At Ian Ramsey we are able to offer a wide range of opportunities to our pupils due, in the main, to the commitment of the school staff and parents.

In addition to the opportunities offered in Sport, Music, and Drama and by the MFL Area our calendar this year includes:

We encourage our pupils to be involved in extra curricular activities, visits and events which take place outside the normal school day.

Many of our youngsters are involved in Music at Ian Ramsey. Over 100 pupils are active members of choirs, bands and orchestras. The quality of tuition and teaching is high, resulting in the department having a reputation for top class performances. Musical groups include a School Orchestra, Junior and Senior Choirs, recorder group, rock groups and a Ceilidh band.

Sport is a key feature of school life. PE aims to develop pupils' skills through a broad, balanced range of activities. Rugby, soccer, cricket, hockey, netball, gymnastics, dance, swimming, basketball, volleyball, cross-country and athletics all feature in the PE curriculum. More than 50 teams represent the school at local, county and national level.

Drama is a key part of the curriculum in Key Stage 3, and is a popular subject choice in Key Stage 4. There are many theatre visits organized by various departments, and each year many pupils take part in musical productions, drama performances, pantomimes and the ever-popular Variety Shows. Our Drama groups regularly perform at the Royal Newcastle upon Tyne and at the Arc in Stockton as part of the Shell connections festival.

The Modern Languages department encourages all youngsters to participate in at least one trip abroad. Year 7 pupils have day visits to Boulogne (France) and Cologne (Germany). Year 8 pupils are offered the chance of a study visit to Normandy and the Rhine Valley. We also have a programme of exchanges with schools in France, Germany and Spain.

As Stockton's Language College, Ian Ramsey School works collaboratively with other secondary schools and our feeder primary schools and Durham University.

Lesotho

Ian Ramsey supports the Diocesan link with the kingdom of Lesotho. In October 2007 two members of staff will visit Lesotho to set up a partnership with a secondary school.