QMH Co-Curricular & EnrichmentLooking beyond the classroom

Our aim is for pupils to thrive and achieve in all aspects school-life – academically, socially, creatively, emotionally and beyond, and our co-curricular and activities programme is of immense importance to the overall, rounded education offered at King Edward’s.

Whether in our world renowned music school, within over 100 sports teams, or our wide ranging art, design technology or drama programs, every pupil engaging in activities beyond the curriculum enriches their whole School experience and connection with others. We provide an encouraging, high-performance environment where pupils are supported to enjoy the simple pleasure of taking part in activities and also where those wishing to excel in their passions are supported in their goals, whether they be within or beyond the provision of our generous scholarships in art, drama, design technology, music and sport.

Get busy!

We encourage our Year 7 & 8 pupils to ‘get busy’ and try out as many new co-curricular activities as time permits as well as engaging in those that they are already familiar with and enjoy. We ask them to be academically ambitious but to look beyond the classroom and remember that they have an important role to play within society, not apart from it; to find exciting opportunity in and passion for more than just academic learning.

Our extensive offering begins with our youngest pupils and the QMH ‘carousel programme’, This provides the opportunity to try a wide range of new experiences and opportunities, including forest school, chess, design technology, sustainability club, circus skills, and swimming in our on-site pool amongst many others – some 50+ co-curricular clubs and societies altogether each week. Many clubs are led by passionate teaching staff; some are pupil-led, and others provided by external experts. Activities predominantly take place after school or on Saturdays, with most attracting no additional charge.

We also offer an extensive trips programme, with a range of opportunities to travel with the school locally, in the UK and internationally on academic and co-curricular adventures. Whether its a business studies trip to New York, a drama trip to London, or a geography trip to Iceland, all are well structured and highly motivating experiences for every pupil.

Through our extensive programmes, our pupils are encouraged to look ahead to a life journey fuelled with creativity, discovery, ambition and collegiality – to explore and experience ‘more and different’ and to develop a powerful appetite for learning, challenge and growth for the whole of their lives.

Art & Textiles at King Edward’s

King Edward’s Art Department is dedicated to realising the creative potential of every pupil, providing an opportunity to creatively express themselves in a supportive and stimulating environment.

We offer expansive classrooms and a variety of specialised facilities, including a ceramics room, printmaking studio, photography darkroom, library, and ICT resource room. Our art department is a lively and dynamic space where pupils can develop their creativity using a variety of media, where we encourage and support their artistic ambitions as well as written explorations of ideas and critical thinking.

The school’s stunning countryside and historic buildings serve as a constant source of artistic inspiration and Art Clubs are available in all years within our school, ensuring that the widest opportunities are provided for all of our pupils to have the opportunities to explore their artistic interests. In addition, gallery trips and weekend and evening workshops, such as life drawing, illustration, and printmaking offer further avenues for artistic development.

Often when people consider art, their thoughts turn to painting or ceramics, but not necessarily to critical thinking.

I believe that critical thinking is one of the most important things that art can encourage and develop, and if course it’s really important in life. When exploring art we consider the thought processes that inspired its creation. Why has the artist done this? What were they feeling? How do we perceive this? What am I feeling? What can we learn?

And sometimes, this can be actually the hardest part and it’s often the element that takes the most amount of time because we are training our eyes and brains to see and explore beyond first impressions.

We dive deeper; consider the psychology, humanity and impact. It’s always so much more that ‘just a painting’.

Mrs Alice Witheridge, Head of Art

Drama at King Edward’s

Drama is an important part of life at King Edward’s empowering vital skills for life.

All pupils are invited to audition and participate in our drama programme which includes a minimum of three productions in each school year, with a musical biannually. In March 2025, we will be one of the first schools in the UK to perform the critically acclaimed production of ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’, taking advantage of newly available performance rights. We offer a technical theatre club each week, and our pupils are at the centre of our backstage production. Our House Drama competition is one of the most keenly fought competitions each year, with original plays performed after an intensive rehearsal period.

King Edward’s pupils take advantage of our close proximity to a wide range of theatre venues, with each year group attending performances in London’s West End, or in the South East’s prime venues including Chichester Festival Theatre and the Yvonne Arnold theatre in Guildford. Each year we welcome a number of visiting theatre company workshops and showcases, and a wide ranging LAMDA provision is offered at school to support our pupil’s flourishing creativity.

I think the most important thing about a drama classroom is that everybody feels comfortable and everyone feels ready to get involved and to be supportive.

It was recently said in the Economic Forum that speaking, communications and relationships is going to be one of the most important skills for jobs moving forward. So essentially, I see that as my job is getting children ready to embrace the world and to communicate effectively, to be able to speak their mind, to be able to stand up in front of people and to do that clearly and confidently

Nicki Plowman, Director of Drama

Design Technology at King Edward’s

Where innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning come to life.

Housed in a purpose-built and fully furnished facility, our Design Technology department is a hub of creativity and industry where cutting edge tools meet vivid imagination.

Pupils have the opportunity to immerse themselves in weekly lessons that explore a variety of projects and develop an awareness of how great design and of technology positively benefits in a rapidly changing society. We enable pupils to develop their skills and understanding of materials (wood, plastic, textiles, metal etc.) and apply the knowledge within a design and make based approach. Here, they not only build their practical and design skills, but also deepen their understanding of materials, processes, and the real-world applications of what they create. Whether it’s crafting a model, building a prototype, or experimenting with new techniques, every project is an opportunity to learn and innovate.

Pupils have access to a wealth of clubs throughout their school and are encouraged to engage in various exciting and challenging projects throughout the year. We offer a ‘Radio Control Car Club’ which is open to all year groups, allowing pupils to explore the world of radio-controlled cars while learning about car mechanics through deconstruction and maintenance of the vehicles. Pupils have recently started the renovation of an electric quad bike where it will be stripped down and renovated while also modifying it through creating additional parts. We also offer Wood Turning as an option where students can learn this traditional craft, producing items such as bowls and candlesticks.

As part of our outreach programme we work with year 5 pupils from surrounding schools who come in to undertake a series of challenges. This helps inspire young minds and provides valuable support in the provision of a Design and Technology curriculum within primary schools.

Our DT department is a place where innovation, creativity, and hands-on learning come to life. Our aim is simple – to take pupils on an exciting journey of discovery. It’s not just about developing practical skills, but also about nurturing a mindset of creativity, problem-solving, and thinking outside the box.

In Years 7 and 8 pupils have the opportunity to immerse themselves in weekly lessons that explore a variety of projects. Here, they not only build their practical and design skills, but also deepen their understanding of materials, processes, and the real-world applications of what they create. Whether it’s crafting a model, building a prototype, or experimenting with new techniques, every project is an opportunity to learn and innovate.

But that’s just the beginning. Our students don’t just work with traditional tools and methods. We believe in keeping pace with the future of design. That’s why every student, from Year 7, also gets the chance to develop their skills in CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing). They’ll work with machines like our high-precision laser cutter and a full suite of 3D printers to bring their digital designs to life.

So, whether it’s building a mechanical model, designing a new product, or exploring the world of digital fabrication, the Design and Technology department is where your creative journey begins.
Mr Tom Webb, Head of Design Technology

Music at King Edward’s

We want every King Edward’s pupil to experience the widest range of music making possible, by learning an instrument, joining a choir or ensemble, or attending concerts, recitals and band sessions. Our music department is a hub of creative activity and a place where all musical abilities, interests and tastes are celebrated. Our Bridewell Shining Stars initiative gives the opportunity for all First form pupils to learn an orchestral instrument with a term of free lessons, with the cost of lessons then being means tested.

The Countess of Munster Music School at King Edward’s provides over 5,000 individual lessons and concerts, competitions, UK and international tours and examinations. Our school has over twenty choirs, orchestras and bands for our pupils to become involved in, including our Chapel Choir, Camerata, Lower School Choirs, Senior Vocal Ensemble, Junior Vocal Ensemble, Orchestra, Chamber orchestra, Saxophone Quartet, Brass Quintet, Percussion Ensemble and 10+ Bands. Our Battles of the Bands, House Music and Musician of the Year competitions open to all.

Our exceptional choirs and orchestras regularly perform externally, with our Chapel Choir singing at St Peter’s Vatican City, Saint Paul’s Outside the Walls Rome, St Mark’s Venice, Guildhall, Mansion House, St Bride’s Fleet Street, St Clement Danes, Guildford, Chichester, Winchester, Westminster, Southwark cathedrals and St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle.

Our programme of performances in Witley is comprehensive, allowing musicians specialising in every instrument with the opportunity to display their talents to peers, parents and external audiences in a number of settings, ranging from intimate showcases to larger scale performances.

Music technology learning is popular at King Edward’s with pupils able to develop their skills in our state-of-the-art Mac Suite and recording studio which is of excellent benefit to our BTEC Music Technology pupils. We have an impressive track record of pupils progressing to sound production and engineering programmes in addition to more traditional courses at the Royal Academy of Music, Oxbridge and other universities.

Whether playing for simple pleasure or are focused on a professional career as a musician or in music production, King Edward’s really does provide extraordinary musical opportunity for all.

Sport at King Edward’s

From individual trophies, to House competitions, from specialist sports to national arenas, we provide opportunities to develop skills or achieve personal best, where pupils are supported to enjoy the simple pleasure of taking part in activities or work together for collective competitive glory.

The sports programme at King Edward’s is extensive. Our core sports – cricket, football, hockey, and netball – each have a dedicated Head in addition to our Director of Sport and Head of Girls’ Games. Over 100 school teams benefit from competitive and recreational opportunities in our core and a broader range of sports, including athletics, golf, rugby, swimming and tennis, during the week and at weekends, with a wide-ranging touring programme being offered to encourage our pupils to experience and enjoy different sporting environments.

80% of King Edward’s pupils represented the school in a sports team during 2023/24, with this number being consistent between girls and boys. This team representation rate significantly exceeds PADSIS (The Professional Association of Directors of Sport in Independent Schools) benchmarks.

In 2024, King Edward’s has been included in The Cricketer’s Top 100 Senior Schools, reflecting the growth of our cricket programme since the appointment of Rikki Clarke (ex-England) in 2021 for both boys and girls.

In our Elite and Developing Performance pathway programmes, cited by the Professional Association for Directors of Sport in Independent Schools as an example of excellent practice, we work with partners to support and mentor pupils with the highest ambitions in a wide range of sports, including Toby Roberts (Old Witleian 2022; Olympic Gold Medallist, Sport Climbing, 2024). Many of our pupils gain county, divisional and national honours and representation; our percentage participation rate per age group is significantly above national averages and we currently have a national age group champions in swimming, and American football as well as current pupils and recent alumni participating in national performance pathways in athletics, cricket (including county capped players, football (including independent schools FA and professional club academy selection, golf, hockey (including national triallists), skiing and squash.. We also support our pupils in gaining coaching and sport leadership qualifications whilst at King Edward’s.

Whether engaging in sport for simple pleasure or are focused on a professional career is sport, King Edward’s really does provide extraordinary sporting opportunity for all.

We want sport to be an intrinsic part of a pupil’s development – to understand the importance of physical activity and how it can support them in their physical, emotional or social well-being when they leave the school.

We aim to provide an immense array of activities for our pupils to get involved in.

We extend the most able and elite performers in our sport Scholar program, which extends those pupils, gives them an access to, elite performance environments, and they can go on to then be a success, which obviously we’ve seen that recently, in the Olympics with one of our former pupils being able to go on to win a gold medal there.

But, it’s equally important we understand that the vast majority of pupils will not become elite sportspeople. We provide opportunities for them to be comfortable in fitness suites, finding, or experiencing lots of different sporting activities so that they can go and find their sporting niche. That’s something that they want to do when they leave the school.
Mr Phil MIller, Director of Sport

My advice to girls in sport? Just embrace everything on offer and never give up playing. Find your passion. There shouldn’t be any barriers to playing sport and if girls are open to learning, they will enjoy everything they do. There are s0 many opportunities open to girls at King Edward’s, whether it is a racket sport or a team sport or individual sport, whether they just want to learn how to run 5k, or enter the cross-country and the athletics events, they all absolutely love it and flourish from it.

We really are on par with what the boys sport offering. Football is being developed this year, we already have the girls entered into the regional national netball tournament, which is fantastic. Girls sport is growing from strength to strength.
Mrs Fiona Fitch, Head of Girls Sport