This week saw Period 7 in full swing across the school, running Monday to Thursday from 3pm to 3.30pm. All our students get to select their Period 7 options each term – from Year 7 right the way through to Year 13. So what do they get up to in this time?

Year 7, 8 and 9 participate in one Mind, one Body and one Soul session each week. For our new Year 7s, they can choose from a range of 12 Body options, including exciting new additions of golf and rugby; alongside 12 Mind and 10 Soul options, including Warhammer Painting, Greek, Origami, Spheros, Harry Potter Club, Creative Journaling, Team-Building and Portrait Sketching!

In Years 8 and 9 we have some exciting new additions this term such as Song Writing, Word Puzzles, Indian Culture, Short Story Club, Fashion Drawing, Using VR to step back in History, Meditation and Taskmaster! On a Thursday students in Years 7 to 9 return to their forms during Period 7 for Independent Study – a great time for students to engage with home learning or extra revision, whilst being supported by their tutor.

Our Year 10s get to choose two Period 7s a week, which run on Monday and Thursday. On Tuesday they all complete a structured course of Community, Careers and Study Skills (CCSS) sessions which supports them in preparing them for Work Experience and their first Mock Exams. On a Wednesday some Year 10 students now receive one to one mentoring from our Year 12 students, whilst others complete Independent Study. After Christmas Further Maths starts as a Period 7 for those keen to take on this additional GCSE.

In Year 11 students choose one Period 7 a week, on a Thursday, joining in with Year 10 for many Body options or picking from exciting new options such as Big Questions, Canadian History, Making Bracelets, Military History Club, Singing for Fun, Decoupage and Match of the Day. Monday is Independent Study for all Year 11s, who are supported by their form tutor to complete home learning and revision. Tuesdays and Wednesdays see Year 11 in a mix of activities: either one to one mentoring from Year 13 students, Further Maths lessons, focused subject intervention sessions or completing more independent study in this important year.

Our thriving 6th Form a play a key part in Period 7, leading activities for younger years – opting to either mentor Year 10/11 students one to one, support them with Independent Study sessions or support a sports or language Period 7 session for them. They also get to choose one Period 7 to participate in themselves each week: their options include Circuit Training, Science Journals, UCAS support and some Life Skills courses in Finances and DIY.

Our aim with Period 7 is to give all our students more choices and more opportunities, perhaps finding a life long hobby or interest along the way. As staff we get to share our passions with students – from gardening to chess, calligraphy, yoga and oh so much more. For more information on what we offer, please see our Period 7 page.