Undertaking extra-curricular activities has far-ranging benefits that touch on many aspects of a child’s development. Here are some examples of those benefits:

• Learning new skills that can stay with your child for a lifetime; everything from playing sports to learning to play an instrument could lead to hours spent doing something they enjoy. Extra-curricular activities can also instil key skills and traits that can be helpful throughout a child’s life, for example, sports are key to developing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. A musical instrument requires perseverance, hand-eye coordination and, above all, creativity.
• Boosting academic performance. A lot of the skills that lie at the heart of extra-curricular activities can be used during core academic subjects. Education requires solid problem-solving skills, memory, creativity, and critical thinking. To varying degrees, you can find an extra-curricular activity that has an impact on these areas.
• Developing broader social skills. The nature of many extra-curricular activities means that your child will be engaging with other children in a social setting. Away from the classroom, it’s a good opportunity for them to mix with likeminded children in something they all enjoy. This gives them a chance to develop their social skills, meet new friends and become more confident communicating in groups.

Here at St John Fisher, we firmly believe in the benefits of providing extra-curricular activities for our pupils. Examples of the activities that we provide include:

• Learning to play an instrument with tuition provided by the Oxfordshire Music Service
• Working alongside staff from the Oxford Playhouse to write, act in and direct our own plays.
• A partnership with Headington Girls School Music department – allowing children to record their own songs in a music studio
• Being part of a rock/pop band, either playing an instrument or singing, with tuition from Rock Steady
• Taking part in Residentials to Outdoor Activity Centres, such as Woodlands, Yenworthy and Hill End
• Taking part in PFMAC music and sporting events
• Taking part in multiple sporting events across the Borough
• Regular class trips
• Project linking with Earth Trust
• Charity work – organising own small group events
• Taking part in the Big Sing
• Science Oxford Workshops in the school
• Specialist Cricket and Hockey coaching
• Italian teaching in the school
• A wide range of clubs, from cooking to art and dance