Enrichment List
At enrolment, you may be asked to choose from one of our timetabled enrichment courses to complement your academic studies. See below for our current list of enrichment courses.
A - C
A multi-sport enrichment that will allow you to try out many different indoor ball games, including dodgeball, handball, futsal, goalball, basketball, netball, benchball etc. All abilities are welcome into an environment where you will be able to develop your physical and social skills. A timetabled slot once a week where you can improve your skills, play games and keep yourself active. All you need is a change of clothes (suitable sports wear) and appropriate footwear. To take part in this course you will be expected to be enthusiastic and committed.
Target audience: all students
A multi-sport enrichment that will allow you to try out many different racket games, including badminton, table tennis, pickleball, short tennis, squash etc. All abilities are welcome into an environment where you will be able to develop your physical and social skills. A timetabled slot once a week where you can improve your skills, play games and keep yourself active. All you need is a change of clothes (suitable sports wear) and appropriate footwear. To take part in this course you will be expected to be enthusiastic and committed.
Target audience: all students
The Ancient World (Greece and Rome) was full of Heroes and Gods, from Hercules to Zeus and Venus to Helen of Troy – it shapes our present in all sorts of ways, such as how they built their towns, thought about politics, went to war, and their art, poetry, story telling and History.
We will dip into the Classical World and look at all the interesting bits – the gossip, the scandal and the epic journeys… Join us!
Sessions designed to help you prepare for all aspects of studying Medicine from understanding the role of a doctor, routes to Medicine, writing an effective personal statement all the way to preparing for an interview. The course is for a year with the option to review and change at the end of the Autumn Term if you change your mind. Those applying to study Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine might also consider this.
Target audience: Year 1 students with QoE average of 6.5 or above aiming for a career in Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary
Arts Award takes you on a creative journey, exploring the arts world, discovering your potential as an artist, developing your leadership skills – and gaining a recognised qualification along the way. Open to anyone undertaking a Creative Arts course, this unique set of arts qualifications builds skills essential for success in the 21st century: Creativity and communication, along with problem-solving, reflective-thinking and confidence.
This course requires you to work at home/outside of scheduled college hours as it is a year-long course culminating in a Level 2 Award in the Arts (equivalent to a GCSE).
For more information please email myfanwy.davies@wqe.ac.uk or have a look at the Arts Award website:
www.artsaward.org.uk/
Target Audience: This course is only suitable for those currently undertaking a Creative Arts course, with an interest in progressing to work in an arts-related field. Students who apply must also be fully dedicated to completing the course and understand the commitment to working at home.
Recreational badminton is a mixed ability session and you will be expected to participate with both male and female students.
Mixed Badminton will allow you to develop your singles and doubles skills both in practice and competition.
All abilities are welcome as long as you have a positive and enthusiastic attitude. You will need a full change of kit and suitable footwear. Rackets and shuttles will be provided.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
Do you love playing basketball but don’t want to play for a team? Then recreational basketball is for you.
A timetabled slot once a week where you can improve your skill, play games and keep yourself active. All you need is a change of clothes (suitable sports wear) and appropriate footwear.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
This enrichment welcomes all abilities, and is a great way to improve your fitness and develop teamwork skills. If you have played basketball before, an experienced basketball coach will give the team the opportunity to be competitive in the regional tournament. However, you don’t need to have any previous experience playing basketball, just sign up being prepared to turn up each week, work hard and you will find your skills develop quickly.
This enrichment welcomes all abilities, and is a great way to improve your fitness and develop teamwork skills. If you have played basketball before, an experienced basketball coach will give the team the opportunity to be competitive in the regional tournament. However, you don’t need to have any previous experience playing basketball, just sign up being prepared to turn up each week, work hard and you will find your skills develop quickly. As a minimum, you will have the opportunity to compete in the Association of Colleges Regional tournament, the National Cup and local friendly fixtures.
Want to keep fit but a bit bored of the gym? Boxing fitness is an excellent way to become fitter and stronger.
This will be a mixed gender group of a variety of abilities. You will get involved with shadow boxing drills, working with pads, skipping and cardio and strength work. Come prepared to get a sweat on!!
The aim of this course is to teach you the basics of the art industry and how to manage your finances, market your work, secure agency representation, navigate the world of galleries, and overall thrive as a professional artist/designer. You will be using your own work as a basis for this course as many of the tasks require you to have artwork you can use as an example/inspiration. This course would also be beneficial for any students needing extra guidance with their portfolio for higher education.
Target Audience: This course is only suitable for those currently undertaking a Creative Arts course, with an interest in progressing to work in an arts-related field.
1 Term
If you love creating and want to try something new then this ceramics course is for you. To start we will look at pinch pots and the basics of slab building, before moving on to cover a variety of different surface decoration techniques. You will learn how to use coloured slips and glazes, as well as exploring different ways to create surface texture.
Towards the end of the course we will be looking at more ambitious builds in terms of technique, as well as spending more time creating sustained projects with well finished outcomes. Overall you can expect to make a variety of objects: such as pots, dishes, mini-sculptures, tealight houses, wall hangings, and mini-models.
Target Audience: This course is suitable for students who have no previous ceramics experience, as well as those who already follow a creative pathway and have used clay before. All abilities are welcome however we will be starting with the basics to ensure that we all progress at the same level.
This enrichment for second year chemistry students with D or E grades in order to provide extra support with their chemistry.
Cambridge chemistry challenge is an extension group for more able year one students of chemistry, which sits the Cambridge Chemistry Competition in June. Some time is used to prepare students for this competition, but we also do a number of extra practical activities to support study in chemistry. To do this enrichment, students must be taking chemistry as a subject.
If you are interested in design, building and construction this is an opportunity to gain valuable experience potentially leading to a career in the creative industry. You will learn design CAD skills, explore drawing plans, elevations and architectural modelling.
Visiting guest lecturers who are professionals in this field will give talks about working in the creative industries such as architecture. As part of the course you will explore historical and contemporary design and architecture to help give you the edge at interviews.
Target Audience: Anyone wishing to develop their CAD skills. This course is aimed at students wanting to explore architecture, 3D design, or engineering as a career.
Fancy taking on a challenge or raising money for charity? Join a sociable group with a common goal. Help each other complete training every week and take part in an event at the end of the programme.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
This course is only suitable for students not enrolled on the Diploma in Criminology.
The Criminology enrichment is a chance to explore the themes and ideas behind the study of crime and deviant behaviour without the pressure of an exam course. It combines insights from sociology, biology, statistics, law and psychology and is a fascinating subject. The course will split into part 1: Sept-Dec and part 2: Jan- May so after Christmas students have the option to move onto something new or to stay with the course and new material for the rest of the college year.
Open to any year group.
D - M
Develop skills in putting forward views in an environment where they get tested. This is an opportunity for you to discuss current affairs and have formal debates in which you are asked to defend or attack a point of view. So whatever your views on Brexit, the Trump phenomenon, fake news, student loans or the fate of the Labour Party there will be something relevant and current to think about and discuss. This is excellent practice for many subjects and something employers like to see on CVs.
Target Audience: All students.
This fun photography based course is aimed at students with creative talents seeking to develop their photography skills using a mobile phone.
Each week we will work to a different theme and showcase the work produced at the end of the session. Some of the pieces that you produce will also be taken into Photoshop or Illustrator to enable you to produce other types of digital art and design pieces, such as comic posters, animated gifs and your own meme sensations.
Target Audience: Anyone wishing to develop their digital skills and create some fun artwork! This course is suitable for students who have no previous digital experience as all abilities are welcome and catered for, with varying tasks being set based on individual ability
This course is perfect for those wanting to start their drawing journey, or those wishing to develop their skills and try new and exciting ways of putting marks down on paper.
Term 1 – Introduction to Drawing. During the first term we will focus on developing our basic drawing skills such as line, shading, and tone, as well as taking part in a few different still-life drawing exercises. This term will culminate in an extended still-life mixed media drawing using all the skills that we have built up during the initial weeks.
Term 2 – Experimental Drawing. During the second term we will challenge preconceived ideas of drawing and experiment with a variety of techniques that take us outside the box. Some examples are drawing with wire, cardboard collaging, and mono-printing. The focus for this term will move away from still life and into portraiture.
Target Audience: This course is suitable for students who have no previous drawing experience, as well as those who already follow a creative pathway. All abilities are welcome and catered for, with varying tasks being set based on individual ability.
Career opportunities change all the time. The careers you might end up in probably don’t even exist now! These sessions explore the careers that are out there and look at developing the skills needed to be successful. You will have the chance to explore a wide range of careers and meet working professionals.
In this course you will undertake activities which will give you a better understanding of your personal finance and the global market. You will have the opportunity to enter the WQE apprentice competition as well as competing in a National Investment competition which involves the buying and selling of shares. What you learn through this course will greatly improve your employability and life skills.
Target Audience: All students
This session gives you the opportunity to learn more about providing first aid, treating sports injuries and dealing with emergency situations. You will get plenty of practical experience as well as the option to work with the College sports teams. You’ll get to meet lots of new people as well as improving other skills such as Leadership and communication.
An exciting, fast-paced indoor alternative to football that is widely played across the world and is officially recognised by both UEFA and FIFA. The sessions will focus on this 5-a-side game with skills development and match play and will undoubtedly also improve your fitness. You will need appropriate football kit including shin pads and trainers.
Want to play some football but don’t fancy the full outdoor game? Try the women’s only indoor game. Improve your fitness, meet new people, improve your skills and have some fun. Join us once a week, you’ll need shin pads and trainers. No experience necessary. This session could be delivered by a female or male coach.
This activity is for less experienced players who are looking to develop their attacking and defensive skills both through drills and match play. There may also be the opportunity for internal competition. Players will need a positive and committed attitude and should be aware that this this course runs through the autumn and winter and that full outdoor kit (including boots and shin pads) will be required.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
This enrichment welcomes all abilities, we just ask you have lots of enthusiasm and are prepared to train outside in all weathers. You will have the opportunity to improve on existing skills, develop new skills and work on fitness, and if you have the desire to, develop your coaching skills. You will be required to have appropriate football boots and shin pads for every session. You will also have the opportunity to experience the variety of football games that exist including outdoor grass Futsal and 5-a-side. As a minimum, you will have the opportunity to compete in the Association of Colleges Regional tournament, the National Cup and local friendly fixtures.
We live in an interconnected world and issues relating to globalisation, climate change, the environment and international politics affect everyone. This enrichment seeks to bring together insights from Geography and Politics and will challenge you to think about the world we live in. Exploring and discussing the key issues facing the planet today including climate change, sustainability, global politics, poverty and development and responses to hazards allowing you to be more informed as a global citizen.
You will also be developing your transferable skills of data collection and analysis, which in today’s world of analysing patterns of people’s behaviour will be extremely useful. The course will split into two – students can swap to something new after Christmas, or carry on if they like.
Open to all year groups.
This female only course is designed for those of you wishing to participate is some physical fitness based activity in an all-female environment. This course is designed around the principles of exercising in a gym environment but will also incorporate some opportunities for class based exercises such as Step Aerobics and Yoga. There will be whole class sessions as well as times to work on your individual fitness goals, which you will be supported in by your class coach. To take part in this course you must be enthusiastic and committed as well as willing to try new thing.
From Gladiator to Titanic to Oppenheimer to Good Morning Vietnam… Come and explore the bits of history that have made it to Hollywood! We’ll do a mixture of watching the films and discussing how historical events are treated as entertainment and what this tells us.
The Computing Enrichment Activity is based on developing a Currency Converter. Students will research, design, develop, test, and maintain a currency converter program using the C# programming language, following a structured and professional approach to software development.
By the end of this enrichment activity, Level 3 students will be able to:
- Apply the key stages of the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) to a real-world computing problem.
- Design, implement, and test a functional currency converter using C# Programming Language.
- Evaluate their program and propose improvements to enhance efficiency, usability, and maintainability.
Target audience: all students, however students studying IT and Computing may particularly benefit.
Whoever you are, the law will affect you! Law dictates who you could marry, what house you can buy, where you can travel, what you can get arrested for….This enrichment is an opportunity to learn about some of the key areas that will be important in your adult life and the ways in which the Law works.
Target Audience: All students.
A program designed at investigating the effect of medicines and drugs and how they are synthesised, and analysed in a lab and industrial context. Students will synthesise a select range of drugs and analyse them to test their purity. This course will allow students to develop research, presentation and organic chemistry skills.
Target audience: A Level Biology or Chemistry students
The opportunity to support fellow students in a one-to-one capacity by being a subject mentor. In the early weeks you will be trained in how to be an effective mentor. Once your training is complete, you will be linked with a student to mentor. You will be expected to meet with them once a week to provide peer support and encouragement so that they feel more confident and skilled as they study. This enrichment option will equip you with a range of interpersonal skills aiding your personal development and employability. These will be highlighted throughout the course, and you will be encouraged to record these for future use.
Target audience: Year 2 students only
The Mentors in Violence Prevention (MVP) project is a peer-led leadership and bystander programme. It aims to tackle the beliefs, attitudes and culture which can give the message that violence is acceptable. Ultimately MVP promotes healthy social norms and a culture which is known to prevent violence.
Violence Reduction Network (VRN) Students taking this enrichment will be trained by college staff to plan and then deliver MVP sessions to their peers.
This is an enrichment for those who are willing to stand up and make a difference.
2 Terms
Do you sing or play an instrument? Looking for others to perform with or opportunities to perform? Interested in composing or song writing?
This course will link you with other musicians to work towards performing at open mic sessions and end of term concerts. We will help you find music, or write your own, and offer tips on improving your rehearsing and performing skills. If you play trumpet, sax, trombone, flute, clarinet, piano, drums, guitar, bass or drum kit to around grade 5 standard and can read music, sign up to this course!
Target Audience: All students! All abilities and styles are welcome.
N - Z
Do you love playing netball but don’t want to play for a team? Have you played netball in the past and want to give it another go? Then recreational netball is for you.
A timetabled slot once a week where you can improve your skills, play games and keep yourself active. All you need is a change of clothes (suitable sports wear) and appropriate footwear.
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
If you are looking to perform music as part of a group and to a live audience, then the WQE orchestra needs you! This enrichment will link you with other musicians to work towards performing at various events throughout the year and end of term concerts. If you play an instrument to around grade 5 standard and can read music, then sign up to this enrichment.
Target audience: Suitable for students who can play an instuments to around grade 5 level.
This enrichment will broaden your appreciation and enjoyment of a range of poets and poetic forms, new and old. You will read a poet a week, exploring themes and techniques, then experimenting with these in your own poetry writing. This is particularly well suited to students of Literature and Language & Literature but equally welcoming to those of you who enjoy reading or writing poetry. It will build your confidence and ability to discuss poetry and explore new literary interests.
‘Reading for Pleasure’ offers an opportunity for students on the Level 3 Literature A Level course to develop their knowledge of the Dystopian wider reading texts.
We will use a combination of audiobooks, whole group readings, individual tasks and adaptations, exploring classic dystopian novels in a smaller, more informal group environment. You will have the chance to talk about the texts, asking questions as we read to help support your understanding and give you confidence in making links between texts.
This enrichment is best suited to A-Level Literature students.
Target Audience: All students
WQE Competitive Sport involves a commitment to training and performance. College teams play in local, regional and national competitions. They are a great opportunity to develop skills and learn new ones and are also great for meeting new people and developing confidence.
Competitive sport provides lots of experiences that are valued by universities and employers. Training and matches take place within the college timetable. Some popular competitive sports will have a selection process which students would be required to attend.
This enrichment welcomes all abilities, and is a great way to improve your fitness and develop teamwork skills. You will get involved with ‘Touch Rugby’ and ‘Tag Rugby’ first before considering any contact games. You don’t need to have any previous experience playing Rugby, just sign up being prepared to turn up each week, work hard and you will find your skills develop quickly.
You will need boots and trainers for both outdoor and indoor sessions.
Under the guidance of an experienced designer, you will learn a basic skill in creating your very own pattern and techniques in sewing your very own outfit or soft furnishings such as pillowcases, table runners or tote bags. As this is an enrichment for beginners, the outfits are basic cuts and sewing. In the past years, the popular outfits have been maxi/midi/mini kaftans, basic elasticated waist maxi/midi/mini dresses/skirts plus shorts and culottes as well as Abayas (Islamic female dress), kimono vests/tops. Also, very popular have been the tote bags, made of old curtains. Students have upcycled old clothes too and added trimmings giving new life to preloved outfits. Please note that this enrichment is NOT for students who are studying fashion and textiles.
Target Audience: Beginners level. This enrichment is not open to students who are studying A level Fashion & Textiles.
Films often depict and address many sociological issues. We will watch a number of films, across genres, and explore how the issues within them relate to sociological theories.
Expect to engage in some interesting and critical discussion of the films that we watch. Afterwards, you should not only understand the films better, but also the society in which you live! You can even suggest films that you think might be relevant.
You don’t have to be taking Sociology to enjoy this enrichment, it would be of interest to all.
Target audience: All students
This course is for male or female students wishing to develop body strength and specific fitness. No formal experience is necessary as you will be taught how to use equipment appropriately, which exercises are most appropriate for your fitness goals, and how to plan and develop your own personal programme.
To take part in this course you will be expected to be enthusiastic and committed. This course will take place in the college gym and you will need a full change of kit and suitable footwear.
This course is for male or female students wishing to develop body strength and specific fitness. No formal experience is necessary as you will be taught how to use equipment appropriately, which exercises are most appropriate for your fitness goals, and how to plan and develop your own personal programme.
To take part in this course you will be expected to be enthusiastic and committed. This course will take place in the college gym and you will need a full change of kit and suitable footwear.
Association of Colleges Student Leadership Programme – This programme is for students wishing to develop their leadership skills. As well as learning sessions in college, students will access external training and have the opportunity to get involved in national events. Students will specialise in one of the 6 strands;
• Inclusion
• Wellbeing
• This Girl Can
• Football
• Sustainability
All strands have a Physical Activity theme but you do not need to be ‘sporty’ or taking a sports course to get involved. This programme is all about the leadership skills of communication, positivity, motivation, creativity and feedback. Students will become college ambassadors and will be responsible for running events in College and enhancing the student community
This Girl Can Ambassadors – This Girl Can Ambassadors promote and inspire other females within their colleges to participate in sport and physical activity whilst raising awareness of the Sport England This Girl Can campaign.
Wellbeing Ambassadors – Wellbeing Ambassadors promote the physical activity benefits on mental health and wellbeing and to support students experiencing mental health problems to become more active.
Inclusion Ambassadors – Inclusion Ambassadors inspire and support other students from under-served groups into sport and physical activity as well as promoting inclusive activities at their college.
Green Ambassadors – Green Ambassadors promote environmental sustainability and raise awareness about climate change within college. Encouraging fellow students to get physically active while fostering an environmentally conscious mindset.
ECFA Activator[s] – ECFA Activators support the delivery football opportunities that help more students play or volunteer within football at your college.
Further information is available in this booklet provided by the AoC: Student Leadership Programme Information Booklet
The Sutton 30 enrichment is a unique programme for developing advanced skills of critical thinking, reading, and writing across a wide variety of topics with a view to enhancing both university applications to the Russell Group and Oxbridge and future prospects for highflying professional careers. Part1: Sept-Dec will be appropriate for yr2 students, and Part2: Jan- May for yr1 students. The session will run on a Thursday block 7 (4.15-5.25) to maximise accessibility for students whatever their A level programme.
Open to all students keen on this sport no matter what ability level or experience. You will have the opportunity to develop your skills through singles and doubles play. More experienced players will have the chance to represent WQE in external competitions.
2 Terms
In the first half of the course you will be involved in Drama workshops introducing you to a variety of skills and conventions used in performance, we will look at current theatre practise and investigate how theatre can work within the community. The group will collectively decide upon a project for performance selecting a specific target audience.
In the second half of the course, over a series of weeks we will write, devise and rehearse a performance piece which will be either taken out into the community, or a group will be invited into WQE Drama Studio to watch. In the past we have targeted a local primary school and created performances ranging from ‘The BFG’ to ‘Life in the Amazonian Rainforest’.
This year we are hoping to develop the course to make it more relevant to our students who want to work in the community whether in health, social care or education. This may mean that we choose to perform to people with disabilities, older people, school children or whatever the group will decide.
Target Audience: You should have an interest in performance, a good sense of humour and be prepared to work in groups practically. This is a good course to help build drama skills, confidence and a sense of social responsibility. No previous skill in performance needed.
Want to play something new in a fun, sociable environment? Volleyball could be for you! Improve your fitness, meet new people, improve your skills and have some fun. Join us once a week, you’ll need sports kit and trainers.
No experience necessary.
One of our most sociable sports, this mixed ability, mixed gender enrichment requires no previous experience but you must be keen to learn, prepared to throw yourself around and enjoy the team aspect of sport. You will be taught the core skills of volleyball in the first few weeks and then as these progress, more match experience will really allow you to enjoy this exciting game to the fullest. We will be aspiring to compete in the Association of Colleges Regional tournament and the National Cup, plus other local friendly fixtures.
Want to play something new in a fun, all female sociable environment? Volleyball could be for you! Improve your fitness, meet new people, improve your skills and have some fun. Join us once a week, you’ll need sports kit and trainers.
No experience necessary. This session will be delivered by a female coach.
The purpose of this course is simple; it is designed to broaden your knowledge and understanding of cinema by watching and commenting on a carefully curated selection of films. Last year the focus was on modern global cinema but this year there will be a shift to English language films.
The intention is that there will be screenings of a number of films from different eras of American and British Cinema. These will be looked at and discussed in lessons. These will range from Film Noir through to the British New Wave and also a focus on New Hollywood and independent cinema.
If any current students have taken this option in the first year you can sign up for this year’s course as there will be a wholly different approach taken. It is hoped that some Film/Media Studies students may see this as a useful addition to their work in those subjects.
Target Audience: Any student with an interest in American/British Cinema who wants to expand their cultural capital.
This enrichment is for Year 2 students who are interested in, or would like to explore the opportunities of, a career in teaching and education.
The course will deliver knowledge and skills to support your understanding of the teaching profession and associated career opportunities. You will develop skills to prepare you for a work experience in a school setting that will support your current and future development as a Young Professional.