The Combined Cadet Force

The broad function is to provide an organisation within a school so that boys and girls may develop powers of leadership, self-discipline, responsibility, self-reliance, endurance, resourcefulness and perseverance through a wide variety of experiences and activities.

All cadets begin with basic training within the three services consisting of drill and inspection, map & compass and service knowledge. Thereafter some specialisation occurs relevant to individual service chosen:

  • Royal Navy: activities concerned mainly with water – swimming test, sailing, wind-surfing, navigation, knots, etc.
  • Army: land based activities including field craft, skill at arms, battle craft and the use of camouflage. 
  • Royal Air Force: concerned with flying and gliding courses, principles of flight, air navigation, engines, aircraft recognition, meteorology, etc.

All cadets have the opportunity to take part in adventure training at weekends and during holidays.  Activities include camping, fell-walking, climbing, abseiling, sailing, canoeing and orienteering.  The CCF supports long distance events such as the Ten Tors across Dartmoor.

In addition, cadets can attend annual camps and a variety of courses run by the services.  These involve spending up to a week at a military establishment and are attended in both large and small groups.

The CCF is supported by the Ministry of Defence and as such is a uniformed organisation.  The uniform is provided free except for boots.  It gives boys and girls a great opportunity to take part in activities that would not otherwise be available. There is no emphasis whatsoever placed on recruitment into the services.

 

KS4 Extra Sports Options

FITNESS or SWIM – Northcroft Leisure Centre

Have you always wished the school had a fitness suite or swimming pool? Now is your opportunity to opt for one of these options based at Northcroft Leisure Centre. Select one of the following pathways to improve your fitness levels whilst learning valuable life skills to improve confidence in engaging with these fun recreational activities.

Fitness  

If you opt for Fitness, each week you will be in a group that rotates around three different activities for approximately 20 minutes:

  • Activity one is a spin class which is facilitated by an externally qualified spin instructor. Spin is a fun aerobic workout on stationary bikes indoors to dance music.
  • Activity two will be using the fitness suite. You will be given a full gym induction in order to learn how to use the equipment safely and carry out your own personal fitness programme. With a range of cardiovascular equipment, resistance machines and functional movement/bodyweight area, this option allows you to improve a range of fitness components from strength to endurance. 
  • Activity three will be you using the Northcroft sports hall to take part in recreational sports such as badminton, football and basketball.

Requirements:

  • Motivated to improve personal fitness.
  • Respectful and considerate of members of the public

Swim 

An opportunity to improve your swimming strokes, learn about personal survival skills and enjoy being in the water. You will be taught how to optimise your swimming efficiency, whilst learning how to be safe in the water with others and potentially save lives. This is an excellent chance to improve a life skill that will help to increase your confidence in the water as well as improving fitness levels along the way. In the summer there may also be an opportunity to use the outside lido.

Requirements:

  • A basic level of swimming ability (the aim is to work on this so you do not already need to be at a high level)
  • Motivated and driven to learn more about swimming technique and personal survival
  • Respectful and considerate of members of the public 

 

LIVING FOR SPORT

Are you enthusiastic and passionate about sport? If so, then this option could be for you! You will have two hours of recreational sport based at school plus other exciting opportunities to venture out and try different sports including golf and martial arts. The aims of this option are to increase activity levels, whilst building confidence and teamwork skills through the power of sport. 

Requirements:

  • Keen sports person who loves PE and just wants to do more!
  • Open to participating in a range of sports

 

ST BART’S SPORTS LEADERS AWARD 

The course aims to give students an appreciation of what is required to lead a good sports session.  To complete the course, commitment must be maintained over Year 10 and Year 11. At the end of Year 11 all students will be issued with an award which is based on their commitment and volunteering over the two years.

Requirements:

  • Students need to be passionate about sport
  • Students need to have a good record of behaviour as they will be representing the school during Primary school visits
  • Students need to have shown a keen and enthusiastic approach to sport at KS3

Course Structure:

  1.  Plan, lead and evaluate a sport/activity session.
  2. Developing leadership skills.
  3. Safeguarding
  4. Adapting activity session to be inclusive
  5. Lead activities that promote a healthy lifestyle.
  6. Organise and deliver a sports event or competition.
  7. Using Leadership skills.

Students assist in PE lessons, at extra-curricular practices, with House events and attend a Primary school to put their leadership skills into practice.

Please note class size is limited and students should think carefully about their second choice.

 

Community Action

The Community Action programme provides students with an opportunity to do important and meaningful work in the community. It will involve:

  • regular support work within local primary schools, supporting classroom teachers and supporting students with reading and other core skills.
  • supporting the community through active participation in local volunteer groups. We are looking to develop projects with Mencap/Swings and Smiles/West Berkshire Libraries and the Volunteer Centre, West Berkshire.
  • developing ways of sharing ‘community action’ across the school, raising awareness and raising participation across all years.
  • supporting and mentoring some students in Y7-9 with reading and other core skills.

Dance Leader Award

The Award in Dance Leadership is an award for students under 16, which allows them to lead dance activities in the community. Dance Leaders help give students the chance to develop their passion for dance whilst also gaining life changing skills and experiences; such as creating and delivering dances to local Primary Schools. St Bart’s holds a fantastic relationships with local Schools and uses this as an opportunity for students to learn essential skills. Students learn to become independent through planning/organising individual and group events, teaching/coaching, presenting, working effectively as a team, developing resilience, communication and confidence.

As a Dance Leader, students will become advocates for leadership and assist to develop and encourage their peers and younger students. They will achieve this by gaining the skills necessary to coach, lead dance clubs and other extra-curricular activities to help others become more physically and actively engaged.

Dance Leadership is the perfect way to diversify your enrichment, participate in creative challenges and contribute to the community.

Requirements:

  • You need to be passionate about dancing
  • You must have dance experience
  • You need to have shown a keen and enthusiastic approach to dance at KS3 and a good behaviour record.
  • You must show commitment and dedication to extra-curricular opportunities as you will be required to support school clubs, House dance competition and lead dance sessions at local Primary schools.

Course Structure:

  1. Plan, lead and review a dance activity: choreographing dances, learning how to deliver material, how to plan an event.
  2. Developing leadership skills: creating/managing rehearsals, roles and responsibilities for productions, delivering extra-curricular sessions.
  3. Lead activities that promote a healthy lifestyle: lead groups for an event, promoting/encouraging others.
  4. The relationship of music to dance: selecting appropriate music for all opportunities, developing an understanding of impact of music for dance works.
  5. Use a stimulus to create a dance piece: being a dancer for others choreographies, choreographing your own work on others, creating your own intentions to communicate to different audiences.
  6. Opportunities in dance: extra-curricular events, workshops, dance clubs, House Dance, dance shows, Arts Council.

Please note class size is limited and students should think carefully about their second choice.

If you have any questions, please contact Mrs Hoult, Head of Dance (ahoult@stbarts.co.uk)

Horticulture  

This option will involve working as a team in the outdoors to enhance the school grounds.  This will include:

  •       Growing and harvesting fruit and vegetables
  •       Propagating plants from seed and cuttings
  •       Developing the Nature Reserve
  •       Constructing features for display on the school grounds
  •       Landscaping skills

 Recent projects include:

  •       Designing and developing the Heritage Garden
  •       Designing and building the Heritage Garden fountain
  •       Making the giant bird feeder in the Nature Reserve
  •       Building the stream and waterfall in the Nature Reserve
  •       Developing and maintaining a wildflower meadow
  •       Growing and selling plants

Horticulture is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle and an appreciation for the natural world, whilst learning skills that will help you become a great gardener or landscaper in the future.  You will need to work in the great outdoors (even when it is cold and wet!) and be willing to work hard, but will get great satisfaction from the achievements of the team.

 

 

Introduction to Social Science

Social Science is the study of society and the manner in which people behave and influence the world around us. We offer a range of Social Science subjects in our Sixth Form, including Law, Psychology, Sociology, Criminology and Politics. This Key Stage 4 Extra programme will give you a taster of some of these subjects through debates, projects, visits and guest speakers to help you make an informed decision about your option choices. We will explore some of the more exciting topics on the A Level specifications including police powers, murder, forensic science and gender stereotypes in education.

Please note that you can select Social Science subjects in our Sixth Form without completing this introductory programme. 

 

Visual Arts Award

The Arts Award is an award for young people from 11 to 25 years, which allows them to develop their interest in Art through technique classes, leading Art workshops, researching artists, and attending exhibitions. The Arts Award aims to develop talent, new experiences, teamwork and leadership skills, communication and organisation.

Requirements:

  • You should have an interest in Art
  • You must be motivated to work hard and complete Independent Study tasks

The Arts Award Course in Art offers you the opportunity to gain a Bronze Arts Award in Years 10 & 11. To achieve the Bronze Award you will:

  • Take part in regular Art classes developing your skills, knowledge and interest in Art
  • Have the opportunity to attend an Art exhibition, reviewing your experiences
  • Research an artist you have an interest in
  • Lead a short Art Workshop to a key stage 3 class.

Evidence is required for each part; this is presented in a portfolio.

At St Bart’s, we focus on Fine Art for the Visual Arts Award but please be aware that if you have a keen interest in photography, this can be one of the workshop skills that you develop and include within your portfolio.

 

St Bartholomew’s School, Andover Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 6JP

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