What is COPE?

When the two Urmston Grammar Schools amalgamated in 1988, a decision was taken to allow members of Year 12 to have the opportunity to pursue extra-curricular sport or community activities on Wednesday afternoons from 2 p.m. In the first case, many activities were sporting but as the years have passed there has been a gradual expansion of experiences that students have been involved in either organised by the school or on their own initiative.

Why COPE?

In this highly competitive world, particularly in Higher Education, it is sometimes insufficient to have good grades in specialist academic subjects. It is possible that employers and admissions tutors are looking for something a little more such as current and live experience. For example, it is imperative for any prospective school teacher to have spent some time in a school as a helper or observer before applying for a training course. The same might apply to all branches of the medical service and nursing.  A student’s participation in a variety of activities during COPE in Year 12 gives the opportunity for Tutors to be able to write a more extensive and attractive UCAS or employment reference, as well as enabling your section 10 of the UCAS form to look more inviting and interesting.

Your commitment to COPE

COPE is NOT optional. It is a compulsory part of the sixth form curriculum. Use the time sensibly and try to cover a range of experiences to enliven your curriculum vitae. To simply take part in sport for the whole of the year does not amount to a good use of COPE time. You should try to take part in at least two contrasting activities.

How COPE works

You may sign out at the school office each Wednesday from 1 p.m. if you are attending an off-site activity. All on-site activities begin at 2.15 p.m. after attendance at afternoon registration (with the exception of the Crèche which begins at 1.30 p.m. There are a number of staff assigned to COPE who keep checks and records of attendance. All students attending an Off-Site activity are registered by their supervisor. Non-attendance is reported to the school office.

At the end of the school year all students who successfully complete the COPE phase receive a certificate which confirms their participation in a variety of enriching events.

Here are some examples of the activities that have been available:

ON –SITE

• Sports Hall – badminton, table tennis, trampolining (subject to numbers), basketball.
• Fitness suite

• Recreational soccer and team soccer (there is an established Year 12 league soccer team)

• Crèche – for pre-school children

• ‘Living on a Loan’ – cookery for the prospective university student

• Beginners Music Technology

(Note – ALL sporting activities require SPORTS KIT.)

OFF-SITE

• Local Primary School support
• Old Peoples’ Homes
• Charity Work
• Work Experience (possibly linked to a career choice)
• Rixton Conservation Park
• (Note – it is not planned to allow students to use off-site fitness clubs at the moment.)

COURSES AND QUALIFICATIONS

• First Aid
• Self Defence
• Yoga
• Salsa Dancing

(Note – these courses run for various lengths of time and involve the payment of a fee)

Now it is time to consider your position carefully. What would you like to do with your Wednesday afternoons? Is there something which has been omitted from the list of examples that you could take part in? 

What to do next?

Fill in the form as far as you can. Hand it in to Mrs. Plano (Sixth Form Study Suite).

YOU SHOULD TRY TO DO THIS BEFORE THE END OF FRIDAY 16^TH MAY.

This will then give some time to plan a programme of activities and place you in one of your preferred options. Year 12 meet in the afternoon of the first Wednesday back at school to be introduced to COPE and the supporting tutors. By then, it may have been possible to place you in one of your preferred locations.