Co-Curricular - Thomas's Clapham

BUILDING CONFIDENCE, CREATIVITY AND TEAMWORK

Co-Curricular Life at Thomas’ Clapham

A Thomas’s Clapham education is an outstanding one, which is underpinned by the belief that a broad education extends far beyond the classroom. Every lesson, whether in Art and Design, Computing, Drama, Dance, Music or Physical Education, is carefully planned to develop knowledge, skills and understanding whilst inspiring curiosity, confidence and a lifelong love of learning.

Our specialist teachers are experts in their fields and are committed to delivering a curriculum that is ambitious, progressive and rooted in evidence-informed practice. Drawing upon educational research into how pupils learn best, we create learning experiences that develop deep understanding through explicit instruction, purposeful practice, retrieval, feedback and opportunities for reflection. We know that pupils flourish when they feel challenged, supported and empowered to think independently, and our classrooms and specialist spaces are places where curiosity, creativity and resilience are celebrated.

A defining strength of our curriculum is the close collaboration between specialist teachers and core subject leaders. Our specialists work alongside colleagues across English, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities to enable pupils to make meaningful connections and apply their knowledge in authentic and engaging contexts. This interdisciplinary approach enriches learning, deepens understanding and helps pupils recognise that knowledge is interconnected rather than confined to individual subjects.

The range of co-curricular subjects has been truly amazing: excellent sport, music and drama programs. My child has been thriving thanks to this buzzing school which enables him to fully express himself.
– Thomas’s Clapham Parent

Art and Design

Art and Design encourages pupils to observe, think critically and communicate creatively. Through the study of artists, designers and craftspeople from diverse cultures and historical periods, pupils develop technical proficiency alongside an appreciation of artistic expression and cultural heritage.

Lessons are carefully sequenced to build knowledge and skill over time, enabling pupils to experiment confidently with a wide range of materials and techniques. Pupils learn to evaluate, refine and improve their work through constructive feedback and reflection, developing resilience alongside creativity. Connections with History, Geography, English and Science allow pupils to use art as another language through which to explore and deepen their understanding of the wider curriculum.

PE and Games

Our PE and Games programme develops confident, resilient and healthy young people who understand the value of physical activity throughout life. Pupils progressively develop physical literacy, tactical awareness and technical competence through a broad programme of individual and team sports.

Alongside physical development, sport provides a powerful vehicle for cultivating leadership, teamwork, perseverance and integrity. Fixtures and competitions encourage ambition whilst maintaining a strong emphasis on respect, humility and sportsmanship. Assessment and teaching are informed by evidence-based approaches that enable every child to experience challenge, success, and continual improvement, regardless of their starting point.

Our pupils regularly achieve success in county, regional and national competitions, while many go on to secure sports scholarships at leading senior schools.

Music

Music lies at the heart of school life (with pupils and teachers singing in the corridors), offering every pupil opportunities to perform, compose, listen and appreciate music from a wide range of genres, cultures and traditions.

Through carefully structured progression, pupils develop musical fluency alongside creativity, discipline and confidence. Performing in choirs, orchestras, ensembles, rock bands and productions teaches collaboration, commitment and resilience while fostering a genuine love of music-making.

Music also supports wider cognitive development through close links with language, mathematics and memory. Our thriving co-curricular programme enables talented musicians to flourish, and each year pupils are given opportunities to perform nationally, continuing Thomas’s Clapham’s proud tradition of musical excellence.

Drama

Drama develops articulate, empathetic and confident communicators. Through performance, improvisation, devising and the study of dramatic literature, pupils learn to express ideas with clarity, collaborate effectively and appreciate diverse perspectives.

The curriculum develops both creativity and critical thinking, encouraging pupils to analyse character, audience and intention whilst building confidence in public speaking and presentation. Drama naturally complements learning in English, History and PSHE, helping pupils explore complex ideas and deepen their understanding of literature, culture and human experience.

Our radio shows, assemblies, open-air theatre and productions provide opportunities for every pupil to shine, whilst those with exceptional talent are expertly prepared for drama scholarships and auditions through individual coaching and performance opportunities.

Dance

Dance combines athleticism with artistic expression, enabling pupils to develop physical confidence alongside creativity and self-awareness.

Through the exploration of a diverse range of dance styles and choreographic techniques, pupils develop coordination, musicality, strength and expressive performance skills. Collaborative choreography encourages communication, problem-solving and reflective practice, whilst performance opportunities build confidence and resilience.

All pupils from Reception to Year 2 have weekly dance lessons to introduce them to Dance at Clapham.

Computing

Computing equips pupils with the knowledge, creativity and ethical understanding to thrive in an increasingly digital world. Through programming, computational thinking, digital design and emerging technologies, pupils learn to solve problems systematically and think logically whilst developing creativity and innovation.

Digital literacy and online safety are embedded throughout the curriculum from Reception onwards, ensuring pupils understand both the opportunities and responsibilities of technology. Increasingly, Computing works alongside Mathematics, Science, Design and Technology (and the wider curriculum), enabling pupils to apply digital tools to authentic projects and real-world challenges.

Our curriculum prepares pupils not simply to use technology, but to understand it, question it and shape it responsibly as future innovators and informed digital citizens.

Further enrichment takes the form of local and residential trips. A core part of the Thomas’s experience is Thomas’s Daheim. Each year, Years 5 and 6 spend a week during the Lent Term at Thomas’s Daheim, our outdoor ski centre, in Austria.

Above all, an education at Thomas’s Clapham is about more than achievement. It is about character. It is about inspiring each child to be the very best version of themselves – and to carry that spirit with them for the rest of their lives.