All students are given at least one extra-curricular opportunity each year to explore learning beyond the classroom. Opportunities may include university visits, external workshops, competitions against other schools, and visits from external speakers. In addition, there are several core activities that we hope as many students choose to participate in.
Debate Mate
This is a weekly debating workshop open to students in Years 7-11. Students are tutored by visiting university students. They learn how to construct arguments and how to develop their public speaking skills. Participants compete in a national debating competition. In 2015-16, Isleworth & Syon was rated in the top 30 in London, and our performance last year was also excellent. Supported by Miss Cox and Miss Shukla, the boys develop many speaking and listening skills during their time with Debate Mate.
Latin Club
This is a weekly after-school club open to students in Years 7-9 for beginner Latin, and for students in Years 9-10 for advanced Latin. Students follow the Cambridge Latin Course for a period of 12 weeks. There are opportunities to sit attainment tests at the end of the beginner and advanced courses.
Brilliant Club
This is a six-week tutorial course run by PhD students from Russell Group universities. It is open for students in Years 7-10 and Year 12. Participants complete an assignment based on a Humanities or STEM topic. These are marked in a similar fashion to undergraduate essays. Students also take part in two separate visits to Russell Group universities, including Oxford University, Royal Holloway, Cambridge University, the University of Warwick and the University of Sussex.
Jack Petchey Speak Out! Challenge
This is open to students in Year 10. Gifted and Talented students take part in a day’s workshop where they practice their public speaking skills. Successful participants go on to compete in a regional competition against other local schools. In 2014-2015, Max Lundlack-Orr finished in second place in the Hounslow regional final. His speech can be viewed
here.
Moody Urban Scholars
This is open to selected students in Years 10-12. Participants attend a number of Saturday workshops at Brunel University. Students take part in activities designed to improve their study skills and academic achievement. There are also opportunities for participants to receive bursaries to support their entry into Higher Education.