A school has launched online extra-curricular clubs for young people to join from home.

Hundreds of students were signed up to before school, lunchtime and after school clubs at Epping St John’s Church of England School, in Epping, before schools were forced to close to the majority of students in March due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Now the school is looking at new ways to deliver its whole package to students.

Extra-curricular programme Be Courageous is being relaunched as Be Courageous…From Home.

Tasks include drills for sports clubs, online software for coding, practical dance classes for dance club, online theatre links for drama and low-key science experiments for science club.

Student Jasmine Johnson has indulged in her love of dance during lockdown, including completing tasks and hosting dance lessons for friends on Zoom.

Mum Sangeeta said: “Jasmine held dance lessons for 12 weeks. She got a lot out of doing that and really enjoyed it.

“It has been difficult to keep everyone motivated and active during lockdown. Jasmine loves her dancing and is really missing her classes. I think it is great that the school is urging students to do more for their physical and mental health and is giving these opportunities to do so.”

Senior assistant head teacher Sarah Viccars said: “Now we are in the swing of remote learning, we wanted to try and keep pushing and encouraging the development of skills and passion you get from an extra-curricular programme.

“By setting a task a week that is practical and ‘out of the box’ for each subject, it will encourage our students to maintain their interest in these areas and try something new at home.

“The teachers are so enthusiastic about making something fun. It’s great to see children trying new skills from home.”

Pupils who were already signed up to a club have automatically been signed up for the club they were already attending.

They have also been asked if they want to sign up for a new club.

Teachers are setting weekly tasks on the Show My Homework online programme for students to complete.