Extra-curricular

As a school community we believe that there is far more to education than the learning that takes place in the classroom and the collection of qualifications. Participation and engagement in extra-curricular activities allows students to develop their passions and interests, encourages the creation of new friendships and enables our students to experience different challenges. These experiences outside of the classroom help to build the strong community that we have here at King Edward VI Handsworth. There is always an activity available for those who want to get involved. From debate club, dissection society to musical theatre club, there really is something for everyone one and, as most of these clubs take place during our lunch break, all pupils can participate.

The extracurricular timetable changes termly to allow seasonal activities to be included, but it always includes a good mix of subject-based events, sports activities and musical ensembles. There is also the opportunity to experience activities that are completely different – for example the debating society, where we compete against each other and neighbouring schools. The extra-curricular timetables for sport, music and clubs is shared with students and parents on a termly basis.

In addition, there are many activities linked to the performing arts, culminating in the annual school production which is performed over several evenings in collaboration with King Edward VI Aston School. Our most recent productions have included Hairspray, Our House, and most recently Guys and Dolls.

In addition to the activities that take place on a weekly basis, there are many opportunities to travel a little further afield.

A ski trip for years 10-13 runs every 2 years where possible, most recently travelling to New England in America and Quebec, Canada after many years on the slopes of Europe.

During the summer of 2017 and 2019 a group of girls went on a “Far Frontiers” expedition to Sri Lanka and Borneo. Students raised their own funds during the 2 years of planning. The expeditions included a mix of exploration of different areas and a community project in a small village.

Year 9 have a residential week each year, and pupils are able to choose which residential they go on. In 2019 there were outdoor pursuit activities at Whitemoor Lakes in Statffordshire, a German subject based trip to the Rhineland, a History subject based trip to the Battlefields in Belgium and a French subject based trip to Paris.

Click here to see our alternate Wednesday afternoon programme

Extracurricular TimeTable 2023-2024