Senior Enrichment

At St. Francis’, all students are actively encouraged to become involved in as many activities as they can reasonably manage to complement their studies. Activities take place during lunchtimes, after school or at weekends, and play an essential part in the creation of confident, healthy individuals, able to make the most of their leisure time.

The creative and performing arts have a strong tradition at St. Francis’. We offer tuition in many instruments with opportunities to play in the College Orchestra, Wind Ensemble and other groups. We stage two major productions per year in our purpose-built theatre.

Sport is encouraged at all levels of ability. Students can play competitive games against other schools, as well as enjoy different recreational pursuits such as aerobics and golf.

Most of our students participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme and have the opportunity to join school trips to places in the UK and abroad to raise awareness of different environments and cultures.

The Senior School offers the following clubs/opportunities:

* These clubs are available to limited year groups. Please note that the activities offered vary from term to term and some do incur a charge.

Please click here to download a copy of the current activities timetable.

All students have structured PE as part of their curriculum. The College also runs a programme of extra activities to complement this, including some specialist disciplines at an extra cost.

We believe that students should have the opportunity to play in competitive fixtures and have an inclusive sports policy. We schedule upwards of 200 sports fixtures a year and students wishing to represent St. Francis’ are expected to attend clubs. We also enter students for county and national trails. Students are encouraged to train with outside clubs to further improve their performance.

Clubs are offered in a wide range of sporting disciplines, including:

• Athletics
• Cross Country
• Football
• Hockey
• Netball
• Rounders
• Tennis
• Swimming

There are many opportunities for students to perform and develop their talent. We are fortunate to have our own 320 seat West End-style theatre which provides a fabulous performance environment. There are also opportunities for students to help backstage or to work on the sound and lighting of school productions.

During the Autumn term, we audition and rehearse weekly for our whole-school production, which is performed in February. This alternates each year between a play and a musical and brings together all the students from Years 7 to 13, and the performances are to an incredibly high standard.

In the Summer term, students in Years 7-10 are invited to take part in a performance of a non-musical production.

Outside of College, students a given many opportunities to participate in competitions and festivals in the local community.

St. Francis’ Music Department offers many opportunities for the students outside of lessons. It hosts Associated Board and Trinity exams every term and these are a very popular way of giving direction and showing progress. We have visiting specialist teachers of voice, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, oboe, keyboard, piano, brass and drum kit along with opportunities to improve students’ theory work and aural training.

The Department holds two termly after school concerts for students to perform solo and duet pieces in the Chapel. Soloists and organ students are also encouraged to perform at weekly assemblies. Over the academic year there are two large scale concerts hosted in the theatre where all the school ensembles are invited to perform. Students also organise their own small ensembles and bands and student leadership is encouraged.

Music groups include different choirs, Rock Band, Jazz group, Orchestra, Flute Choir and Wind Group

Dance lessons are offered in Tap, Ballet and Modern and taught in our purpose-built Dance Studio. In all genres, the work progresses through various levels building on the lessons previously learned, as well as adding new skills.

Musicality and artistry are valued highly and taught equally as technical detail and execution. Care of the growing child is emphasised, as is the knowledge of anatomy as it relates specifically to the dancer and the possible effect of dance on the growing body. Enjoyment and the love of dance is paramount in all lessons. All individuals are encouraged to achieve their full potential and develop their skills to their best possible ability.

As students progress through the grades the work increases both in physical and mental difficulty, giving new challenges and a greater sense of achievement. There is also the opportunity to take part in our biennial charity show which is a highlight for all of our dance students.

Our Senior School students have the opportunity to study their chosen dance genres up to vocational level and can also gain valuable UCAS points for their university applications. All examinations are QCF recognised and help to prepare any students considering a career in the performing arts as well as helping them gain the confidence and poise required for any interview or chosen career.

LAMDA (The London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art) is the oldest drama school in the UK. Founded in 1861, LAMDA has been offering practical examinations in communication and performance for over 130 years.

We provide the opportunity for students from Years 4 – 13 to have practical lessons in speech, communication, and performance. The aim is to provide everyone with the opportunity to develop the life skills they need to be a success, wherever the future takes them.

Lessons are held once a week for thirty minutes and there are ten lessons per term. Lessons are generally with two pupils sharing the time, as they learn from each other’s efforts and can work as a pair as well as individually.

LAMDA examiners visit St. Francis’ in May each year for the examination sessions.

St. Francis’ College runs a very successful Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme in which most of our students participate.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is committed to providing young people with an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development, which is of the highest quality and the widest reach. The Award is widely recognised by employers and those involved in education.

Some of the benefits include developing self-confidence and self-reliance; gaining a sense of achievement and a sense of responsibility; discovering new skills, interests and talents and developing leadership skills and abilities. Participants can also discover exciting opportunities; make new friends; experience teamwork, problem solving and decision making; increase their motivation; enhance their self-esteem and develop their communication skills. They will, of course, have fun!

The award is a four-section programme, with three levels.

• Bronze – 14 years and over
• Silver – 15 years and over
• Gold – 16 years and over

Sections involve:

• Volunteering – helping people in the community.
• Skills – covering almost any hobby, skill or interest.
• Physical Recreation – sport, dance and fitness.
• Expeditions – training for, planning and completing a journey on foot, horseback, by boat or bicycle.
• Residential Project (Gold Award Only) – a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant.
• Bronze Award 6 – 12 months.
• Silver Award 12 – 18 months.
• Gold Award 18 – 24 months.

The College enjoys an outstanding reputation for students completing their award at all three levels, and every year our recipients of the Gold Award are invited to attend a special recognition ceremony at Buckingham Palace. Expeditions run throughout the academic year as well as in school holidays. Destinations currently include the Chilterns and the Peak District, amongst others.

Five Star Week is one week dedicated to enriching trips and activities which runs across the College towards the end of the summer term. This week-long immersive experience not only enriches pupils’ education, but also empowers them to embrace their own dreams and thrive in all aspects of their lives.

School trips are a valuable component of the educational experience at St. Francis’ College, providing students with opportunities for experiential learning beyond the confines of the classroom. These excursions play a pivotal role in fostering holistic development and nurturing well-rounded individuals. Students at the College enjoy a range of unique trips which complement their in-school learning in the following ways:

1. Hands-On Learning:

One of the key advantages of school trips is the opportunity they provide for hands-on learning. Practical experiences often leave a lasting impact on students’ understanding of various subjects. Our A Level Biology Antibiotics Unearthed trip, for example, enables students to witness the practical application of theoretical knowledge. This hands-on approach not only enhances academic understanding but also encourages a deeper appreciation for the subjects being studied. Seeing first-hand the Geographical features of geysers in Iceland brings this fascinating topic to life.

2. Cultural Exposure and Global Awareness:

School trips offer students the chance to step outside their comfort zones and personally experience different cultures. Exposure to diverse environments fosters a sense of global awareness, helping students develop tolerance, empathy, and a broader perspective. Our charity partnership with the Kanyike Project in Uganda, together with our exchange with the Union World School in India, allows our students to immerse themselves in different customs, traditions, and ways of life, contributing to their cultural competence. True Adventure expeditions to Costa Rica and Ecuador have allowed our students to live and volunteer in rural communities.

3. Team Building and Social Skills:

Trips provide a unique setting for students to interact with their peers and teachers in a less formal environment. Collaborative activities and shared experiences during trips contribute to the development of essential social skills. Whether it’s navigating a challenging hiking trail on a Duke of Edinburgh expedition or working together to build a raft at Grafham Water or Stanborough Lakes, students learn the importance of teamwork, communication, and cooperation, skills that are invaluable in both academic and real-world scenarios. Let’s not forget it is also simply good fun, such as our visits to the inflatable Aqua Park at Box End!

4. Building Independence and Resilience:

Being away from home and unfamiliar surroundings during a school trip encourages students to become more independent and resilient. Negotiating new environments, managing personal responsibilities, and making decisions away from the comfort of home contribute to the development of self-reliance. These experiences help students build confidence and adaptability, preparing them for the challenges they may face in their future endeavours. Our Year 7 and 8 residential trip to France fosters this sense of increased independence in a supportive environment. Once the students reach our Sixth Form, they enjoy cultural weekends away to locations such as Barcelona and Amsterdam, where they are given the freedom to explore the city and make lasting memories.

5. Cementing Classroom Learning:

Trips have the potential to reinforce classroom learning by providing practical examples that students can relate to. For instance, our Latin students studying the ancient civilisations benefit greatly from their visit to the Roman museums, in both St Albans and Colchester, where students can witness first-hand the remnants of past civilisations. This connection between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications solidifies understanding and makes learning more meaningful, none more so than visiting significant historical sites, be it the First World War battlefields around Ypres, or the landing beaches of Normandy studied as part of the Second World War.
These trips and visits are integral to the holistic development of St. Francis’ College students. By offering hands-on learning experiences, exposure to diverse cultures, opportunities for social skill development, and fostering independence, these excursions play a crucial role in shaping well-rounded individuals. As educators, we recognise the transformative power of school trips and remain committed to providing our students with these enriching experiences that contribute to their academic success and personal growth.