Clubs & societies

There are almost 140 co-curricular clubs, teams and societies to suit everyone’s interest and identity - whether this involves exploring the great outdoors, building a robot, or debating which is better! And if something is missing, students are encouraged to fill the gap. Sixth formers, who run a number of the societies, also have the opportunity to start a new activity.

Take a look at a few examples of our many clubs and societies below.

Photo of CLSG students at debating event

Debating

Debating is a hugely popular pursuit at City, helping students to gain confidence and think critically. From having a go at debating training to stepping up to the podium for inter-house debating competitions, our debaters tackle a range of motions from whether science or art is most important, to the merits of gender quotas for male-dominated jobs. We compete in international and national competitions most weekends, regularly reaching the finals and ranking amongst the most competitive teams.

Photo of CLSG students at a robotics event

Robotics

Our award-winning robotics club is open to students of all ages, who work in teams to build a robot capable of completing a particular task under timed conditions. The girls learn and apply engineering, design, coding and teamwork skills to produce their robot, which then competes against robots from other schools in local and national competitions.

CLSG sixth form students in sixth form common area

Affinity groups

Weekly student-run discussion groups that aim to discuss topics surrounding belonging and identity, giving City students an opportunity to both share and learn from each other’s experiences in life.

Lego model inspired by The Traitors, created by our year 7 students

Lego club

City’s Lego club is an inclusive space for students to make new friends and bond over creating inventive Lego models. Each week students choose a new theme, build various models and then the winners are announced!

Photo of chessboard

Chess

Each week, tactically minded students meet around chequered boards to move their pieces around the board and vie for that elusive checkmate. Whether they are total beginners or budding grandmasters, they can hone their game with friends and learn from a chess coach who comes into school to advise them.

CLSG students on Gold DofE hike

Duke of Edinburgh

Since 2019, 180 pupils have enrolled in the Duke of Edinburgh Award with wide ranging volunteering activities at the core of their experience – from tutoring to cooking for neighbours to picking up groceries for the vulnerable in their local communities. Taking up a range of skills and physical activities, as well as expeditions to the New Forest complete the programme.

iGEM logo

iGEM

A joint CLS-CLSG sixth form team compete in the international competition to solve real world issues using synthetic biology. The projects are student-led, utilising the school labs and teachers’ advice when needed. Recent projects include a solution to reduce cocaine poisoning on the eel populations in the Thames, earning the ‘iGEMers award’ against stiff competition from university teams.

Photo of cookies

Chocolate biscuit club

Delicious snacks are the vehicle here for year 7 to come together and chat with older students. It is particularly useful in helping the school’s newest inhabitants get comfortable in their new environment – the transition to secondary school can feel like a big leap at first. This is a space to digest the change, with some digestives.

Writing in Japanese worksheets

Japanese pen pal exchange

Students in year 12 and 13 have taken part in a pen pal exchange with students from Takefu Senior High School in Fukui Prefecture, a rural area of Japan two hours north of Kyoto. Students have been sharing their experiences of lockdown between Japan and the UK in both English and Japanese. Some students have never learnt any Japanese before but have been learning as they go. Ganbarimasu.

GCSE results 2026

20 August 2026

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Instagram

Our final day of term was packed with smiles, handstands, sponge baths, our charity fete and so much more. Wishing all our pupils, teachers, staff and wider community a wonderful summer! ☀️

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City Voices

3 July 2026

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