Life Beyond the Classroom

Examples of Extra Curricular Activities

Combined Cadet Force (CCF)

Students from Year 9 upwards are invited to join the Combined Cadet Force. It meets every Tuesday evening and on occasional weekends. There are Field Days, involving visits to Army training areas, and regular opportunities for RAF cadets to go flying

The CCF has an army and RAF section. Students can open up new and exciting challenges for themselves, take on positions of responsibility and improve their leadership skills. They can become involved in learning how to operate a store and other administrative tasks, on planning and taking lessons on the `recruit' or `advanced' courses.

The CCF can be linked into the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme as many of the skills overlap. Throughout the year there are opportunities to participate in hill walking, rock climbing, canoeing, sailing and other skills such as military exercises, first aid and the use of radios, to name but a few. The Combined Cadet Force is not just for those interested in a military career - it is for everyone.

Drama

For those who have an interest in drama, there is always a lot going on. Plays and performances are put on regularly in the school's theatre, either within Year groups or across the whole school. The productions might be small-scale, one-act plays which students are performing as part of their examination syllabus, or large-scale productions, either for year groups or for students across the age ranges.

Rehearsals take place during lesson time, for drama students, and at weekends in the run up to the performance. The Drama club also helps out with backstage management and technical support in other school productions.

Recent examples of Ratcliffe productions include Year 7's `Myths and Legends', four one-act plays by Year 11 students for their GCSE course, and a whole school `Multi-Cultural Evening' which showcased the talents of many Ratcliffe students. All productions, whatever their size, require a cast, a technical crew, a stage crew and lots of helpers. The skills of the theatre are skills that can be used well beyond school and all students can take advantage of the busy drama programme to make a valuable contribution.

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme (D of E)

The Duke of Edinburgh's Award Scheme is open to all students in Year 9 and above. It is a programme for young people that is known and recognised throughout the world. There are three levels to the programme, Bronze, Silver and Gold. At each level, students choose activities from four sections - Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and the Expedition. Individual challenge is the essence of the Award, requiring assessed improvement from each student's own starting point. Students set their own goals and are accredited for each section.

The scheme offers the chance to participate in a range of interesting, challenging and worthwhile activities. A student could become a thespian, lead a team through hazardous country, score goals for the county, spend a week on the high seas, or make a real difference to the lives of others. Students are encouraged to develop their existing interests and to try new ones. The opportunities are endless. In taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award, they learn by experience the commitment, enterprise and effort required for success, discovering a great deal about themselves, and come to appreciate the enjoyment of working with, and for, other people.

This is a very worthwhile activity and students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the many benefits offered by the Award.

Music

The Music Department offers many opportunities for students to participate in musical activities, whether or not they are studying music at GCSE or A Level. The school choir sings a wide range of music and, in addition to concert performances, works closely with the Chaplaincy Team in preparing music for special services.

The Senior Band offers the opportunity for instrumentalists to perform a varied and often challenging programme of music. The String Group and Wind Band cater for musicians of all abilities and encourage students to enjoy playing music with other people. Regular workshop sessions allow students to follow their own interests, be it performing, composing, music ICT or music theory.

In addition to ensemble work, the Music Department offers opportunities for soloists to perform at many school functions. These include recitals in the Autumn and the Spring Terms, and the ever-popular Picnic Concert in the Summer Term. Alongside the main ensembles, the department encourages students to form and rehearse their own groups using the department facilities during lunch and prep times.

The Shalom Team

The team members work together under the guidance of the Chaplaincy Assistant to use their talents in music, art, drama, dance and communication skills to enhance and enrich the liturgies and services. In particular, they help to organise the School Masses and Assemblies. This is an excellent opportunity for students to make a positive contribution to the life of the school.

Sport

Physical Education plays an important part in the extra curricular-programme. A major emphasis of the programme is the pursuit of excellence and school representation in the major sports teams, which include rugby, boys' and girls' hockey, netball, football, cricket, tennis, swimming and athletics. Ratcliffe has a strong reputation for the quality of its sports teams and all students are encouraged to join in. Practices take place after school, with inter-school fixtures on Saturday mornings and afternoons and occasional mid-week matches. In addition, we try to offer a wide range of activities for students to enjoy, from trampolining to basketball, fitness and the use of the weights room, life saving and swimming training. Whether or not students are a beginner, an expert or keen to learn and improve, they are welcome to try any or all of the activities. Although the evening activity programme is aimed mainly at the boarders, there is nothing to stop day students joining in. It is a well-established fact that physical exercise is extremely beneficial for those who wish to succeed in their studies, and the facilities at the school allow plenty of opportunities for students to get involved with the busy sporting programme.

Voluntary Service

The school is keen to encourage Sixth Form students to involve themselves with its Voluntary Service programme, reinforcing the message that service to others is also of benefit to those who serve. Many students give their free time to help others, both within the school community and beyond. Some students provide assistance for staff and younger children in the Nursery School and the Junior Department. Others help to maintain the Peace Garden, sort and distribute items for the Mother Teresa charity, help with the HCPT pilgrimage to Lourdes or coach sport to other students. Voluntary service also takes place outside the school whenever possible, helping at local primary schools or residential homes for the elderly.