An essential part of the Harrow education is to allow pupils, regardless of age, to experience and develop their interests in various extracurricular activities. Ranging from sport, academics, languages, art and other general interests, the Harrow Co-Curricular programme is able to provide students with a rich and rewarding variety of activities to engage with outside the classroom. However, beyond this, the new Societies initiative aims to provide students with the opportunity to take a leading role in the running of such activities, thereby developing their interpersonal skills and providing them the ability to explore their identities or interests as well as even meeting others with similar passions through the creation of new communities.
The launch of new student-led clubs, societies, and publications breathes new life into the already expansive set of Super Curriculum and Co-Curricular Activities offered through the Harrow Horizons Programme. This year, students in years 10 and above have been given the opportunity to establish and run their own societies within the school with minimal involvement from teaching staff. Many have risen to this challenge as several new student-led societies have been established in the past term alone, bringing the total up to a historically high 28.
It is our aim to help more of the student population to take on a leadership role within the wider school community. Creating and maintaining these societies provides students with a unique opportunity to leave behind a lasting legacy. Being President or Vice President of a Society comes with a great deal of responsibility. Presidents are expected to host regular activities for members as well as actively work towards the completion of an ‘End of Year Society Project’ – which can range from a performance, display, or event, to a publication or compilation of the year’s works. Throughout this process, students will be able to develop all six of Harrow’s key leadership attributes:
- Contributing Positively to the Community
- Applying Knowledge with Compassion
- Solving Problems Collaboratively
- Solving Problems Creatively
- Making Fair and Just Choices
- Facing Challenges with Determination
The Societies Initiative covers an extremely diverse range of interests, which can be broadly divided into 5 categories:
Publications:
On top of the existing Harrovian magazines (Humanities, Scientific, Literary) two new publications were established this academic year:
The Law Society Publication will include a compilation of articles related to different aspects of the subject.. The Psych Perspective is a publication that aims to showcase pupil-written material about psychological topics of interest, centered around a unique theme every issue.
Academic Enrichment:
Academic societies aim to provide a platform through which pupils can explore academic fields more deeply outside the classroom, or pick up entirely new skills.
Co-Curricular Enrichment:
Co-Curricular societies help pupils discover new interests, or further their passions, in specific activities ranging from debate to dance.
University Preparation:
There are a small number of societies that aim to put pupils on the fast track to universities in general, such as the A2US (Apply to the United States) Society, or to help pupils apply to specialised fields.
Charity and Volunteer Work:
Last but not least, many societies are also involved in charitable endeavors as well. Some aim to raise awareness for preventable diseases while others work directly with organisations like Crossroads. These societies provide students with firsthand experience doing humanitarian work.