At Sidcot, curiosity is more than a personality trait; it is a core value that shapes how students learn, live and grow. Rooted in the Sidcot ethos, being curious means asking questions, exploring interests and being willing to step into the unfamiliar. It is about understanding that learning happens everywhere: in classrooms, in boarding houses, on stage, on the sports field and through shared experiences with others.
From Year 7 to Year 13, students are encouraged to live adventurously, to try new things, and discover what they are capable of when they move beyond their comfort zone.
One student whose experience reflects this ethos is Onno, a Year 12 boarder who joined us this academic year from Germany.
Taking a Leap into the Unknown
For Onno, curiosity began with a decision made quickly and without overthinking.
“As I decided to come to Sidcot just before the beginning of the summer holiday in 2025, I had no time for overthinking my decision or even taking a closer look at the School I was going to be joining for the next two years. Boarding was an entirely new experience to me; I had never been part of such a structured and close-knit community. After the first week, and thanks to the people living with me, I was already convinced that I had made the right decision.”
Boarding at Sidcot encourages students to be curious about themselves and others, helping them develop independence, resilience and a strong sense of belonging. To help new students settle in, Sidcot offers a Summer Immersion Programme, designed to introduce boarding life, build friendships and give students the confidence to start the school year feeling prepared and supported.
Proactive Learning
Curiosity at Sidcot extends well beyond academic lessons. Students are encouraged to try new things and take on challenges that develop practical skills, creativity, and responsibility. For Onno, this came through music.
“I faced the challenge of building a band with other boarders and performing with them. I had to arrange and transpose the music and also practice the songs with band members to keep up with our deadlines. As a band, we then managed to win Sidcot’s Got Talent, which was a great success for us and also one of the biggest audiences I have played for.”
Curiosity Through Co-Curricular Opportunities
Being curious also means getting involved in the wider life of the school. Onno embraced opportunities to volunteer at school events:
“I really enjoyed the voluntary work I did around the school events, like helping around parents’ evenings by giving out drinks or talking with visitors about my subjects.”
One particularly memorable experience involved photography at an inter-school arts event, where students from five different schools came together to explore creative workshops.
“I had limited time to take representative pictures of the workshops, which turned out to be much more difficult than I expected, but in the end I managed to achieve a satisfying result.”
These experiences highlight how curiosity helps students adapt, problem-solve and think creatively under real-world conditions. Sidcot offers a wide range of co-curricular opportunities designed to help students explore interests, develop new skills and challenge themselves at every stage of their school journey. Some of the most popular programmes include:
These opportunities foster curiosity over time, helping students build confidence through exploration rather than perfection.
Stepping Outside the Comfort Zone
One of Onno’s most challenging experiences so far has been taking part in the school production of Matilda, playing the role of Trunchbull.
“This role is really pushing me out of my comfort zone, as I have never had to play a female character before, but I am really looking forward to the performance and my future opportunities to be curious at Sidcot.”
For Onno, this challenge reflects something he believes is essential to personal growth.
“In my opinion, it is very important to sometimes get pushed out of your comfort zone, as mastering unfamiliar situations is something that will always be useful and often necessary in your future life.”
Living Adventurously
Reflecting on his time at Sidcot so far, Onno commented:
“I am glad that I could try so many new and challenging things here already!”
At Sidcot, curiosity empowers students to live adventurously, take risks, and embrace challenges. This willingness to explore prepares students not just for exams but for life beyond school.