Something for everyone
With over 100 clubs offered across the school there is something for everyone and pupils are encouraged to run their own clubs too. Most of the clubs have no charge and are delivered at lunchtimes or between 4pm and 6pm.
We encourage all pupils to participate in a range of clubs throughout the year covering physical activity, expressive arts and more academic/social clubs. Soft skills such as teamwork, leadership, adaptability, creativity, confidence and time management are often best learnt through the co-curricular programme.
An extensive sporting programme
Sport plays a central role in school life, offering pupils a wide and varied programme designed to inspire participation, build confidence and support physical wellbeing. From traditional team sports such as hockey and netball to individual and specialist activities including tennis, badminton, swimming, archery, riding, climbing and athletics, pupils are encouraged to find activities they enjoy and to challenge themselves at every level.
The recently launched International Football Academy, alongside basketball and cricket, further expands opportunities for both performance focused and recreational athletes. Across all sports, the emphasis is on developing teamwork, resilience and a lifelong love of physical activity, ensuring every pupil can thrive, whether they are competing at a high level or simply enjoying being active.
Broadening horizons through recognised qualifications
Pupils have the opportunity to gain a wide range of nationally and internationally recognised qualifications that extend learning beyond the classroom and support future pathways. These include music and performance qualifications through leading awarding bodies such as Guildhall, Trinity, Associated Boards and LAMDA, as well as participation in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels and Arts Council Arts Awards. Older pupils can also work towards practical and vocational qualifications including the RLSS National Pool Lifeguard Qualification and the Indoor Climbing Wall Assistant Award. In addition, pupils may study and gain qualifications in additional GCSE and A Level languages such as Japanese, Italian, Arabic, Russian, German and Chinese, enabling them to develop valuable skills and broaden their academic and cultural horizons.
Outdoor Activities
As part of the provision of co-curricular activities and opportunities at Malvern St James, we offer a programme of outdoor activities such as Woodland school in the Prep Department, campfires after school and overnight expeditions. As with all outdoor education it is hoped that a lifelong appreciation of nature and the outdoors is formed.
Pupils are encouraged to take part these activities which take them out of their comfort zone. They work together in teams, discovering each other’s strengths and weakness and how to harness the best out of those taking part. They develop skills such as confidence and resilience enabling the students to be better able to face the challenges of the real world.
Special three day residential trips are organised for Years 7 and 9, particularly timed for important stages of your child’s school life. They serve to ‘break the ice’ and are designed to help the pupils get to know each other, forming new, strong friendships and to work effectively with each other. The Year 7 trip goes to Bewdley and The Year 9 Residential goes to South Wales, where personal challenges, caving and canoeing the River Wye help learning, build up individual confidence, whilst emphasising the importance of teamwork.