At Hatherop Castle School, we believe that some of the most powerful learning happens beyond the classroom. Our outstanding co-curricular programme is an essential part of a Hatherop education, offering every child the opportunity to discover new interests, develop talents and build the confidence to shape their own unique journey.

From performing on stage and recording podcasts, to climbing mountains, playing in bands and leading teams, our pupils enjoy an exceptional breadth of experiences throughout the year. These opportunities are carefully designed to inspire curiosity, nurture individuality and develop the qualities that matter most, resilience, creativity, leadership and a genuine love of learning.

Guided by our values of ambition and character, our co-curricular provision complements our academic curriculum and supports the development of happy, confident and well-rounded young people. Under the leadership of our Director of Co-Curricular, Mr Nick Williams, every child is encouraged to explore, challenge themselves and discover what they are truly capable of.

Sport

Sport is at the heart of life at Hatherop Castle School and plays a vital role in developing confident, resilient and well-rounded children. Set within our stunning grounds, our sporting programme offers every pupil the opportunity to discover their strengths, build self-belief and develop a lifelong love of physical activity.

From Nursery and Pre-Prep onwards, children enjoy an active curriculum that encourages participation, enjoyment and healthy habits. As they progress through the school, pupils benefit from outstanding coaching across a wide range of sports including football, rugby, hockey, netball, cricket and athletics, alongside tennis, swimming, fencing, gymnastics, golf and more. We are particularly proud that football and cricket are now core sports for our girls, with excellent success at both school and representative level.

While many of our pupils compete successfully at county, regional and national level, our philosophy goes far beyond results. Sport at Hatherop is about character as much as competition. Through teamwork, leadership, resilience and sportsmanship, children learn skills that shape them for life.

For those with particular talent and ambition, our Aspire Sports Scholarship programme provides specialist support and individual development pathways as pupils move into Upper School.

Above all, our aim is simple: that every child leaves Hatherop confident, active and inspired, with happy memories, strong values and a genuine love of sport that will stay with them long after they leave us.

Music

Music is woven into the everyday life of Hatherop Castle School and plays a vital role in nurturing creativity, confidence and self-expression. From Nursery through to Prep 8, every child is encouraged to discover the joy of making music, develop their musical understanding and perform with confidence.

Our broad and inspiring curriculum introduces pupils to music from a wide range of cultures and traditions, with a strong emphasis on practical music-making. Singing lies at the heart of our provision from the earliest years, helping children to develop pitch, rhythm and a love of performance. As pupils progress, they explore instruments through class ocarina lessons in Prep 3, orchestral instrument introductions with our specialist peripatetic teachers, and keyboard work that supports composition and musical structure.

Many pupils choose to take individual music lessons, with tuition available across a wide range of instruments including piano, voice, strings, woodwind, brass, guitar, drums and music theory. We are immensely proud of the number of pupils who go on to achieve Music Scholarships at senior schools, supported by excellent preparation for ABRSM, Trinity and MTB examinations.

Performance is at the heart of our musical life. Pupils take part in regular concerts, ensemble performances and instrumental recitals, while our choirs, from Contemporary Choir to the Senior Chapel Choir, perform throughout the year and lead services in our chapel. Music also shines in our much-loved productions, with recent shows including Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Matilda Jr. and Rats! The Musical.

At Hatherop, music is more than a subject, it is a journey of discovery that builds confidence, creativity and a lifelong love of the arts.

Art

Art plays a vital role in life at Hatherop Castle School, nurturing creativity, confidence and individuality while helping every child to shape their own unique story. Through a rich and inspiring arts programme, pupils are encouraged to explore their imagination, develop technical skills and discover the joy of creative expression.

From painting and sculpture to clay modelling and mixed media, our pupils are given the freedom to experiment, take creative risks and develop their own artistic voice. These experiences not only cultivate creativity but also strengthen critical thinking, problem-solving and independent thought, skills that support learning across every area of the curriculum.

Art also plays an important role in emotional and social development. Through creative work, pupils learn to express ideas and feelings, build self-awareness and collaborate confidently with others. Group projects and shared creative experiences foster teamwork, empathy and communication, helping children to grow both personally and socially.

We are proud to celebrate our pupils’ achievements through our annual Christmas Art Exhibition, where senior pupils showcase their work to families and the wider community. Our much-loved Arts Week offers an exciting programme of specialist workshops, giving children the opportunity to explore new techniques and disciplines such as pottery, enamelling, design technology, plaster casting and textiles.

At Hatherop, art is more than a subject, it is a powerful way for children to develop confidence, creativity and character, preparing them to approach future challenges with imagination, resilience and self-belief.

The Creative Arts

At Hatherop Castle School, the Arts play a central role in developing confident, resilient and expressive young people. We believe that creativity has the power to build self-belief, nurture individuality and help children discover who they are and what they are capable of achieving.

Our approach encourages pupils to step beyond their comfort zones in a supportive and nurturing environment. Through public speaking, performance and creative collaboration, children learn to communicate with confidence, maintain eye contact, present themselves with poise and embrace new challenges with courage.

We offer an exceptional range of opportunities for pupils to shine, including concerts, choirs, speech and drama, instrumental ensembles, bands, exhibitions and full-scale musical theatre productions. These experiences allow every child to develop confidence, creativity and a strong sense of identity, while learning the valuable skills of teamwork, discipline and perseverance.

A highlight of our year is our much-loved annual Arts Week. For one inspiring week, pupils from Reception to Prep 8 step away from their usual timetable to immerse themselves fully in the Arts. The week culminates in our spectacular ‘Castlebury’ showcase, where every child takes to the stage to perform, through singing, dancing, acting, comedy or storytelling. This truly inclusive event celebrates individuality, creativity and the courage to perform, reflecting our belief that every child has a unique story to tell.

At Hatherop, the Arts are about more than performance, they are about building confidence, character and a lifelong love of creativity. We invite you to explore the energy, joy and imagination that define arts life at Hatherop through our Arts Week video below.