Enrichment & The Bishopshalt Experience

In addition to their A Levels, students have the exciting option to take AS Levels in Classics, Spanish, French, or even pursue an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Not only do these AS Levels help students build essential transferable skills, but they also count as half an A Level and earn valuable UCAS points—giving students a great head start on their academic journey.

The EPQ is a unique and highly respected qualification that allows students to explore a topic of personal interest in depth, developing skills in independent research, critical thinking, and project management.

Whether it’s writing a dissertation, creating an artifact, or organising a performance, the EPQ challenges students to take ownership of their learning and produce a substantial piece of work. This experience not only sharpens academic skills but also stands out on university applications, demonstrating motivation, initiative, and the ability to work autonomously. Like AS Levels, the EPQ carries valuable UCAS points, contributing to a student’s overall qualification profile.

The Duke of Edinburgh awards (DofE) involves students partaking in a variety of activities, including sporting, adventure and charitable work.

Students are encouraged to participate in the DofE—a prestigious program that fosters personal growth through adventure, community service, and skill development. Whether it’s hiking in the great outdoors, volunteering locally, or learning a new skill, the award challenges students to push their boundaries, build resilience, and develop leadership qualities. This well-rounded experience is highly regarded by universities and employers alike, complementing students’ academic profiles perfectly.

Sixth Formers play games every week, with opportunities to represent Bishopshalt in competitive fixtures across football, basketball, netball and volleyball. Every half term, inter-house competitions bring the whole school together in spirited individual and team pursuits, strengthening pride, teamwork and resilience.

At Bishopshalt School, societies bring pupils together through a shared love of learning, providing a structured and inspiring enrichment opportunity within the Sixth Form curriculum. Every Year 12 student is a member of at least one society, meeting weekly as part of their timetabled enrichment provision. These sessions allow students to collaborate, discuss ideas, and deepen their understanding of a subject or discipline they are passionate about.

Societies are student-led and values-driven. Members show kindness by working collaboratively to plan and deliver engaging sessions that enrich the experience of all participants. By taking responsibility for the effective running of their society, students develop leadership, organisation, and communication skills that help to build character and confidence.

Through exploration of academic, cultural, and professional interests, society members expand their intellectual horizons and support one another in their pursuit to chase brilliance. Many societies enter national competitions, invite guest speakers and professionals, explore real-world applications of their subjects, and showcase their learning through assemblies, presentations, and published academic articles. These experiences strengthen links to future academic pathways and careers, supporting students in building bright futures.

Each society also runs a weekly KS3 lunchtime club, led by Sixth Form students. This provides younger pupils with the opportunity to explore interests beyond the classroom in an engaging and accessible way, while enabling Year 12 students to demonstrate leadership, mentorship, and initiative.

Students are accountable for showcasing their learning across a range of platforms. Much of this work is published in The Societies Mitre, Bishopshalt’s student-led academic blog where each society has a dedicated space to share articles, research, creative outputs, and reflections.

The Societies Mitre

Futures Friday is a core part of Bishopshalt’s enrichment and careers programme, providing students with weekly access to guest lectures delivered by professionals, alumni, and industry experts from a wide range of sectors. These sessions are designed to broaden students’ understanding of future pathways, expose them to real-world career journeys, and support informed decision-making beyond Sixth Form.

Each Friday, students are able to opt into a lecture of interest or take part in a carousel of complementary, career-focused learning activities. Lectures span diverse fields including business, law, medicine, engineering, media, politics, finance, sport, the creative industries, and higher education.

Every session includes a structured Q&A, giving students the opportunity to engage directly with speakers, ask insightful questions, and explore routes into different professions. Many lectures also provide opportunities for informal networking after the session, and a number of students have gone on to secure work insight, mentoring, and work experience placements as a direct result of these connections.

Futures Friday is supported by the Bishopshalt alumni community and our wider professional network. We are extremely grateful to all those who have generously shared their time, expertise, and personal career experiences to inspire and guide our students.

We are always keen to hear from professionals, organisations, and alumni who would like to contribute to the programme. Lectures take place in person or online on Fridays at 9:00am, and speakers are invited to give as much or as little time as they are able.

If you would like to support Bishopshalt students by becoming part of our Future Fridays programme, please contact:
careers@bishopshalt.school

Future Fridays is strengthened by an exceptional network of professionals, alumni, and industry leaders who generously share their time and expertise with Bishopshalt students. Our speakers represent a wide range of sectors, including law, business, medicine, engineering, politics, media, technology, sport, finance, the creative industries, and higher education.

Recent contributors have included:

• Senior leaders from global organisations such as Accenture, KPMG, Blackstone, Salesforce, Google, CNN, ITV, Deloitte, EY, Reckitt, Hasbro, and Tetra Tech
• Professionals from public service and government, including the London Assembly, RAF, NHS, and local and national politics
• Alumni and specialists working in law, architecture, veterinary medicine, sport, journalism, music, theatre, and film
• University representatives and current students from institutions including Oxford, LSE, Royal Holloway, UCFB, and specialist higher education providers

Together, these speakers offer students authentic insight into career pathways, sector expectations, and the realities of working life.

To learn more about the individuals who support our programme, please explore our Future Fridays Speaker Profiles, where you can read short biographies and learn more about their career journeys and areas of expertise.

Future Fridays - Speakers' Biographies

Students who are members of the Sporting Society have the opportunity to complete the Lions Level 2 Sports Coaching qualification as part of their enrichment programme. This fully school-funded qualification is delivered through society sessions and provides students with formal training in coaching, leadership, and effective communication. Throughout the programme, students develop highly employable skills, including teamwork, organisation, responsibility, and confidence in leading others.

The course includes assessment and moderation, ensuring students meet the required professional standards before achieving accreditation. Once fully qualified, students take on an active leadership role within the school by running weekly sporting clubs for lower school pupils and assuming responsibility for managing and coaching their own sporting teams. This practical experience allows students to apply their learning in real settings while supporting the development of younger pupils.

The Level 2 Sports Coaching qualification is particularly beneficial for students considering future pathways in sport, education, coaching, or leadership, and provides a strong addition to university and apprenticeship applications.

For further information about the qualification, please visit:
 https://lionssports.academy/page/level-2-coaching-course

As part of Bishopshalt’s enrichment programme, students have the opportunity to take part in Giving Time, a nationally recognised charity that connects young people with professional coaches from a wide range of industries. Bishopshalt works in collaboration with the Giving Time Foundation to provide students with meaningful coaching that supports both personal development and future aspirations.

Further information about the organisation can be found at: https://givingtime.org.uk/

Through the 6 for 6 programme, students complete six hours of volunteering in return for six hours of tailored, one-to-one professional coaching from an experienced academic or industry professional. Coaching is bespoke and designed to support students with areas such as confidence, goal-setting, decision-making, leadership, academic direction, and preparation for future pathways.

Students who have taken part consistently report that the programme is highly impactful, valuing both the quality of the coaching and the opportunity to reflect on their ambitions with an external professional. The volunteering element also reinforces Bishopshalt’s commitment to service, responsibility, and community engagement.

Student feedback includes:

“The coaching sessions helped me clarify my goals and gave me practical strategies I could actually use.”

“Having time with a professional outside school made a huge difference to my confidence and future planning.”

Giving Time is a powerful enrichment opportunity that supports students to grow as reflective, motivated, and purposeful young adults, while recognising the importance of giving back to the community.

Giving Time - GT Presentation Bishopshalt 30 Jan.pptx

Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) are online courses available to learn new skills, advance careers and deliver quality educational experiences at scale.  Here are just a few of the courses our Sixth Formers are undertaking and some feedback:

Foundation of finance

"In Foundation of Finance Cambridge University MOOC, I covered several topics, including financial reporting, cash flows and forecasts, risk management, and money and capital. For instance, in the section about money and capital, I watched videos and learnt about the role of the Governor of the Bank of England Andrew Bailey and the responsibilities that come with that position. Additionally, in the cash flow forecasts chapter, I discovered how to present cash flows."

Corporate Entrepreneurship

"Given the courses I do, Business and Media, I chose to study Corporate Entrepreneurship because it has the closest link to both the subjects and has a close relationship to what I want to do in the future. Having completed this course I have learnt many new things which can help me in the future when potentially starting a new business or creating products for business. One of the key elements I picked up on was the aspect of innovation which is having the ability to come up with and create unique products or services for potential customers. This course has also given me a clearer idea of what I may want to do in the future. Overall, after gaining a deeper understanding about this aspect of business, I think that I would like to start a business in the near future but in developing services rather than products."

Course 2 - Becoming an Entrepreneur

"The next course I chose was how to become an entrepreneur as I carried my interest in entrepreneurship and wanted to research it further. This course was about how to set up a general business, while the previous course was about developing products in the business. I think that this course helped me to understand what I'd like to do because it explained the details of setting up a specific business and the process of how this works. Whilst this seems like a long process, I think that having understood the risks and challenges I may face it would be a simple task to carry out. The next course I have chosen is property investments, I have chosen this after gaining my understanding of becoming an entrepreneur."

The Psychology of Emotions: An Introduction to Embodied Cognition

"This fascinating introduction to the cognitive psychology of emotions explores how, when we see others’ emotions, not only the mind, but also the body is engaged in the recognition. The course explored how to measure humans ability to understand the feelings of others."

Women's Health Around the World. 

"I have been looking into reproductive health, menopause, contraception, and sexual transmitted infections in heterosexual and homosexual relationships. I am now starting a new course with the contents of maternal health."

Financial Development

"I was learning about how to develop an efficient,inclusive and stable financial sector that is essential for a thriving economy. I also learnt about GDP and other countries financial situations."

Principle of Engineering

"I chose a course which interested me and I have learnt key information about the subject which has helped me gain information and now have a better understanding about lessons that I take and about what I want to do in the future."

As part of Bishopshalt’s wider enrichment programme, students also have the opportunity to undertake a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification. This course enables students to develop advanced communication, planning, and teaching skills while gaining an internationally recognised accreditation. The school fully funds the TEFL qualification, and students who successfully complete the course receive the certification required to teach English overseas. TEFL is an excellent option for students considering gap years, international study, or careers in education, languages, or global development, and provides a valuable real-world qualification that enhances both university applications and future employability.

For further information about the course content and accreditation, please visit:
https://www.tefl.org/