Prep School

Drama

The School has a very strong drama provision. There are several productions during the course of the year. In particular the Pre-Prep produce a Nativity Play towards the end of the Autumn term; Years 3 & 4 produce a pantomime towards the end of the Spring term and Years 5 & 6 stage a major musical production in the last weeks of the Summer term. We are also committed to engaging with external dramatic opportunities such as the ‘Shakespeare in Schools’ festival with Year 6, during the Autumn term. It is School Policy that all children are required to take part in these productions.

Individual New Era lessons are available on request; please contact wdopheide@warminsterschool.org.uk for more details

Forest School

Warminster School are fortunate to have access to an area of woodland on the Longleat Estate where we hold our Forest School. At various stages of each term, we support the curriculum with outdoor learning.

Music

Warminster Prep provides musical opportunities to all pupils. Singing plays a big part in the life of the School and most drama productions are musicals. The Prep Choir practices regularly and performs at various school events including the Carol Service, which takes place in The Minster Church, towards the end of the Autumn term. All children in Years 3 - 6 are expected to attend and it is hoped that many parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts etc. will also attend. It is one of the major school events of the year.

We also have a Pre-Prep Choir and Chamber Choir that meet on a weekly basis, as well as an orchestra, string orchestra and wind band. Pupils are encouraged to learn to play an instrument and booking forms are available from the School Office. Lessons are charged at a termly rate and pupils are withdrawn from class on a rotational basis. Individual lessons and shared lessons are occasionally available for younger pupils. Some musical instruments may be hired. It is important to note that a term’s notice is required if you wish your child to give up music lessons.

Sport

Sport and exercise develop skills for life – from collaboration and courage to teamwork and determination. But most importantly it should be fun and challenging for everyone, regardless of the level of competition and participation. The physical, cognitive, and social benefits of sport and exercise irrefutable, and as such we place significant importance upon it at Warminster.

Details of fixtures are listed in the School Calendar with updates on any changes or additions published in the weekly Newsletter. Further information, including timings and Team Sheets is available through www.warminsterschoolsport.org.uk/, via the School Website.  Requests for absence from sports fixtures should be made to the Director of Sport.

Children usually travel to sports fixtures in a minibus or coach. Occasionally they may travel in a member of staff’s car. Unless we receive permission from parents, we are unable to allow children to travel with other parents.

If fixtures are cancelled, we will contact you to let you know. This will be by email.

Trips

A number of trips, linked with the curriculum, are organised throughout the year and parents are encouraged to sign a general trip permission form. Information regarding the details of the trip, including transport arrangements and costs are always sent out in advance.

Residential Trips

We start to build the children’s confidence in staying away from home with a number of highly enjoyable residential trips.

Years 3 and 4 travel on alternate years to Hooke Court, where they stay for two nights and take part in a wide variety of History based activities; and The Wilderness Centre for a two night outdoor activity trip.

Year 6 spend a week at a multi-activity residential centre in Dorset.

Warminster Award Scheme (WAS)

Across Years 5 – 6, pupils take part in the Warminster Award scheme which encourages the development of the whole child and enables them to achieve their full potential by recognising their own milestones in relation to specific learning dispositions. Pupils work towards achieving the Bronze Award in Year 4, Silver in Year 5 and Gold in Year 6.

Clubs

Clubs run between 4.00pm and 4.45pm, Monday - Friday. Activities are published for the children each term and they choose activities on a term-to-term basis. Day pupils may opt for supervised prep in place of an activity. Certain activities, for example, Tennis incur a charge. Please see Additional Information for further details of clubs that may be on offer. Games lessons finishing at 4.45pm once a week, are compulsory for Years 5 & 6.

Senior School 

The EDGE

The EDGE is our relatively new Wednesday afternoon programme. 

EXPLORE

DISCOVER

GROW

ENGAGE

Please watch these two assemblies & our new film for an insight into the programme:

warminsterschool.fireflycloud.net/chaplaincy/assemblies/monday-14th-june-2021

warminsterschool.fireflycloud.net/chaplaincy/assemblies/monday-21st-june

Green Zone 

The Green Zone is the final period of a Monday and Friday afternoon.

Green Zone allows the School to work towards our pupils' personal development objectives by providing a wide range of co-curricular activities that help their spiritual and social development, giving them opportunities to try new things, take risks and to thrive as internationally minded individuals.

Pupils are able to select their activities on the SOCS system at the start of each term. They are notified when the system has been opened up for them to make their choices. 

Pupils are given support by their tutors to help them select their Green Zone activities on SOCS. They will be sent a link to the Green Zone booklet so that they can look through the choices before they make selections for the each day.

Our Deputy Head (Academic), Mark Sully, commented, "The Green Zone has allowed us to take pupils on a journey outside of their comfort zone. It provides pupils with an opportunity to try something new and different that otherwise they may not have experienced. The sessions are designed to make pupils think outside of the standard curriculum and open their minds to other interests."

Nicola Rogers  Assistant Head Co-curricular said " A wide range of activities continue to take place during the Green Zone. From Running club to origami; chess to croquet; Art club to Zumba. Whilst some pupils enjoy the more sporting activities on offer, others enjoy the opportunity to rehearse for the Drama production or latest musical extravaganza, while others enjoy learning sign language or joining the debating club. The vast array of activities on offer means there is something for everyone."

Sports Fixtures

Every pupil who wishes to represent the school is given the opportunity and everyone who is selected will always play at least half a game. Our goal is increasing the proportion of pupils who represent the school year upon year, and we are always looking for new ways to do this.

We want to pupils to understand that the fixtures played, the matches won and lost are not the things that will endure beyond their school days. The way they play, and the character they show will shape them, as they make their way in the world, and that those pupils who follow them through the school, will similarly be influenced and inspired by the example they set.

It is generally expected that all pupils will be available for selection for weekend sports fixtures. If a pupil is unavailable at any time, due to exceptional circumstances (such as a family wedding), the Director of Sport should be notified in writing by the pupil’s parents, at least two weeks prior to the event/unavailability.

Pupils will be selected for teams each week after their midweek practices and games lessons. Team sheets will be displayed at school and Warminster School Sport website www.warminsterschoolsport.org.uk. Details regarding match and transport timings are also provided here.

Changes to, or cancellations of, fixtures are also displayed on the team sheets in the foyer and through this link. It is important to check these regularly.

Music and Drama

Music lessons are taught to all year groups where the course is largely practical with accelerated schemes for the ablest musicians. Topics often make use of the Music iMac suite. Music is also an option at GCSE and AS/A2 level. Music Technology is also available at A Level. The School offers a wide range of individual music lessons covering a wide variety of instruments. Further details are provided on a separate sheet in this pack. The Performing Arts have an enviable reputation here at Warminster School with a wide range of musical groups ranging from a Jazz Band, Ukulele Orchestra, and various Choirs. The Concert Orchestra toured York in October 2021 and there are award winning Musical Theatre productions and a wide variety of regular concerts. Amongst musical highlights is our 'Cabaret' where the Sports Hall is transformed into a glitzy Dinner Theatre and all of the music groups are showcased. Smaller groups, for example the String Quartet, accompany drinks receptions for the Headmaster and numerous pupil led groups have plenty of performing opportunities.

In the academic programme, Drama is taught to all year groups. Both GCSE and A level follow the EdExcel specification. The course is very practical, and develops skills in devising, performing and critiquing theatre. As such, we regularly visit the theatre locally, and in Bristol and London. We also run an annual residential weekend, where pupils participate in workshops and visit theatre and related exhibitions.

The Lower School Production is a highlight and is performed in local theatres or bespoke venues. With casts of over 60 pupils, workshops for primary schools and masterclasses, this is an enriching experience. Private speech and drama (New Era) lessons are available to all pupils. These lessons provide pupils with one to one Drama tuition during which pupils are prepared for examinations. Pupils also participate in the Mid-Somerset Festival as an annual event. This is an opportunity for them to showcase their talent in a range of categories.

For Senior pupils, we take part in the Shakespeare’s Schools Festival and the National Theatre Connections project. Selected pupils also visit and perform at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We regularly invite leading companies, such as Frantic Assembly, Gecko and Out of Joint to deliver workshops. The Senior production alternates between a musical and a straight play. Standards are high and pupils have the opportunity to perform in a professional working theatre.

Art

Art is another subject which is taught to all year groups and is an option at GCSE A Level and IB. Photography is also offered at GCSE, A Level and as part of the IB Visual Arts course. Throughout their time at Warminster the pupils are offered the opportunity to attend various Art exhibitions allowing them to be exposed to a range of traditional and contemporary artists. We also offer masterclasses and workshops for various year groups.

The Art flags and Art Trail of work around the school grounds demonstrates the artistic talents of our pupils. Pupils work is also often exhibited at various local galleries, restaurants and care centres. Most recently, Year 5 Art work was exhibited at the Young Gallery, Salisbury as part of the Salisbury Schools Exhibition and Year 10 had their work exhibited as part of the Art Shop Exhibition. We also enter pupils work into competitions.

A particular highlight in the Art calendar at Warminster School is the Create Exhibition on Speech Day when our Year 11 and Upper Sixth pupils showcase their work. Year 5 to Lower Sixth then have an opportunity to exhibit their work in the Imagine Exhibition at the end of the Summer Term bringing together the work of both Prep and Senior School pupils. The ‘Big Draw’ which involves pupils across both Prep and Senior sides of the campus is another exciting initiative which the pupils greatly enjoy each year.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award is a challenging programme of activities designed for young people aged between 14 and 25. It has three levels, Bronze, Silver and Gold and, whatever level participants are working for, they have to complete activities in four sections (with an additional one at Gold). The higher the level, the more time and effort are required. Gaining a Gold Award is a huge achievement of which the pupils can justly be very proud.

Pupils in Year 9 may join at Bronze level and Year 10 join at Silver. There are regular meetings to support the pupils with EDGE sessions in the summer term and some weekends throughout the School year set aside for Expedition training. This is open to all pupils, including those that choose to join the CCF. Pupils in Year 11, and over the age of 16, may join at Gold level.

Ten Tors

The annual Ten Tors Challenge was first conceived in the late 50s by three army officers and it takes place on the rugged terrain of Dartmoor. It is organised and run by the British Army and provides a test of endurance, navigation, teamwork, leadership and survival skills for 2400 young people between the ages of 14 and 19 years.

Over the course of two days (34 hours), teams of six are required to negotiate and navigate their way around one of 26 designated routes across Dartmoor, with checkpoints at 10 nominated Tors. It is not until 10am on the day before they set off, that the route they must take is announced.

There is also the added dimension of the weather to contend with. Despite being held in May every year, the weather can be variable. Some years have seen unprecedented torrential rain, sleet and even snow, whereas other years have seen participants struggle with heat exhaustion. Safety of all participants, however, is paramount. All teams have their equipment thoroughly checked the day before the event in a process known as ‘scrutineering’.

It goes without saying, Ten Tors is not an event that pupils can just pitch up and take part in on the day. Completing the challenge takes determination, teamwork and fitness, with months of training. Only those pupils who meet the mark are selected as team members to represent the School. We enter a team annually for this gruelling event, and thus far, we have traditionally entered for the 35-mile course, which is open to pupils in Years 9 and 10. However, last year we entered selected Sixth Form pupils for our first 45-mile course and this year we will be entering two teams for the longer course!

Combined Cadet Force

The Combined Cadet Force (CCF) is a tri-Service military cadet organization based in schools and colleges throughout the UK. Although it is administered and funded by the Services, it is a part of the national youth movement and her Majesty the Queen is the Captain General. The CCF receives assistance and support for its training programme from the Regular and Reserve Forces, however, the bulk of adult support is provided by members of school staff who are responsible for the conduct of cadet activities.

The aim of the CCF is to provide a disciplined organisation within a school and to help pupils to develop powers of leadership, through training, that promotes qualities of responsibility, self-reliance, resourcefulness, endurance, perseverance and a sense of service to the community. 

The Contingent formed in 1972 and currently has over 12% of pupils at school registered as cadets. The School operates an army section only.

Membership of the CCF is optional and pupils normally join on entering Year 9. 

The CCF is organised and run by members of staff, the Officers and cadet NCOs (Non Commissioned Officers) who will be pupils in the upper years of the School. There is a weekly parade during term time for the whole Contingent. Having completed a year of training, members will be eligible for promotion and will be encouraged to apply and develop their leadership and organisational skills. There is a weekend per term set aside for military and adventurous training and a summer camp during the last week of the Summer Term.  This is organised and run by the Regular Army where pupils are able to put into practise the many aspects of training they will have learnt in school.

They will also have the opportunity to attend various Regular Army run courses on offer during the holidays provided they satisfy the pre course standards.

These include:

• Leadership

• Survival

• Adventurous activities, such as canoeing and climbing

• Advanced infantry

Most find that by the end of their time with the CCF they have many fond memories and shared experiences that remain with them for the rest of their lives. These experiences help to make them a more interesting person; also, by gaining promotion, completing the Duke of Edinburgh's Award, or by successfully completing courses outside school, they will have gained invaluable experiences that will demonstrate their motivation and persistence on both a CV and UCAS application.

Forest School

We are fortunate in having access to 27 acres of prime woodland very close to the School site. 

Pupils in Year 7 and 8 have Forest School lessons as part of their weekly curriculum (every Wednesday morning). Other year groups make use of Forest School as part of various Green Zone, EDGE and Life Skills activities throughout the year.

More recently we have been granted permission to use an area of the woodland for our clay pigeon shooting club which has given our members the opportunity to develop their skills and be able to compete in various competitions.

We also have a small area set aside for Forest skills on site, which the School is then able to use through the winter/spring months as appropriate.

Educational visits 

A number of educational visits, linked with the curriculum, are organised throughout the year and parents are encouraged to sign a general trip permission form. Information regarding the details of the visit, including transport arrangements and costs are always sent out in advance.

Residential visits

We believe that a school trip can be a truly formative experience in terms of our pupils' personal and social development. Throughout the academic year, our various departments run a broad range of residential visits which our pupils can take part in. As with educational day visits, information regarding details of the visit are always sent out in advance. Residential visits include:

Biannual sports Tour for Years 7-13

Biannual Music Tour for years 7-13

Annual CCF Camp for CCF cadets

Termly CCF weekends for CCF cadets

Annual Ski Trip for Years 4 -13

French Exchange programme for Year 10

Biannual French immersion trip for Years 7&8

Spanish Exchange programme for Year 10

Biannual Geography trip to Morocco for Years 7-9

Annual Geography field work residential trip for 6th Form pupils

Drama Residential visits for GCSE and 6th Form pupils

Duke of Edinburgh Expeditions

Ten Tor Expeditions