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An extra-curricular initiative has seen the number of students taking part in remote clubs more than double since schools returned.

A programme of before school, lunchtime and after school clubs at Epping St John’s Church of England School was adapted during lockdown.

Be Courageous…From Home enabled children who were learning from home to take part in clubs offering them challenges to take them away from the computer screen and the traditional curriculum.

Tasks included drills for sports clubs, online software for coding, practical dance classes for dance club, online theatre links for drama and lowkey science experiments for science club.

While school has now resumed, restrictions mean clubs still cannot run as normal as students must be off site as soon as their core lessons end.

Since the start of the new school year, hundreds of students have signed up to take part in at least one club – with almost all of Year 7 joining in.

Sarah Viccars, senior assistant headteacher, said: “This is the most clubs we have ever had on offer, with the largest variety of subjects to choose from. We have launched ten new clubs this year already which have not been on offer before. The number of students signing up has more than doubled since we launched Be Courageous…From Home. I am really proud of that.

“Lockdown encouraged students to develop their talents and skills and this programme helped them to see beyond the curriculum. It has shown them that it is good to get outside, or to paint or to read a book. That gift of time gave them the inspiration to develop themselves.

“We are continuing to push and develop that and students are responding well. It is giving them an outlet where they are not being tested or following a curriculum; it is simply for fun and to give them an opportunity to make friends with people with the same interests. They are also learning to be independent learners who are motivated to develop their own talents and skills; they are qualities they will use for life.”

Clubs this term include choir, dance, astronomy, debate society, languages, philosophy, cooking, art, book club, fitness and science.

Student submit evidence to show they are completing the weekly tasks.