Impact & Reach
CHELTENHAM COLLEGE PARTNERSHIP, COMMUNITY AND CHARITY PROJECTS
Welcome
Cheltenham College and our Cheltonians over the generations are very proud of the connection we have with our community in its widest sense.
Over the five years since we last produced this brochure, our official partnerships both with local maintained sector schools, the Cheltenham Education Partnership and a huge range of charities, near and far, have grown and developed exponentially. Community and Partnership activity is now one of our most important College activities.
Every single pupil and every member of staff is involved in some form of community project or charity in some way, every year.
Some of the new initiatives you will see here include teaching extra classes in Latin, English, Maths and Chemistry to local pupils. We welcome pupils to lectures and events and attend those in other schools. We have a two-way work experience programme, and our pupils are fortunate to benefit from a range of opportunities to work in and with local schools, community groups and charities. We also have a network of overseas links too, through our own international sister schools and other charity connections overseas, which have developed and grown over time. Each generation of senior pupils lead our College charity fundraising efforts for their individually chosen charity every
year, and alongside this, each House has a long-term relationship with a charity that is close to their hearts.
However, for me, the most meaningful aspect from all these many opportunities are the blossoming friendships that develop naturally between Cheltonian pupils and staff and those whom we support, get to know and learn alongside. Service has been a core value here since our very foundation and I am delighted and inspired that we have now evolved our sense of community and partnership in a new and innovative way, to address some of the many challenges that face the younger generation in Cheltenham and beyond.
The Head at Cheltenham College
Educational Partnerships - Our philosophy
The ‘distance’ between the State and Independent sectors is rapidly vanishing and is being replaced by partnerships which are collaborative, mutually respectful and reciprocal. There are a number of reasons why Cheltenham College is involved in educational partnerships:
1. Collaborating through partnerships enables an independent school to fulfil its historic and moral purpose as a charitable educational institution.
2. Partnerships lead to better learning experiences for all pupils involved. Since partnerships are characterised by reciprocity, a partnership improves practice and leads to a richer, more diverse experience for all pupils.
3. The positive benefits of partnerships extend into the local community. As well as benefitting the pupils and staff of the schools in a partnership, the wider community also benefits. It is through our partnership activity that we become more closely connected with the town and community of Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP)
Cheltenham College is a founding member of Cheltenham Education Partnership (CEP). CEP was set up in 2019 and is a collaboration of secondary schools in Cheltenham. Other partners include Gloucestershire College, Cheltenham Festivals, the University of Gloucestershire and the National Cyber Security Centre. The aim of CEP is to provide exceptional educational opportunities for young people in Cheltenham and the surrounding area. Cheltenham College involvement in CEP is extensive: three members of staff are CEP champions, the Head sits on the Steering Group and the Director of Partnerships sits on the CEP Leadership group. Cheltenham College also hosts several CEP events.
Introductory Latin GCSE
The Latin GCSE course continues to attract lots of interest. Around 20 pupils from four Cheltenham state secondary schools are taking part in this two-year programme. Attending one lesson each week at College, these pupils initially focus on acquiring the WJEC level 1 Latin qualification. In Year Two, their focus moves to the OCR Latin GCSE.
Chelt4Change Debate
One hundred pupils from seven schools attended a Chelt4Change debate at Cheltenham College. The question under discussion was, ‘What are the greatest challenges facing the peace and stability of the world?’. Expert panellists included
Professor Kenny Lynch (Professor of Development and Community at University of Gloucestershire), Dr Stephanie Hare (Technology Researcher, Broadcaster, and author of Technology Is Not Neutral) and Philip Norris (Chief Editor of Gloucestershire Live).
CEP Literary Society
The Lit Soc is designed to offer inspiration outside the A Level curriculum for CEP pupils. Sessions have included discussion of science fiction (where our guest was Allen Stroud, chairman of the British Science Fiction Association), the poetry of the twentieth-century avant-garde (e.g. Futurism and the Oulipo Group), and dystopian languages.
It is stimulating and empowering. I really enjoy learning another language, especially such a foundational one. I relish the challenge. Current CEP pupil
German Ambassador Visit German ambassador to the UK (Miguel Berger) and pupils from CEP schools met in an incredibly engaging talk hosted at Cheltenham College. Pupils asked questions surrounding German current affairs, Europe, Ukraine and Brexit.
Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science (MDV) Programme
The MDV programme, open to CEP pupils, features general advice sessions, guest speaker events and support for preparation for admissions tests. Sessions feature discussions about the timeline for medical, dentistry and veterinary applications, careers such as Nursing and Physiotherapy, the organisation of healthcare in the UK, and medical ethics. The UCAT test is discussed in detail during the Spring and Summer Terms and pupils may participate in a day-long UCAT workshop in June.
Over 70 Year 11 and 12 pupils from CEP schools, joined us at Cheltenham College for the first MDV Conference to hear from a range of inspirational speakers. They listened to an orthopaedic workshop provided by a consultant from Bristol and took part in a hands-on workshop and learnt how to suture. A highlight of the event was a networking lunch where pupils spoke informally with healthcare professionals from the local area.
Oxbridge Admissions
An expert in Metaphysics, Professor Adrian Moore lectured on ‘Immortality and Infinity’ when visiting Cheltenham College to speak to CEP pupils. Pupils had a chance to speak with Professor Moore before his lecture about Oxbridge applications.
After hearing from passionate professionals from diverse backgrounds, it has undoubtedly affirmed my decision to pursue Medicine.
Current CEP pupil
A C Bradley Lecture
Professor Emma Smith from The University of Oxford - one of the country’s most distinguished living Shakespeare scholars – presented the A.C. Bradley Memorial Lecture. Over 200 pupils from CEP schools attended along with their heads of department and teachers. Professor Smith spoke on the topic ‘Tragic men? Toxic men? Masculinity in Shakespeare’s tragedies’. Pupils from the partnership contributed heavily to the discussion, creating a lively and engaging atmosphere.
Chemistry Spectacular
Pupils from across CEP were invited to take part in a range of chemical experiments which included ethanol rockets, milk powder fires and a propane cannon. This event inspires pupils and staff to ask the question, ‘What happens if I…’.
Partnership with All Saints’ Academy
Our partnership with All Saints’ Academy in Cheltenham dates back to September 2015. Our two schools have agreed to create an enhanced level of partnership collaboration in the following areas: academic improvement and enrichment, Higher Education and Careers, professional development and co-curricular opportunities in Sport Music, Art, DofE and CCF.
For a number of years Academy and College pupils have joined together in the following activities:
• Mini-MBA programme
• UCAS personal statement training
• Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science programme
Cheltenham College has helped with the work of the charity The Talent Tap at the Academy. This charity provides HE and Careers advice, and specific support for a limited number of individuals to gain work experience, CV writing guidance, interview support and internships with relevant business contacts.
Spotlight on Art Workshop
College and Academy pupils participated in a workshop led by renowned artist Ian Murphy. Ian captivated the pupils with his talk about his processes and the range of techniques he uses. After a live demonstration of these methods, pupils then created their own pieces with great pace, energy, and enthusiasm. Pupils had an extremely valuable and inspiring insight into the life of a highly successful artist, and the day resulted in five different mixed media pieces being created.
The 7UP Programme
7UP sessions provide small-group, tailored lessons in Maths, English or Chemistry. Three different groups of Year 11 pupils from the Academy come to Cheltenham College for these lessons. The aim of this programme is to help these pupils realise their target of achieving at least a Grade 7 in these subjects.
• English: work has included story writing; longer reading answers, analysis, evaluation and synthesis as well as exam skills for ‘Macbeth’.
• Mathematics: through interactive lessons, personalised resources, and supportive teaching, pupils develop skills and confidence necessary to exceed a Grade 7 in GCSE mathematics.
• Chemistry: using tailored resources, pupils cover the main specification points for Structure and Bonding, Chemical Calculations and Equilibrium.
Public Speaking Competition
All Saints’ Academy compete against Cheltenham College Houses for the annual Public Speaking trophy. This partnership event follows the process of the ‘Youth Speaks’ National Competition.
The Academy has hosted many of our pupils who have enrolled in the Community Action Programme. College pupils visit the Academy on a weekly basis and act as classroom assistants, lab technicians and sports coaches.
Sports Partnerships
Sports Leaders Programme
The Sports Leaders’ Programme is a certified course (Level 2 award in Community Sports Leadership). Each week Cheltenham pupils plan and deliver sports lesson in hockey and football for Year 5 pupils at Naunton Park Primary School.
Land Rover Defender Cup
This whole-day event is run every year involving 36 rugby clubs from across Gloucestershire, and over 500 pupils. The event is delivered by Olly Morgan, Head of Rugby at Cheltenham College, together with staff from Gloucester Rugby.
Sport Placements for All Saints’ Academy
Academy pupils who are enrolled in the Sports Placement Programme at College take part in the weekly games sessions for the Third Form (Year 9).
Primary School Outreach Programme
Nine sports professionals from College visit four local primary schools in order to provide specialist coaching sessions in both hockey and rugby. Each school receives five hours of coaching across a four-week period. This outreach programme culminates in a Hockey Festival for all the schools involved.
Community Sports Partnerships
We have a reciprocal relationship with the following local clubs across Cheltenham: Cheltenham Hockey Club, Hucclecote Netball Club, Charlton Kings Cricket Club, Old Patesians Rugby Football Club and Old Chelts Netball Club.
Music Partnerships
Chorister Scheme (2017-2023)
The Chorister Scheme invited children from local schools to form a choir and sing regularly in the College Chapel, receiving similar training to that provided by cathedrals. This sort of environment is one of very few opportunities in life where children can work alongside adult professionals to a high standard. The choristers rehearsed twice weekly.
They also sang in Cheltenham College events such as Remembrance Sunday and the Christmas Eve Carol Service.
Music in Care
Fourth Form and Lower Sixth Form pupils joined together to put on a variety performance at Thirlestaine Park Care Home. This is a community action initiative, called ‘Music into Care’.
Joint Concert Trip with All Saints’ Academy
Cheltenham College and All Saints’ Academy pupils enjoy joint trips, one of which was to the City of Birmingham Symphony Hall to hear their ‘Classics at the Movies’ programme in Symphony Hall.
Partnerships at The Prep
Alongside College, The Prep is dedicated to playing a key role within our community.
From working in care homes and foodbanks to fundraising furiously (over £20,000 was raised by The Prep in 2023-24) everyone benefits from the partnerships we have created, including our children - who are grounded and informed by the work they do, and who maintain their youthful enthusiasm and desire to help others well beyond their time here. The following sections highlight just a few of the things we get up to.
Mr Tom O’Sullivan, Head, Cheltenham Prep
I loved using the Bunsen burners. I liked seeing the newly hatched chicks. Year 5 pupils, Gloucester Road Nursery & Primary School
The Prep is involved in a number of varied partnership projects, involving different ages throughout the school. We host a number of sports tournaments for local state schools in disciplines such as netball, rugby and football. These offer the valuable opportunity for pupils from all schools to mix in celebration of sport, and enables other schools to access facilities that they would not otherwise have.
Curricular projects have included providing specialist teaching in our specialist facilities for DT and Science, working with a number of our partner schools and completing a project with all of their Year 5 children. The aim was to be able to both offer access to subject specific resources and curriculum, taught by experts, and also to work alongside the primary school staff to upskill their knowledge and provide ideas for future teaching as well.
We have recently begun an Art project with several local primary schools, where our Art staff have attended the schools to lead sessions on producing specific postcard works of art. These will then feature at The Prep in our new small gallery space alongside the work of our pupils, and all pupils, staff and parents from the schools will be invited for a viewing. This is being followed up with a talk to all the schools by a visiting speaker artist.
Our children are also involved in working weekly at a local care home, working along side Cheltenham Open Door, a local charity supporting the homeless and The Community Pantry, a local foodbank.
The Big Sing
The Big Sing concert takes place every two years at Cheltenham Town Hall and brings together around 450 performers from five different schools in Cheltenham: Cheltenham Prep, Cheltenham College, Naunton Park Primary, St. John’s Primary and Gloucester Road Primary. This combined school choir is joined by an adult choir comprising of of parents and staff from various schools.
Throughout the Spring Term, The Director of Music from the Prep School visits three local primary schools, preparing the children for a concert.
Accompanied by a live band, the 2024 programme celebrated the ‘power of song’ to change situations of social oppression and inequality.
Community Engagement
Community Action Programme (CAP)
Taking an active role in our local community is a well-established part of life at Cheltenham College. One of the ways we achieve this is through our Community Action Programme. Every week several pupils go out into the community and volunteer in a wide variety of placements. These include: schools, elderly care, community groups, charity shops, people with special needs, our local hospital and other independent organisations.
Core Aims of CAP:
• To nurture the habit of giving – of time, talent, resources and energy.
• To encourage respect for difference and diversity.
• To broaden our pupils’ perspective of society.
• To provide our pupils with experiences which will support their applications to Higher Education and the world of work.
• To develop a spirit of service.
My placement at All Saints’ Academy gave me the opportunity to cultivate skills of communication and understanding whilst working with younger children. Alongside a meaningful exposure to the values of another school.
Current pupil at Cheltenham College
At Saint John’s, we have been able to build a fantastic partnership with Cheltenham College over the last few years. This has involved experiences for both our pupils and College pupils as well as providing opportunities for staff to engage in their own development too. Some examples are: joining together for a big music concert in Cheltenham Town Hall; enjoying the use of the science and DT labs and resources, as well as the expertise of College staff; College pupils coming to Saint John’s to work alongside our pupils, bringing groups of pupils to the Forest School in the pre-prep and regular use of a College minibus to take us to places and experiences that we would not normally be able access, such as the Fairford Air Tattoo. In addition, the Head and her team are invited to various College events; as a result, we have built good relationships with staff across all sections of Cheltenham College.
Victoria
Beevers, Head Teacher at St John’s CofE Primary School
ASA Classroom Helpers
Cheltenham College pupils have been involved in supporting KS3 teachers in classrooms across a variety of subjects. Pupils were able to develop their own confidence in helping to deliver lessons to younger pupils, imparting their knowledge and experience of the subject.
ASA Sports
Pupils with a keen sports interest volunteer to coach a variety of training sessions, using their skills to help develop those in younger pupils.
Christ Church Primary School
College pupils mentor pupils at Christ Church Primary School, encouraging them and motivating them to become better readers.
Saint John’s Primary School
Cheltenham College pupils join primary classes of all ages, supporting the youngest pupils during their play sessions. They also help with a variety of subjects including Art, Sport and Languages.
The Milestone School
The Milestone School in Gloucester caters for children with a wide range of special educational needs. Cheltenham College pupils volunteer and work alongside these children, developing practical ways to support them.
I think that going to The Milestone School is an amazing opportunity as you get to interact with people you would never normally meet. It is great to see the children having fun when playing and learning.
Cheltenham College pupil
Community Partners
I really enjoy volunteering at the care home because I love seeing how happy and cheery the residents are, and listening to all the stories they have to tell. Cheltenham College pupil
Riding for the Disabled
Experienced equestrians love helping staff and riders in this busy centre. They get involved with all aspects of the stables, from leading riders on horseback to cleaning tack and mucking out.
My placement gave me the opportunity to apply my skills and knowledge to make a difference in the lives of other young people.
Cheltenham College pupil
National Star and Longfield Charity Shops
Working in local charity shops helps College pupils to develop people skills, and learn how to interact with customers face-to-face. They also sort and organise stock, create eye-catching window displays and handle cash.
Thirlestaine Park and Monkscroft Care Homes
Pupils take part in activities with care home residents, spending time with them and getting to know them better. Pupils and residents enjoy gardening, crafting, playing music, reciting poems, and playing bingo games.
I would like to express my gratitude towards all the residents and staff for instilling a sense of empathy and sensitivity within me. This was truly an eye-opening experience.
Cheltenham College pupil
Leonard
Cheshire Care Home
During Covid, pupils maintained weekly online contact with the residents. An
enthusiastic team organised quizzes, bingo, a virtual tour of College and a super ‘Zoom Christmas Party’ to entertain the residents.
The Duke of Edinburgh Award Volunteering
The Duke of Edinburgh Award offers pupils opportunities to support to their community and the environment.
Around 140 young people each year are enrolled on the DofE programme at College. They each give one hour per week in voluntary service. Collectively, this amounts to about 2,500 hours per year.
Typical activities include local primary school after-school clubs, support for the Cobalt Medical Imaging Unit, butterfly conservation, community shops, community litter picking and volunteering at the local museum.
We had such fun with the residents, especially with music quizzes. We all laughed a lot and I looked forward to our session every week. Cheltenham College pupil
Charitable Fundraising
Cheltenham College’s work with charities is driven by a sense of care and responsibility for improving the lives of individuals and communities.
We aim to:
• Raise funds for charitable causes.
• Provide an opportunity for our pupils to gain first-hand experience of the challenges and issues which charities are supporting.
• Develop and deepen relationships with our charity partners.
Our charitable work falls into two areas:
• The College charity – Each year the Pupil Leadership Team chooses a charity that they connect with and then set about raising significant funds. Throughout the year the whole College community work towards achieving a fundraising target of £25,000.
• House ‘adopted’ charities – Each House at College supports its own nominated charity in Cheltenham or Gloucestershire. House members fundraise for their charity and are also involved with its work.
Cirencester Housing for Young People (CHYP) (2022-23)
CHYP provides 24 hour supported accommodation for young homeless people between the age of 16-25 in the Cotswold district area. The charity offers young people not only a roof over their heads but also the practical and emotional support they need.
During 2022-23 College raised £23,000 for CHYP.
National Star (2023-24)
National Star provides specialist further education, training, personal development and residential services for people with physical and learning disabilities and acquired brain injuries. National Star College is located very close to Cheltenham. During 2023-24 College raised £32,000 for National Star.
Whole College Events
Zumbathon (2022)
The whole school took part in a sponsored high-energy outdoor exercise class. £12,000 was raised for CHYP at this event alone!
Fun Run (2023)
Pupils were sponsored to complete laps of College Field . This event finished with an obstacle course and ‘slip and slide’. Houses organised fairground style games and snack stalls afterwards. This event raised nearly £14,000 for National Star.
Charity Rugby
Each November College takes part in a charity rugby match at Kingsholm Stadium in Gloucester. In 2023, almost 2,500 tickets were sold for the match against Sir Thomas Rich’s Grammar School. An excited crowd, complete with drums and singing, created a fantastic atmosphere, raising £12,000 for National Star.
Charity Netball
In March, the College Sports Hall was turned into a seated arena to welcome Malvern College’s 1st VII Netball team. 800 spectators, many with bright pink pompoms, helped cheer the College team to a win in an exciting, nail-biting match. This event raised £3,500 for National Star.
Harvest Collection
As part of their Harvest Festival celebrations, The Prep and College joined forces to collect donations for the Community Pantry Project (a Cheltenham based Foodbank). Houses were each given a particular food item to collect. These were displayed around the altar in Chapel.
Movember
In November each year, pupils and staff support the Movember Foundation. In 2023, £7,500 was raised for this charity.
House Adopted Charities
Each of our 11 Houses is committed to supporting a local charity with which they can build a lasting partnership. While fundraising is a key focus, so too is being actively involved in the life of each charity.
Ashmead – CoppaFeel and Keeping Abreast Southwest
Boyne House – James Hopkins Trust
Chandos – GAWA and LINC
Christowe – InCourage
College Lawn – Open Door
Hazelwell – Cornerstone and World Vision Ukraine Appeal
Leconfield – Barefoot Project
Newick House – Maggie’s Queen’s House – Lilian Faithful Secret Garden Hub
Southwood – Elim Foodbank
Westal – A Life for a Cure and Springbank Community Group
Focus on House Charities
Leconfield: Auction & Apple Juice Production
Leconfield continue to build strong bonds with the Barefoot Project, which has been the House Charity since 2018. The pupils at Leconfield have sold their own Apple Juice, held a charity auction and organised a Family tournament.
Chandos: Royal Regatta
Chandos’ girls held their very own ‘Royal Regatta’ in the College Swimming Pool. The girls used dinghies to transport nine ‘princesses’ across the length of the channel. This event raised over £1,200 for the charity LINC.
Boyne House: ‘BoyneFest’ ‘BoyneFest’ aims to raises money for the James Hopkins Trust, a local charity which supports families in need of respite care. The annual event includes a silent disco and pupils running DJ sets of House, Drum and Bass and UK garage.
College Lawn: ‘World record-breaking’ College Lawn took over the Sports Hall in an attempt to break 10 World Records. Every year group worked as a team trying to break the following records - ‘most Smarties eaten in 30 seconds blindfolded using chopsticks’, ‘most leapfrog jumps by a team of two in one minute’, ‘most blindfolded bottle flips in one minute’ and ‘most skips in a minute’. While it is questionable that any actual records were broken, every girl participated with great energy and a lot of hilarity. This event raised £1,297 for Cheltenham Open Door.
Firefly International
We went to Bosnia, to volunteer at Firefly International (Svitac), a charity which supports children affected by war. Our week was spent aiding the local children with their language, creative and social skills. We were particularly shocked and saddened to learn that in most of their local schools, the different nationalities are still separated in playgrounds and classrooms by walls and wires. Before travelling to Bosnia, we put on two fundraising concerts in aid of Firefly. The concert in College Chapel comprised acts and accompaniments from students of all year groups and covered a variety of genres and performances. These events raised £7,000.
(Mollie and Bella Upper Sixth, CL)
Reeling Ball
Cheltenham College Caledonian
Society hosted its first charity reeling event in March 2024. Over 100 pupils, staff and parents attended the event. All profits were donated to National Star.
In support of the Cobalt Unit, the Duke of Edinburgh Silver group held a ‘Bake Off’ event. The event raised over £300.
College Total Raised for Charity:
2022-23: £46,000
2023-24: Houses £7,000 + National Star £32,0000 + Langa £2,600 + The Vanessa Grant Trust
£5,000
Charitable Fundraising at The Prep
Service is a fundamental aspect of our school, providing children with the opportunity to contribute positively to both local and national communities. At the beginning of each academic year, our School Council is formed, with one of its initial tasks being the selection of two charities that we will support throughout the year. Last year, the school community voted to support Help for Heroes and the West Midlands Air Ambulance Service, both of which visited our school to engage with the children and encourage them in their fundraising efforts.
During the Spring Term, we introduced a new house and fundraising event, the House Mud Run. Children enthusiastically participated, navigating muddy obstacles while collaborating as
a house team. It is safe to say that a great deal of enjoyment was experienced by all, and the children are already eagerly anticipating next year’s event. Additionally, the Summer Term saw the launch of the School Bake Off challenge, where delectable treats were prepared and enjoyed to raise funds. Parents also played an active role, organising the Prep Parents Ball and various other in-house events.
What a community effort! We are pleased to report that the total amount
of funds raised was an impressive £20,000, all of which has recently been presented to the charities by our children in a school assembly.
Charity Mud Run
Staff and children from Years 3 to 8 took part in The Prep’s first ‘Charity Mud Run’. In the run-up to the event children were asked to fundraise, completing tasks at home for their parents and neighbours. This event raised £12,000 raised for Help for Heroes and Midlands Air Ambulance.
The Chadwick Programme
Named after former pupil Jamie Chadwick, this programme for Year 8 pupils seeks to develop their empathy, resilience, creativity and perseverance. Activities are designed to aid the internal school community, as well as the wider community in Cheltenham.
Each Year 8 class begins the programme with £100, with the aim of growing this money throughout the year through a range of initiatives, including individual sponsored challenges, bake sales and second-hand sales. At the end of the Summer Term, the final amount is donated to each class’s chosen charity.
The Prep Parent Ball
The Prep parent group organised a Charity Ball at the Cheltenham Racecourse. The ball was in aid of The Prep’s charities of the year and with the auction raised £7,000
Charity Tennis Tournament
Each year in the Summer Term, parents and pupils compete in the Tennis tournament. In 2024, the event raised £300 for The Prep’s charities of the year.
Humanitarian Aid Projects
Cheltenham College Vanessa Grant Trust Partnership
Since 1999 College has been linked with Gogar Primary School in Rongai, Kenya. This school, which is part of the Vanessa Grant Trust, has been transformed from one of mud-walled classrooms to one where 800 children sit at desks in solid-walled buildings.
More than 3,000 pupils have positively benefitted by the radical improvement in their learning environment over the last 25 years.
Infrastructure support from College:
• Complete overhaul of the latrines.
• Building of ten new classrooms.
• Equipping each with enough desks for all children.
• Building a library.
• Regular donations of books.
• IT classroom with projector and copy printer.
• Kitchen and food-store for use during during droughts.
• Provision of clean water partly from rainwater harvesting and partly from a borehole.
• The construction of an Assembly Hall.
• Nursery school classroom with tables and chairs.
Over the years, several groups of College pupils have spent time at Gogar. The most recent visit took place in October 2023. Over the course of a week the pupils renovated classrooms, the school hall and the front gates,
organised the library, taught in the classrooms and coached sport. £15,000 was also fundraised by pupils and the Cheltenham College Charities Trust which saw the completion of the Edward Wilson Innovation Classroom.
Over the years many College pupils have given three months of their GAP year volunteering at Gogar. Many have kept in touch, and some have returned to catch up with the friends made during this time.
A small number of Gogar pupils have also been supported financially by College through their secondary school and University careers.
Shamrock School (Nepal)
College has supported the Shamrock School in Pokhara, Nepal with regular donations and fundrasing for a number of years. However, the sad decision has been made to close the school. College and other sponsors have done an amazing job over the years of supporting Shamrock. Recent changes in legislation in Nepal have made it much more difficult to run charitable enterprises and this, combined with high inflation means that sustaining Shamrock economically is just not viable.
The Variety Show
Our annual Variety Show sees our pupils from all year groups and houses come together to entertain hundreds of people. Acts include, singing, dancing and the ever-popular Prefect sketch. The event in 2023 raised over £4,000 for the Gogar School in Kenya and the Shamrock School in Nepal.
Talent Tap
Since 2017 Cheltenham College has partnered with ‘The Talent Tap’ and All Saints’ Academy. This charity aims to give state schools access to the alumni networks of independent school partners in order to increase opportunity and social mobility.
A small number of high potential pupils from All Saints’ Academy are selected to attend a two -week placement in London where they are mentored through different business options. They also take part in training sessions where they are mentored on projects in an “Apprentice” style format.
Langa Pre-School
Since 2017 College has been supporting the Langa Township Pre-school Trust (LTPT). Langa is a township near Cape Town (South Africa). Two Langa pre-schools in particular have benefitted from College donations - Dalukhanyo and Nomonde.
The current focus of College funding is on the construction of an Early Child Development Resource Centre which is planned to open in Spring 2025.
Donations from College to the LTPT
2017 £4800 major contribution for fencing at Dalukhanyo Pre-School
2017 £3000 provision of modern office at Dalukhanyo Pre-School
2018 £6500 major contributions for two new classrooms, Nomonde PS.
2019 £3500 paid for downpipes, guttering and water tanks at Nomonde PS.
2019 £4500 major contribution to Phase 1 of new playground at Nomonde PS.
2021 £2000 contribution to Phase 2 and completion of Nomonde playground
2023 £30,000 contribution to the Langa Early Child Development Forum Resource Centre
2024 £2700 future projects to be decided by Trustees.
A total of £57,000
Economic Impact Assessment
Provided by the Oxford Economics and Independent Schools Council Impact on National and Local Economy Report.
Financial Contribution
Cheltenham College’s total contribution to UK GDP is
£54,241,957
In our local area, our school’s total contribution to GDP is £24,815,000
Providing employment
We support 552 jobs (based on average headcount during the year)
960 pupils attend our schools
Generating savings for the UK taxpayer of around
£6,657,479 per year
Charity
In 2023, College donations to international schools were
£40,000
The total raised by College pupils and staff for charities (2022-23)
£66,000
The anticipated total raised by College for charities (2023-24)
£62,000
Access
13% of pupils
at The Prep and College that benefit from means tested bursaries
Community and Partnerships
950 staff hours were deployed to Partnership activities in 2023
3,170 pupil hours are volunteered to the community per year
The total cost to College of partnership activities was £60,000 in 2023
The Partnership team
This brochure is a celebration of Cheltenham College educational partnerships which involves schools across the state and independent sectors, and has created incredibly strong, collaborative, mutually respectful and reciprocal relationships. It has been compiled by Dr
Adam Dunning, Dean of Chapel and Director of Partnerships, Community and Charitable Fundraising at Cheltenham College.
Cheltenham College Bath Road Cheltenham Gloucestershire GL53 7LD
Tel: +44 (0)1242 265 600 admissions@cheltenhamcollege.org cheltenhamcollege.org Registered Charity No. 311720