School Policy Document
Policy: Extracurricular Activities
General Principles
1. West Buckland School’s approach to Extra-Curricular Activities
1.1. In accordance with the school’s Ethos and Aims, participation in extra-curricular activities is
a vital part of education at West Buckland, and pupils should be actively encouraged by their
tutors and parents to participate fully in the outstanding provision made here. For most
young people, a full engagement in a wide range of extra-curricular activities enhances their
education, creating fulfilled individuals, and contributes to their personal development and
high achievement, academically and in other aspects of their life.
1.2. The ethos of the school encourages all children and adults to contribute in as many ways as
possible according to their talents. Contribution to our community life is seen as an
introduction to active citizenship.
1.3. All extracurricular activities are principally for the benefit of all pupils rather than the glory
of the school.
1.4. The school recognises that the benefits of a full and varied extracurricular programme must
be balanced by the requirements of family life, academic work and the need for all adults
and young people to have time to relax. For this reason, events other than Ten Tors training,
a rehearsal for a major production or major music rehearsal are unlikely to obtain calendar
approval.
1.5. The programme of activities evolves and is refreshed each year. As new activities are
introduced, it is accepted that some other activities should be allowed to lapse. This means
that some much loved parts of the programme may be discontinued.
1.6. Participation in sport and outdoor pursuits, in particular, is part of the healthy lifestyle we
promote at this school.
1.7. Pupils should be able to participate in a wide variety of activities outside the academic
timetable including sport, the performing and creative arts, adventurous and outdoor
pursuits, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, clubs and other societies.
1.8. The Pastoral Deputy is responsible for scheduling the programme of extracurricular
activities, seeking to achieve balance, protected time for the different aspects of the
programme, and avoidance of clashes which put pressure on pupils or undermine core
activities. Music, drama and the performing arts have precedence at lunchtimes while
sports has precedence in the period after lessons have finished in the afternoon.
2. Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities
2.1. The planning of the school's extra-curricular activities programme should enable children to
experience a wide variety of opportunities, and not be confined to any one area of school
life.
2.2. Pupils at all ages who hold a music, sport or art scholarship are expected to participate in
the appropriate area of extra-curricular provision as outlined in the terms of their
scholarship. The nature of that participation is agreed by the relevant head of department.
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2.3. Sixth formers are strongly encouraged to participate in sport and other extra-curricular
activities but involvement is not compulsory unless it is directly related to their academic
studies, for example in A-level PE or Music.
2.4. Those holding sport, music or other awards which relate to extracurricular involvement are
expected to participate in the appropriate area of activity
2.5. Pupils having instrumental or singing lessons with a VMT are expected to participate in the
school's ensemble programme as agreed with the Director of Music.
3. Commitment …
3.1. Pupils, parents and staff should understand that, for the benefit of all pupils, we organise
strong fixture lists in many sports. Several sports are designated as 'major sports' which
have priority in terms of calendar planning, priorities for pupils and staff, and other matters.
In order to maintain these fixtures we need squads of players who are committed to training
and playing. Unreliable squad members undermine the efforts of everyone else involved.
3.2. The vast majority of fixtures are included in the termly calendar; all pupils and parents
receive a copy of this calendar which is also published on the school’s website. Pupils and
parents are expected to note all the relevant fixtures to enable them to be available for
selection.
3.3. Normally, the only fixtures which do not appear in the calendar are cup matches and the
later rounds of tournaments when, inevitably, arrangements must be made after the
calendar has been printed.
3.4. Children and their parents should be expected to honour commitments made at the
beginning of a term or year, and not let down their teachers or fellow pupils.
3.5. When problems relating to participation are anticipated, this should be communicated by
the pupil or parent as appropriate, in writing or by email, well in advance of the fixture so
the coach can make other arrangements.
3.6. In term time, pupils and their parents should put participation in school activities above
participation in activities outside school. However, where the school is unable to provide
opportunities for a pupil to develop a well-established interest in a non-school activity a
child should not be expected to give this up to participate in a school activity. Such
participation should be recognised and valued.
4. … and over-commitment
4.1. It is part of the tutor’s role to monitor over or under commitment, and to discuss these
issues with parents, pupils and colleagues as appropriate. Tutors and staff running activities
must work efficiently with the Pastoral Deputy to ensure that records of participation are
properly maintained.
4.2. Children should not be put under undue pressure to participate in one aspect of the school’s
extra-curricular provision at the expense of another. Any conflicts of commitment should
be resolved by discussion by teachers and arbitration in a meeting of house staff and
Pastoral Deputy, if required.
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4.3. Pupils should not be expected to attend training and matches in two or more different
sports in any term unless they have made a clear commitment to do so at the outset.
4.4. Where a pupil participates in more than one sport or several musical ensemble in a term,
and is asked to participate in performances or represent the school in competitive fixtures
in these sports, the school recognises that this can put a pupil under some stress. In these
circumstances, the Director of Sport or Director of Music will be responsible for planning
the pupil's participation programme. (S)he will consult not only with the relevant sports
coaches and directors of ensembles, but also with pastoral staff and other colleagues
responsible for drama, outdoor education and other activities as appropriate.
4.5. There should not be excessive expectations of commitment by children (and their parents),
especially on Sundays. Weekend commitments do, however, have a large part to play in
sport, drama and other aspects of extra-curricular life, and must be considered a major part
of West Buckland calendar. Where Sunday commitments are an integral part of any activity,
such as play rehearsals or Ten Tors training, then the details should be communicated in
writing to the parents at the time the pupil is making the commitment so that the family is
fully aware of what is involved. A signed form to acknowledge the letter should be expected
for pupils up to Year 11.
4.6. In some sports, national competitions are organised at weekends, including on Sundays, and
participants need to understand that this may be a commitment. In exceptional
circumstances, such as competing in the latter stages of a cup competition, additional
training and preparation for major events may also be required on Sundays.
4.7. If a child has a legitimate reason not to participate in a particular school extra-curricular
activity or event, this should not be held against him/her. This agreement may be made
with the Headmaster prior to entry to the school. Children should not be made to feel they
are letting others down, and the matter should be discussed with parents. There should be
no adverse consequences in terms of participation and recognition when the opportunity
arises. If the team coach believes it is in the interests of the pupil and the team, such a pupil
may be a member of a team when (s)he is available to play, and should not be prevented
from doing so.
4.8. The extent of compulsion to contribute to any particular activity should be judged by
reference to whole school policies rather than the preferences of individual members of
staff.
5. Organisation and Communication
5.1. In each term, one team sport for boys and girls should have primacy. For girls, hockey
predominates in the Autumn Term, netball in the Spring and rounders and tennis in the
Summer. For boys, rugby predominates in the Autumn Term, hockey in the Spring, and
cricket in the Summer.
5.2. There should be communication in both directions between home and school when there
are late changes in arrangements, such as the late arrangement of fixtures, changes in travel
arrangements or late family obligations. Neither parents nor the school should assume that
late changes are automatically acceptable to the other party involved. For sports fixtures,
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team sheets should be published by midday on Thursday for a Saturday fixture, and two full
school days before other fixtures.
Author/Updated by: Headmaster
Date: Summer 2015
Reviewed: Summer 2015
Next Review Date: Summer 2018
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