Beyond the classroom: what extracurricular activities do for students

Subject Olympiads, project competitions and other activities give students opportunities to apply knowledge, develop interests and work towards a goal over time. A useful programme complements classroom teaching and provides appropriate support for students to take part.

Subject Olympiads and project competitions

Consider a student preparing for a national mathematics Olympiad. At first glance, this may appear to be a test of knowledge. It encompasses much more. Through this preparation, the student learns to think critically, solve problems creatively, and work under pressure. Participation in project competitions extends the experience further: students do not simply complete tasks. They collaborate, negotiate, and present their ideas to an audience, gaining confidence and real-world experience in the process.

These activities empower students to discover their strengths, embrace challenges, and recognise the value of persistence. A student who initially struggles may eventually realise their potential after months of preparation, gaining both knowledge and self-belief.

Project-based learning

Project-based learning can take place within lessons or through extracurricular work. A renewable-energy project, for example, may draw on physics and chemistry while requiring students to research a question, plan resources, test ideas and explain their findings. Teachers need to make the subject learning explicit and provide guidance as the work develops.

Student-centred education

Students bring different prior knowledge, interests and support needs. Giving them appropriate choices within a project can help them take responsibility for the work. Teachers still set the learning goals, provide instruction and check understanding.

Portfolios as evidence of growth

Portfolios serve as more than a collection of work. They narrate a story of learning. When students maintain portfolios, they track their progress, reflect on their achievements, and plan for the future. The practice provides teachers and parents with insight into individual growth, making feedback more meaningful and personalised. For families comparing schools, examples of students' work and the feedback they receive can help explain how learning is developed and assessed.

Planning a worthwhile programme

Schools need to decide what each activity offers, who can participate and what time, staffing and resources it requires. Consider access for students with different needs and circumstances, as well as how activities fit with their wider workload.

Review participation, students' work and feedback from those involved. These provide a more useful basis for improving the programme than assuming that taking part will automatically raise attainment or retention.

A practical review example

As an illustrative exercise, a school reviewing a project club could record its learning aims, who can take part, attendance over the term and a small selection of work assessed against those aims. Ask participants what they learned and identify barriers for students who wanted to join but could not. Review staff time and cost alongside those findings before deciding whether to continue or change the activity. This is a suggested evaluation method, not a reported client result.

Our Schools services include curriculum development and sport with purposeful learning. Request a consultation to discuss a programme.