Basic Information & Location
Nestled in the heart of town, Cheltenham College is an exceptional day and boarding school for girls and boys aged 3 – 18. Educating young people since 1841, it has an enviable reputation for academic excellence and developing pupils beyond the classroom – from drama, to music and on the sports pitch. The beautiful campus blends historic buildings, including the 19th century Chapel and Hogwarts-style Dining Hall, with state-of- the-art science laboratories, Steinway pianos and brand new Astro-Turf pitches. Although extremely proud of its impressive facilities, Cheltenham College firmly believes the truth behind its success is the first class teaching and pastoral care on offer.
Cheltenham College is the most reputable school in recent years. It is one of the 24 top public schools. It was once thought to be not putting enough effort on academics but the headmaster Dr Alex Peterken has reformed the school and spent a large amount of money on infrastructure project. Although he is going to leave the school this year, the two deputy headmasters are also very talented in school management. In order to sustain the local market and to enhance international reputation, the school has set up a board of development to cater Asian market, members include the Defence Minister of Malaysia and royal members who are alumni of the school.
Academic Development
Pupils flourish under the guidance of dedicated teachers who are leaders in their subject fields. This combined with small class sizes and academic rigour are reflected in 2017 exam results with 82% of A Levels graded A* – B, 1 in 3 pupils gaining at least one A* grade, and 58% of GCSE grades were A* – A. All Lower Sixth students now undertake an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ), a nationally recognised qualification worth half an A Level, alongside their chosen A Levels, and they have the opportunity to join the prestigious mini MBA programme – one of the first in the country. Other electives offer volunteering in the local community, including work experience in hospitals, care homes, primary schools and sports clubs. We believe that this offering not only expands our students’ breadth of learning and experience at Cheltenham College, but strengthens their UCAS applications as well as better preparing them for life after College.
Pastoral Care & Boarding
The senior school (aged 13 – 18) is a traditional full-boarding school, with 80% of pupils boarding, and both day and boarding pupils having lessons and sports matches on a Saturday so the school never feels empty on the weekend.
Cheltenham College will reach equal numbers of boys and girls for the first time this September, as the second part of a new girls’ day and boarding house, College Lawn, opens to meet growing demand for quality girls’ education within a co- educational environment in Gloucestershire.
The school has 11 Houses located around the perimeter of the campus: 4 Boys’ Boarding, 3 Girls’ Boarding, 1 Boys’ Day, 1 Girls’ Day, 1 Boys’ Day and Boarding and 1 Girls’ Day and Boarding House. Each House is run by a resident Housemaster or Housemistress and their family, resident and non-resident tutors and matrons. Each house has their own characteristics, culture and activities, just like Harry Potter. Pupils can choose the one that suits them most. The school will try to meet any preferences expressed while ensuring a good balance of individuals, talents, and backgrounds across all Houses.
Extracurricular & personal development
Whilst academic excellence is at the heart of Cheltenham College, pupils are encouraged to thrive outside of the classroom – whether that is on the hockey or rugby pitch, in the swimming pool, on the stage practising for The Great Gatsby, or playing the bass guitar in the House music competition.
The Activities programme at the school is extensive and offered alongside sport and musical commitments. A wide range of Clubs are also on offer every Monday. Annual trips to Nepal (Upper College) are run with great success, as are humanitarian projects in Romania, Kenya and Nepal. The school is well equipped with facilities such as fields, swimming pool and sports centre.
