Pathways & Possibilities: Engineering in Action

At College we prepare students for the demands of Engineering and the physical sciences by cultivating a culture of applied curiosity, where theoretical depth is continually reinforced through authentic industry experience. Across Engineering, Science and Technology our curriculum consistently goes beyond the specification, prioritising real world problem solving, experimental precision and interdisciplinary thinking. Whether it is within Dissection Club, the Mars Rover Challenge or Industrial Cadets, we prepare our students for the life they will lead beyond College.

This preparation is reflected in the destinations our pupils go on to secure. Pictured above are just a few of our Upper Sixth pupils who have chosen to go down the engineering pathway. Kisu will study Aerospace Engineering at Queen Mary University of London. Johnny will read Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, and Thomas will study Civil Engineering at the University of Bristol.

A defining strength of students’ preparation has been our extensive partnership with Babcock International, a collaboration that has delivered more than 700 student experiences across 8 major engineering events so far, including work experience, access to apprenticeship schemes and flight simulator experiences. These experiences have immersed our students in engineering practice at a scale rarely accessible at school level. Students have engaged with cutting edge aeronautical, mechanical and systems engineering.

Highlights include two HEMS helicopters landing at College, enabling students to explore the engineering behind rotatory-wing aircraft, avionics and the critical role of air ambulance medical systems.

Alongside these engineering focused experiences, our STEM curriculum ensures students can move with confidence between experimental science and technical application. Small group tutorials enable preparation for the top global universities, where students are pushed to explain and engage in advanced topics with problem solving at the core.

The foundational knowledge tailored for students at College enables them to seamlessly transition to university. We feed students’ curiosity to expand their strong foundations into specialist expertise, whether in chemical process design, structural engineering, biotechnology, aerospace systems or theoretical physics. They arrive at university already accustomed to professional expectations: iterative design, data driven evaluation, good laboratory practice, and the integration of scientific theory with real world engineering systems.

Our Pathways & Possibilities series celebrates the journeys of our pupils as they take their next steps beyond College, while supporting current pupils and parents with expert guidance along the way. Each week, we will share a mix of success stories and practical advice from our Higher Education and Careers team to help inspire and inform future pathways.

If you would like to learn more about Sixth Form at Cheltenham College, please click here.

If you would like to find out more about the College’s Higher Education & Careers department, please click here.