Overview
Below you will find information on each activity available to learners in the extension activity sessions which take place on Wednesday afternoons.
A wide range of activities are on offer and these are described within this booklet to help learners select which activity/activities they would like to participate in.
Selected activities require learners to commit for a full academic year, whereas others will only require commitment for half a term. Learners will have the opportunity to change activity every half term provided they are not committed to an activity which requires commitment for the full academic year.
Learners participate in their selected activity for the whole of the Wednesday afternoon. Extension Activities begin at 1:35 pm and end at 4:00 pm.
Learners will not be able to select or change an activity once the deadline has passed.
Please note that some activities are seasonal and not available throughout the whole year.
Further information is available from the Head of PE, Mr Morgan:
n.morgan@jcbacademy.com or by telephone on 01889 506100.
Choosing activities
Certain activities have a cost involved for participation, however these have been arranged at discounted prices and the majority of activities are available free of charge.
It is therefore important that parents and learners are fully aware of these costs before making activity selections.
Once you have looked at the available options below, please click here to select your choices.
Payment
Where payment is required, this needs to be made in full via ParentPay by an allocated deadline each half term. Please note that refunds will not be made if a session is missed. Additionally, a refund will not be made if a learner is removed from an activity as a result of inappropriate/unacceptable behaviour. Costs in this booklet are based on five weeks and may vary as noted. The most common reasons for this are a variation in the number of weeks in each half term or a variation in the number of learners that select a paid activity.
Click an activity below to display more information
The academy has its own small allotment with vegetable beds, fruit trees, a greenhouse and a small pond. Learners will spend the first couple of weeks tidying up the space, weeding out the beds and planning what they want to grow over the coming months. This year we will also be planting a bog garden behind the pond and creating an area to grow wildflowers. As well as spending time on the allotment, there will be opportunities for wildlife walks, garden centre visits and participating in the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch.
Working on the allotment does involve quite a bit of physical activity, in particular digging! Learners will also get dirty and sometimes get rained on, so outdoor clothing is a necessity.
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 6
This club is for people who want to be more creative. We draw and paint; make and paint objects and jewellery; practise drawing anime or making comic books; set challenges and improve a range of artistic techniques.
Our produced work is displayed around the academy.
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 20
Read. Review. Write. Play Games. Watch a Book!
And so much more!
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 15
Get together with others to explore the Christian faith.
This activity is open to all regardless of beliefs or religious affiliation.
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 15
Learners travel to Doveridge Shooting Centre to practise their clay pigeon shooting.
The top performers may be selected to represent The JCB Academy in the National Schools Shooting Competition.
Cost = £136.75
Maximum Learners = 50
This activity allows learners to climb a variety of challenging walls with qualified instructors. The range of walls at the facility accommodates a range of abilities from beginners to advanced climbers.
Cost = £78.00
Maximum Learners = 50
The JCB Academy’s CCF offers learners a broad range of challenging, exciting, adventurous and educational activities. Our CCF is an Army section affiliated with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME). REME embodies the ethos of the soldier/tradesman. As a part of a Corps forged on the battlefield, they keep the punch in the Army’s fist. REME is built upon innovation, meeting the twin requirements of military proficiency and engineering skill, supporting every unit in the British Army.
There will also be opportunities for cadets to participate in competitions, courses and adventurous activities. These range from leadership and military courses, through to adventurous training and even overseas trips. You will have the opportunity to take part in obstacle courses, field-days, expeditions, as well as activities like climbing, kayaking and mountain biking. This year, our cadets have also put their marksmanship skills to the test clay-pigeon shooting and paintballing.
Learners that join the CCF will also participate in the Duke of Edinburgh’s (DofE) Bronze Award.
DofE consists of a challenging programme of activities which will allow you to learn new skills, help others and experience adventure. It will also provide you with a great sense of achievement and has emphasis on both independent and teamwork. CCF and DofE require organisation and dedication. This is the reason why they are so well respected by colleges, universities and employers alike.
The CCF and DofE provide great opportunities for you to learn new skills, to experience adventure, to gain nationally recognised awards and to have a lot of fun while doing it!
There are 30 places available in this year’s CCF contingent. In order to apply for a place, please send your letter of application (no more than one A4 page) outlining why you want to join to Mr Morgan, CCF Contingent Commander, by email to n.morgan@jcbacademy.com. Learners will then be invited to interview.
Joining CCF costs £175 for the year. This cost includes a full set of uniform (including boots) as well as field equipment for field days and expeditions and access to all training equipment. The cost also covers all DofE Bronze costs, CCF membership and insurance, as well as the cost of any field days and expeditions.
The focus and highlight of the year for our contingent will be participation in the annual summer camp. This all-inclusive one week camp will cost £60 and runs during our Activities Week next July.
Cost = £175.00
Maximum Learners = 30
The club will focus on small electronic projects identified by the learners or staff and building these to completion.
Typical projects could include a portable laser tripwire and a voltage detector. The projects will involve creating the component layout from the circuit diagram and soldering the components in place. The completed projects will be available to take home. If there is sufficient demand then computing projects will take place. These could involve the dismantling and rebuilding of a PC.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
Do you feel that you could get crafty with paper? Are you tempted to have an art attack? Perhaps you think that glass painting is gorgeous? Or maybe you fancy making your own jewellery or designing your own clothes? Then Creative Craft Club is for you!
Join Miss Bailey and Mrs Werner and spend some
time indulging your artistic side!
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 15
Enjoy some foreign food, music and films alongside learning the language, e.g. for a recipe or a song in French, German or Spanish.
Find out about some interesting festivals the countries have to offer or about some historical facts.
Au Revoir – Tschüss – Adiós
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
This is a session to fine tune your debating skills!
Are you confident at articulating your point of view to win the round?
Are you able to debate a topic that you truly believe in and topics that you don’t?
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
This activity is for those who would like to further explore the application of engineering design and manufacturing techniques.
During these sessions learners will have an opportunity to develop their practical engineering skills and use their creativity to design products.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
Learners will be part of a team building robots and will then enter a national competition to compete against schools from across the country.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
Learners have the opportunity to fish at various locations around Rocester and are transported in the academy minibus.
All necessary equipment, licences and bait are provided for learners to use and no experience of fishing is required to participate in this activity.
On wet days, learners will look at fishing DVDs to gain a better understanding of baits and techniques. This time will also be used to develop knot and rig tying skills.
Learners will need to bring a change of clothes for the activity.
Cost = £25.35
Maximum Learners = 10
Flip Out is a huge arena of integrated interconnected trampolines where you can spring, trick or flip off the walls on the largest trampolines. This is a hugely popular activity with current learners at the academy.
Cost = £89.45
Maximum Learners = 50
Come and join the Foreign Film Club and enjoy watching subtitled foreign films alongside learning some of the language and culture from the countries. Bring some snacks and let’s bring a bit of cinema to The JCB Academy.
Au Revoir – Tschüss – Adiós
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 15
This activity is used to train the academy’s U16 Football Teams. It is open to Y9, Y10 and Y11 boys. It provides learners with the opportunity to train and to learn different tactics and skills required for football. The U16 Football Teams will be selected from learners who attend this activity. Burton Albion football coaches run these sessions and these teams.
Learners will need their PE kit, shin pads, and football boots for this activity.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 26
This option is for learners who enjoy a game of football but do not want to take it too seriously. Learners take part in a 5-a-side tournament picking up a range of skills as they compete.
This activity will take place on the MUGA and will require PE kit,
trainers, and shin pads.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 40
Learners work as part of a team and learn different skills. They also compete and have the chance to win house points for their house. The academy Netball Team will be chosen from learners attending this activity in the first half-term. Learners require PE kit and trainers for this activity.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 25
Learners have the opportunity to race go-karts around the track at Fastlane Karting in Fenton.
The academy will be looking to enter the regional competition that is held at Fastlane Karting which will be a perfect opportunity for learners to show off their skills.
Cost = £136.75
Maximum Learners = 12
The Land Rover 4×4 in Schools Technology Challenge involves between three and six team members and requires learners to build a radio controlled four-wheel drive (4×4) vehicle to the specifications provided by the International Rules Committee. It must successfully navigate and complete obstacles on an off-road test track, which is just as demanding as a real off-road situation. The vehicle must emulate the capabilities of a full size 4×4 vehicle.
Each team will enter the vehicle into a Regional Final to compete for a place at the National Final in their country. The National Champions from each country are then invited to compete at the Land Rover 4×4 in Schools World Finals!
www.4x4inschools.co.uk
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 12
Learners will participate in a range of sports and will alternate between weeks and half terms. In the winter terms, learners can expect to participate in table tennis, dodgeball, futsal, handball, and tchoukball. In the summer/spring terms, learners will move on to rounders, softball, Danish longball and cricket. This a great opportunity to play a range of different sports
Cost = FREE
Maximum Learners = 40
Learners must be willing to sing or play an instrument and may be encouraged to take up another instrument if required.
The group has drums, guitars, keyboards, and percussion instruments. Learners may bring in their own instruments if they wish to do so.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
Learners have the opportunity to explore the indoor obstacle park and tackle the huge selection of Ninja Warrior UK Adventure challenges. This a popular activity with our current learners.
Cost = £74.30
Maximum Learners = 50
Learners have the opportunity to test and race remote control devices. Cars, helicopters and boats have been used in the club previously. Learners will also use their workshop skills to design different tracks and terrain for their vehicles. To take part in this club, learners must have a remote control device.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
This activity takes place at the Scropton Stables. The learners will participate in 45 minutes of group riding with an instructor and 45 minutes practical horse care.
Cost = £146
Maximum Learners = 10
This activity is used to train the academy U16 Rugby Teams. It is open to Y9, Y10 and Y11 boys. It provides learners with the opportunity to train and to learn different tactics and skills required for rugby. The U16 Rugby Teams will be selected from learners that attend this activity.
Learners will need PE kit, rugby/football
boots and a gum shield for this activity.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 25
CREST is a nationally recognised scheme for student-led project work in the STEM subjects (science, technology, engineering and maths). It is a scheme that inspires young people to think and behave like scientists and engineers. Teams will be entered in a range of national competitions, completing a range of challenges, allowing them to test themselves against the best in the country.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 30
Fancy building a bear? Playing with pom poms? How about creating a cushion? Join Mrs Saunders and Mrs Sillitoe and learn how to create gifts for family and friends and maybe even something for yourself!
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 14
This option is for Y11 learners who feel certain that they wish to obtain an apprenticeship at the end of Y11.
Learners that choose this activity will engage in a variety of activities including CV and letter writing, researching opportunities for post-16 apprenticeships, trips to the academy’s engineering apprenticeship centre, developing interview skills, and tailored sessions around specific apprenticeship employers.
Cost = Free
Maximum Learners = 20
Choose your extension activity
Once you have looked at the available options above, please click here to select your choices.
