Co-curricular
One of the real attractions of Sheffield Girls’ is the opportunity to take part in a huge range of extra-curricular activities, be they sporting, creative, musical, dramatic, challenge-based or just for fun!
Enrichment
At Sheffield Girls’ we pride ourselves in providing an exceptional all-round education that encourages every girl to try out different activities to discover where her talents and interests lie. We offer a breathtaking range of activities outside the classroom with dozens of different clubs available before, during and after the school day.
We were named the top independent secondary school in the north of England in 2023 and 2026 and our extra-curricular opportunities are a core part of our school life.
We encourage all of our pupils to have a go! Creativity, teamwork, enterprise and positive risk taking are vital ingredients in the school experience, not only helping the girls build towards their academic and career goals but contributing to their personal growth and sense of belonging. Whether training for sports competitions, setting up their own business, rehearsing for performances or pushing their intellectual horizons, our pupils constantly test their limits and in the process learn how to lead, how to support, how to adapt, how to succeed and how to fail – not to mention having a lot of fun along the way!
From Trampolining to Code Club, from drama performances to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, from Photography Club to Psychology Club, from Rock School to Chamber Choir, and from academic clinics to The Big Draw. The list is almost limitless. If a pupil suggests a club not currently available, we are usually able to set one up.
Adventure and Challenge
Adventure and challenge are always on offer including the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, House Challenge Day, Bridge Building, Industry Day and Maths Day – all activities which develop problem-solving, teamwork and leadership skills.
Our older Senior School students lead clubs and enrichment activities, mentoring their younger peers and raising their aspirations whilst developing their own leadership and communication skills. We incorporate our co-curricular activity programme into wider school initiatives to support our girls as they flourish into positive, kind and courageous people.
Our co-curricular activities are accessible for all, and many run at no extra cost.
Co-curricular Opportunities
From coding to crochet, gardening to gymnastics, our vibrant co-curricular programme truly offers something for everyone.
Watch our Co-curricular film to get a glimpse into life beyond lessons at Sheffield Girls‘.
Girls of Steel
Our Girls of Steel character education programme threads throughout our school community and all areas of school life.
In Senior School our character education activities continue in Key Stage 3 and 4. The programme focuses on six core skills: leadership; communication; collaboration; independence; critical thinking, and reflection. As our senior students develop their skills portfolios, they gain invaluable experience to help them thrive in the wider world and demonstrate the values, knowledge and capabilities which are most highly prized by employers.
Our character education programme underpins everything we do. As our students complete Key Stage 4 they prepare for their final stage of schooling in Sixth Form and embark on our Forging Futures enrichment programme.
Sport
We offer co-curricular sporting activities which aim to:
- complement and extend the curriculum beyond what is covered in timetabled sessions
- allow all pupils to extend their interests and abilities
- give our students opportunities for team and individual participation
- provide leadership opportunities
- promote health and physical fitness
- give opportunities to travel both in the UK and abroad
- allow students of different ages and abilities to interact
As a school, we support local sport and we have a long record of success in the Sheffield Federation for School Sport (SFSS) competitions. Both teams and individuals are also given opportunities to compete against other independent schools in the Midlands and the North of England on a regular basis, both in friendly and competitive situations. Girls are able to access these opportunities starting in the Junior School.
Our pupils compete in many national competitions, and we achieve county, regional and national finals titles every year. Sporting achievements are celebrated through the school’s star system in assemblies and through the awarding of school colours.
Supporting our elite athletes
We provide timetable support for our elite athletes to enable them to compete at the highest levels. The achievements of our teams and individuals are celebrated through the School’s ‘star system’, in assemblies, through the awarding of school colours at our annual Celebration of the School Year and other awards ceremonies and events.
Music, Drama, Dance and Art
Whether it is hitting the high notes, expression through art, the power of movement, or treading the boards, our budding performers have every opportunity to get involved throughout their time in Senior School.
Music
Individual music lessons are offered to all girls in instruments including piano, violin, viola, cello, clarinet, flute, acoustic guitar, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, tenor horn, euphonium, French horn, tuba, harp, drums and orchestral percussion.
Pupils can also participate in orchestras, ensembles, choirs, wind bands and string groups. Opportunities for performance range from playing in concerts and whole school events, to participation in local music festivals, to international trips and tours.
Dance
Dance is a very popular activity at Sheffield Girls’, with lunchtime movement clubs located in our purpose built dance studio. Our annual Movement Evening provides a fantastic showcase opportunity for many performers.
Drama
Our senior pupils have the opportunity to take part in a range of school performances every year. Our main annual school performance alternates every two years between a grand musical and and a traditional stage performance. It’s always one of the most eagerly anticipated nights of the year with senior students involved in planning, performing, leading and managing behind the scenes.
Many of our girls also choose to take additional Speech and Drama lessons with a specialist teacher in preparation for LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) examinations.
Art
Art is a perfect subject for girls to express themselves and flourish creatively. Our Senior pupils use our fantastic art studios outside of lessons throughout the week in preparation for a range of external competitions and exhibitions which they take part in every year.
Trips
There are a wide variety of school trips organised each year. Our girls get the chance to travel on day visits within the UK, to support the academic curriculum with practical and experiential opportunities. Our pupils also get the chance to stay away on residential visits to provide cultural experiences and personal development.
Language trips to Europe, skiing trips and other long distance trips take place regularly, and are optional. These trips provide an excellent opportunity for our pupils to bond, to experience new places and cultures, to challenge themselves, and to try something new.
With all our trips, we ensure our parents have access to all the trip information as early as possible through regular communications via email and a specific trips page on our intranet Firefly. We aim to plan long distance trips as far in advance as possible – usually 18 months or more – to support family financial planning.
Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award aims to provide an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development for young people.
- The Award is a four-part programme with three levels:
- Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award (starting in Year 9)
- Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award (starting in Year 10)
- Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award (starting in Year 12)
The four sections involve:
- Service (helping people in the community)
- Skills (covering almost any hobby, skill or interest)
- Physical Recreation (sport, dance and fitness)
- Expeditions (training for, planning and completing a journey on foot or horseback, by boat or cycle)
Residential Project (Gold Award only) – a purposeful enterprise with people not previously known to the participant
Forging Futures
Our Forging Futures Programme supports our Sixth Form students to develop their talents and interests, equipping them with a broad range of life skills and exposing them to a wide range of careers opportunities as they consider post 18 routes and options.
