We are driven to offer a wide range of learning opportunities beyond the classroom and these include the Performing Arts, Sport, DofE, clubs, trips and expeditions.The co-curriculum promotes the development of working with others and where new abilities and talents can be encouraged and nurtured. On this page you will see the clubs and societies open to those in Key Stage 5.
Key-Stage-5-CAS-Clubs-and-Societies (ID 1013)
- Badminton
Badminton
Open to students in KS4 and KS5, this is a fun, casual club where students and staff turn up and play singles or doubles matches. The school does enter teams for district and county school tournaments where possible.
- Biology Club
Biology Club
Every two weeks, we will meet to discuss real-world Biology research, linking IB learning to cutting-edge applications in medicine, biotechnology, cell biology, and evolutionary biology, to name a few. This is an excellent way to improve your problem solving skills, support your UCAS application and enhance your understanding of core biological processes and themes.
- Biomedical Society
Biomedical Society
An opportunity for people interested in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Sciences as well as the vast array of Medicine-allied courses. We will investigate the different courses and careers that exist in the medical field, debate moral and ethical decisions that face medical professionals, and hear from people currently working in these fields. You will find out how to put together a strong University application, and practice for interviews.
- Boot Camp
Boot Camp
- Boys' Rugby
Boys' Rugby
Senior Boys Rugby training catering to all levels of ability.
- Brass Ensemble
Brass Ensemble
Brass players of all levels in ALL Years are invited to join this club.
- CAS Junior Windband
CAS Junior Windband
Flute, clarinet, saxophone and brass players of all levels in Years 7-9; if in the 6th Form please join to support and mentor the younger students.
- CAS Music
CAS Music
Musicians are invited to join CAS Music for an opportunity to sing with the Soul Choir, create your own bands OR discuss with the Music staff opportunities for Service through Music, e.g. by supporting or mentoring younger musicians or groups (accompanying the Junior Singers, supporting the KS3 Guitar or percussion groups, helping the staff to set up for the weekly rehearsals, etc........). You could also become our resident photographer or journalist, commenting on the various music events throughout the year. In addition, the Music department recruits for the Tech Team that works with the MJC in preparation for school and other events.
- CAS Peer Mentoring
CAS Peer Mentoring
A chance to mentor and tutor KS3 students in Maths, English and Science, as well as supporting them with advice and positivity!
- Chess Club
Chess Club
Chess club is open to all years. Each week well over 100 students compete in indiviudal and pair matches to time. Not only does this improve critical thinking skills but we play against other schools and enter regional and national competitions and of course the annual school championship.
- Classics Society
Classics Society
Discussions, talks, lectures on any and all aspects of the ancient world, as well as Classical readings and competitions. Open to all, but especially relevant to students of Latin and Classical Civilisation.
- Computer Science Club
Computer Science Club
Open to students in both KS4 & 5 who are interested in going beyond the curriculum. The department will be offering: Physical Computing,
Data Science/Data Analysis using Python & Cyber Discovery using cyptographic techniques. Club subjects will rotate between terms, so each term students can experience something new. Students can join up for one, two, or all three terms! - Computing Club
Computing Club
- Cooking
Cooking
A chance to learn new cooking skills and recipes. This course will run for 5 weeks and there will be a total of 3 rotations to give more students a chance to take part. They will learn important life skills to prepare them for university and beyond! Each student will be given a recipe book to keep.
- Debate Club
Debate Club
Debate club gives students of all abilities a fun and challenging way to develop their oracy skills, critical thinking and communication. Exploring global affairs, contentious moral issues, the political sphere, Debate Club provides a safe sphere to examine their own opinions and learn the nuances of debate. As studenst develop their skills throughout the year, there will be opportunities for both in school and out of school competitions.
- Eco Council
Eco Council
Do you think there should be more recycling bins, less food waste or more charity work? If you are serious about making our school a greener, nicer and more sustainable place, then join the DGS eco council! Each key stage will take responsibility for a school improvement project and together we will work towards making this school a better place and achieveing the eco school silver award!
- Environmental Thinkers
Environmental Thinkers
Think the previous generation has messed up the planet? Want to learn how to make actual changes? Want to debate the most pressing issues facing us a species?
In "Environmental Thinkers" we focus on one documentary film and one book each term - then come together to discuss them.
The majority of this CAS is done in your own time - but we will meet twice a term to explore, analyse and discuss these huge multifaceted issues. - Film Club
Film Club
Film Club allows students to examine films from a variety of backgrounds, from critical darlings, to commercial flops, to astounding, thought provoking cult classics. In addition to screenings, we will discuss the creative and compositional processes that go into films. There will be opportunities to get involved with community film-making and learn more about the world of filmmaking. Expect to watch films that leave you thinking; bring an open and enquiring mind!
- Girls' Netball
Girls' Netball
Netball training is open to all abilities and will run on Monday after school. Fixtures will take place on a Wednesday afternoons and if we do not have a fixture, we will run a training session instead. We will also run several house netball and charity tournaments over the course of the year which are great fun.
- Girls' Rugby
Girls' Rugby
Girls' rugby at DGS has gone from strength to strength. All abilities welcome - rugby fanatics, fitness fanatics or just generally wanting a run around and a chance to blow off some steam - the more the merrier. There is something for everyone. Takes place during CAS on Wednesdays with fixtures and training on Tuesdays after school. A tour takes place in March, and we host the Kent 7s Girls' rugby tournament.
- History Society
History Society
A history club which will offer pupils the chance to enter History essay competitions with the potential to win prizes. The club will have active discussions online in the google classroom, but will also meet monthly to discuss historical issues.
- Journalism Society
Journalism Society
Whether it is hunting for newsworthy events, investigating an ongoing story, conducting interviews with interesting people, or researching information for a feature - everyone has a place at journalism. And modern journalism is not just about writing: photographs and videos are also vital to sharing information. Even if you don't write, there will also be opportunities to edit articles, design magazines, and upkeep and maintain our website. We have won school journalism awards in the past and are aiming for another award this year - open to all Key Stages!
- Law Society
Law Society
An opportunity to learn about different areas of Law, discuss current global affairs and practice for the LNAT exam.
- LGBTQ+ Society
LGBTQ+ Society
A chance for students to discuss current affairs related to the LGBTQ+ society. Anyone is welcome!
- Literary Circle
Literary Circle
A opportunity to read and discuss a range of literature, both modern and classic, in an informal setting. This is an excellent opportunity to make wider links with your IB curriculum, broaden your horizons and enjoy reading for its own sake.
- MUN
MUN
Discuss international issues as members of the United Nations. Understand and learn about international politics and the art of debating.
- Music (Tech Team)
Music (Tech Team)
Train to become part of the school's Tech Team working with state of the art digital sound and light equipment in the Mick Jagger Centre. You will then be able to offer services during school and community events. Some evening engagements may be necessary.
- Orchestra (Senior)
Orchestra
A large music group for all students who play an orchestral instrument: strings, woodwind, brass or percussion. Minimum standard is Grade 3+; we perform in all concerts and other public school and community events, e.g. for the Mayor's Ball in Dartford. The repertoire consists of well known classics, pop and film music.
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Philosophy, Politics & Economics
Each week we debate a question related to Philosophy, Politics and Economics. Previous questions have covered 'should the NHS be free?', 'what does it mean to be you?' and 'should we get rid of the royal family?'. The discussion is open style and please bring your lunch with you! The first few weeks will be teacher run but we would like to pass it on to students to run. Come along if you're interested in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, or just like a topical discussion.
- Physics Journal Club
Physics Journal Club
Every fortnight, we will read through an accessible piece of real Physics research, discussing issues at the forefront of the subject and broadening our knowledge. This is an excellent way to engage with real Physics research, bolster your UCAS application and enhance your understanding of how the universe works. Topics include: gravitational waves, superconductors, graphene, extreme space weather, electron tunneling microscopy, exoplanets, microswimmers.
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Pilates & Mindfulness
- Psychology Club
Psychology Club
Psychology Club is designed to look at a manner of different Psychological theories and studies that attempt to explain or demonstrate potential causes for certain behaviours. We will meet every third Tuesday (a list of dates will be available at the CAS Fair) to allow students to take part in other clubs. The club aims to examine these ideas in an effort to better understand behaviours that are both common and uncommon whilst fully identifying the strengths and weaknesses of research or investigations that have been carried out to develop psychological evidence of explanations. We will try to cover as many different interesting behaviours as we possibly can with an effort to investigate everything from conformity to psychopaths.
Students are encouraged to pick topics for us to look at and can choose what they want to learn about in future sessions. -
R&B Band
Our fabulous Jazz Big Band for all players of Grade 3+ standard of wind and brass instruments, electric/ acoustic guitars, piano and drum-kit. The band performs in all concerts, will tour in the summer term and there are plans for an evening at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club.
- School Production
School Production
The school summer musical extravaganza is one of the highlights of the school year, and we are starting to look for actors, singers and dancers to form a cast for this year's show! We will be running a casting workshop with Year 12 only in the autumn, before casting from the whole school body and starting rehearsals just before Christmas. The show itself is in June, so whether you are a seasoned performer or would like to try something new, come along to join the team for what is always a fun, confidence-boosting and friendship-forming part of the school calendar!
- Scribblers' Ink
Scribblers' Ink
Whole school creative writing club, run online. We explore a wide variety of forms, genres and styles of writing. We regularly enter national competitions and have had several students published in the last few years as a result. Once per term, we run an in person session in which we play creative writing games. This is a great opportunity for IBDP students to fulfill the Creativity strand of their CAS, and there will also be opportunities to run sessions should they so wish.
- Sixth Form Vocal Group
Sixth Form Vocal Group
A celebrated mixed vocal ensemble of 6th Form students. Rehearsals will be mixed or in sections and the repertoire ranges from classical to Jazz and musical theatre. The group performs in all concerts and in selected school events, such as Remembrance Day. We have also being invited to perform in community events, e.g. during Christmas.
- UK Space Design Competition Club
UK Space Design Competition Club
The UK Space Design Competition is a multidisciplinary space-themed competition designed to be a simulation of life in industry! Students from multiple schools are combined to form an engineering company and take on the task of designing a crewed space settlement within our solar system.Set between 40 and 80 years in the future, students are able to lose themselves in the elaborate and expansive SDC universe and they form one of our fictional engineering companies. The universe is complete with over 20 fictional settlements and 50 subcontractors that provide an array of goods and services that can help competitors in their quest to try and tackle the Request for Proposal.
Weekly meetings will consist of preparation for a regional heat in December, which lasts for a full Saturday. Winning this heat qualifies students for the national finals in 2023, with a chance to progress to the international competition in Houston, Texas.
