Education does not simply finish at the classroom door. We believe that extra-curricular activities form a vital element in the development of our students. At West Hatch we offer a wide range of challenging and exciting activities taking place at lunch times and after school which students are actively encouraged to take part in. They will have the opportunity to set up and run their own min-enterprise, become a Junior Sports Leader or cause a stir as master chefs!
High quality music, dance and drama performances are popular events involving students from across the age range.
West Hatch participates fully in a variety of competitive fixtures with other schools. We have an impressive track record in producing successful teams and individual competitors in a range of sports.
Our students regularly enjoy fieldwork trips and visits to the theatre, museums and galleries. International trips to Europe and the USA also help to broaden their horizons. All students in Year 7 benefit from the Gilwell experience and in Year 8 test themselves at the Outdoor Activities Centre in Harlow. Students also have the opportunity to participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and later become involved in the World Challenge.
Every year students are offered the chance to participate in a very wide range of educational trips and visits. These range from sports trips to Florida and Dubai , a Ski trip in America , Fieldwork in Geography and Biology to Europe and within Britain , visits to a Shik temple, a mosque, the battlefields of France , day trips to France . Higher Education Conventions, Business related trips, theatre trips, and trips to France and Germany to support their language acquisition are to name but a few.
In addition to residential programmes to Gilwell and Harlow Outdoor Pursuits Centre, pupils have the opportunity to represent the school at local district and national level. In addition extra curricular clubs and practices take place in the following areas, Basket Ball, Swimming, Football (boys and girls), Rugby, Fitness Training, Hockey, Netball, Athletics, Sailing, Fencing, Aerobics, Gymnastics, Cricket, Cross Country, Taekwan Do and Table Tennis.
We operate the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme at Bronze, Silver and Gold level.
Dance classes run weekly and students stage annually two Dance evenings which are extremely popular. A number of mini enterprises operate with students creating small businesses which they run very successfully. ‘The Pot People’ is one such company which grows and sells flowers and bulbs for a number of occasions throughout the year.
We have a thriving Music department with six peripatetic teachers visiting the school offering tuition on fourteen instruments. The school boasts a very successful steelband who have performed live on television, at the Royal Albert Hall, Chelmsford Cathedral and the Barbican. In addition a Jazz Band, orchestra, choir and ensembles all practice and perform regularly.
We regularly take part in public speaking competitions organised locally. Pupils have a good track record in public speaking and engage in lively debate.
Pupils are entered for a number of local and national competitions. We experience success in the Junior and Senior Maths Challenge at Bronze, Silver and Gold level, in the ‘Young Chefs Award’ and in the ‘Taste of Success’ competition.
Drama is very successful at the school with significant numbers taking the subject at GCSE , AS and A2 Level. With a purpose built Drama Suite, containing a Drama Studio, effective and adventurous presentations are put on. Students are currently rehearsing for Sweeney Todd. Performances are scheduled for Spring Term.
At West Hatch we greatly value the contribution pupils make as Prefects to the wider life and work of the school. Following a successful ‘Community Service’ in the Sixth Form, and if they have demonstrated skills and attributes such as commitment, reliability, flexibility, willingness to get involved, students are awarded Prefect status. Head Boys and Girls are elected on in a Sixth Form Committee. They meet eth the Headteacher regularly. All Prefects carry out a number of duties during the day and at a number of evening events throughout the year.
In addition we operate a system of Prefects for Pupils in Year 11 again for students who have proved themselves to be worthy of this award. Again they contribute via duties and support to the wider life of the school and act as an excellent role model for younger pupils.
The school operates a Student Council which has a number of committees that focus on key areas of school life ranging from the environment to food provision, projects also involving them in conducting research across a number of areas. The Head Boys and Girls sit on the Governor Pupil and Community Committee. The Sixth Form have their own Committee which is both active and successful in bringing about a number of changes.
Community Service
All students in the Sixth Form give back to the school community by offering their services every week by working in departments, assisting with students who find their reading difficult or helping out in a coaching capacity. They also work in a variety of settings outside the school e.g assisting with Cubs, Brownies, helping out in local schools etc. A number of them assist in lessons, helping run practices be it in Sport or Music or with whole school display. Their inputs are invaluable.
Each term the Extra Curricular Activities Programme is published. We encourage as many pupils as possible to come along and to get involved. |