Enrichment
The secret to boosting academic success.
Our girls are encouraged to engage, explore and succeed in a whole host of activities, trips and events which take place beyond the classroom.
Whether on the netball court, in the science lab, on an expedition, in the music room or at the debating podium, there is something to capture the interest of every student.
These opportunities promote personal growth and prepare students for life beyond Gumley by allowing them to develop key skills and attributes, discover new talents and add a breadth of experience that is an invaluable addition to their university applications and CVs.
Extra-Curricular Activities
We have an extensive extra-curricular programme with a comprehensive after school provision coupled with key events and trips throughout the year.
Weekly Extra-Curricular Clubs List
Cultural Capital & CHARACTER EDUCATION
The term 'Cultural Capital' is defined as the accumulation of knowledge, behaviours, and skills that a student can draw upon and which demonstrates their cultural awareness, knowledge and competence; it is one of the key ingredients a student will draw upon to be successful in society, their career and the world of work. At Gumley House we work tirelessly to build our student aspirations and expose them to a range of experiences to helps them achieve goals and become successful.
We recognise that for students to aspire and be successful academically and in the wider areas of their lives, they need to be given rich and sustained opportunities to develop both their character and their cultural capital.
We do this in many ways, for example, through our curriculum, extra-curricular activities, trips and visits and careers activities, such as theatre visits, Black History Month celebrations, Curriculum Extension Days, Culture Days, Language Festivals, Competitions, Lourdes Trips, French Trips, Rome Trips, Charity fundraising, River cleans, Eco-Clubs, Summer Fairs, Christmas Fairs, Gym and Dance Shows, STEM Trials, University Days, Work Experience in KS4 & 5, Entrepreneurship, Young Reporter Scheme, Eco School (more below), Careers Ambassadors... to name just some of what is provided.
Have a look at some of our Cultural Capital and Character Education events in the gallery below:
Open for images of Just some of our events
'Eco' School
Caring for the Planet - and each other
Gumley House has been awarded the Eco-Schools Status as Green Flag Award winners with Distinction.
Gumley students, and more notably our very proactive 'Eco Group', aim to make environmental awareness and action an intrinsic part of the life and ethos of a school. We encourage young people to begin improving the environments of their school and local communities and increase their environmental awareness.
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Students meet every week to discuss both local, national and international environmental issues. They have supported much of the work of CAFOD, including raising £238 for communities affected by climate change.
Through this year they will be focusing on three key priorities: Waste, Healthy Living and Marine Conservation. |
Supporting our Community
Our Sixth Form Leadership Team have been engaged in FCJ Environmental Projects across the country. Our Sixth Form team have been very active in ensuring Gumley House has an area of remembrance which reflects the school's mission in enhancing the environment. Kimberley shows below how she supports the Local Authority in their tree planting initiative.
Charity and Community
Students and staff at Gumley devote time and energy to supporting local, national and international communities through a range of initiatives. There has been a long tradition of charity fundraising at the school, led by the girls and supported by staff.
Through charity days, cake sales, dress-up or -down days and events such as our infamous carpool karaoke, our girls raise money to help charities. Sometimes, the cause may be one that has touched an individual girl’s life and it becomes a personal initiative; at other times, well-known charities such as Children in Need and the Cardinal Hume Centre are supported.
Our girls also make a commitment to volunteer within the local community to help those less fortunate than themselves, whether as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award or our service opportunities. We also provide the chance to volunteer in communities abroad such as India and Africa.
Duke of Edinburgh
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is a nationally and internationally recognised award, favoured by universities and employers alike.
We have girls who undertake the Bronze Award with us, pushing their boundaries, gaining new skills and enhancing their CVs and university applications.
They grow as individuals, building confidence, independence, responsibility, dedication and commitment.
Students achieve their Bronze Award by completing a personal programme of activities in four sections:
- Volunteering: undertaking service to individuals or the community
- Physical: improving in an area of sport, dance or fitness activities
- Skills: developing practical and social skills and personal interests
- Expedition: planning, training for and completion of an adventurous journey in the UK or abroad
Those who then want to proceed with the Silver and Gold Awards can do so through the London Borough of Hounslow.
LEADERSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Every student is encouraged to take on positions of responsibility and explore the different pathways to ignite their aspirations. We aim to support students by developing their understanding of their career options and providing opportunities to gain real-life experience, enabling learners to make informed decisions and feel equipped for their chosen route, with an array of desirable attributes under their belt.
The Arts
Students are inspired to be creative and expressive; they are challenged to experiment and explore new talents and interests across the arts.
Music
From trips and tuition to clubs and performances, we aim to provide opportunities for all our musicians to shine and reach their potential. Students can take part in our popular Gospel Choir, Worship Choir and Gumley Glee clubs, annual school productions and concerts as well as community and charity events.
Music tuition is also available to those talented and budding musicians who are interested in private lessons. What’s more, we have dedicated music facilities which include practice rooms and an iMac suite.
Drama
Our girls love to take to the stage. They are wonderfully talented and confident and it is a pleasure to see them perform.
Over the course of the year, the drama department offers clubs, organises theatre trips and produces memorable performances, including whole school productions. Our recent production in 2023 was 'Hairspray' which was performed in Richmond Theatre to sell out audiences. However, we have also been winners of the Shakespeare Schools Festival and more recently (Dec 2023) dramatised a live Nativity experience for 500 primary school children with students performing various characters from the Gospels while the children travelled from Nazareth to Bethlehem - concluding with a live nativity scene (including a donkey) and Christmas Carols with the Chamber Choir.
Art
Visitors always comment on the stunning artwork that is on display around the school. Our Art Department provide an excellent education awarding students with the highest of grades at GCSE and A Level. Some of their work is displayed on the Art subject page.
SportS
Our girls take part in sport to have fun, keep fit, compete and be part of a team. Whether a complete beginner or an elite athlete, our dedicated sport and PE teachers cater to all skill levels and want our students to take part and achieve the best they can.
Team players have many opportunities to represent their school in a range of sports, competing against other schools at a local and national level. We ensure that success and endeavour are celebrated and recognised, whether it is on an individual or team basis.