enrichment
We provide a wealth of opportunity for our students to learn outside the classroom which not only enriches the school day but also enriches the lives of our school community. We believe that students should have the opportunities to express themselves away from the classroom environment; we have fantastic sporting facilities which enable students to have fun whilst simultaneously developing social and team skills which are an integral part of personal development.
Byrchall High School boasts a strong extra-curricular provision: a range of sporting activities are on offer every lunchtime and at the end of the formal school day. Music, Drama and Expressive Arts opportunities are in abundance, with an active choir that performs regularly at school events and numerous school productions which showcase the artistic, creative and dramatic talents of students. In addition, we offer a lively after-school selection of clubs and societies which extends to our primary partners and the wider community.
We encourage all students to involve themselves in community and charity work and appoint students to role which support others in the school community. Year 11 students operate as Prefects, Student Advisers and Peer Mentors, acting as positive role models and supporting younger members of their community. Such roles provide valuable and rewarding experiences for older students.
At Byrchall High School, we believe that our students should learn in a variety of environments such as: field trips; language exchanges; residential experiences; skiing holidays; water sports activities; visiting speakers; theatre groups and evening visits. These wide-ranging activities enrich our students’ experiences, enabling them to apply learning to real life and approach their studies in more exciting and creative ways.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
School isn’t just about lessons and examinations; it’s also about taking opportunities to try new things. The more students put in; the more they get out – so we encourage all our students to try one of our extra-curricular clubs and see what new experiences are on offer.
Timetables of all our current extra-curricular opportunities are available on this page. If you would like further details about any club, please contact the Head of Department for the particular subject area, or the year group’s Head of Year.
Visits Trips and Holidays
Byrchall High School believes that our students should learn in a variety of different environments. This includes taking students on educational visits to places and events that help bring their learning to life. Many departments organise trips, the theme of which will link to a particular area of the school curriculum whilst at the same time giving students’ experiences and opportunities that will help them in their personal development.
In addition to developing our students academically, we take every opportunity to enhance their social skills. Many trips are offered where children can socialise with their own and other year groups.
We also believe that school is about providing experiences and adventures that can open students’ minds to new horizons and possibilities. Therefore a range of holidays are organised by the school that are available over the five years that students are with us. These include trips within this country, as well as holidays abroad.
Year 7 Residential
Year 7 students have enjoyed a two day Bushcraft camp. Leaving the modern world behind, students go ‘Into the Woods’ at Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire. Activities include shelter building, camouflage games, cutting tools and a fire lighting workshop. Students have the option to sleep in the shelters they build in the woodland, with everyone else staying at one of three main camps. Meals are cooked in both camp kitchens and on the fires students build together. The trip is a wonderful way for everyone to get to know each other at the start of the year.
Ypres
In May, students from Years 8 and 9 are offered the opportunity to visit Ypres in Belgium. Students visit the Menin Gate, home to the names of 54,000 war dead, both British and Commonwealth soldiers who gave their lives in the defence of freedom.
Next, students visit two of the largest cemeteries on the Ypres salient, Langemark and Tyne Cot, accompanied by Belgian guides who explain the scale of the losses suffered on both sides. The trip then returns to Ypres, to the Flanders Field museum to see both artefacts and the photographs from the time before stopping at Sanctuary Wood, the site of original British trenches, largely intact since 1918 which really brings History alive, especially when students can crawl through the original pitch black, communication tunnels.
Transport to and from Belgium is via coach and ferry.
Ski Trip
During either February half-term or Easter, our ever-popular annual Ski Trip takes place. The trip is traditionally held at Wildcat and Attitash, New Hampshire, USA, but has been held in Andorra before. All students make great strides as skiers on the plentiful snow upon beautiful mountains. More advanced students are sometimes able to enjoy both half pipes and moguls.