Super-Curricular Opportunities
The links and information in the below PDF are just some of the opportunities available to feed your learning curiosity and prepare you for your next steps whether pathways after Year 11 or after Year 13.
There is something here for everybody.
Please note: Higham Lane School and Sixth Form does not profit from or endorse any of the opportunities below.
TED talks
TED is a non-profit devoted to spreading ideas, usually in the form of short, powerful talks (18 minutes or less). TED began in 1984 as a conference where Technology, Entertainment and Design converged, and today covers almost all topics - from science to business to global issues - in more that 100 languages. Meanwhile, independently run TEDx events help share ideas in communities around the world. ‘TED is a global community, welcoming people for every discipline and culture who seeks a deeper understanding of the world. We believe passionately in the power of ideas to change attitudes, lives and, ultimately, the world. On TED.com, we’re building a clearinghouse of free knowledge form the world's most inspired thinkers - and a community of curious souls to engage with idea and each other both online and at TED and TEDx events around the world, all year long. In facet, everything we do - from our conferences to out TED Talks to the projects sparked by The Audacious Project, from the global TEDx and TED Translators communities to the TED-Ed lessons series - is driven by this goal: How can we spread great ideas?’ TED is owned by a non-profit, nonpartisan foundation. Our agenda is to make great ideas accessible and spark conversation.
TED Ed
This is as great resource. So much to learn and do!
To support the millions of students, parents and teachers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Ted -Ed is working with expert educators and TED speakers throughout the world to create and share high-quality, interactive, video-based lessons on a daily basis.
BBC Sounds
Treat yourself with playlists and interesting podcasts
UCAS
Start to explore what you would like to do after sixth form
My HE Plus
A variety of courses and information you can explore.
Gresham College lectures
https://www.gresham.ac.uk/schools
Oxplore
Oxplore is an engaging digital resource from the University of Oxford. As the ‘Home of Big Questions’, it aims to challenge those from 11 to 18 years with debates and ideas that go beyond what is covered in the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and reflect the kind of critical thinking students undertake at university. Our goal is to raise aspirations, promote broader thinking and encourage intellectual curiosity, so everything you see is underpinned by the latest discoveries and research from the University of Oxford.
Medical Mavericks
Plenty to explore if you are looking to join a medical profession
https://www.medicalmavericks.co.uk/for-students
Hay Levels from Hay Festival
https://www.hayfestival.com/home
https://www.youtube.com/user/haylevels
Free digital resources for Students aged 16-25 Hay Levels, are a series of over 200 films in which Hay Festival experts from a range of disciplines offer bite-sized inspiration for A-Level students, and Talking About Shakespeare where actors and academics, playwrights and directors, poets and novelists give insight into Shakespeare’s contemporary resonance.
Clever Podcast
The Clever Podcast is all about design and inspiring interviews with top designers.
Edge magazine
Edge magazine is an online resource that brings together leading thinkers in their fields and within broad subject areas – mind, life, culture, universe and technology. Expert conversations range from Alzheimer’s prevention to How to be a systems thinkers.
Isaac Physics
https://isaacphysics.org/alevel
Isaac Physics Is described as a Department of Education project at the University of Cambridge. It aims to give students transitioning from GCSEs to Sixth Form, to university, insight into and understanding of physics by problem-solving. A Level resources range from problem-solving, mentoring schemes to extension resources (includes a section on maths questions to help prepare for a STEM course interview).
MOOCs – online courses
MOOCs is short for Massive Open Online Courses that are mostly free. The range of online courses available is huge, from those that may be related to the subject being studied at university level to those that help develop soft skills. By selecting courses carefully, students can show a passion for their subject at university level.
Alison (https://alison.com/courses) offers a range of courses, from art to humanities.
Coursera (https://www.coursera.org/) has a range of courses, and works in partnership with top universities and organisations to offer courses online. Courses range from an Introduction to Engineering Mechanics to Introduction to Mathematical Thinking, and more.
EdX (https://www.edx.org/) has a wide selection of courses, ranging from science to languages and law. EdX was founded by Harvard University and MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
Udacity (https://www.udacity.com/) is focused on courses related to computing.
Udemy (https://www.udemy.com/) has a wide range of online courses, from design and photography to IT and software.
Futurelearn
So many free courses to choose from. Written by education experts form different universities.
Class Central
Lots more online courses
Class Central ‘Our goal is to make online education work for everyone. Class Central is a listing of online courses. We aggregate courses from many providers to make it easy to find the best courses on almost any subject, wherever they exist. We focus primarily on free (or free to audit) courses form universities, offered through massive open online course (MOOC) platforms. Whatever you are interested in learning, it is more than likely that our catalogue includes a course that will meet your needs. Through Class Central, you can find courses; review courses you’ve taken (and read other people’s reviews); follow universities, subjects and courses to receive personalised updates; and also plan and track your learning.’
Staircase 12
https://www.univ.ox.ac.uk/applying-to-univ/staircase12/
Staircase 12 is hosted by Oxford University and has a wealth of an online resources and information with lots of ideas to help students extend their knowledge beyond the school syllabus.
UNESCO share amazingly useful databases that include 1000+ education companies offering free subscriptions due to school closing. Check it out for your own purposes! This is targeted to an American audience but has so much to explore.
Other Super-curricular opportunities
RSC - watch excellent Shakespeare productions free!
https://www.rsc.org.uk/news/watch-rsc-shows-from-home
National Theatre - watch for free!