I am absolutely delighted in my final blog for the College to share the news that St Joseph’s College has won the Inventive Extra-curricular Programme category for senior schools in the prestigious Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Awards, held in association with leading school consultants Debrett’s Education, writes Mrs Vicki Harvey, Vice Principal Co-Curricular.
Muddy Stilettos celebrates the best in modern, holistic education — an ethos that resonates deeply with us at St Joseph’s. We were thrilled to be named a finalist and even more so to come out top against superb entries from Holme Grange School, Sidcot, St Helen and St Katharine and Wycombe Abbey.
Competition judges felt St Joseph’s College stood out for its originality, attention to detail and innovative approach to co-curricular development. St Jo’s Prep School was Highly Commended in the same category.
Our extra-curricular programme has flourished over the past three years, driven by a whole-school objective to smash limits, fuel young minds and ignite potential in what we proudly call the St Joseph’s College co-curricular renaissance.
Our vision was clear: to design a truly comprehensive co-curricular programme that would stir passions, shape character and create meaningful opportunities for every student.
Overcoming Barriers, Unlocking Potential: Innovation in Action
One of the most significant challenges in achieving our ambitious co-curricular objectives was ensuring every student could access the new and exciting opportunities on offer.
We boldly reimagined the structure of the school day, introducing a dedicated daily ‘Development Hour’. This built-in time, separate from academic lessons, placed personal growth, discovery and enrichment at the heart of every student’s school experience.
We changed the timing of our school buses, giving every student the chance to stay, explore and engage. No barriers, no excuses, just opportunity.
To streamline access and enhance oversight, parents use a simple online booking system, which automatically generates registers and allows us to monitor attendance, interest, and engagement trends in real time. This level of structure supports both student accountability and parental involvement in their child’s wider school life.
Our themed co-curricular pathways have proven especially powerful. These allow students to follow their passions with purpose, curating a bespoke experience that connects their interests to real-world contexts. Students are not just attending activities; they’re building identities, gaining confidence, and developing transferable skills that will serve them far beyond school.
This culture shift has transformed how we think about time, access and student development, with a strong focus on nurturing a well-rounded and future-ready skill set. Scholars, in particular, are now attending at least one weekly session aligned with their area of expertise, reinforcing both depth and commitment to their development.
The Impact: Tangible and Transformative
The revitalised approach has led to:
Greater social confidence – Students developed the self-assurance to engage meaningfully with peers and adults, strengthening interpersonal skills and emotional resilience.
Wider social networks – Activities fostered new friendships and connections, broadening students’ circles beyond academic settings.
Enhanced skill acquisition – Pupils gained diverse competencies that enriched personal growth and bolstered future opportunities.
Improved wellbeing and stress relief – Enjoyable, purposeful activities provided vital space for relaxation and fun, helping students manage pressures and maintain balance.
Responding to the Challenge of Engagement
In 2022–2023, just 82 of our 610 students were actively participating in the 37 weekly activities on offer. Lack of variety and problems of accessibility were highlighted.
In response, the co-curricular programme was reimagined and significantly expanded. Today, we offer 172 weekly activities, alongside an ambitious three-year trips and visits programme designed to inspire, challenge and empower our students beyond the classroom.
Students now have opportunities to make informed choices about experiences that align with their interests and aspirations. Rugby in Fiji or cricket in Dubai, European culture tours, language immersion in Peru, investigating volcanoes in Naples and Iceland, exploring the battlefields of Normandy; taking first trips away from home whilst in the Prep School — the breadth and ambition of our programme is unparalleled.
The streamlined digital booking system enables parents to select more easily from the vast array of activities—including daily breakfast, lunchtime and after-school options—ensuring enrichment fits around busy home lives and routines.
Pioneering Excellence Beyond the Classroom
St Joseph’s College has experienced nothing short of a cultural transformation. The once modest offering has evolved into a dynamic, innovative and inclusive enrichment ecosystem—one that has captured the imagination of our students, staff and wider community. Participation has soared—with over 570 students now actively involved in weekly co-curricular activities.
Immersive experiences have included:
- A Women’s Leadership Conference, featuring exceptional speakers sharing powerful and relatable stories to inspire future leaders
- Career Panels with industry professionals
- National competitions
- Winners of national debating finals, including top individual speaker awards
- Champions in the Royal College of Arts, Young Art and local performing arts festivals
- U16 and U18 footballers achieving national ESFA and ISFA success
- U16 rugby team lifting the Uppingham 7s Cup, with U18s claiming the Plate
- STEM successes through off-timetable days, designing and racing rocket cars with tech professionals
- Winners of national debating finals, including top individual speaker awards
Community-driven initiatives have also flourished. Notably, we hosted 100 U11 players from eight local schools and grassroots clubs for an unforgettable day of rugby, played in front of 4,000 spectators and a livestream audience of 150,000. This landmark event was free of charge and showcased our commitment to accessibility, outreach and excellence.
Our immersive off-timetable experiences have also led students to audition for and secure roles with the National Youth Music Theatre, showcase exceptional talent through arts and performance, and discover passions far beyond the traditional curriculum.
The Result?
A school buzzing with energy. A student body filled with curiosity, courage and ambition. The St Joseph’s College co-curricular programme is contributing to lives of purpose, leadership and lifelong learning. This flourishing, ever-evolving co-curricular ecosystem allows every student to find their place, discover new strengths, and attain a greater sense of self and purpose.
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