Cheltenham College

A-Level Results (2025 Official Data)

In 2025, Cheltenham College pupils achieved a superb set of results across A-Level, BTEC, and CTech qualifications:

A* grades: 20%

A*–A grades: 51%

A*–B grades: 82%

These results reflect the school's commitment to "Continuous Excellence," with over 90% of students typically securing places at their first or insurance choice universities.

GCSE Results (2025 Official Data)

The 2025 GCSE results demonstrated significant academic growth and high attainment across 21 different subjects:

Grade 9: 20%

Grades 9–7 (A*–A equivalent): 60%

Grades 9–6 (A*–B equivalent): 76%

The percentage of top grades (9–7) saw a 5% increase compared to the previous year, highlighting the effectiveness of the school’s academic extension programmes.

Oxford and Cambridge Admissions

Cheltenham College maintains a dedicated Oxbridge Programme that identifies and supports high-achieving pupils from the Fifth Form (Year 11) onwards. On average, the school sees 4–6 pupils secure offers annually for highly competitive courses such as Mathematics, Natural Sciences, Classics, and Modern Languages.

The school provides subject-specific mentors, usually Heads of Departments, to guide students through the rigorous application and interview process.

UK G5 University Admissions

The school has a strong track record of placing students into G5 and other elite Russell Group institutions. In 2025, successful placements were secured at:

University College London (UCL)

London School of Economics (LSE)

Imperial College London

University of Cambridge

University of Oxford

In addition to the G5, popular destinations include Exeter, Bristol, Durham, and Edinburgh, with an increasing number of students also securing places at Ivy League and top-tier US colleges.

School Introduction

Cheltenham College is one of the UK’s most distinguished co-educational independent schools, situated in the beautiful Regency town of Cheltenham.

Founded in 1841, it was the first of the major Victorian public schools to be established and quickly gained a reputation for innovation, being the first to introduce a ‘modern’ side to the curriculum to prepare pupils for careers in the military and business.

At the heart of the College is its pioneering "5Cs" ethos: Character, Creativity, Curiosity, Community, and Continuous Excellence. This framework ensures that while academic rigour is paramount, it is balanced with the development of the whole person.

The school is visually iconic, centred around the magnificent Gothic-style Chapel and the historic "Big School" building, all set within a 75-acre campus that offers a "London in the Countryside" atmosphere. The school’s reputation is further bolstered by its strong "all-rounder" spirit, producing alumni (Old Cheltonians) who excel in fields ranging from professional rugby and international diplomacy to the creative arts.

School Facilities & Extracurricular Activities

The College offers world-class facilities that support a highly active and diverse student body:

Sports Facilities: A state-of-the-art Sports Centre with a 25-metre swimming pool, two full-sized floodlit AstroTurf pitches, a high-performance gymnasium, squash courts, and extensive grass playing fields. The school has elite coaching partnerships, notably with Saracens Rugby Club.

Arts & Culture: The historic Big School and the theatre provide venues for large-scale drama productions. The music department offers professional recording facilities and numerous performance spaces for orchestras and choirs.

Unique Offerings: Cheltenham College hosts one of the oldest Combined Cadet Forces (CCF) in the country, maintaining a proud military tradition. It also offers niche sports such as Polo, Clay-Pigeon Shooting, and Rackets.

Community Action: There is a strong emphasis on service, with students regularly engaging in local charity work and international service trips, fostering a sense of global responsibility.

Curriculum

The academic journey at Cheltenham is designed to spark curiosity and build intellectual independence:

Third Form (Year 9): A foundation year covering 17 subjects. All pupils complete the Foundation Project Qualification (FPQ) and study core subjects alongside Latin, Computing, and leadership modules.

Fourth and Fifth Forms (GCSE/IGCSE): Most pupils take 10 subjects. In addition to the core, the school offers a unique "Electives" programme for those taking 9 GCSEs, featuring non-examined courses like Criminology, Fashion Design, and Game Coding to ensure a broad education.

Sixth Form (Upper College): Students typically take three A-Levels and the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). Uniquely, the school also offers BTEC and CTech pathways in subjects like Sport and Business, providing a flexible and modern approach to post-16 education.

Boarding Life

Boarding is the lifeblood of Cheltenham College, with a structure designed to feel like a "home from home":

House System: There are 11 houses in total (6 for boys and 5 for girls). While the school offers day places, it maintains a strong full boarding ethos; in the boarding houses, day pupils are limited to 25% per year group to ensure a fully immersive community.

Vertical Integration: Each house contains students from every year group (Year 9–13), allowing for a natural mentorship system where older students support and guide the younger ones.

Pastoral Care: Every pupil is assigned a personal Tutor and meets them fortnightly. The school uses advanced pastoral tracking tools to monitor the social and emotional well-being of every boarder.

Weekend Socials: The weekend programme is vibrant, featuring formal dinners, inter-house competitions, "informal dances," and trips to theme parks or nearby cultural landmarks.