Worthing Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2020

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Work hard, do good and engage
Education is about much more than achieving the right grades.
Nick Creed, Deputy Head of Co-curricular at Hurst College
explains why as much value is placed on what goes on outside of
the classroom as inside...
Why does Hurst use the term cocurricular
rather than extra-curricular?
We regard co-curricular activities as
being key to the all-round education of
every individual student, and use the
term co-curricular because we believe
that the activities should run alongside
the academic curriculum as part of the
weekly timetable. We value what goes
on outside of the classroom as much as
what goes on inside, because skills that
are learnt through these activities can be
transferred to the classroom.
Sport and games are compulsory
throughout the week and our service
afternoon is compulsory for students in
Years 10 and 11, whilst the majority of our
Sixth Formers continue to be part of the
service programme. Dance and drama
are compulsory for Year 9 students and
have protected slots as part of the weekly
timetable. Music activities such as the
choir, orchestra and jazz band
also have protected slots. Specialist
sports during games sessions include
archery, climbing, rowing, sailing and
mountain-biking.
Through these activities students will
not only gain certain skills and develop a
range of qualities but they might also be
introduced to a pastime or hobby which
they can enjoy throughout their lives.
Why are extra-curricular opportunities
so important in a child’s education?
The range of activities provide many
opportunities for our students to try
new ventures, confront risks and learn
from experience – all crucial aspects in
developing skills for life. The aim of our
co-curricular programme is to equip
students with the skills and experience
to make a success of their lives beyond
Hurst. Respect, responsibility, resilience
and reflection are learnt through the
programme, and students also learn
how to communicate with each other
as part of a team and in leading a team.
The various activities also help them
to become accurate decision-makers
- another important asset for later life.
Benefits from the more physical activities
help to improve students’ health,
wellbeing and fitness levels in order to
maintain a balanced lifestyle.
Which extra-curricular events tend to
be the most popular among students?
We encourage our students to engage in
as much of the co-curricular programme
as possible – as a member of our dance
companies or sports teams, performing in
our drama or music productions or taking
part in the Duke of Edinburgh award.
We have highly qualified staff to deliver
the activities and to bring out the best
in each student. Some discover talents
they didn’t realise they had - for example,
first team rugby players have also taken
lead roles in our Dance Showcase. By the
time students leave Hurst, the majority
will have performed in a sports team,
on a dance floor, on the stage, as well
as having marched with the CCF and
been involved with recycling or another
environmental activity.
Do you actively encourage girls to
get involved in activities traditionally
favoured by boys – and vice versa?
Our co-curricular programme is not
focused on gender and therefore
activities are not gender-specific. For
example, boys are as equally involved
in dance as the girls. In sport, some of
the teams are made up of boys and girls
– particularly cricket and hockey. Hurst
boys and girls are strongly supportive
of each other, whatever the activity, a
characteristic for which the college is
renowned.
How did you deal with co-curricular
activities during remote learning?
One of the most interesting challenges
was to redesign the school day to adapt
to the new way of working. Some creative
timetabling allowed for an earlier finish
each day without losing any of our
co-curricular provision. This last point
proved critical: by continuing to offer
a programme of assemblies, sports
sessions, choir and orchestra practices,
musical rehearsals, activities sessions
and CCF (to name but a few), the regular
rhythms of Hurst life continued – and the
students stayed fit, healthy and active.
www.hppc.co.uk
For further information or to arrange a
visit please call 01273 836937.
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