Art is a real strength within the academy and students’ outstanding art work can be seen on display throughout the department. Students are encouraged to explore a wide range of styles and forms in art and to learn new ways to express their creativity. There are extra support sessions available for all age groups, outside curriculum time, including working in ceramics, drawing and sculpture, where students can make use of the department’s excellent facilities. Sixth Form students take part in life drawing classes as an extracurricular extension activity.

This is a student-led club for those with a strong Christian faith and anyone who wishes to find out more. It is facilitated by local religious leaders and meets weekly to explore issues of Christianity.

There are many opportunities for students who enjoy dance. Year 9 dance club runs weekly and is open to all year 9’s. During this, students will work closely with staff to produce a variety of different pieces in a variety of different styles. These pieces will be performed throughout the year in a variety of different performance settings.

Street Dance is an alternative extra-curricular that is open to all year groups. It is run by a professional dancer who comes in on a weekly basis during lunch times and students work towards the different performance opportunities throughout the year.

Tutu Much Dance Company has run for a number of years and has been very successful in entering various competitions and performing in a variety of different settings, both inside and outside of school. The rehearse on a weekly basis and regularly perform for other schools as well as taking part in regional competitions.

Year 9 drama club runs weekly, during which any year 9 student can attend. Students are given a play and are encouraged to work collaboratively to develop both the piece itself and their drama skills and understanding.

Students studying GCSE have the opportunity to be a part of Shakespeare Schools Festival, one of the largest UK schools festivals. This runs weekly and provides the students with the opportunity of producing a Shakespeare play. Students are also provided with a professional workshop, where they work alongside professional actors and directors before their performance on a professional stage.

Post 16 Drama students have their own dedicated theatre company which is about encouraging the students to take a greater lead with the entire process of producing a play, including directing.

String Group, Percussion Group, Brass Band and Wind Band, provide students with the opportunity to widen their repertoire and develop their ensemble skills. These clubs work towards the different performance settings throughout the year and run on a weekly basis.

The school choir rehearse on a weekly basis and perform a variety of different song in a variety of different styles. Students are encouraged to suggest songs that they want to sing and perform on a regular basis. This year will see the choir entering both a regional and national competition, where if successful they will perform at the Royal Albert Hall.

Chamber Choir is extremely successful and is for our sixth form students. The choir has performed in a variety of different settings, and have been invited to sing at Elstow Abbey. Students develop their perception of harmony as they rehearse weekly, singing in anything from 4-8 parts. Students’ repertoire is widened, along with their musical knowledge. This year the chamber choir will be entering into a variety of competitons, providing the students with even more performance opportunities.

‘The Academy’ (Samuel Whitbreads soul band) is student lead. The band brings together the most talented students across the years and provides them with many different exciting performance settings. They are extremely successful and have secured 3rd place in ‘Battle of the Band’s’ held at The Stables, Milton Keynes.

Tech Crew is a fantastic opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a career in the industry. Students learn how to set up and manage both the sound and lighting and rehearse on a weekly basis during the lunch time performances. Students also play a key part in our termly concerts and whole school productions.

Students meet weekly to discuss books, films and even Knit whilst recommending a good read to each other. The names say it all and students who love books, reading and films (and even knitting) thrive with other bibliophiles.

This is open to all age groups including the Sixth Form. Students take part in Young Chef competitions (regional winners in the last three years), as well as carrying out fun activities including cooking for staff and fundraising for the various charities that the academy supports.

We run a young engineering club for students who are interested in engineering, motorsport, science, technology and maths. The main focus of this club is an opportunity for students to get involved in Formula 24 racing and take part in national competitions, where this season we have already come second in two of our races. We encourage students to get involved in every aspect of the engineering and racing of Formula 24 cars and all of our cars are built from the ground up!