One of our most important aims at the UCS Junior Branch is to present our pupils with a wealth of educational experiences.

Consequently, we place great emphasis on our extensive range of co-curricular activities organised for the boys before, during and after school, in addition to the many trips and outings we run. These latter include visits to art galleries, museums, theatres, lectures and exhibitions, as well as residential stays.

Music, Drama, Art

The standard of Music, Drama and Art is exceptional throughout the Junior Branch. Nearly every boy plays one musical instrument from the many on offer; they can either try them out for fun or attempt to progress through the ABRSM examinations.

There are also opportunities to sing in choirs, play in orchestras and join string, wind, recorder or percussion ensembles. We are rightfully proud of our Music output and showcase our pupils’ efforts to parents at concerts, assemblies and festivals.

All pupils take part in our fantastic Drama productions which punctuate and illuminate the academic year. Every year group puts on a show in our in-house Little Acorn Theatre while the major Year 6 production is performed at the Senior School’s Lund Theatre.

Sport

Years 3 and 4 have one Games afternoon per week, benefiting from our impressive new facilities at the UCS Pavilion, while Years 5 and 6 enjoy two weekly Games afternoons. In Sport, boys play rugby, hockey, football, cricket and athletics as their major disciplines but they also have options from Year 4 upwards. They participate in a variety of ‘minor’ sports such as tennis, swimming, cross-country and golf. All have a weekly PE session in the Sir Roger Bannister Sports Centre.

Every boy should find something to appeal to him: from Mandarin to gardening, Lego robotics to fencing, and karate to debating, the school's extensive programme of activities delivers an exceptional level of choice. The Good Schools Guide

Clubs and societies

Popular clubs at Holly Hill include coding and robotics, general knowledge, gardening, cooking, karate, fencing, dance and rock bands, to name but a few of the extensive list of extra-curricular activities. Our chess provision is always impressive, reflected in teams that regularly excel in EPSCA chess tournaments. Table tennis is similarly strong, with boys catching the eye in big national competitions. In its review, The Good Schools Guide referred to the provision as having “an extraordinary range of extra-curricular activities on offer – we’ve not met anything quite like it”. Our pupils’ successes and achievements in extra-curricular endeavours are made possible by their ability to speak and listen respectfully.

Day trips

Whether it’s travelling by Tube to explore the banks of the Thames or visiting Kew Gardens, our enrichment programme reflects our boys’ passion for the environment. Every form sends boys to join the school eco team who ensure that our classrooms are running as sustainably as possible and that the school is a disposable plastic bottle free zone. Gardening Club ensures that the Junior Branch is a haven for pollinating insects while members of Environment Club have highlighted to the public just how much litter is dumped on Hampstead Heath.

Residential trips

We have a large number of residential trips running every year.

  • Autumn Term: Year 6 spend a week in Norfolk for field study and outdoor pursuits. The Rugby and Hockey Tours are open to boys in Years 5 and 6.
  • Spring Term: The Ski Trip to the Dolomites is open to every boy in Years 4 and above. The Football Tour (usually to Spain) is open to every boy in Years 5 and 6 and one parent per family is able to join.
  • Summer Term: Year 4 boys spend a long weekend in northern France. There’s a Golf Trip to Spain too.