UCAS, Enrichment and Trips

Throughout Years 12 and 13, you will follow an E4L programme delivered by the Sixth Form leadership team and Careers staff to help you aspire high for life beyond Bournside. This varied programme of careers guidance, higher education planning, and life skills looks at all aspects of your future choices from university, to apprenticeships, gap years, and foundation learning programmes.

The timetabled bespoke sessions include presentations from guest speakers, CV preparation, mock job interviews and university interview practice, university skills conferences, visits to careers fairs, and online university sessions. You will also be encouraged to undertake super-curricular reading and work experience to broaden your horizons in preparation for making competitive applications.

The Extended Project Qualification is an additional qualification you can take alongside your A levels. It helps to develop research skills, time management, essay writing and a whole host of other skills that would be very useful at university and in your future career. Many universities make lower A level offers to students undertaking an EPQ.

It lets you study your own interests. Whether it’s focusing on subjects such as Type 2 Diabetes and abortion, which will be relevant for those applying to study medicine at university, or a subject like Disney princesses, because you like Disney and have an interest in feminism, an EPQ gives you the freedom to study what you want and will look great on your university and your CV.

The Inspire Lecture Series at Cheltenham Bournside School invites speakers from all corners of industry and higher education to deliver inspirational lectures to students at the school.

Previous guests have included Dr Samir Guglani, NHS Oncologist, Author and Director of Medicine Unboxed, Curstain Keltie, Garden Designer and and Horticultural Consultant, and Nathan Lake, professional squash player.

"The Inspire Lecture series builds upon our already successful external speaker programme, bringing it together under one umbrella to help our students identify the speakers they'd most like to see. Each speaker brings their own expertise and experience into the school, sparking curiosity and inspiring ambition among our students."

- Mrs Hemsley, Assistant Headteacher

The Arts Award inspires young people to grow their art and leadership talents: it’s creative, valuable, accessible, and perfect for students who wish to pursue arts beyond Sixth Form.

Every year at Bournside, the school puts on a production that runs for four nights to sell-out crowds. These wonderful events showcase what Bournside is all about.

Sister Act cast and crew take audiences to heaven with 'best school production' yet! - Cheltenham Bournside School

Cast and crew 'blow audiences away' with outstanding production of Joseph - Cheltenham Bournside School

Our Aspire Programme offers additional support throughout year 12 and in Terms 1 and 2 in year 13 for students who wish to apply to Oxbridge, study abroad, a course in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. Students receive tailored support from internal and external experts to help them with early applications to these highly competitive destinations. As well as application mentoring and interview preparation, we run events throughout the year such as hosting guest speakers from Oxbridge and bespoke interview practice. All students are enrolled on the HE+ Programme which is a collaborative programme between the University of Cambridge and its Colleges, working together with groups of state schools and colleges.

The programme provides access to super-curricular activities designed to stretch and challenge the students academically and delivers advice and guidance sessions and study skills support in order to help ensure students make both a successful application and also a successful transition to highly-selective universities.

The DofE is the world’s leading youth achievement award, giving millions of 14 to 24-year-olds the opportunity to be the very best they can be. Every year, our students have the opportunity to embark on this wonderfully enriching challenge completing charity placements and venturing to Dartmoor, Brecon and the French Alps!

DofE at Bournside - Cheltenham Bournside School

Numerous students in the Sixth Form train each year to become peer mentors and work with individuals in the main school helping them with their homework and studies, and being both a role model and a friend when school life might become tough.

Bournside Sports Centre offers an array of top-class facilities, including our brand new Fitness Suite, so you have the opportunity to take part in a range of competitive and non-competitive sports as one of your Enrichment Options.

Follow @Bournside_PE on Instagram.

Sixth Form students can opt to be ambassadors in their A Level subjects. This Enrichment Option allows you to go into main school lessons and support the teaching, lead activities, and generally inspire the next generation of Sixth Form students in the subjects they love.

You are encouraged to access an appropriate work experience placement whilst in our Sixth Form. This can be during a focused work experience week, or taken as part of your personal enrichment time. You will work with Bournside’s Careers Team to secure a regular work placement that can be accessed as part of your timetable.

Taking part in the nationwide Young Enterprise competition allows students with creative entrepreneurial flair to set up and run their own businesses, competing against schools from across the country.

If you are someone with exciting ideas, or can spot gap in a market, then why not pick this option? The aim will be to bring a new concept or service to market, with the aim of making a small profit whilst in competition with county wide schools. Weekly sessions are overseen by the Business Department and a local business expert who are on hand to support you through this unique and rewarding experience.

The main event for Young Enterprise is the annual Trade Exhibition which takes place in March each year. The team will need to organise a professional looking trade stand and pitch their progress to date to four business experts in a Dragons Den style event. Winners of this County event will go through to the regional final and then onto the Nationals. 

Young Enterprise news

Team Transcend reach regional Young Enterprise Final - Cheltenham Bournside School

Young Enterprise Team scoop award for Best Company - Cheltenham Bournside School