Parkside places great emphasis on what children learn away from the classroom – experience is just as important as theory.
Nursery extra-curricular
We organise regular outings for the children, with parental permission, to locations including local fire stations and places that will teach them about their community, while they are having fun.
The Merripark After School Club runs from 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm each day and is open to children from both nursery and Pre-Prep. Further details of activities and costs can be obtained from Merrileas Nursery.
For nursery pupils who have an older brother at Parkside School, we hope to minimise congestion by offering a free early morning crèche from 8.30 am. In exceptional circumstances, places may be available for other children on a casual basis; please discuss your needs with the Head of Nursery. During the summer terms, the Nursery children take part in an annual Teddy Bear Walk Out. They have a wonderful time, holding onto their favourite teddies, as they make their way around the school grounds on this sponsored walk. Afterwards, they all enjoy a picnic and receive a certificate and a sticker for their teddy.
Pre-prep extra-curricular
All pre-prep pupils are able to participate in regular field trips and excursions including:
- A home visit by the Fire Brigade
- PP3 have a VIP visit to a farm just outside Guildford
- A trip to see 'The Tiger Who Came to Tea' at Woking
- An exciting time at Fishers Farm, a themed farm mixing education and fun in equal measure.
After school clubs start in the second year of Pre-Prep with tennis coaching. In the final year of Pre-Prep this expands and a variety of different after school activities are available. These are cricket, chess, judo, tennis and extra football. Some of these football sessions may be taught by Chelsea Football Club's coaches.
Prep School extra-curricular
While we can be largely self-sufficient here in Cobham, off-site extra-curricular activities are very important to develop each boy’s sense of adventure and the form’s cohesion as a group. Foreign travel, skiing, outward bound activities, camping and canoeing are just some of the regular activities we undertake with the senior school. Community participation, such as our regular carol singing for the elderly in local homes, also enhances the boys’ development.
In the recent past, we have taken boys to the Science Museum, Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, Lasham Woodland Training Centre and Juniper Hall Field Centre. Our RE department has arranged visits to the local church, mosque and synagogue to assist the boys’ understanding of different faiths and their traditions.
Overseas trips include year group visits to France, Italy and a sailing trip to the Channel Islands.