By Pip, Head Student
Before attending Sidcot, I was certainly one to hold back, be reserved academically; observe rather than be actively involved.
I joined Sidcot as a Music Scholar and, as such, immediately experienced the Music Enrichment Programme. It was marvellous. I took part in new, fantastic, and often scary opportunities: events such as the Spring and Christmas concerts, the Dymond Speech Awards Ceremony, the garden party, the Scholar's Concert, and performances in the Junior School and Senior School Assemblies. Being a Scholar has provided me with a great platform to learn and excel as a musician; it has enabled me to gradually grow in confidence and ability in a subject I love.
As I progressed through the Senior School, I became increasingly aware of the value of the academic enrichment opportunities available to me and was very keen to embrace them. I was very proud when selected by the teaching staff to join the Gifted and Talented programme. A programme within which students are stretched in lessons with more challenging work and further enrichment. As part of the Gifted and Talented group, I have been encouraged to take lead roles in lessons by demonstrating, modelling and helping others, so that my classmates and I push ourselves to be our very best, which is very rewarding.
One of the most valuable parts of the Academic Enrichment Programme is the talks and seminars we attend. This includes “Let Your Life Speak” presentations. Sidcot holds these events throughout the School year, for external speakers (often Sidcotians) to come to the school and deliver a talk on how they have lived adventurously. The topics that have been addressed range from humanitarian to scientific and even include touring the world! These presentations are always very inspiring to me; they broaden our horizons and teach important life lessons to us all. Another lecture that I particularly enjoyed was called “Brain Day”. A University Lecturer, Guy Sutton, delivered a wonderful speech about the marvels of the human brain, including the consciousness and abnormalities that go along with it. The day even included a sheep’s brain dissection – fascinating! Afterwards, an event for students and parents was held to discuss the teenage brain. I found the day very interesting and so inspiring; as a Biology student, it was a great way to continue classroom learning in a fun, new way.
Notably, whilst in the Senior School, I became a Lead Learner in Music, Science and Languages (French). Students can apply each year to become a Lead Learner in their chosen subjects. Through the Lead Learner programme, I found I could excel in my favourite subjects and take part in great events such as the Language and Science Olympiads, subject weeks, the Academic Enrichment Showcase, and much more. Looking back, it was a great way to get involved with other Lead Learners, helping organise clubs, leading assemblies and attending extracurricular events. I really enjoyed sharing my enthusiasm for these subjects with other members of the wider school community. In the Sixth Form, rather than Lead Learners, Captains are selected to become ambassadors for their subjects. I am pleased to have been selected as the Captain this year to champion Biology. It was particularly fun recently taking part in the Biology-themed activities included in Science Week.
Since joining the Sixth Form, I feel very proud and fortunate to have been included in the ASPIRE programme which provides events and opportunities primarily to support UCAS applications to the more academic and competitive universities. I am really enjoying the benefits of being a part of this group. It is helping me expand my ideas and knowledge of the possibilities that may exist after Sidcot. Recently, with ASPIRE, we attended the ‘Oxford Academic Thriving Minds’ conference at Oxford University. The day was filled with great, intellectual lectures, debates and tours of the university campus and colleges. I found the trip to be an inspiration for my own learning, along with a fun day out to see the university first-hand.
Academic enrichment, I feel, is so valuable because it goes beyond the core curriculum, and it importantly boosts curiosity, critical thinking and confidence. The myriad of academic enrichment I have experienced so far at Sidcot has undoubtedly enhanced my educational experience beyond measure. It has provided me with unique opportunities that have been both inspirational and illuminative to me whilst also strengthening my academic ability, motivation and essential life skills such as teamwork and leadership.
As the newly appointed Head Student, I can honestly say that the experiences and opportunities I have been given have been challenging at times, but so valuable. I would encourage all students at Sidcot to embrace and take advantage of academic enrichment opportunities wherever they possibly can.