At middle school in Ashbourne College, the activities available are very much dependent on what the students desire during that particular academic year. A meeting is held at the start of the first term and suggestions are put forward to the Head of GCSE, Ben Pollitt. He then tries to accommodate as many of these requests as possible. Here are some of the activities arranged over the past academic year.

Yoga

This programme was overseen by Kinzli Coffman who teaches in our GCSE Science department. This activity involved a weekly session of Yoga during the Winter and Spring term, and involved over 50% of the GCSE students. There was a very enthusiastic response from the GCSE students, and hopefully, Kinzli will provide more classes in September.

Martial Arts

This activity was coordinated by one Ashbourne’s A level students, Michael Williams. Michael has been studying Kung fu for over 4 years and attends classes every day. Michael took time out of his busy schedule to teach the GCSE students some of the key moves and improve overall fitness. This activity took place during the Winter and Spring term and was very popular with male students, especially when Michael demonstrated his skill with the nunchucks.

Running Club

This programme is overseen by Head of GCSE Ben Pollitt. Students would go for a run during their lunch hour twice a week. This activity has operated throughout the academic year and will hopefully continue in September. Running Club was initially very popular with the students, interest waned over the winter months, however with the sun shining more and more students are participating! Lunch time runs often involve races round the Great Pond in Hyde Park and gentle jogs through the flowered walkways by the Albert Hall.

A fair weather activity, organised by Ben Pollitt and Kinzli Coffman. This activity is very popular with the students and will often involve a trip to the coffee shop and then on to either Holland Park or Hyde Park for a stroll and some conversation. This club gives a great opportunity to step out of School Life and clear the head, returning to school refreshed for afternoon classes.

Tennis

Tennis is held in Holland Park, with Tennis coach Brad Roberts and runs for the 6 weeks of Summer Term. This is a hugely popular option with 75% of GCSE students taking part. The students receive one on one coaching from Brad and his assistant coach as well as group work to improve overall standards. Holland Park is a wonderful location and is only a short stroll to the Tennis Courts from Ashbourne. Hopefully this will run every year, as a good game of tennis is a wonderful way to spend a sunny afternoon in London.

Card/Board Games

At Young street we have a selection of board and card games available to the students and there is often a game being played every Friday lunchtime in one of the classrooms. In the early part of the year Texas Hold' Em Poker was an extremely popular choice with the Year 10 students, this is an excellent way to improve student understanding of probability when not playing for money. Scrabble and Monopoly are other popular choices during lunchtime in the winter months and it is not unusual for games to go on for several weeks!

Football

This programme was overseen by Rob Kocho and ran every Thursday afternoon in the Winter and Spring term. Students were encouraged to play against A level students to improve their skills overall fitness and would often swap skills and tips in football freestyling encouraging each other to demonstrate their impressive skills. Football was a hugely popular sports choice and something that we will definitely be doing again next year.