At Queen’s College, we believe some of the most important lessons in life happen beyond the classroom. Whether it’s the confidence to speak in front of an audience, the determination to master a new skill or the friendships formed through shared experiences, our co-curricular programme plays an essential role in helping young people grow.
Academic learning is at the heart of a Queen’s education, but we know that children need more than qualifications to thrive. They need opportunities to discover what excites them, encouragement to try something unfamiliar and the confidence to recognise what they are capable of achieving.
With over 120 co-curricular opportunities available throughout the year, pupils at Queen’s are encouraged to explore their interests, challenge themselves and develop skills that will stay with them long after they leave school.
As Head of Co-curricular, one of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing pupils discover something they never expected to enjoy. Sometimes that discovery leads to a lifelong passion. Sometimes it simply gives a young person the confidence to try something new. Both are equally valuable.
This is what our motto, Learn for Life, means in practice.
Co-curricular opportunities woven into everyday school life
At Queen’s, co-curricular activities are not simply an optional extra. They are an important part of the school experience, giving pupils regular opportunities to develop interests, spend time with friends and discover new strengths.
Our programme is built into the school week, with dedicated sessions that allow pupils to choose activities suited to their interests and ambitions. From Pre-Prep and Prep through to Senior School and Sixth Form, opportunities develop alongside the children themselves.
For our younger pupils, this might mean discovering the natural world through Wildlife Watch, experimenting with Lego robotics, enjoying art and cookery or learning a musical instrument for the first time.
As pupils progress through the College, their choices become increasingly varied. Senior pupils might explore psychology, take part in the Cipher Challenge, join the Stock Market Challenge or immerse themselves in the imaginative world of Dungeons & Dragons.
Others may find enjoyment in mindful crochet, macramé, DJ training or creative design.
The variety is intentional. Not every child will be drawn to the same activities, and we wouldn’t expect them to be. What matters is that pupils feel encouraged to explore, supported when they find something challenging and proud of the progress they make.
There is something particularly special about watching a pupil who was initially unsure of themselves become confident in an activity they had never considered before.
Creativity, curiosity and practical skills
Creative and practical activities give pupils the freedom to experiment, solve problems and express themselves in different ways.
In our Art clubs, younger children explore colour, materials and imaginative projects, while older pupils can develop more advanced techniques, prepare for competitions and take creative risks.
The emphasis is not simply on producing an impressive final piece. It is on the process of creating, learning from mistakes and having the confidence to try a different approach.
Our Design Technology and engineering activities offer similar opportunities for discovery.
Through projects such as the Goblin Car initiative and Queen’s College Motorsport, pupils develop practical engineering skills while learning how to work together towards a shared goal.
The Motorsport programme gives Senior School pupils the opportunity to design, build and race electric cars in the national Greenpower Competition. Along the way, they experience the satisfaction of seeing an idea develop into something real, while discovering the importance of teamwork, perseverance and problem-solving.
These are valuable experiences for pupils considering careers in engineering or design, but their benefits extend much further.
Learning skills for life in the kitchen
Cooking is another popular part of co-curricular life at Queen’s.
Our dedicated teaching kitchen provides a welcoming environment where pupils can develop practical skills, experiment with ingredients and gain confidence preparing food.
Activities such as Seasonal Cooking, Celebration Foods and Eat Wild Club encourage creativity and independence, while opportunities to participate in Young Chefs competitions provide additional challenges for those wishing to develop their culinary interests.
For some pupils, cookery may become a serious passion. For others, learning to prepare a meal independently is an achievement in itself.
Both reflect our belief that education should prepare young people for everyday life as well as academic success.
Finding their voice through debating and Model United Nations
Learning to express an opinion, listen to another perspective and speak with confidence are skills that can make a lasting difference to a young person’s life.
At Queen’s, debating begins in the Prep School, with opportunities developing from Year 6 through Senior School and Sixth Form.
Pupils learn to research unfamiliar subjects, construct thoughtful arguments and respond respectfully to different viewpoints.
Our Model United Nations (MUN) programme builds on these foundations, introducing pupils to international affairs, diplomacy and global challenges.
Queen’s hosts a major schools Model United Nations conference in the South West, welcoming visiting schools to take part in debate and discussion.
Our delegates also have opportunities to attend conferences elsewhere in the UK and internationally, including The Hague, where they can exchange ideas with young people from different backgrounds.
For pupils, the experience is about much more than public speaking. It encourages curiosity about the wider world, develops independence and teaches them to consider perspectives beyond their own.
Most importantly, it gives young people the confidence to recognise that their ideas and contributions matter.
Sport at Queen’s: Participation, teamwork and resilience
Sport is an important part of life at Queen’s, not simply because of the opportunities to compete, but because of everything pupils learn along the way.
From Year 3 onwards, children enjoy regular opportunities to represent the College and experience competitive sport.
We believe there is great value in learning how to win with humility, respond positively to disappointment and support teammates through both success and setbacks.
Our sporting programme includes traditional team sports such as rugby, hockey, netball and cricket, alongside football, tennis, swimming, athletics and cross country.
Pupils can also explore activities such as fencing, padel, canoe polo, kayaking and climbing.
For those with particular sporting ambitions, specialist coaching, performance pathways and competitive squads provide opportunities to develop their skills further.
Equally, we recognise that not every pupil wants to pursue sport at a high level.
For some, the greatest achievement might be joining a team for the first time, developing confidence in the water or discovering an activity that makes being active enjoyable.
Our approach is built around participation, encouragement and progress, helping pupils develop a positive relationship with sport that can continue into adulthood.
Performing arts: A place to belong and express yourself
There is something remarkable about the confidence that can develop when a young person steps onto a stage.
At Queen’s, performing arts offer pupils opportunities to express themselves, collaborate with others and discover abilities they may not have recognised.
Our programme includes music, drama and dance, with activities and performance opportunities available across the College.
Throughout the year, pupils take part in plays, musicals, dance productions and concerts, developing their skills through rehearsals, performances and specialist teaching.
Our 570-seat Queen’s Hall Theatre provides a wonderful setting for these experiences, but it is the pupils themselves who bring each production to life.
Some discover a love of performing in front of an audience. Others find their place behind the scenes through technical theatre, lighting, costume, props or stage management.
Every role matters, and every contribution helps create something that the whole community can celebrate.
Music and dance for every stage
Music is a vibrant part of Queen’s life, with opportunities to participate in choirs, orchestras, instrumental ensembles and smaller performance groups.
From a child’s first experience of making music with others to more advanced performances, pupils are encouraged to develop their abilities at a pace that is right for them.
Regular concerts provide opportunities to share their progress with families and friends, while larger events such as our Summer Concert bring the College community together.
Dance is equally varied, with the Queen’s Academy of Dance offering disciplines including ballet, tap, modern, street, lyrical and contemporary dance.
Pupils can work towards examinations, develop their technique or simply enjoy the creativity, movement and friendships that dance brings.
For those wishing to pursue performing arts further, specialist programmes and scholarship opportunities provide additional support and challenge.
Our partnership with Somerstage
Our partnership with Somerstage brings further opportunities for young performers at Queen’s and across the wider Taunton community.
With weekly classes held at the College on Friday evenings during term time, Somerstage provides specialist musical theatre training for children and young people aged 4 to 18.
Through singing, acting and dance, participants develop performance skills, communication and confidence in a supportive environment.
The partnership also introduces young performers to industry experience and potential professional pathways through Somerstage’s links with Bijou Talent.
Whether a child hopes to pursue a future in the performing arts or simply wants to enjoy performing with others, the opportunity to develop confidence and creativity is valuable in its own right.
Outdoor education: Confidence through challenge and adventure
Some of the most memorable learning experiences happen when pupils are encouraged to step outside their usual surroundings.
Outdoor education is an important part of our co-curricular programme, giving young people opportunities to develop independence, resilience and teamwork through practical experiences.
From climbing and archery to kayaking and canoe polo, pupils are encouraged to try new activities, learn to manage challenges and build confidence in their own abilities.
Our Adventure Club extends these opportunities beyond the College grounds, with experiences including mountain biking, caving, paddleboarding, coasteering and outdoor climbing.
The programme also includes opportunities to take part in established challenges and expeditions such as Ten Tors, the Exmoor Challenge and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
For some pupils, these experiences provide the chance to develop specialist outdoor skills. For others, the greatest achievement might be completing a difficult walk, supporting a teammate or overcoming a fear.
These moments are often the ones that stay with young people.
They learn that progress takes patience, that challenges can be overcome and that they are capable of more than they initially believed.
Opportunities to develop as pupils grow
One of the strengths of co-curricular life at Queen’s is the way opportunities develop throughout a pupil’s school journey.
In Pre-Prep and Prep, activities encourage curiosity, enjoyment and the confidence to explore. Children are introduced to different interests in a familiar, supportive environment, where trying something new is part of everyday learning.
As they move into Senior School, pupils have greater opportunities to make choices, develop specialist interests and take on new responsibilities.
By Sixth Form, co-curricular experiences increasingly support independence, leadership and preparation for life beyond school.
Through the Queen’s Diploma, Sixth Form students are encouraged to develop practical life skills, contribute to their community, explore future pathways and reflect on their personal growth.
Activities such as mentoring, volunteering, debating, leadership, work experience and practical skills development help students become more confident in making decisions and taking responsibility.
This progression reflects our approach to High Performance Learning.
We believe ability is developed through encouragement, opportunity, practice and challenge. Co-curricular activities provide another valuable setting in which pupils can experience that growth for themselves.
More than activities: A community where pupils can thrive
With such a broad programme, it would be easy to focus simply on the number of activities available.
But what matters most to us is the difference those experiences make to the young people taking part.
It might be the quiet pupil who discovers their voice through debating. The child who makes a new friend at an art club. The young performer who finds the courage to step onto the stage. Or the pupil who learns, through sport or outdoor adventure, that setbacks are part of making progress.
These moments may seem small at the time, but together they help shape confident, curious and resilient young people.
They also strengthen the sense of belonging that is so important at Queen’s.
When pupils join clubs, contribute to teams, perform together or work towards shared goals, they build relationships with other pupils and staff beyond their usual classrooms and friendship groups.
They discover new ways to contribute to school life and develop a stronger sense of who they are.
As Head of Co-curricular, this is what I value most about our programme. Not simply the range of opportunities we provide, but the chance to see pupils grow through them.
At Queen’s College, we want young people to leave us with strong academic foundations, but also with the confidence to embrace new experiences, the resilience to face challenges and the curiosity to keep learning.
Because the most important lessons don’t end when the school day finishes. They stay with us for life.
Discover life beyond the classroom at Queen’s College
The best way to understand co-curricular life at Queen’s is to experience it for yourself.
We warmly invite you to visit Queen’s College, meet our pupils and staff, and discover how our approach to learning, opportunity and personal development helps every child feel known, supported and encouraged.