Our aim is to offer our students a quality of experience that will enrich their lives and encourage every student to take advantage of the wider life of the school and to participate in at least one club.  A wide range of subject and interest-based extra-curricular activities are available to all students in Years 7-13. These give our students the opportunity to play a full and active role in the wider life of the school.

Cotham has one of the biggest cohorts of Duke of Edinburgh participants of any state school in the country.  As well as curriculum day trips our students can also take part in a range of residential trips. These include, Biology and Geography field trips, ski trips as well as culturally immersive trips for example, to Bavaria, France, and historical trips to the battlefields in Normandy, France and through the Holocaust Educational Trust to the Concentration Camp Auschwitz, Poland. Our cultural visits to Europe are always a very popular way to learn about other cultures, and history as well as improving linguistic skills. 

Activities days, computing and science competitions and ‘masterclasses’, careers events including industry engagement programmes sports fixtures and professional sports matches and events, Art exhibitions, music events, school productions and other performing arts events also enrich the curriculum and enable students to participate in a wide range of activities beyond the standard school day.

Enrichment at Post 16

The intent of enrichment is to ensure ALL Year 12 students (Foundation and Level 3)  have the opportunity and allocated time to develop personal and employability skills beyond their classroom curriculum. This is timetabled to promote the  value, whilst offering choice and leadership opportunity. All Year 12 students commit to at least one hour per week of enrichment as part of their learning agreement. Some sessions are delivered by staff, while others are student run. Students self register attendance via QR and a tutor reward system promotes engagement.

Bristol Education Partnership

Cotham School is a founding member of the Bristol Education Partnership. The Bristol Education Partnership (BEP) is a collaboration of 14 secondary schools in the state maintained and independent sectors in the city, along with University of Bristol, University of West of England and Bristol City Council. The partnership was set up in 2019 with the aim of tackling disadvantage and broadening young people’s experience of education, drawing on the many and varied opportunities that Bristol has to offer. 

The partnership provides opportunities for professional collaboration on projects and sharing of ideas as a result of the collective efforts of the BEP. This results in a wealth of expertise, resources, events and facilities being offered to students and staff

The work of Bristol Education Partnership from its inception has focused on four key objectives, which are:

• Tackling disadvantage
• Raising aspirations
• Broadening education
• Supporting and inspiring staff