SIXTH FORM ENRICHMENT
In the Sixth Form, students may choose to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, a dedicated Year 12 Mountain Expedition, or continue to pursue their love of the outdoors via optional after-School activities.
Clifton High School’s broad-based holistic approach to education includes a rich and varied programme of enrichment to complement students’ learning and encourage confidence, curiosity and self-awareness. Through a thoughtfully curated programme of co-curricular clubs and societies, outreach, sport, performing arts and outdoor education, students are encouraged to realise their potential beyond the purely academic and to develop the characteristics and attributes that will serve them as global citizens into the future. Students often cite their experiences outside the classroom as some of the most memorable and formative of their journey at Clifton High School, cultivating a sense of belonging, for which we are renowned.
Our Enrichment Programme includes:
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A broad range of educational trips and visits helps enrich students’ learning and provide hands-on experiences to build confidence and curiosity about the world. From Year 12 Bonding Trips and once-in-a-lifetime overseas tours to theatre visits and field trips, there is something to excite and inspire all students.
ABOVE AND BEYOND
‘Above and Beyond’ is our bespoke programme, designed to inspire students to stretch beyond the A level curriculum and explore their individual interests and passions independently. Coordinated by the Deputy Head of Sixth Form, students are given the freedom in how they choose to do this. Each department in the School provides suggestions for what they can do and how they can discover more, beyond what is required on the syllabus. This could include visiting local exhibitions or sites, further reading, academic articles, attending lectures, regularly listening to podcasts, watching documentaries and much more. We also encourage students to log their ‘Above and Beyond’ activities on UniFrog, our higher education planning platform, prompting students to reflect critically on their learning - “How has it impacted them? What have they taken away from the experience? What did they like or dislike about that piece of research?” - Not only will these self-reflections help them decide what to study in the future, the notes they take provide an excellent resource when they come to write compelling applications and personal statements in Year 13.
CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
The variety of clubs and societies available to Sixth Form students is rich and wide ranging, supporting intellectual growth and the development of social abilities in a way that complements Clifton High School’s already comprehensive academic curriculum. Sixth Form students are offered a bespoke programme of clubs on a Friday lunchtime from which they can choose. Tutors and Heads of Year will encourage students to try different clubs throughout the course of a year, and to reflect on their experiences and the skills they have acquired through an online journal or logbook.
A sample of our current Sixth Form clubs and societies is shown below:
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*Led by Sixth Form students Most clubs are included in School fees, although a few specialist clubs incur a small charge.
CO-CURRICULAR SPORT
Our ‘Sport for All’ provision extends beyond the PE curriculum, with mixed ability sporting opportunities delivered by specialist professionals through our Enrichment Programme. Students develop their skills while enjoying sport individually or as part of a team, competitively or non-competitively.
All co-curricular sports clubs are hosted either on-site or at Coombe Dingle and may include:
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Additional training opportunities and specialist coaching are available through the following termly clubs, with students invited by the Sports Department or able to sign up independently.
Autumn Term
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Spring Term
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Summer Term
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These termly clubs take place after School and focus on preparation for fixtures, competitions and events including Rosslyn Park Rugby 7s, Schools Triathlon, the English Schools’ Football Association (ESFA) Cup and County Hockey.
THE RAMBLING ROSE
The Rambling Rose is Clifton High School’s award-worthy pupil newspaper, written, edited and produced by students. Showcasing a rich variety of articles, creative writing and commentary, it celebrates student voice, intellectual curiosity and the diverse interests of our School community while developing valuable communication and journalism skills. Each year, the publication is led and edited by two Sixth Form students, who oversee content, coordinate contributors and gain valuable leadership and editorial experience. Please click here to read our Summer 2026 edition.
EDUCATIONAL TRIPS
Examples of recent educational visits our pupils have enjoyed:
Curriculum-based
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Optional
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The School publishes a provisional programme of forthcoming residential trips to parents up to two years in advance, to facilitate planning and budgeting.
OUTDOOR EDUCATION AND ADVENTURE
Our Adventure Programme, including the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, broadens students’ awareness and appreciation of the outdoor world and inspires them to embrace new challenges that develop crucial skills like teamwork, leadership, problem-solving and resilience.
In the Sixth Form, students may choose to undertake the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, a dedicated Year 12 Mountain Expedition, or continue to pursue their love of the outdoors via optional after-School activities.
OUTREACH
Through the Enrichment Programme, students are encouraged to gain an appreciation of their place within the local, national and global community, and how they can contribute in a meaningful way towards the lives and experiences of others. In doing so, we aim to encourage and develop greater empathy, compassion and social awareness in our students. The Clifton High School House system sits at the core of this, developing pride and belonging but through which students can also volunteer their time and skills to benefit a nominated local charity. As well as fundraising, students are encouraged to undertake genuine acts of service, whether this be arranging food collections and deliveries for the Bristol North West Foodbank, visiting residents in Bristol homeless shelters, collecting items for local animal shelters or planning activities for children at regional community centres.
In addition to the four House charities, we support annually, Clifton High School also partners with a range of local causes which pupils are actively engaged in visiting and supporting, including:
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One of the highlights of our performing arts calendar is the Whole School Production, which is open to all Sixth Form students, whether they wish to develop their talent for acting and singing or learn about the technical life of a theatre. Auditions take place in the Autumn Term, and performances are enjoyed at the Redgrave Theatre in the Spring Term.
PERFORMING ARTS
Collectively, many of our students', staff and community members’ passion for the arts contribute to the range of musical, dramatic and creative clubs we offer, including Music Tech, Music Theory and Composition, Cantata, String Group and the School Production. United in their commitment, collaboration and skills required for an array of performances, these culminate in our termly Lunchtime Concerts, Annual Spring Concert and School Production.
The offerings within the Performing Arts Programme cultivate the foundations of self-confidence by igniting imaginations. Clubs are taught by specialist teachers to progress individual development in a fun and engaging manner with students encouraged to enhance their potential and passion in the arts, whether that be through creative learning or the opportunity to perform on stage at prestigious venues such as Bristol Cathedral, The Redgrave Theatre and St George’s Bristol.
Students can also work towards Trinity College London Speech and Drama certificates, as well as undertake instrumental lessons in School and work towards Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) examinations.
