groups (duos, trios, quartets) on other instruments.
Our initial goal would be to prepare something to perform at around Christmas time, either in a school concert or perhaps going busking around the school or out in Leamington!
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £0
Open to: Years (9-13)
Get fit and have fun at the KTSC club on a Friday afternoon
For the first half of the term, you will be in groups of four learning and improving your squash technique under the guidance of a qualified coach. From after half-term, you will be also given the opportunity to learn Padel which the LTA describes as: “Padel is a sport for anyone and everyone. There’s a reason why it’s one of the fastest growing sports in the world – it’s easy to pick up and much more difficult to put down. No matter your age or ability, everyone is welcome on the padel court. You don’t have to have played tennis – or any other sport before – just grab a bat, a doubles partner, and away you go!”
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £60
Open to: Years (9-13)
Do you know your downhill from your slalom? Want to perfect your parallel turns?
Come along to the Midland Ski Club at The Ackers Adventure Centre in Birmingham. The September term will concentrate on refining the techniques of those that have skied before. The club is therefore limited to the first 15 students who fulfil these criteria.
The session will be led by the head coach and start at 2:30pm until 3:30pm. Transport will therefore leave The Kingsley School at 1:30pm (or as advised at the start of term). Return to The Kingsley School will be at approximately 4:30pm.
Once a month there is ‘Winter Race League’ from 6pm-9pm, which you are strongly recommended to attend. Parents will need to meet you at the ski slope at 3:30pm or collect you from The Kingsley School at 4:30pm and take you independently.
In future terms, depending on levels of demand, we will look to source additional ski coaches who can support from beginner level up.
Location: Akers Birmingham
Cost: Approximately £320 (subject to a minimum group size of 10 students). This includes training from a professional coach and equipment hire if needed (skis, poles and helmet). In addition, annual membership of the Midland Ski Club is required (this includes insurance) of £23 per annum.
Open to: Years (9-13)
Discover Wellbeing Strategies at the Five Ways to Wellbeing Club
Feeling stressed or overwhelmed? Interested in learning how to enhance your wellbeing and lead a more balanced and happier life? The Five Ways to Wellbeing Club could be for you!
If you often find yourself feeling stressed or overwhelmed and you're interested in learning how to enhance your wellbeing and lead a more balanced and happier life, then the Five Ways to Wellbeing Club is for you!
Together, we’ll explore the causes of stress and a variety of effective strategies to manage and improve your mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing. Each week, you’ll discover new ways to boost your mood, reduce stress, and build resilience. Activities will include yoga, mindful drawing, colouring, and walking, mini challenges, meditation, breathwork, and so much more – there’s something for everyone!
Location: Kingsley Senior School
Cost: £60
Open to: Years (9-13)