Co-curricular Overview

Our extensive co-curricular programme is an integral part of our whole curriculum offer. The CNS programme consists of over 50 clubs, subject enrichment activities, visits, social action and charity events, as well as a broad student leadership scheme. This curriculum supports the development of the physical, mental, spiritual, cultural and intellectual health of our students, in a joined-up approach to enhance their subject curriculum.

Our powerful co-curricular offer enhances the broad, balanced and enriching programme of education.

The whole range of thriving clubs and activities provides our students with the opportunity to further their existing interests or to discover completely new ones. In our school aims we describe how we want to develop in every student the skills, aptitudes and abilities required to become emotionally resilient and confident young people. We want to encourage in every child a sense of commitment, to value high achievement, to be prepared to adapt and to innovate.

These co-curricular activities offer students opportunities:

• For learning the value of teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, diversity and a sense of culture and community.
• To apply academic skills in a real-world context and are thus considered part of a balanced education.
• To widen their appreciation of cultures, views, opinions and attitudes.
• To make choices in terms of what they want to do, or not as the case may be, which can be educational.
• Through our charity work and social action events our aim is to develop a caring community within the school by encouraging commitment, courtesy, co-operation, tolerance and compassion towards one another whilst understanding that everyone is a member of a wider community.

We strive to ensure that all students, especially those facing any disadvantage or barrier to learning, feel a sense of belonging and connectivity to the CNS community and its inclusive ethos. Our wider curriculum will address the diverse needs of all the students. It will develop our students’ self-esteem and confidence through the encouragement and reward of resilience, leadership, communication, engagement and progress.

Our programme includes:

• Character development across the curriculum and in PSHE
• Duke of Edinburgh Scheme (Bronze to Gold) –With an aim to increase participation rates of disadvantaged students
• Arts Mark Award
• Partnership links with Guildhall School of Music and Drama and Norwich City Football Club
• OAT #Iwill social action and House charity participation
• Clubs
• Sporting events
• Charities events
• Social action groups and events
• Trips and Visits
• Student leadership and student voice