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CLUBS AND ACT I V I T I ES
For many children – particularly the clubbable, keen and well organised – joining groups can be a transformative experience. Those who take part in a range of activities during the school year tend to do better, academically, than those who don’t, sometimes dramatically so, according to one US study, although the improvement tails off for pupils who sign up for more than three or four clubs. No wonder families are so keen for their children to get with the programme, ideally several at once. Activities can unlock
For older children preparing for exams, particularly GCSEs and A-levels, the activities list also starts to feature a significantly more academic element. Amid the sport and music groups, you’ll often find homework or prep groups and drop-in subject clinics that give pupils struggling with a specific topic a welcome helping hand. For sixth formers intending to study a highly competitive subject at university, very specific groups may be offered – dissection club for budding medics, for example.
hidden talents and add a new, positive dimension to the school experience. For the child whose academic performance is fair to middling, there’s nothing like excelling out of the classroom to boost self-confidence. With exercise playing a vital role in mental and physical wellbeing, there’s a strong case to be made for making at least one of those out-of-school activities sports- based. For older children, it can even save their lives. Research suggests that children are most likely to engage in risky behaviour, such as substance abuse, in the hour or
AUTUMN/WINTER 2019
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