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Abingdon Hospital
This is invaluable work experience for aspiring medics.
After School Clubs
There is scope for initiative and leadership. Tell us your
special skills and interests: football, computers, music,
art, etc. The usual commitment is for the whole school
year, though this may be for a shorter time through prior
arrangement if sporting activities clash in one term.
Afternoon Tea
Tea party and entertainment for the elderly once a term.
Musicians particularly welcome.
Baker Award
The Baker Award
(named after retired teacher, Mr Roger
Baker) represents an Abingdon School junior version of
the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, designed to
run over the course of a boy’s time in lower school.
All lower school boys are automatically entered for
the award. There are four sections: Skill, Service,
Expedition and Sport. Boys are strongly encouraged
to become involved in all sections, keeping track of
their participation by using a record book. Satisfactory
completion leads to a certificate, presented at the end
of the Second Year.
Biology Department Volunteers
A small number of lower school pupils can get involved
in the Biology department, helping out with a variety of
tasks. Primarily they are involved with the routine care
of the animals in the department and maintenance of
the fish tanks. At certain times of year work needs to be
carried out in the departmental pond and we are also
looking to set up a wildlife area somewhere on the
school grounds.
Boarders Community Service
A chance for upper school boarders to visit the elderly.
Bridge House Quiz Team
An opportunity for a team to run a weekly quiz for lively
residents at Bridge House, on subjects ranging from
Literature to History and Geography, Nature and
Science, Famous People, General Knowledge, Sport,
Music and Entertainment.
Charities Committee
The Charities Committee organises and co-ordinates
the key charity events within the school. The pupils
involved help with the selection of charities to support
as well as the planning, organising and promoting
of events. Pupils find the work very rewarding
and enjoyable.
Combined Cadet Force
CCF membership is voluntary and begins in the Third
Year. Recruit training takes one year and boys are
expected to parade every week in uniform. Pupils
commit to attending for a whole year at a time – and to
keep their hair cut short and smart. The CCF is a
disciplined organisation, which emphasises qualities of
leadership and teamwork, common sense and
responsibility. It involves a variety of activities including
Tuesday afternoon parades and camps, exercises and
field days throughout the year. At least one camp must
be attended in each year, and in the first year this will
be the Easter recruit camp. Cadet training continues
into the Sixth Form in either the RAF or Army sections of
the CCF; it involves academic work, adventurous and
military training. There are opportunities to fly, shoot,
take part in joint exercises, to train alongside the
regular armed forces in the field, and to develop an
understanding of why these forces are needed and how
they operate. We are well-supported, and Abingdon’s
CCF is highly regarded outside the School for its
excellent standards. A number of cadets go on to join
the armed forces as commissioned officers.
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