The College encourages students to develop their interests and enthusiasms in a variety of ways.  Many subjects including Art, Biology, Business Studies, Classical Civilisation, Drama, Geography, History, Leisure and Recreation, Music, PE, Sociology in addition to Travel and Tourism and Modern Languages, have included international travel opportunities as part of their study or enrichment programmes. Last year Art students visited galleries in New York while History and Government and Politics’ departments travelled to Washington.

Many courses offer practical activities off-site: fieldwork in Geography, critical study visits to galleries and Kew Gardens in Art while Biology takes students to Dorset and The Gower and, in 2009, to Honduras. Law students visit Magistrate and Crown Courts including The Old Bailey, conduct mock trials and participate in professionally related competitions. The Laws’ Department was honoured last year to be invited to conduct a Moot (mock trial) at the opening of the UK Supreme Court in the presence of the Queen and leaders of all three main political parties. Outside speakers contribute to our students’ general education or deepen knowledge and experience in many subject areas featuring well-known names from the worlds of Politics, Law, The Arts, The Sciences and Media.

Chemistry students compete in The Royal Society of Chemists Schools’ Analyst Competition, again, in 2009, winning the regional final, thus reaching the national final for the seventh time. Physics students won a national bridge building competition, receiving a prestigious award from HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at St. James’ Palace, and, in 2008, won the year 12 and 13 section of the Surrey Schools Problem Solving Challenge and spent a day involved in activities at the National Space Centre in Leicester. Design students have won awards in local competitions. Maths students have, in recent years, been highly placed in The Education Business Partnership Mathematics Challenge hosted by  BP Sunbury as well as gaining 16 awards in The UK Senior Mathematics Challenge in which there were 75,200 entries nationally.

Numerous theatre visits and workshops enhance work in Drama and Theatre Studies, English and Dance.  Indeed, the College’s Theatre Company has acquired a national reputation.  Honoured in 1999 by being chosen, as part of BT National Connections, to perform a new play at The Young Vic and at The National Theatre, the Company was again chosen as part of the 2003 Connections’ project to perform at London’s Albany Theatre.  Swish, the College's Theatre Company annually presents student devised plays at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival to considerable critical praise. All Dance students participate annually in a highly successful and varied show held, in 2010, at The Wilde Theatre, Bracknell and participate in various festivals

Film and Media students have the opportunity to make and present films  and run their own festival of original work each year.   Musicians are encouraged to form ensembles or join one of two Strode’s Big Bands as well as participating in concerts and giving workshops in local schools.