Cheltenham CollegeGIRLS AND BOYS 13 to 18 BOARD ING / DAY

A child’s education is a foundation for

life, which makes choosing the ‘right’ school

so important.

Cheltenham College is an unpretentious school

and yet one proud of its history. Our aim today

is for the College to be characterised by

excellence in every sphere of activity and by

the depth as well as the breadth of the

education pupils receive. In the following

pages we have tried to portray what we think

matters most. Above all, we want those who

join the College to leave us as fine young men

and women, capable and willing to take their

places in society and to influence it for good.

In short, we want pupils to gain not only

knowledge and skills, but also understanding

and a degree of wisdom; to be able to live their

lives well in all circumstances.

To say it is a wonderful place is an

understatement. Few schools are fortunate

enough to enjoy the advantages that the

College affords its pupils and few schools are

set in such glorious surroundings. Cheltenham,

after all, is a town like no other. But more

importantly, we strive to make the College a

place where pupils achieve a great deal whilst

thoroughly enjoying themselves. It is hard

work, as any current pupil will admit, but not

oppressively so; and whilst we set high

Welcome

standards, they are pursued in the context of

encouragement and respect.

I hope you will find within these pages

the essence of a first class education and be

persuaded to take your interest in the

College further.

John Richardson

Headmaster

An Enquiring Mind

Pupils are taught in a stimulating intellectual

environment both to equip them with the

requisite knowledge and skills for adult life and

to enrich their lives. They are encouraged to

enquire, to think and to aspire to great things.

Preparing pupils for public examinations is

one of our main concerns. To this end,

Cheltonians are taught by highly qualified

and committed teachers, many of whom have

recently joined the College after gaining first

degrees and post-graduate qualifications.

Innovative and up-to-date teaching methods

are used in an ICT-rich environment and

resources are excellent. Furthermore, tutors

oversee pupils’ work, giving each boy and

girl every encouragement to do his or her

best and often to exceed their expectations.

However, developing an ‘enquiring mind’

involves more than merely academic study

and the acquisition of skills. More profoundly,

we aim to stimulate pupils’ intellects by

exposing them to a breadth of ideas and

teaching them to think for themselves.

Lectures, reading, individual research, debate,

discussion and study trips are all part of a

pupil’s experience and serve to form his or

her mind and shape their understanding.

A Cultured Life

By providing a wealth of cultural

opportunities, pupils are encouraged

to express themselves and, thereby, to

develop understanding and insight,

judgement and character.

Cheltenham is steeped in culture. The

performing and creative arts are integral to

the formal and informal curricula of the

College and the Town’s annual Literature,

Music and Jazz festivals are internationally

renowned. Whilst at the College, many pupils

learn to perform in public, often with

astounding skill and confidence, and all have

almost unparalleled opportunities to hear and

see first class performances by professional

artists. The very elegance of the College

buildings themselves, set in the heart of one

of the most beautiful Regency towns in

England, is a civilising influence.

Because we believe every boy and girl has

the capacity to be imaginative and creative,

considerable emphasis is given to

encouraging musicians, actors and actresses

and artists and to providing wider cultural

opportunities such as exchanges and visits

abroad. All of these activities give

Cheltonians a breadth of understanding and a

generosity of spirit that are perhaps the true

hallmarks of a cultured life.

A Christian Foundation

The College is a Christian foundation. Faith

and worship are taken seriously and lie at the

heart of College life. Pupils are given room to

explore important questions and their ideas

are treated with respect.

Any school needs to do more than train the

mind and encourage its pupils to develop

their various skills and talents: it has to send

them out into the world as responsible

citizens with coherent beliefs and values and

with a clear sense of right and wrong.

Chapel is at the centre of College life,

powerfully symbolising our commitment to

giving pupils a firm foundation on which to

build their lives and teaching them the value

of peace, justice, compassion, forgiveness,

integrity and love – all those things central

to the Christian way of life. Cheltonians,

from whatever background, are encouraged

to consider important spiritual and ethical

questions and to treat others as they would

like to be treated themselves.

In addition, Lower College tutors discuss

personal, social and health-related issues

with their tutor groups and the College

chaplains are always available to help

individual pupils.

A Regency Town Cheltenham has grown to be one of the

finest towns in the country, characterised by

elegant Regency architecture, continental-

style restaurants and speciality shopping.

It is well known, too, for its connection with

National Hunt racing and for its theatres,

cinemas and concert halls. It is a safe yet

vibrant place in which to live and one

which affords Cheltonians all kinds of

opportunities limited only by sensible and

practical constraints.

Adding to Cheltenham’s attractions is its

location in the heart of the Cotswolds within

easy reach of the national motorway network

and major international airports. It is close to

Oxford, Stratford, Bath and London and ideally

placed for outward-bound activities.

A Breadth of Experience

Boarders and day-pupils alike all benefit from an

extensive extra-curricular programme of

activities. There are challenges to take up, causes

to support and skills to be learned; and myriad

opportunities for enjoyment.

Alongside the academic and cultural elements

of College life, there is a rich vein of extra-

curricular activities designed to open up all

sorts of possibilities to Cheltonians. Both

team games and individual sports flourish,

nurturing individual ability and team-work.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and

the Combined Cadet Force along with other

outward-bound activities, with their emphasis

on developing self-reliance and leadership

skills, are strong. There are countless other

opportunities too, that enable pupils to

pursue their own interests. We want

Cheltonians to enjoy themselves and, by so

doing, to enrich their lives and the lives of

others and to develop self-confidence.

One part of this programme, which was

established very early on in the College,

is Community Service. Aware of the

responsibility that accompanies privilege,

Cheltonians are involved in charitable

projects both at home and abroad.

Considerable sums, for example, have

been raised in recent years to help young

people in Romania and Kenya as well as

for local causes.

A Close Community

The College is an extended family to which

every pupil belongs and in which every pupil

finds his or her place. We aim for everyone to

be happy to be at school, known personally

and cared for individually.

We set great store by the way we relate to

and support pupils in the College. We want

them to grow into well-balanced and socially

skilled adults who are secure in themselves.

In these respects, the size of the school and

being fully co-educational are considerable

assets. In addition, every Cheltonian is a

member of a particular House, each of which

is run by an experienced and sympathetic

Housemaster or Housemistress. Tutors,

matrons and prefects also play their parts in

providing the individual care and attention

that lies at the heart of College life. Some of

the most sympathetic carers are, of course,

the girls and boys themselves. We are

confident the pastoral net is wide enough

and tight enough for every pupil to feel

there is somebody to whom they can speak

and to ensure that no-one is overlooked. The

community is indeed close and pupil-focused

whilst remaining outward looking and strong.

Should you feel your son or daughter would

thrive here, you are warmly invited to come

and visit the College and to explore further

how he or she might win a place. You will be

made very welcome and given the opportunity

to meet people, ask questions and, of course, to

be shown around.

The easiest way to make an appointment is to

ring, write to or email the Registrar.

Registrar

Cheltenham College

Bath Road Cheltenham

Gloucestershire GL53 7LD

Telephone 01242 265662

Fax 01242 265630

Email registrar@cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.uk

www.cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.uk

Registered charity number 311720

An Invitation

Cheltenham College Bath Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7LD

Telephone 01242 265600Fax 01242 265630Email info@cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.ukwww.cheltcoll.gloucs.sch.uk

The prospectus describes the broad principles on which the School ispresently run and does not form part of any contractural agreementbetween parents or guardians and the School.

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omCheltenham CollegeGIRLS AND BOYS 13 to 18 B O A R D I NG / DAY