Charity and fund raising
Through tutor groups and the Houses students are encouraged to raise funds for charity. Various activities are organised including sponsored events, “Stars in their Eyes”, variety shows, charity concerts, non-uniform days etc.
Each year many charities benefit from the generosity of time and effort and at least £3000 per annum is raised for charities including LOROS, Help the Aged, Barnardos Appeal, Neo-Natal Unit at the Leicester Royal Infirmary, RSPCA, etc.
Community service
Students are encouraged to participate in community service. A variety of projects have been developed with local charities such as the annual Christmas Hamper Appeal with Help the Aged, the planting of bulbs with the Rotary Club of Wigston, the Handicapped Cookery Course assisted by staff and students and the placements in local homes for the elderly.
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
This is a highly successful and a well-participated out of hours activity. Each year eighty students enjoy the challenge of bronze, silver or gold level, and they participate in a wide range of activities including expectations in North Wales, the Peak District and Yorkshire Dales.
ICT Clubs
The ICT Department operate a range of opportunities for students before, during and after College hours. The facilities are available for all students with opportunities for specific age and gender groups.
Inter House Competitions
There are a wide variety of inter-House competitions. These include the sports day, hockey, netball, soccer, badminton and rugby. Also, there are competitions such as poetry reading and writing, Chef of the Year, Youth Speaks and so on.
Library
The Library is available as a resource and study facility for all students from 8.15am to 4.15pm. All students have an induction into the Library during their first few days at the College.
The Library offers ICT facilities, books, videos, newspapers, periodicals and journals.
Master classes
Increasingly, especially in Performing Arts, there are a range of master classes offered during out of college hours. These may be at the College or at local venues such as Leicester and De Montfort University, The Phoenix or The Haymarket. They have included the Bimba Dance Company, the Schidloff Orchestra, Julian Joseph Jazz and the Philharmonic.
Mentoring
There are opportunities for students to become involved in mentoring, either as a mentor or mentee. Students in Year 10 and 12 participate as mentors each year with a local High School. Meanwhile students in Year 11 link with outside mentors through the Education Business Partnership to improve their achievement.
Outside speakers and visitors
At times we utilise outside speakers and visitors to the College as a resource. Their contribution is valued and we welcome the opportunity to draw upon the wider community to share their interest and expertise with the students. Such opportunities include Sixth Form General Study presentations, poetry reading, enterprise links, assembly presentations and Artists in Residence.
The following guidelines have been identified to assist such visitors who may not be accustomed to schools and to match expectations to needs. These are:
Visitors should be given advance notice of the composition of the audience/target group and an idea of how their contribution fits into the programmes of study.
In order to inform the visitor of the precise requirements of a group it is advisable for the group to draw up questions in advance and these should be forwarded to the visitor. This will make the experience more relevant and facilitate planning.
Reception/Office should be informed of the date and name of the visitor and this should be noted in the College diary.
The visitor should be welcomed usually by a student and escorted to the appropriate venue.
The vote of thanks should be given by a student and the visitor escorted to Reception/Office before the students are dismissed.
A written acknowledgement of their contribution should be sent to the visitor and appear in the College newsletter.
Participation in local, national and international festivals
Students are given a variety of opportunities to participate in festivals and competitions. These have included the Music Live Festival in Leicester, the Geography World-wide Quiz, the Boosey and Hawkes National Concert Band Festival and the Strasbourg International Theatre Festival.
Performing arts clubs and societies
There is a vast array of dance, drama and musical activity. This includes “BC Dance Group”, “Odd Bods”, Concert Band, Orchestra, Staff Choir, and so on. These clubs and societies offering performing opportunities on a local, national and international scale including performances in local schools, the Richard Attenborough Centre and Haymarket, in regional finals at Northampton and Bedworth, and performances at Hendon and Manchester, and in an international festival in Strasbourg.
Play week and performing arts week
Each year during the holiday period opportunities are offered to the students to participate in activities. These include Easter Sports courses, a Performing Arts Week and a Play Week for youngsters aged 5-14, with Guthlaxton students taking the role as playleaders.
Residentials
A variety of residential opportunities are offered to our students. These include a Year 12 Mathematics Outdoor Pursuits Course, Biology Field week, French Residential, annual skiing trip to the continent, Geography Sixth Form Convention in New York. Clear guidelines are set reflecting both the College and LEA policy on residentials.
Revision and study courses
Throughout the Spring and Summer Term and Easter holidays all departments are encouraged to provide appropriate revision and study courses during out of school hours.
Additional funding for resources and time is available for these activities.
Also, from time to time external study courses are available to our students, such as Villiers Park and the Cambridge Half-term Revision Courses. These are advertised to appropriate students who benefit from attending such opportunities.
Sports clubs and societies
A wide range of opportunities are offered through teachers who are willing to offer support to manage sports teams and activities. The College has a strong reputation in sport and has teams in cross-country, athletics, rugby, soccer, netball, hockey, basketball, trampolining and volleyball. These teams practice and play matches regularly throughout the College year, and they participate in local and county competitions.
Other sports societies include chess and bridge and are attended by a broad range of students.
Sports leaders
Students are offered the opportunity of participating in the Junior and Senior Sports Leadership Awards to gain a qualification and to act in out of school hours as sports leaders in various sporting competitions and events.
Trips and visits
All departments offer a range of trips and visits for all students. These include theatre trips to local theatres, Stratford, Nottingham and London, exhibition visits to the New Walk Museum, Snibson Discovery Park and the NEC, university visits, lecture and conference opportunities to Aston and Coventry University, New York, and so on.
Visual arts, food technology and design
The Art, Textile, Food Technology and Design Departments offer out of hours activities for students. These include visits to art galleries, museums, the Good Food Show and design exhibitions. Opportunities to use the specialist facilities are available throughout the year with a number of competitions such as the Technology Challenge, Healthy Eating Competition and designing a Christmas card.
Work placements
All students have the opportunity to seek appropriate work placements in the community. These are offered as part of the curriculum, during the final two weeks of the Summer term. In addition students are encouraged to seek placements during the school holidays to assist them in making sensible career choices.
Workshops
Across the College there are many workshop opportunities involving various groups of students. These include Asian and African Dance, Indian art and pottery, paper making, trampolining, football skills and RSA CLAIT ICT opportunities.
Young engineers
A Young Engineers Club operates in the College presenting students with the opportunity of becoming young engineers.
Young Enterprise
The College has a strong tradition in Young Enterprise. Each year at least one Young Enterprise Company functions, developing strong business links locally and performing successfully in the regional competition.