Cheltenham College A GSG School

Other features

All-through school (for example 3-18 years). - An all-through school covers junior and senior education. It may start at 3 or 4, or later, and continue through to 16 or 18. Some all-through schools set exams at 11 or 13 that pupils must pass to move on.

Sports

Polo

Equestrian centre or equestrian team - school has own equestrian centre or an equestrian team.

Rowing

Shooting

What The Good Schools Guide says

Head

Since 2018, Nicola Huggett MA PGCE, previously head of Blundell’s in Devon and before that, deputy head of Downe House – both six-year stints. Educated at St Gabriel’s, Newbury and Marlborough. After degree in PPE at St Hugh’s, Oxford (captain of college boat club, president of university riding club), she spent three years in advertising (J Walter Thompson) but hated living in London – ‘I’m a horsey, country person.’ Thought her parents might ‘suck up the news’ better if it meant going to university – so she hotfooted it back to Oxford for PGCE after ‘loving’ shadowing head of history at a state school in Newbury. To this day, remains baffled as to ‘why nobody ever told me how good teaching was’.

Initially combined part-time history teaching at Downe House with eventing career, later going full-time, teaching at Woodford County High School in Essex before moving to Haileybury as housemistress and head of boarding. Still teaches – year 9 history, for which she writes reports, does parents’ evenings and ‘experiences all the things other teachers do’. Believes ‘knowing the pupils is the most important part of being a head’ – a far cry from the those who spend half their time scurrying off to give speeches here, there and everywhere. Pupils like that she ‘spends time in every house’; parents appreciate that ‘she goes to everything’. ‘She and her husband are always wafting around at matches.’ ‘She even came to my daughter’s riding competition and was so interested and supportive.’ Universally praised by all: ‘She’s the greatest thing about the school’, ‘the reason we chose it’ etc. We found her impressive – quietly spirited, with a gentle touch.

Acknowledges – from her very chic, very cream, office – that the school was ‘previously not known as very academic and often seen as a second choice to Marlborough, Wellington etc’. So is quietly reforming curriculum, kicking off with year 9 and sixth form – ‘Now there’s a real buzz,’ she smiles confidently.

Lives on site with husband Spencer. They have four children – a lawyer and medic in the making, while the youngest (twins) recently left Cheltenham College to study sociology and business studies respectively. She’s ‘massively into my electric bike’ and is currently having improver swimming lessons with the deputy head. Riding still looms large, and she loves walking with the family cocker spaniel.

Entrance

A third of year 9s come from Cheltenham College Prep, the rest in ones and twos from 50+ preps – Cothill House, Sandroyd, Hatherop Castle, Pinewood, St Hugh’s, Beaudesert Park, Moor Park, The Elms, Farleigh and the Dragon among them. Small numbers from London preps like Thomas’s and Fulham Prep (usually where the family has a second home in the Cotswolds). Academically selective – school tests in English and maths at year 6 (their own, not CPT) and 55 per cent at CE required, while those at non-CE schools take the school’s own papers in maths and English. Around 10-15 places available in year 10.

Between 30 and 40 join at sixth form, when candidates need five grade 6s at GCSE, including 5s in English and maths (some A level subjects require 7s). Entrance papers in subjects chosen, plus CAT tests, references and interview.

Exit

Between 15 and 20 per cent leave after GCSEs, usually for grammar schools or because they haven’t hit the grades for sixth form. At 18, nearly all to university, with Exeter, Bath, Newcastle, Bristol, Cardiff, Edinburgh, Manchester, St Andrews, Durham and Royal Agricultural University recently popular. Six to Oxford in 2023, and five medics. Increasing numbers overseas – four in 2023 to Ringling, USA; UBC, Canada; Lindenwood, USA; and King Mongkut Institute of Technology, Bangkok, Thailand. Economics, business and international relations based courses currently top of the pops, followed by sciences then humanities and law. One or two degree apprenticeships each year – ‘I’d like there to be more,’ says head. Pupils praise careers advice – ‘Everyone gets an individual meeting in lower sixth to kick things off,’ said one.

Latest results

In 2023, 58 per cent 9-7 at I/GCSE; 52 per cent A*/A at A level (79 per cent A*-B). In 2019 (the last pre-pandemic results), 65 per cent 9-7 at I/GCSE; ‘over a third’ A*/A at A level.

Teaching and learning

Parents of children with varying abilities say all are well supported – always a good sign. ‘My eldest got into Durham with top grades and my daughter who got some 5s was also suitably stretched,’ said one. Pupils say learning is ‘engaging’ and that ‘nobody gets left behind’, especially coming up to exam time. ‘I didn’t even think I liked history until I came here, now I’m studying it at A level,’ said one of our tour guides.

All year 9s do the FPQ (foundation version of EPQ), worth half a GCSE. At sixth form, everyone does the EPQ – one pupil wrote to 14 world leaders for hers and got replies from seven. In lower sixth, an electives programme includes options of a mini-MBA, history of art programme, sports leadership award, life drawing, among others. Pupil-led societies thrive – our tour guides had been running a rocket challenge (‘making one and setting it off’) and egg drop (‘dropping it off the balcony without it breaking’) as part of a science challenge with younger students. We also like the sound of the weekly learning lunches, where pupils can give talks to staff, eg on what it’s like to be an international student, experiences of neurodiversity etc. ‘It lasts about 25 minutes and you bring your lunch into the staff room.’ Wilson Challenge popular – an extracurricular leadership challenge. ‘Nobody could knock the enrichment opportunities here – they’re awesome,’ said a pupil.

Setting in English, maths and languages from year 9. Two languages chosen from French, Spanish and German, and school can also arrange the likes of Russian, Italian and Chinese on request. Year 9s get weekly computing lessons, and all pupils have iPads with pencils and keyboards. Max class size of 22, dropping to 14 by sixth form. Big focus on reading – all year 9s come out of chapel to read once a week, and there’s allocated prep time too. Teachers share favourite books and there’s a reading diploma (with a prestigious tie for gold level) and a special reading programme for strugglers. ‘Reading is the key to education,’ asserts head.

Ten I/GCSEs the norm. Pleasingly big take-up for Latin, which we saw in action – all praise to the classics department, whose museum-like corridors give a grown-up, university feel. Sports science increasingly popular – again, teachers delivering lessons with gusto on our visit. Top results in maths, English, sciences, geography and history. Everyone takes a language.

Most sixth formers take three A levels from a trad menu. ‘Business studies is as funky as it gets,’ said a parent. School will run subjects for tiny numbers, eg Latin and Greek. CTECs in business, ICT for business and sport and BTEC in psychology (also offered as A levels). Plans afoot for new sixth form centre with café, library and business and economics department.

Learning support and SEN

Neighbouring the school coffee shop, this department is run by the deputy head of learning and wellbeing (‘who sits on the leadership team, so it gives SEN a high priority,’ says head) plus SENCo. The 16 per cent on the SEN register – for ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia etc – have access to small group support and one-to-ones at an extra cost, before school or during breaks, never in class time. One boy told us how these ‘really helped me with revision and study skills support’, while a parent told us, ‘They always keep us updated.’ A learning mentor visits boarding houses in rotation from 5-8pm daily to sit down with pupils to help with eg organisational skills. EAL team provides an induction programme to help pupils find their feet, and preparation is available for IALPs – but pupils generally need a good grasp of English to come here.

The arts and extracurricular

Two afternoons a week are spent on activities from 35 options including CCF, DofE, photography, cookery, five-a-side football, robotics, science club, debating, and polo. Huge emphasis too on community action, which sees pupils volunteering in care centres, foodbanks, charity shops, community groups and the local hospital every week. There’s a strong partnership with All Saints Academy (and other primary and secondary schools in the UK and abroad), enabling pupils and staff to run events such as the Chemistry Spectacular with all manner of whizzes and bangs, followed by renowned roadshow.

Newly appointed director of music has shaken things up – was preparing to ‘crank up the subwoofer for a DJ set at lunchtime’ when we met him, but equally keen to tell us about last night’s evensong in the chapel with 50-odd pupils. More inclusive too – now with college choir (auditioned and non-auditioned) and chamber choir (auditioned only). ‘There’s singing all the time,’ said a student – cabaret evenings, in chapel etc, and all will tell you house singing is the most hotly anticipated calendar highlight of the year. Around half the pupils learn an instrument (including revered chapel organ), and there are two orchestras and masses of bands and ensembles. As it’s a Steinway school, you’re never far from a swanky piano.

More links with drama than in the past – Grease recent whole-school performance. At least six drama productions over the year, including two house plays, with pupils doing everything behind the scenes from directing to sound and lighting. SLT recently performed Mamma Mia – it went down a storm, not least because the students weren’t expecting it! Higher-brow productions include Great Expectations, up next term, and drama scholars perform in the Cheltenham Playhouse every January, recently And Then There Were None. Pupils told us drama ‘really helped my confidence’ and ‘has given me such great memories’.

Art based in a Grade I listed building that was once a private gallery, all high ceilings and massive windows. We watched history of art A level students intently analysing The Birth of Venus. Photography, sculpture, ceramics etc all available, we’re assured, but we mostly saw evidence of traditional fine art. Textiles stands out, with some wacky attire displayed on various mannequins – available at both GCSE and A level. At A level, 3D art also offered. Well-resourced DT based in the pavilion, where our guides showed us fruits of their labour including nifty chair with built-in fridge.

Put a pin in a world map, and chances are students, past or present, have been on a sports tour, charity trip, ski trip, field trip etc there – but head, mindful of rising living costs, is keen to bring them closer to home.

Sport

Lives up to its reputation as a sporty school. Mainly rugby and cricket for the boys, and hockey, netball and cricket for the girls. National and international honours for pupils across all those, plus equestrian, rackets and polo among others. Nice to see boys and girls placing equal value on each other’s sports, with masses of parents, pupils and staff turning up to cheer on players at matches. Girls’ football had a slow take-up – everyone said they wanted it but nobody chose it; now they do. Rowing increasingly successful ‘after getting a battering from Covid’, according to parents, some of whom said it offers their child a real haven. Badminton and squash popular. Girls’ fitness programme gets good take-up in sixth form – Pilates, yoga, circuits etc. The talented athlete programme is run by specialist sports professionals and provides structured training and mentoring for outstanding young athletes, and pupils say coaching is stellar for mere mortals too. Top-notch facilities include vast sports centre, 25m pool, eight rugby pitches, five cricket squares and a historic cricket pavilion, all on site.

Boarders

Eighty per cent board, 85 per cent of them full time. Flexi-boarding places (minimum two nights but most stay all week) like gold-dust – ‘We all want them!’ admitted local parent. Eleven houses (six boys’ and five girls’ houses), including two day houses, are dotted around the perimeter of the school – furthest is an eight-minute walk away. Resident house staff, especially houseparents, raved about – ‘These people have been so important in my children’s lives,’ said one parent, dewy-eyed. ‘And they’re lots of fun too,’ reckoned our guides, telling of previous night’s ‘guess the crisp flavour’ competition and water balloon fight.

Inevitably, houses get known as the sporty, artsy, academic etc one, say pupils – ‘but that changes each year’. They are mainly chosen because of ‘the feel on open day or family links’. We visited College Lawn, a girls’ house with new sixth form extension. Dorms of six in year 9 get smaller as the years go up, culminating in single en suites for sixth formers. ‘Not five-star chi chi dorms, but perfectly nice,’ as one parent said. Common rooms and kitchens spotless and upmarket – fancy wallpaper and all the mod cons. Over in Leconfield, the boys wanted to show off their basement gym and stylish bar with neon light – who can blame them? A few groans about Sunday night chapel, but otherwise house life is clearly prized – and parents are grateful that ‘they actually make their beds and do laundry at home now’.

Ethos and heritage

Handsome frontage of honeyed Victorian Gothic buildings is a sight to behold, stretching elegantly along Cheltenham’s Bath Road. Founded in 1841, the school moved here two years later, going fully co-ed in 1998. Highlights include the massive library – historic but not stuffy, and frankly one of the nicest we’ve seen with chunky oak tables, armchairs and sofas, chess sets, half-made jigsaw on a stand and a fantastic Waterstones-like display of once-banned books (with some fascinating explanations). Shout out too for the redeveloped science centre, with 15 university-standard labs and interactive periodic table in the foyer. The ancient chapel must get a mention: designed by former pupil Henry Prothero to celebrate the college’s 50th anniversary, most days start with a 20-minute multi-faith service in here – with pupils’ own talks here seen as something of a rite of passage.

Wood-panelled dining hall packed during our lunchtime, where (despite pupils telling us the food is ‘hit and miss’) we enjoyed imaginative salads (we’d had too many of the house breaktime pastries and cakes to fit in the fish and chips). Regrettably, conversation didn’t flow with our upper sixth dining guests, despite our best efforts (a bit shy, perhaps?). Pupils can also opt for the College Coffee shop or the permanent coffee van outside the sports hall.

Overall a positive place, where relationships feel natural and inclusive, and student voice is heard (recent result: boys can now wear an earring though still no joy overturning the mullets rule – ‘I have my limits!’ laughs head). Pupils generally happy with their navy and cerise uniform – recently made binary, again down to student voice. Sixth form girls get elegant longer navy skirts and own choice of pastel shirts, while boys get a non-logo blazer. Prefects don a jumper of their choice – we spotted an electric blue one.

Old Cheltonians include polar explorer Edward Wilson, broadcaster Rageh Omaar, actors Nigel and Jack Davenport, film producer Tim Bevan and female racing driver Jamie Chadwick.

Pastoral care, inclusivity and discipline

‘Deeply pastoral – always has been,’ report parents, who say their children are ‘happy’ and ‘thriving’. As well as their houseparent, pupils have a tutor responsible for their academic, pastoral and social welfare, plus access to trained peer mentors. Behind the scenes, ‘Things get noticed,’ say parents, with meetings joining up the dots between eg learning support team, teachers and the school’s two full-time psychotherapists. ‘Generally stops things escalating,’ said a mother. The school health centre has a school doctor and lead nurse, while weekly PSHE, via the Floreat programme, promotes health, wellbeing and life skills.

The rule book is produced by pupils, but inevitably they still manage some own goals. ‘There are a lot of detentions in year 9,’ they told us. But only five to eight suspensions a year and no more than one exclusion every couple of years. ‘If you look after the pennies, the pounds look after themselves,’ says head. Sex, drugs and rock’n’roll have posed no great problems in recent years, but school isn’t complacent and takes a sensibly modern approach of amnesty boxes and puts great store on honesty – ‘If a pupil is truthful the first time, we treat it as an opportunity to learn from, and with the right to randomly drug test after that.’ Vaping treated with the same seriousness as smoking. Fairly strict on mobile phones.

School proactive on inclusivity, including Pride and Allies group, with rainbow lanyards worn by staff with LGBTQ+ training. Anti-racism group helps pupils deal with hearing eg micro-aggressions or something uncomfortable in the lunch queue – they now feel confident to tackle most incidents head-on.

Graduated approach to going to Bath Road and into town. Sixth formers can go for a meal at an approved restaurant at 17 and to an endorsed pub at 18 – but ‘there aren’t many, so we’re trying to extend the range,’ they told us.

Pupils and parents

Most boarders from within a two-hour drive; 20 per cent international – largely from Kenya, Thailand, Hong Kong, China, Middle East and a growing contingent from India. Day pupils up to half-an-hour’s drive away, with school buses scooping them up from Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucester and Tewkesbury. School popular among Forces families, Old Cheltonians and local businesspeople who have relocated to the Cotswolds. A friendly, unsnobbish bunch – ‘Of course, some families are loaded, but they’re not in your face about it,’ said one. Chance of whole new social life if you want it: ‘Everything from the summer jazz festival to house events to chapel services mean you really feel like you’ve been on the ride with your kids – I shall hate it when they leave,’ said one. Pupils a real mix – some chattier than others, all with impeccable manners.

Money matters

Scholarships and exhibitions at 13+ and 16+ for academia, art, drama, music, choral and sport (distinguishable by bright pink ties). Forces discounts available. Means-tested bursaries up to 100 per cent.

The last word

A happy school that inspires great loyalty and stands out not only for its magnificent surroundings but for placing equal emphasis on every aspect of extracurricular, of which there is simply tons. Academics have been cranked up under current leadership, and there’s some of the most inspired enrichment we’ve seen. Every school says it produces all-rounded pupils – this one really does.

Special Education Needs

Cheltenham College offers strong support to bright pupils with mild specific learning difficulties. The majority of pupils work independently but some pupils may require additional support. Provision is tailored to meet the needs of individual pupils, who receive one-to-one support. Lesson times are arranged to ensure that pupils do not miss other lessons or activities. Support is offered with aspects of literacy, study skills, examination technique, organisation and areas of the academic curriculum.

Who came from where