Beyond the Classroom
What other areas of school life can pupils thrive in at Collegiate?
Art
The arts really are for everyone at Collegiate. Whether you are a talented musician or keen to start from scratch, have trodden the boards before or just want to get involved, we encourage you to give it a go and find your talent. We celebrate each success, each expression of personality and each artistic achievement.
That we embrace and revel in the arts motivates our pupils to get out there and give it a go, to feel pride in their involvement, however big or small.
Drama & Theatre
Our strong tradition of drama sees pupils develop their acting talents in a real theatre environment both on the stage in our very own Harry Crook Theatre and in the exceptional Drama Club and Tech Club which see pupils learn new skills, explore their interests and build their confidence.
Collegiate stages an exciting programme of theatrical performances throughout the year, from large scale musicals involving over one hundred pupils to smaller scale dramas allowing the most talented junior and senior pupils to excel both as actors and backstage.
There are regular opportunities for pupils to watch professional productions at Bristol Old Vic, the Hippodrome, the Tobacco Factory and beyond, while we enjoy welcoming a range of actors to perform and lead workshops at Collegiate to expose pupils to a range of theatrical styles.
Music
Music at Collegiate is rich and varied, forming a core part of our curriculum. Through singing, instrument playing, music theory and composition, music benefits so much from creativity and discipline to concentration and expression of joy.
We welcome professional performers to the school to deliver specialist workshops and master classes across all musical genres. We have choirs, orchestras, ensembles and bands galore across the school that perform at local events and in our wide-ranging calendar of performances. Musicians may perform as part of a mass choir in Bristol Cathedral, to the school community at Live Lounge evenings and to their peers in the House Music competition. The House Song contest sees all pupils perform impressive song and dance routines led by senior pupils. All pupils have the opportunity to learn musical instruments as part of their weekly timetable with subsidised lessons available to year 7 pupils through the Blast project which encourages pupils to learn a new instrument.
Sports
Our strong sporting tradition is at the heart of school life. We encourage everyone to get involved because physical education is important for a healthy mind and allows each pupil to develop self-esteem and a strong team ethic.
At Collegiate we value and nurture sporting excellence, arranging a full fixture list for pupils of all talents to represent the school, usually at weekends either at away games or on our immaculately maintained 30 acres of onsite sports fields. All pupils experience strength and conditioning training while some pupils have timetables adapted to allow for additional sports coaching. We are proud not just of those who perform at the highest levels for A teams, regional sides and internationally, but also for those who develop as B, C and D team players. We enter teams and individuals for a wide range of national competitions and, given our wonderful facilities, we host many tournaments at Collegiate.
We’re also keen to explore further afield with a tours programme that may see teams heading across the UK for a pre-season tour or overseas for an impressive tour and cultural experience. We have strong links with local academies and our expert school coaching is supplemented by visiting professionals and specialists.
Find out the latest fixtures and results here.
The House Cup
The House Cup is a hotly-contested competition that sees all pupils at Collegiate compete in a wide range of activities for the honour of being crowned House Champions. Houses compete in year groups, or at junior, intermediate and senior levels, in many sports including rugby, netball, hockey, badminton and cricket. Beyond the sports fields, teams win points for debating, chess, art, charities and poetry. The two major competitions are the House Cross-Country race and the House Song competition, events that see all House members working as one. The House competition is a great highlight of life at Collegiate and sees all pupils contribute in a respectful, enjoyable and competitive fashion.
Clubs and Societies
The Clubs and Societies Programme is designed to provide pupils with a series of lunchtime and after-school opportunities, split into four different types - Active, Challenge, Creative and Societies. All pupils in Years 7 – 9 must sign up for at least one club, although many sign up for several clubs each week. Older pupils are encouraged to get involved, and some will run their own clubs, or take the opportunity to volunteer as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.
The clubs made available reflect the interests and requests of pupils, and they change from term to term and year to year. Clubs may include football, chess, basketball or axe-throwing. Pupils may join a jazz band, the eco-club or sign up for Drama Club. The Book Club will interest some, while the Debating Club, Politics Club or Literary Society may attract others. Textiles, table tennis, fitness and Science Club may also be available. Lunchtime is busy at Collegiate!
Click HERE to view our latest Clubs & Societies programme.
CCF (Combined Cadet Force)
We are very proud of our Combined Cadet Force, which dates back over 100 years and includes Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force sections. All Year 9 pupils experience one year of training and then many pupils choose to continue their training through to leadership position in Year 10 and beyond.
All three sections run busy programmes of training and trips focused on their area of expertise. The Royal Navy cadets learn seamanship and coastal navigation and have the opportunity to visit naval bases and gain sailing, dingy and powerboat qualifications. Army cadets learn about camouflage, ambushes, patrolling and have opportunities to attend week-long camps at bases run by the army. RAF cadets learn aircraft recognition and have the opportunity to fly gliders and small aircraft.
All cadets learn first aid, map skills, weapons handling, team skills and leadership. Some cadets attend courses to gain extra qualifications while all cadets can sign up for adventure training trips which include rock climbing, canoeing, kayaking and overnight camps.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is an internationally respected programme to encourage teenagers to learn new skills, volunteer their time to the benefit of others and encounter new experiences. We encourage all Year 9 pupils to take the Bronze challenge with the Silver Award available to Year 10 and Year 11 pupils and the Gold Award available to Sixth Formers. Those who successfully complete their Awards receive their certificates at a presentation evening in front of parents and staff. Sixth Formers who complete their Gold Awards are invited to Buckingham Palace to receive their awards from a mix of royalty and inspirational national figures.
To complete their Award, pupils must complete challenges they set themselves across a series of sections: a Physical Recreation, a Skill, a Volunteering Project, an overnight expedition and a Residential Project (for Gold only).
The Award develops pupils’ independence, initiative, resilience and teamwork skills and fits perfectly with Collegiate's aims and ethos.
trips and adventures
To broaden our pupils’ horizons, we offer an extensive range of trips and adventures to encourage them to confront new challenges, enjoy new places and learn what cannot be learnt in the classroom.
The trips available change each year in recognition of pupil interests and opportunities becoming available. We may take pupils to France or Spain to develop their language skills and learn about new cultures. We may take pupils skiing in Europe or the United States to develop those skills and explore that country.
Actors and artists may head to Greece to explore opportunities there. Historians may visit key historical sites in Europe while Geographers may head to Iceland or beyond to understand glaciers, volcanoes and land formations. Sports teams may go on tour across the UK or across the world in search of new and varied competition. Others may train for the World Challenge expedition to an exotic location.
Whether its languages, sports, adventure training or a wealth of subject-specific interest, there are trips for everyone interest at Collegiate.
Volunteering
As Collegiate pupils progress through the school, they are given many opportunities to contribute to the wider community.
Developing pupils into active, interested and positive members of the local community is at the heart of a Collegiate education. Opportunities exist throughout the school to encourage a spirit of volunteering. This may include spending time at local care homes to talk and listen to residents, helping at local primary schools, raising funds for local charitable projects or providing entertainment for local projects.
Pupils volunteer hundreds of hours of their time as part of the Sixth Form outreach programme and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme. In addition, they raise thousands of pounds each year for causes chosen by the pupil Charity Committee.
We are extremely proud of our pupils and their selfless commitment to others and the wider community. These experiences are central to the wider education available at Collegiate.
