Enrichment Activities
Enrichment activities are a good opportunity to enhance your time at Varndean College. The activities available can vary from year to year according to student demand and can be either tutor or student led (sponsored by a tutor).
African & Caribbean Society (ACS)
Discussions, events and entertainment for Black and Ethnic Minority students, embrace your culture and meet new people.
Art & Design Enrichment
Extension class for Visual Art students, based around a series of gallery trips, studio visits and meetings with contemporary artists, and designers.
Aspire Programme
Specialist support for students applying to the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge. Find out more in our Aspire Programme leaflet.
Chemistry Society
Programme of events and activities for students of Chemistry A level to extend their understanding and appreciation of the subject.
Chess Club
Learn how to play and improve your chess. For beginners, improvers and advanced.
Christian Union
For students seeking answers to fundamental questions such as: “Why are we here?”, “What is the significance of life?”, “Why is there suffering?”, “Is there really a god?”.
Creative Writing
Students work with a local author to develop their writing skills and to receive feedback on the creation of their own poetry, prose or scripts.
Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
The opportunity to participate in the Award Scheme. You achieve your Award by completing a personal programme of activities in these areas: Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and, for Gold, a Residential.
Environmental Committee
Plan how the College will reduce its environmental footprint, implement its environmental policy and eco-code; develop projects around the College and its campus.
Feminist Society
Regular discussion and debates on some of the key themes and issues around contemporary gender roles and power.
Geography Association
Monthly lectures for those interested in a wide range of geographical topics, as well as optional trips, eg USA, London and local.
Law Society
Do you have a passion for Law? Listen to talks from guest speakers, take part in careers events, participate in debates, enhance your CV/personal statement.
Leadership Awards (Dance and Sport)
Both Dance and Sport offer the opportunity to follow a Leadership Award. These are qualification courses at Level 1 and 2 and may be added to your study programme. Further details available on the prospective course pages and on the College website.
Life Drawing
For Visual Arts students to build a successful portfolio for progression to an Art & Design degree or foundation course. Work directly from a range of life models and produce a series of drawings, paintings, mixed media or experimental works.
Maths Club
An opportunity for gifted and talented Maths students to extend their skills through various mathematical challenges and competitions, such as the UK Maths Challenge and British Maths Olympiad.
Med/Vet/Dent Support
Specialist support for students applying for medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses. Focus on writing personal statements, the BMAT UKCAT exams, plus 1:1 interviews to help with UCAS applications.
Mental Health First Aiders
Mental Health First Aiders are students who have been trained to listen, reassure and respond, even in a crisis. They can do this by recognising warning signs, and they have the skills and confidence to approach and support someone experiencing mental ill-health.
Music
Make music on Wednesday afternoons with student bands. Our College Funk Band rehearse and perform cover versions of rock, soul and dance classics.
Pathways into Business and Law
Mentor scheme for Business and Law students. Receive training in mentoring and supporting fellow students and an opportunity to receive advice from representatives from successful local businesses.
Peer Mentors
Train to support fellow students as they join and work their way through College. Training focuses on listening skills and enables participants to explore some of their own feelings and to support others.
Philosophy Society
Student led discussion, dissection and deconstruction of philosophical issues and arguments.
Politics Society
Weekly meetings with a broad range of speakers – local MPs, Councillors, activists, journalists, academics and many more. A chance to meet, discuss, contest and listen to viewpoints you may have never considered before.
Rainbow Alliance
A safe place for LGBTQ+ students and their straight allies to meet, find support and campaign for change.
Sport
The following recreational activities are offered to all students on Wednesday afternoons (or sometimes on other occasions during the week): Badminton, Basketball, Five-a-Side Football, Football (Russell Martin Academy), Fitness Gym, Netball, Rugby (Men and Women's teams), Tennis, Table Tennis and Yoga.
Student-Directed Drama and Stage Management
Open to all students interested in creating, rehearsing and performing drama, as well as those wishing to work behind the scenes or front of house on College productions.
Storytelling Society
Come along to discuss and learn how to tell traditional stories of many cultures.
Student Union
Represent the views and opinions of students at Varndean by joining the Varndean College Student Union. It is also possible to seek election to any one of several roles on the VCSU Executive.
Varndean College Ambassadors
Join a team of student ambassadors and help out at College Open Days, Year 10 Taster Days and school liaison visits. You may get to see your old school teachers and younger students from your previous school.
voice@varndean
You are invited to come along to our regular poetry cafes in which students and staff celebrate the power of poetry through reading, performing or listening to poems written by students, staff and published authors.
Wellbeing
Improve your wellbeing, de-stress, enhance your learning, learn life skills, hand reflexology, brain gym, mindfulness and strategies for self-control. We offer four different Wellbeing groups: Wellbeing for Academic Study, Space to Connect for Female Identity, Space to Connect for Male Identity and Social Space.
Zareen Society
If you love learning and have ambitions of studying at a top university, then this group offers support and information to students who have the ability to flourish on academically challenging undergraduate courses.