THE CO-CURRICULUM
The importance of academic learning at Sevenoaks is a given ; our students are exceptional learners and excel in their academic subjects . This is in part a result of our emphasis on experiential learning outside of the classroom and the way our cocurricular programme accentuates learning inside the classroom . A Sevenoaks education recognises the interconnections between the two curricula in order to develop the balanced whole person . This education is paramount in equipping our students with the skills they will need to succeed in the future .
In particular , the co-curriculum focuses on developing our students ’ soft skills : resilience , communication , leadership , creativity , empathy and others . Whether it is on the sports field , in the concert hall , in the drama studio or on a mountain , we want our students to work together so they can learn about others , but also about themselves . Experiential learning empowers our students and provides them with a deeper sense of agency by challenging them to step out of their comfort zones and asking them to find creative and collective solutions to problems .
The co-curricular programme provides students with the opportunity to try as many different activities as possible . Our Sport , Music , Drama and Art departments emphasise breadth and depth , and provide opportunities for every student , regardless of ability , to achieve their best potential . We have a large CCF and almost all of our students choose to complete the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh ’ s Award , with a high percentage progressing to
Silver and Gold . We also offer hundreds of staff and student-led clubs and activities , ranging from Anthropology to Bridge to Coding to Taekwondo and Yoga .
Service and partnerships , alongside social responsibility and social impact also come under the co-curricular umbrella and are fundamental to a Sevenoaks education . Sevenoaks students understand that they have a duty to others and that giving back to local , national and international communities is a normal part of what we do . Through research , reflection and selfawareness , students are able to create practical and sustainable solutions to issues . This leads to their active engagement in various service and partnership projects whereby they are able to develop critical and strategic skills that allow them to address many social concerns and enact positive social impact .
Embracing challenges , exploring new possibilities , developing lifelong passions and working collectively with others to achieve common goals prepares our students for their future beyond Sevenoaks . This is at the core of our co-curricular programme but , most importantly , all of this is based on the objectives of excitement , fun and smiling faces ; the perfect criteria for positive and engaged learning .
Sally Walmsley Deputy Head Co-curriculum
62 THE MIDDLE SCHOOL | AT SEVENOAKS