We want all our students to enjoy their time at school – it is, after all, a major part of their childhood
In addition, we support them in developing the skills and knowledge that will help them become well-rounded and impressive young adults, and our extensive enrichment programme of clubs, awards, trips and other activities underpins this. We encourage every child to take full advantage of the clubs and enrichment opportunities on offer, as we know that successful students are often those with the greatest level of participation. A wide variety of activities is available to students during the lunch break and after school.
While opportunities vary from term to term and year to year, a flavour of recent opportunities includes clubs for drama, airfix modelling, ukulele, keyboards, homework catch-up, card games and film club. In music, we have an orchestra, senior ensemble and the TK vocal group. Each year, we have a school production as well as two concerts a year that include dance, drama and music. We currently offer individual or small group lessons on flute, clarinet, oboe, saxophone, bassoon, trumpet, trombone, horn, piano, violin, guitar and drums as well as singing lessons.
Popular sports clubs have included gymnastics, football (girls and boys), netball, hockey, rounders, tennis, athletics, cross-country, cricket, table tennis, basketball, volleyball, dance, ski club, rugby, karate, fitness club, outdoor pursuits and cheerleading. Thomas Keble has a full range of sports teams for both boys and girls and we successfully compete at local, regional and national level.
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme is very popular and goes from strength to strength. Students have to complete four sections – Service, Skills, Physical Recreation and Expedition. Recently the expedition section involved them training at South Cerney, and a 15-mile overnight hike took place during the year. In a typical year, up to 65 Year 9 students achieve the Bronze Awards with up to 25 students progressing to Silver in Year 11.
A range of residentials and local trips take place, catering for all students, including some specifically designed to stretch and challenge our most able students.
Residentials have included:
Activity holiday at French Château (Yr 7)
European Ski trip (Yrs 8 – 11) every two years
Football and netball tour to Spain (Yrs 9 – 11) every two years
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expeditions
History trip to the World War 1 battlefields
Swanage fieldwork for Geography GCSE
When pupils join the school, they also join our house system. Our houses are Whittle, Mercia, Lee, Carpenter and Jenner. Throughout their time at school, pupils participate in a variety of house competitions, and can gain points for their house through their own good work and high attendance.
