Some schools are diversifying into supporting less mainstream interests, and it's all because of its students.

Warhammer 40K first made an appearance in the late 1980s as a rising tabletop game inspired fantasy and so contains extensive lore and world-building for new and loyal players alike. Much like Dungeons and Dragons, Warhammer includes different factions for players to play and for battles to carry out. The Wallingford School Warhmmer club was set up by two sixth-form students with Warhammer as a hobby and they wanted to create a time-slot where children could learn and enjoy Warhammer with support and a friendly community.

Thomas Hindle, the founder of the Warhammer Club first founded his interest for Warhammer through a friend who took him into a Warhammer store, where they were given an introductory game. This made Thomas realise he was really into the gameplay aspect of the game and so decided to look into it more.

During this, Thomas got covid, and so used his time (rather effectively, of course) to familiarise himself with the game, but more the lore that comes alongside it, watching hours of youtube videos. Through all his learning, his interest only grew and he started to purchase model sets and books so he could start building models, he says it was 'the lore that always brought him back' as he was so invested in it.

When entering sixth-form, Thomas realised he had the opportunity to set up his own club and so decided to share his hobby to the younger years. This gave them the opportunity to try it and see if they enjoy it or not without the up-front, rather large investment it would normally entail.

All the teachers supported Thomas highly in this, giving him rooms of the school he could use and even helping him order starter sets that club members could use. Now Thomas and his friend, Fred Potts, run the Warhammer club in Wallingford School weekly. Various bake sales have been organised to raise funding for the club to get more models and all the children say it's a great place to 'make friends' and they can confidently ask for help in building, painting and playing.

Overall, the club has set up a supported experience for those to explore warhammer without the full commitment, and Thomas has been able to share the hobby he loves so much with others.