Creativity, Action, Service (CAS)

"I enjoy studying the IB because I believe it is helping to make me a well rounded person and has taught me a lot about myself. I particularly enjoy the CAS aspect which has given me the chance to take part in a first aid course, learn how to cook, teach maths to 11 year olds and renovate a derelict area of college into an attractive garden!" (Kate Smith)

What is CAS?

CAS is an integral part of the IB. We do not just see it as something you have to do as an addition to your studies, but something you should do to help you grow as an individual. It is part of the wider package of how you learn and become an international citizen. CAS opens up exciting new opportunities for you to channel your energy and talents. It offers you a chance to meet and work with other people and importantly to bring benefits to others. CAS offers you the chance to challenge yourself and learn new skills as well as tackling ethical and global issues.

Creativity

You can interpret this aspect of CAS as imaginatively as you wish. For example, this might involve participation in dance, or an activity connected to music; or it could involve you planning an event. Here are some examples of activities our current students have participated in:

• A six week cookery course -'Cooking on a Budget'.
• Various stage productions - as actors or musicians. One student toured Germany in 'Imagine.'
• Supporting the local parish council in designing a new web-site.
• A national competition to design a new logo for the John Harrison Foundation... one of the students won!
• Organising, advertising and running a staff and student netball competition.
• Preparing and participating in a national Mock Trial Competition, where students played the roles of barristers, witnesses and jurors.
• Learning the skills of 'nail art'.
• A 'Learn to be a DJ' course.

Action

This requires you to do something physical. For instance, you might want to try a new sport or develop an aspect of a sport you already enjoy. It could involve participating in a sponsored walk, or aerobics classes. Some of our students have taken part in:

• Local and national cycling competitions.
• Refereeing ice-hockey matches.
• Windsurfing. - Dodgeball.
• Many team and individual sports such as football, cricket, basketball, netball, and swimming.
• Horse-riding.
• Regular practice for disco dancing stage shows.
• Gym and exercise programmes.

Service

This is perhaps the most important part of CAS. It involves any activity that helps you develop as a person and crucially where somebody else benefits from something you do. The following activities, completed by some of our current students, might give you some ideas:

• Helping members of the local community learn basic ICT skills.
• Regularly visiting a local residential home and raising money to improve the garden area.
• Re-designing an area of the College and transforming it into a pleasant relaxing area for staff and students.
• Teaching a six week photography course to other sixth form students.
• Organising a 'Wear the Wrong Trousers Day' for the Wallace and Gromit charity.
• Supporting a Year 7 Geography Club.
• Supporting and teaching pupils in various local infant and primary schools.
• Managing an Under -9 football team.

When can I do my CAS activities?

Every student has CAS time built into their timetable. You are allocated a three hour slot on a Wednesday afternoon, between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. During this time, there is a programme of CAS activities, offered by different teachers which you can take part in if you want to. You can also arrange to do CAS activities outside College at this time. If you participate in CAS activities at other times in the week e.g. at weekends, you can use this time to catch up on homework or to have a break. You also have a tutorial session once a week with your CAS Advisor, which is often used for CAS related issues, such as reflecting on your activities.