Extra-Curricular Programme

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Pupils participating in the In Tune with Northfield program will be informed by the music department of extra-curricular activities appropriate to them.

How to sign up

To sign up for a club, pupils need to attend the club on the day shown. Lunchtime clubs may not fill the whole lunch period and may vary in start and finish times to allow time for lunch. The location of each club is shown in the table above.

Our clubs are very popular and some of them do have maximum capacity limits. If a club is oversubscribed, we will add names to a waiting list and pupils will be advised when a space becomes available, which may be the following term.

*Parents can sign up for SEND homework support via the SEND Team chat, emailing SENDcontact@northfieldssc.org or calling Mrs Waistle on 01642 557373.

‘Expedition Northfield’ is a Northfield centred scheme which provides a wide range of opportunities for our pupils, developing our core values of respect, resilience and honesty.  'Northfield Expeditions' provides pupils with a range of skills and experiences, improving their confidence moving into adult life.

Summary of Skills Gained through Expeditions

1. Navigation and Map Skills

Ability to read and interpret maps and compasses

Route planning and following a planned course

Understanding terrain and using landmarks for orientation

2. Teamwork and Communication

Working effectively within a group to solve problems

Sharing responsibilities and supporting team members

Clear and respectful communication under pressure

3. Independence and Self-Reliance

Managing personal equipment and belongings

Making decisions and solving problems independently

Coping with challenges in an unfamiliar environment

4. Outdoor and Camping Skills

Setting up and packing down a tent

Cooking meals using camping stoves

Practising Leave No Trace principles and respecting nature

5. Physical Endurance and Resilience

Building stamina and strength through long-distance walking

Overcoming fatigue, discomfort, and unexpected challenges

Developing mental toughness and perseverance

6. Risk Awareness and Safety

Identifying potential hazards and managing risks

Understanding emergency procedures and first aid basics

Staying safe in remote and outdoor environments

7. Time Management and Planning

Organising the day effectively to meet targets

Coordinating rest stops, meals, and arrival times

Balancing pace with endurance and group needs

Examples of Expeditions

Currently all Year 10 pupils have the opportunity to complete two expeditions. All equipment for expeditions can be provided by the school.

The Northfield 3 Peaks (May)

Pupils complete a sponsored walk supported by staff raising money for the Great North Air Ambulance and Mountain Rescue. The route includes Roseberry Topping, Little Kildale and Captain Cooks Monument.

A Camp Out (June)

A two-day experience staying in Carlton at Watsons Scout campsite. Pupils spend the first day with staff learning to follow a route and develop navigational skills. After arrival at the campsite pupils take responsibility for their own campsite, setting up tents and cooking their evening meal. On the second day pupils put their navigational skills to the test, following a route in groups to their pickup point.

The Northfield Theatre Company at Northfield School and Sports College, is a vibrant and inclusive community where pupils come together each year to produce a full-scale theatrical production. Each show begins with open auditions, giving pupils from every year group the opportunity to develop their performance skills and in some cases, take to the stage for their first time. Auditions alone help pupil grow in confidence and experience the excitement of live theatre.

Our productions rely on a wide variety of essential roles, both on and off the stage. Pupils and staff work together across areas such as directing, choreography, sound engineering, stage management, lighting design, and set design and creation. These roles give pupils the chance to explore the full breadth of theatre production, learning specialist skills that bring a truly professional standard to each performance. We are also supported by our dedicated technical teams, backstage crews, and hard‑working front‑of‑house volunteers who help create a warm and welcoming atmosphere on show nights.

Northfield Theatre Company is proudly led by staff from departments across the school, making every production a genuine whole school collaboration enriched by a wide range of expertise and creativity.

Our shows are accompanied by a live orchestra, giving pupils the unforgettable experience of performing with professional standard musicians and adding depth and energy to every performance.

Over the years, we have staged a wide range of ambitious and memorable productions, including The Little Mermaid, The Addams Family, Oliver! and Sister Act. This year, we are thrilled to be working on our latest musical, Little Shop of Horrors, bringing together all our performers, technicians, musicians, and creatives for another spectacular Northfield Theatre Company production.

For pupils who feel they are not quite ready to audition for the main show, we offer a welcoming KS3 Drama Club led by Mr Exton. This club provides a relaxed and supportive space where younger pupils can build confidence, develop their skills, and discover a love of drama, often becoming the perfect stepping stone into future Theatre Company productions.

Together, staff and pupils create unforgettable performances that celebrate talent and teamwork. The Northfield Theatre Company continues to be a loved and inspiring event each year.

In Tune with Northfield  is an exciting and pioneering programme of free instrumental tuition, ensemble experience and performance where everyone is welcome. All you need is a passion for music and a willingness to get involved!

Our aim:

To give every aspiring Northfield musician an opportunity to have fun, make friends, build confidence and achieve through music.

We offer free tuition on the following instruments:

Woodwind: Clarinet, Saxophone, Flute

Brass: Trumpet, Cornet, Baritone, Tenor horn, Trombone, Tuba

Drums

Guitar, Bass Guitar

Tuition on other instruments is available in school via TVMS.

 What will my child receive?

A 30-minute weekly lesson in a small group or individually as appropriate.

Tuition and loan of instruments is free.

A weekly ensemble session to complement their learning in lesson:

• Samba band
• Woodwind ensemble
• Guitar ensemble
• Junior band
• Senior band
• Friday Strummers (beginner guitar group)

How much does it cost?

Tuition, instrument loan costs and exam entry fees are covered by Northfield School. We feel very proud and fortunate to be able to offer this level of support to our musicians.

You will be asked to purchase a lesson book/sheet music as appropriate by your child's instrumental teacher. If your child is eligible for Pupil Premium funding,  books are provided free of charge.

Expectations- Engagement with the Programme

Lesson attendance: We expect your child to attend their instrumental lesson punctually every week. Timetables will rotate through the school day to minimise disruption to curriculum time. This means that your child's lesson time will change week on week. Timetables are displayed in the music corridor and will be shared half termly with parents and carers.

Ensemble attendance: As a recipient of free tuition via the ‘in Tune with Northfield’ programme, your child will be required to join one of our ensembles. Our aim with ensemble playing is to build friendships and to have fun! Ensemble playing is also a great way to improve instrumental technique, it is therefore an integral part of the programme. Pupils who learn an instrument with TVMS or privately are also very welcome.

Performances: we have a number of exciting ensemble performances planned in and out of school which our ensembles prepare for throughout the year. ‘In Tune with Northfield’ participants are expected to take part. We hope that you will join us to celebrate our musicians’ success.

Practice: your child’s teacher will keep you updated as to what and how much they need to practise every week. We expect participants to take full advantage of the excellent tuition provided by practising regularly. Instruments should be kept at home for daily practice between lessons.

Instrument care: we expect pupils to take good care of loaned instruments. We do understand that accidents can happen! You may wish to add your school instrument onto your household insurance policy.

Failure to engage adequately with the programme in any of the above areas may result in your child’s place being offered to a pupil on the waiting list. We do expect a reasonable level of attendance at lessons, rehearsals and performances. We will always discuss any issues with you in the first instance.

What if my child already learns an instrument in primary school?

If your child already receives small group (nb not whole class) tuition on guitars, woodwind, brass or percussion in school they will automatically be offered a place to continue learning for free through the Northfield School music programme.

Children who are learning other instruments with TVMS can continue with a TVMS teacher at Northfield.

What if my child wants to take part, but doesn’t want to learn an instrument?

No problem! We have an exciting programme of events around wider access ensembles such as choir, samba band and Friday Strummers. Just have a chat with your music teacher.

Sign up

If you are interested in signing up, please talk to your music teacher or email Miss Hird, Head of Music -  lhird@northfieldssc.org

Testimonials

My name is Samuel Chidubem.

I'm a year 11 pupil at Northfield  and one of the options that I chose, is  Music.

Picking music has helped me enhance my music skills and knowledge.

From how to use garage band, to how to identify various genre of music, as well as changing songs into another form of genre.

As a pupil at Northfield school, I have also been given a chance to learn more about how to play the drums, by having 30 minutes of drumming lessons every Wednesday with the ‘In Tune with Northfield’ Music programme.

This has had a huge positive impact on my drumming skills, as it has expanded my knowledge of how to incorporate different drumming techniques.

Furthermore, I'm utterly grateful for the lessons and learning opportunities that the Music Department at Northfield has given me.

Personally, ding music in Northfield school, has been one of the best things to do in school. Apart from the fact that I've learnt a lot, it is also very fun to have great experiences.

Thanks very much to the Music Department!