Clubs & Activities

A chance to explore real-life psychology topics based on the BBC Radio 4 podcast. Content will cover topics such as ‘Tetris as therapy; musical hallucinations; the psycholoogy of secrets and eating to improve memory’

Discussion and analysis of the USA Election, before and after – including maybe a night or early morning event in Woodward.

In depth analysis and discussion of the US Election, which takes place in the Michaelmas Term. We can examine the role of the media, the merits of their policies and the strategies of the competing candidates. A unique opportunity to learn about politics as it happens.

Touch Rugby – non-contact version of the full game; all of the fun, skill and hard work but none of the potential for injury.

Are you interested in being able to understand what’s going on in Politics both in the UK and around the World? Each week we will take important news stories, political speeches or key global events and analyse how they are reported, discussed and thought through. We will discuss media bias, political ideology and politics in general with the aim of improving our understanding of what is going on and what we think.

SOPHOS stands for the Philosophy society where we debate and argue about everything and anything. There is no need to study philosophy but you must enjoy discussing ideas. Students who are interested have the chance to test their opinions against each other and ourselves, as we are as much involved as the students. It is a lively intellectual bloodspot where you learn to debate, chair discussions and present to a friendly audience. Sophos counts for IB CAS points if you get involved and it looks good on university applications.

Embrace your inner Zorro or Inigo Montoya! Add to your drama skills by learning some technical swordplay! Go Bridgerton and settle peer disagreements with a duel! Try on a pair of breeches that are sized, by force,  in Newtons! Come and have a go at one of the longest standing Modern Olympic sports. Complete beginners and experienced fencers are all welcome. £35 per term.

Golf coaching for years 7-10 form at HH GC. Max 10 pupils. Cost £5 per session.

A club focused on those students needing Mathematical Admission Tests for university entrance (ESAT/TMUA/PAT/MAT). If you are studying Engineering, Physics, Economics or Maths (not an exhaustive list) at top universities you may need to sit these tests.

Opportunity to learn and play a range of card games and even master some simple magic tricks!

Each week, we look at a classic album from the golden era of the pop/rock album ( late 60s through 90s) and figure out what makes it a classic, why it was important, and why it still sounds great today.

Invite only.

Come and enjoy a boardgame and a chat.

A discussion of the changes in Spanish society over the past decades through the films of Spanish directors.

Learn to make all sorts of  Granny Squares for bags, jumpers, scarves, blankets, cushion covers.

The fast track programme is for semi fluent or native Chinese speakers who wish to enter the GCSE early. A good level of fluency in Chinese is required to enroll this course.

Greek GCSE for Remove and Fifth (SRJ First Session) in L9 (James Field, Lexie Bradshaw, Catie Robbins, Toby Appleton (TBC), Lucy Fielding, Ayla Millward, Lucian Poon).

A club for playing wargames. Starting with Warhammer 40,000. Also an opportunity to build and paint models.

Be creative and make designs to treasure using this intricate and delicate craft.

Watch films about historical subjects and deepen your knowledge of the world around you!

Pre-selection only.

Pre-selection only.

Pre-selection only.

Invite Only. They will work in the S & C suite with our S & C coach. These sessions will help improve strength, power and speed. This will also help with the prevention of injury.

Reading and discussing novels from other cultures and translated from other languages.

For economists wishing to do an economics related degree at higher level. The activities will be varied from watching lectures, debates, dissecting the autumn debate and potentially getting some alumni to speak their experience applying for economics.

We will watch films adapted from books and discuss.

Exciting science competition.  Do cool mini projects in science and win prizes.
For Shell & Remove – Room S4 – Max 12.

Science CREST awards.  Exciting science competition.  Do cool mini projects in science and win prizes.

Learn how to play this exciting board game which dates back over 2000 years and improve your maths skills in the process.

See how concepts can apply to the real world in an entertaining way

Maximum 15 students.

Life Drawing – for 6th form artists (sign up in department). Learn the fundamentals of drawing the human form from a professional life model.

For all enthusiastic art students (Yr7-13) who wish to complete tasks from art/photography lessons.

An opportunity for GCSE and 6th form Art & Photography students to use the facilities and resources independently to develop portfolios and projects outside of lesson time. Maximum of 40 students.

An opportunity to improve your chess opening theory, middlegame and endgame tactics. Designed to help experienced players progress to the next level. There are weekly chess puzzles to solve and also a mini chess league.

For Medicine, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Dentistry and Vet Sciences applicants

Do exciting Chemistry practicals normally only done in the sixth form.

Keep up with, and discuss recent developments in Biology using documentaries, news articles and research.

For students who are interested in Business beyond the classroom. A chance to watch interesting documentaries discussing topical business issues and discuss them in a relaxed environment.

A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. The challenge for the students is to fit the major subsystems found in a satellite (such as power, sensors and a communication system) into this minimal volume. In the UK competition the CanSat is launched to an altitude of 300-400 metres by rocket to carry out scientific experiments designed by the students, parachuting back to Earth to achieve a safe landing. During the European CanSat Competition Final (which the winning UK team will attend) the CanSats are launched to an altitude of up to 1km.

Calling all budding Classicists! An opportunity to learn this fascinating ancient language which is the foundation stone of western story-telling, art, ideas, society and politics. Enthusiasts with an eye on studying Classics at university will have the option to take Greek as a GCSE in Lower Sixth.

At approximately 90-strong, the Senior School Concert Band is the largest ensemble in the school, aiming to include all students who play a wind or brass instrument. Also meeting on Monday afternoons, the Concert Band tends to play lighter popular music, well known to students and parents alike, and performs in the Christmas and Summer concerts.

Discover the art of cross stitching by weaving vibrant threads into lovely designs. From enhancing focus to fostering patience, cross stitching offers a meditative escape from studies.

All welcome.  Develop your skills in holding an argument, listening and responding to others and engaging in issues from philosophy, politics and more.

An opportunity to spend dedicated time in the workshop utilising the space for practical work to support the NEA.

This is for students of (near) native speaker level to keep up with the language with a variety of activities and also to prepare for the GCSE German exam. Invite only.

Discussion of current issues in French with gouter style snack. 2 slots of  30 mins each; max 3 students per slot.

Discover the operas and the great voices, thrill to the stories, the drama, the sounds!

Weekly Golf coaching from a professional at Haywards Heath GC. All abilities welcome. Cost £5 per session.

Students compete for a £2500 paid residential trip to the International Youth Science Forum by researching, writing and presenting a project on an area of science and technology that inspires them.

An opportunity to gain an appreciation of classical art & architecture. Explore and discuss the meaning and influence on western culture of iconic buildings such as the Parthenon, or famous statues like the Discobolus, friezes such as the controversial Elgin Marbles, and pottery depicting famous Greek heroes like Achilles, as well as gods and myths. These will mainly all include exhibits you can visit at the British Museum, or the Archaeological Museums in Paris, Athens, Delphi and Olympia.

An opportunity to learn some important disciplines, work on fitness and enjoy exercise outside of the sporting programme. You will receive coaching from experts. All levels and abilities welcome.

An introduction to the English court system and English law. We will also participate in a mock trial. Highly recommended for those considering a career in law.

Wordsworth defined poetry as ‘the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings.’ While feelings are an important aspect of poetry, form also helps to shape ideas in interesting ways. You will read and discuss traditional and contemporary poets, write your own poems, experiment with form and techniques, and use objects, memory, and life experience to develop your ‘spontaneous overflow.’

There are many clubs volunteers can be involved in, from creative writing to foreign languages to drama. Each offers students the chance to work alongside specialist teachers both learning from and offering their own ideas.

Students keen to gain experience with younger children can volunteer in the Pre-Prep After School Club. Working alongside experienced staff, volunteers serve tea, encouraging good table manners, read stories and play alongside them.

A chance for students to investigate aspects of Psychology not covered on the AL or IB courses. Will suit current student and those interested in Psychology, but not taking it as a subject in the Sixth Form.

Chill with treats and books.

An opportunity to play Dunegons and Dragons as well as other roleplay systems.

From the physics of deep-frying to the biology of flavour perception, come along and learn the how and the why of some key culinary techniques, all while making delicious weekly dishes in this kitchen-based cooking course.

Giving students real life experience of what it is like to work in the media, with deadlines etc. and a chance to publish their written work on a website.

Students are invited to help design and carry out an oral history project focusing on the history of the college, working with staff, students, and Old Ardinians.

A chance for students to develop their own journal/newspaper as a team (with the aim to be published every half-term) focusing on all things Psychology; they will have creative freedom and the chance to write pieces on different topics in Psychology, including doing independent research to include in the journal, commentary on topical debates, literature reviews, hearing from student voices, and more! This is a good EP for anyone considering studying Psychology at University.

A CanSat is a simulation of a real satellite, integrated within the volume and shape of a soft drink can. The challenge for the students is to fit the major subsystems found in a satellite (such as power, sensors and a communication system) into this minimal volume. In the UK competition the CanSat is launched to an altitude of 300-400 metres by rocket to carry out scientific experiments designed by the students, parachuting back to Earth to achieve a safe landing. During the European CanSat Competition Final (which the winning UK team will attend) the CanSats are launched to an altitude of up to 1km.

Mix dance, acrobatics and gymnastics in a high energy routine, promoting teamwork and physical wellbeing.

The fast track programme is for semi fluent or native Chinese speakers who wish to enter the GCSE early. A good level of fluency in Chinese is required to enroll this course.

Calling all would-be Percy Jacksons and Annabeth Chases! An opportunity to learn this fascinating ancient language which is the foundation stone of myth, story-telling and so much more. Enthusiasts with an eye on studying Classics at university will have the option to take Greek as a GCSE in Lower Sixth.

Learn how to negotiate, bluff and double-cross in this famous board game which leaves nothing to chance.

For LVI students who wish to participate in the DofE Gold Award only.

3 weekly rotation with other activities. Students need to sign up to an alternative EP for their 2 out of 3 Thursdays.

An opportunity to spend dedicated time in the workshop utilising the space for practical work to support the NEA.

A creative and relaxing way of decorating fabrics or cloth with a needle and thread. Learn the basics of embroidery with a paint-by-numbers style design of your choice.

Fencing Club Training for experienced fencers and beginners. All welcome. £35 per term. Be en garde for excitement!

If you are interested in watching a range of films and discovering some hidden gems you haven’t yet seen then this is the EP for you.

We will watch a variety of films. Each film’s purpose will be related to what is happening around the school and the World that week.

Master the art of football tennis. A fun option which allows you to get out in the fresh air, aid your football skills and get quite competitive!

1st team Football players will analysis footage from their game at the week and view footage of the opposition they will be playing. This gives them in-depth information around tactics, formations and their own individual performance. Pre-selection only.

Discussion of current issues in French with gouter style snack.

The Fast Track programme is designed for semi fluent or native speakers who wish to enter the IGCSE early. A good level of fluency in French is required to qualify for this programme.

An opportunity for younger students to find out what Psychology is all about.

Maths enrichment including Maths team challenge and University Admissions Test preparation.

An opportunity for relaxing creativity: colouring designs or creating your own inspiring hand lettering phrases as cards or art.

In Model United Nations participants assume the role of a national representative as they seek to debate and solve global issues. There are few better ways of understanding international affairs and global politics than putting yourself ‘in the shoes of world leaders’. Because participants discuss UN topics and represent their adopted country’s position, they will often be arguing from an unfamiliar perspective, developing knowledge, understanding, empathy and other key life skills.

Spending time outdoors watching, identifying, recording, photographing and filming local wildlife.

A chance for students to practice some mindfulness by painting by numbers to produce a piece of artwork.

Pre-selection only.

Learn how to create a podcast using audacity software. Record your voice and mix, edit and splice it with royalty-free music to create your own episode. Create your own podcast cover using Canva Software. Suitable for complete beginners.

Students keen to gain experience with younger children can volunteer in the Pre-Prep After School Club.  Working alongside experienced staff, volunteers serve tea, encouraging good table manners, read stories and play alongside them.

There are many clubs volunteers can be involved in, from creative writing to foreign languages to sport. Each offers students the chance to work alongside specialist teachers both learning & offering their own ideas.

Invite Only. They will work in the S & C suite with our S & C coach. These sessions will help improve strength, power and speed. This will also help with the prevention of injury.

SOPHOS stands for the Philosophy society where we debate and argue about everything and anything. There is no need to study philosophy but you must enjoy discussing ideas. Students who are interested have the chance to test their opinions against each other and ourselves, as we are as much involved as the students. It is a lively intellectual bloodspot where you learn to debate, chair discussions and present to a friendly audience. Sophos counts for IB CAS points if you get involved and it looks good on university applications.

Ardingly College has helped convert an old double decker bus into a mobile science laboratory to take to local primary schools. This is an exciting opportunity for students to design and deliver their own fun and engaging activities to inspire young minds!

A fun and creative exploration of Ancient Greek Mythology and its gods and heroes, where you get to discuss modern interpretations and devise your own response using any form of multimedia. So this EP is an engaging way to gain appreciation of some of the most influential and enjoyable stories in history.

A discussion group for stories, events, interviews and speeches from the most important events both in UK Politics but also around the world, this EP is an opportunity to learn more about world of Current Affairs and to develop an analysis of the media through which we get out information.

(Invite Only) The Jazz Band is currently one of the busiest ensembles in the school. Playing at Open Days, the highlighted Cabaret evening and all the major concerts, this ensemble is often the face of music in the school. Playing a large repertoire ranging from jazz, pop, funk and fusion, the Jazz Band meets on a Thursday evening from 1815-1900.

Creating performances, exploring texts, taking part in workshops with infamous Drama games peppered throughout!

• Chamber Music
• Music Production and Recording
• Theory
• Composition Club

Alongside the large ensembles, there is provision for a range of musical activities that give Ardingly’s students the opportunity to work with our 30-strong music staff of specialists. This year we have some 40 small ensembles in the College including acapella vocal groups, string quartets, cello choir, piano trios, wind, brass and percussion groups. These ensembles perform in various concerts throughout the year, some competing in the national Pro Corda music competitions. Contemporary music is on the rise at Ardingly with some six rock bands and a growing number of song writers. These musicians also have plenty of opportunity to perform at events such as the “Hello Yellow” concert and the ABC (Anything But Classical) concert. The Music School has a brand-new recording suite and will be holding regular training in sound recording, digital music composition, DJing, song writing and audio engineering in our Music Activity EP sessions.

There is a strong tradition of choral excellence at Ardingly with numerous different choral opportunities available for students. The Chapel Choir is made up of all ages in the Senior School, from Year 7s through to staff. It is the only group in the school that serves the entire school community. The choir sings as part of the weekly chapel services with a variety of SATB music that spans the liturgical and compositional canon, but also branches into Barbershop and pop. Central highlights of the year include the Carol Services, a concert at St John’s Smith Square and a tour – this year to Normandy.

(Invite only) Schola Cantorum is the most elite and busy of the musical ensembles at Ardingly College, rehearsing and performing regularly for College events. In the past five years they have recorded two CDs and given performances in Malta, Prague, Queens’ College Oxford, St Mary Redcliff Bristol, Westminster Abbey, Trinity Laban Greenwich, and St Paul’s Cathedral. This year, the choir will be performing at Westminster Abbey, Girton College Cambridge, and compete in the Choir of the World Competition in Llangollen, Wales. The choir enjoys a wide-ranging repertoire from early sixteenth-century polyphony to jazz, musical theatre and pop arrangements.

How to make informed and reasonable critical judgements abut the quality of arguments and evidence put forward in the social sciences.

Sessions on both Wednesday (18:00-19:00) and Thursday (16:30-17:30)

For GCSE (5th) and AL (U6) students to develop their exam Unit Two projects independently with studio facilities and materials. Mrs Grover and Mr Walsh will be available for one to one support if required.

An opportunity for GCSE and 6th form Art & Photography students to use the facilities and resources independently to develop portfolios and projects outside of lesson time. Maximum of 40 students.

If you love reading this is the club for you! You will be reading and discussing a wide range of books and engaging in fun reading activities led by IB students.

The Chemistry Olympiad is an international Chemistry competition for keen and able 5th and lower 6th form Chemistry pupils. It is open to IB and A Level and there are Bronze Silver and Gold certificates awarded by the Olympiad committee.

Learn about Chinese food, drinks and festivals. No returning students from last term.

Creative craft workshops where a variety of media and techniques will be explored and taught whilst thinking about how art fits within our community and culture.

Do you have a smartphone and a passion for photography? Turn your device into a powerful camera with ‘Smartphone Photography Club’. Whether you’re a budding photographer or just love snapping photos, this club is the perfect place for you. Some of the techniques we will be looking at involve: Master the Angles: Learn how to capture stunning shots from various angles. Discover the secrets of perspective, composition, and framing to make your photos stand out. Play with Lighting: Lighting can transform a good photo into a great one. We’ll explore how to use natural and artificial light to create the perfect mood and ambiance in your shots. Creative Techniques: Delve into creative techniques like macro photography, panoramic shots, and creative filters. Unlock the full potential of your smartphone’s camera.

Student led Drama Club – Lorenzo from our LVI IB group will be running a set of workshops exploring different areas of Drama, playing Drama games and possibly working towards a small showcase in the Trinity Term (not confirmed). A chance for those of you who love Drama to learn some new techniques, have fun and experience what GCSE might be like.

We will looking at analysing recent football matches, practicing commentary and using debating skills to act as pundits discussing recent controversial events, such as VAR intervention.

The streaming of Royal Geographical Society lectures which explore contemporary global issues including food and energy insecurity, migration, climate change and many more.

Love watching good and intelligent movies? Germany has produced plenty of them. We will watch some of the best which are set for example in former autocratic East Germany (GDR), Nazi-Germany or or other pivotal periods in German history. There will also be some time reserved for discussions and background information for each movie.

From seed to plate – Learn to sow seeds, look after seedlings and veg beds, harvest your produce. This EP will mostly take place in the Ardingly vegetable garden and greenhouse.

An opportunity to test your skill against other students in a Pool, Table Tennis and Boulles league.

Learn the basics of knitting with a view to completing an Easter decoration project. Suitable for absolute beginners or novices wanting to improve their skills, but advanced knitters welcomed too!

Strategy behind as well as having a go at a range of Maths based puzzles.

Letter-writing can help relieve anxiety, stress and boost our mood. We will be sending (and receiving) letters and reading letters written by significant figures.

Make a website and learn about how to maintain it. Potentially launch your career as an influencer*

An opportunity to do some mindfulness colouring whilst listening to calming music in a relaxed atmosphere designed to introduce you to ways of looking after yourself after a busy day.

Learn the tips and techniques to solve word puzzles & cryptic crosswords to train your brain.

Pre-selection only.

Pre-selected pre-season squad tennis – by invite only.

An opportunity to work in a supportive environment on your programming project. Perfect for NEA completion.

This EP will give students the opportunity to explore a wide range of topics in Psychology via different forms of media, such as films and documentaries.

The opportunity to practise speaking in Spanish about the topic we have been studying in lessons, and beyond.

Learn about Spanish speaking countries, their culture and history through film

The group is suited to those who wish to experiment with written journalism, photo journalism and aspects of design in news reporting.

Watching a variety of documentaries focusing on a range of sustainability issues (e.g. Seaspiracy, Climate Change: The Facts by David Attenborough) followed by discussion around these topics.

Explore the development of technology through the ages, looking at classic tech movies.

Join us to view some of the best theatre on screen. From re-envisioned classics like ‘Yerma’ to musical theatre, we will watch and discuss the decisions that directors, designers and actors have made.

This term we are looking for performers to join our cast! Auditions for roles will happen imminently, so make sure you keep reading announcements on teams. There will be opportunity to join us in the Trinity term if you are interested in working backstage.

Advance sign up for 2 or 3 half-terms of Thurs EP over the year required. 2 Reps per House.Work with EDI Dept and Advocacy Prefects.

For brochure: ‘Becoming an EDI representative is a rewarding student leadership role that allows you to champion essential values, create an inclusive and dynamic environment, and develop our culture of Belonging at Ardingly, working with like -minded people. If you are passionate about promoting fairness, diversity, and inclusion, this role provides a meaningful way to make a significant difference and be at the heart of positive change in the College.

Complete your own paint by numbers canvas over the course of the term.

The annual Lower Sixth competition run by the Business Department, which this year has been given a sustainability twist, culminates in Wednesday’s presentation evening. Under the guidance of business entrepreneurs and mentors, teams of Lower Sixth students will compete in small groups to come up with and deliver the best business presentation for a new sustainable product or service to potential investors. A panel of judges will assess the presentations and the winning team will be awarded the “Take a Risk” trophy.

Keith Manger is the building manager of the world-famous Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst Place. Keith has more than two decades of overseeing the day-to-day running of the most biodiverse place on the planet and will be sharing his knowledge and expertise of environmental sustainability.

As part of Sustainability Week the Estates Department are offering tours of the amazing and mysterious biomass boiler, so come along and find out how it works and how it has lowered the College’s carbon footprint!

Students who are passionate about sustainability and keen for a career that helps the planet can come along to the Chapel at 4.30pm on Monday to hear from a panel of Old Ardinians, all working in careers relating to sustainability. With industries from finance to farming represented, along with marketing, transport and energy, they will find out more about the range of careers available for anyone who would like to work to make the world a more sustainable place.

Are you interested in learning more about the life and works of the world’s greatest playwright? Would you like to read one of his plays just for the fun of it and maybe go and watch a production at The Globe? Shakespeare Soc. is the one for you!

A chance for any girls in the Senior School to come together outside of (but as well as) Chapel Choir to sing different styles of music without the pressure of a service/concert to perform at.

Read books that promote empathy and advocacy.