The rich tapestry of extra-curricular activities on offer to
every Bolton School pupil is one of the school's greatest assets.
As well as being placed into a form group upon their arrival, each
pupil is also allocated to one of the school's four Houses:
Blackburn, Chorley, Manchester and Wigan. Weekly House assemblies
enable the boys to mix with pupils outside of their own form group;
these assemblies are used to organise and coordinate teams for the
termly House Day competitions.
However, it is during the daily 80 minute lunch break that the
extra-curricular programme gets into full swing. The boys are
expected to voluntarily involve themselves in the school's varied
range of clubs and societies. The list of activities on offer is
posted in every form base at the beginning of each term and
detailed day-to-day notices concerning the clubs are circulated
every morning. Pupils in Years 7-9 are expected to attend at least
three societies each week; Year 10 and 11 pupils are expected to
involve themselves in at least one weekly activity. As well as the
societies catering for sixth form students, there are many
opportunities for members of Year 12 and Year 13 to become involved
in the leadership of the activities. Aside from developing vital
leadership qualities, elder students who assist members of staff in
the organisation of societies are rewarded with a 'Leadership
Certificate' at the end of each academic year.
Depending upon the term, there are up to 90 weekly or
fortnightly clubs, societies and practices available to the pupils
(this number excludes the many music practices on offer). These
range from subject-based clubs, such as Art Club, Science Club,
Computer Club, Biology Club and The History Society to more
wide-ranging societies such as Film Society, Warhammer Club,
Creative Writing Club and Gameshow Club. There is also both a
Junior Literary and Debating Forum and a Senior Literary and
Debating Society, in which pupils of all ages can cut and sharpen
their oratorical skill. Boys with musical and acting talents are
also well-catered for at Bolton School. Music ensembles and drama
rehearsals all take place in the lunch break and there are numerous
concerts and productions every year. Sport also plays a central
role in the activities programme.
As well as being a key part of the main curriculum, Outdoor
Pursuits plays a central role in the extra curricular programme.
Many pupils are introduced to a particular discipline via the
Outdoor Education Programme and then go on to further their
interest via the extra curricular programme. Pupils gain valuable
experience of the world of business and commerce through the
'Business Awareness' course held each year at Patterdale Hall. The
Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme is also pursued successfully by many
boys, several having achieved the Gold Award whilst still at
school.
Members of staff and senior students alike give freely of their
time to encourage maximum involvement in a wide programme of
activities and many pupils participate in four or five distinct
activities every week.
Information regarding any aspect of Bolton School's
extra-curricular provision can be obtained by contacting Mr Martin
Prentki (mjhp@boltonschool.org.uk),
Director of Extra-Curricular Activities.