Sport and Games, Excursions, Activities and Entertainment

Our programme offers a well-balanced timetable of English tuition, sport and fun activities combined with outings to recreational and cultural centres. Bethany boasts first-class sports fields, an impressive outdoor heated swimming pool, indoor sports hall, table tennis centre, indoor squash courts and outdoor tennis courts. There is also an excellent art studio, drama area and large assembly hall - for activities such as dance, keep-fit, yoga, pilates, etc. The hall is used in the evening for theme nights and concerts.

As Bethany has such wonderful sports pitches, each year we employ a professional football coach to run coaching sessions for our students. These are included in the course fee. For more information please click here.

Activities: During the afternoons there is usually a choice of 5 activity options, 2 of which are non-sporting. All students are expected to participate in the programme. Activities include, for example, football, basketball, swimming, rugby, hockey, baseball, table tennis, cricket, volleyball, water polo, aerobics, board games, drama, jewellery making, art and craft, yoga, music, dance, squash, tennis (and many more!). Every Friday afternoon, students have the opportunity to visit Royal Tunbridge Wells Town Centre. Every Friday evening there is a BBQ followed by a formal presentation of prizes and leavers certificates followed by a disco. Evening entertainment can include quiz games, film night, concerts, talent contests, discos, karaoke, to name but a few. During the course, there will be evening outings to the local cinema and to ten-pin bowling - which are included in the course fee.

Excursions: Excursions, which change weekly, take place (usually) on a Wednesday and Sunday. A full day in London at a tourist attraction is included, as well as other places of cultural interest. Our staff always accompany students on all visits. Trips planned for Summer 2012 include:

• Madame Tussauds, sightseeing and shopping
• Canterbury sightseeing, Canterbury Tales and shopping
• Tour of Westminster Abbey, sightseeing and shopping
• Leeds Castle and grounds
• Theatre to see Lion King, time in Covent Garden and shopping
• Howletts Wildlife Park
• Cambridge - walking tour including the University and shopping

All excursions, including entrance fees and tickets, are included in the weekly course fee. There are no additional costs involved.

Optional Sports Tuition

In addition to the inclusive sports and activities programme, it is possible to book specialist sports coaching in certain sports. This tuition takes place in small groups and is available to students of all abilities. All sports are led by professional and qualified instructors. This is an optional extra and not compulsory. We recommend students only book these options for sports they really enjoy, as they will miss the timetabled activity. All equipment is provided, but some students prefer to bring their own.

• Windsurfing - 2.5 or 5 hours a week (1 or 2 afternoons) at Bewl Water
• Sailing - 2.5 or 5 hours a week (1 or 2 afternoons) at Bewl Water
• Canoeing - 2.5 or 5 hours a week (1 or 2 afternoons) at Bewl Water
• Tennis - 6 hours a week (3 afternoons) - on campus
• Golf - 6 hours a week (3 afternoons) at Hawkhurst Golf Club, only 1 mile from school
• Horse Riding - 1 hour, 2 hours or 3 hours per week (1, 2 or 3 afternoons) at local equestrian centre
• Mountain Biking - 2 hours a week (1 afternoon) at Bedgebury Pinetum, close to the school

DO YOU WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL?

We have employed a professional football coach who will be running afternoons football sessions at Bethany Centre. He is fully qualified and able to teach all abilities from beginner to advanced. These sessions will be free of charge.

Bethany has 3 football fields, as well as a floodlit Astroturf pitch.

At least once during the course we will hold our annual Bethany VS Moira House football match. This has proved to be a most popular event with the winning team taking a chocolate trophy showing they are "I.S.S. Team of the Year".