Access to Oxbridge for Year 9s

Access to Oxbridge is a course for year 9 students who are already considering their progression route after College and aspire to studying at Oxford, Cambridge or another top university.  The course encourages students’ intellectual curiosity beyond the curriculum, and equips them with an understanding of what it means to be academic, independent inquirers.

Please note we are hoping to arrange future Access to Oxbridge taster days throughout the year, keep an eye on this page for updates.

Junior Honours Academy 

The Junior Honours Academy aims to extend and enrich academic learning beyond the curriculum, through a series of interactive and engaging sessions. The sessions are run by Bridgwater & Taunton College (BTC) lecturers who are experts in their field, and who have a passion for sharing their subjects, using it to challenge and stretch learners’ thinking and skills.

Students who sign up for Junior Honours are able to progress straight into Senior Honours upon enrolling in an A Level or International Baccalaureate course at BTC. As a year 10 student you can enrol on Junior Honours at either of our campuses, Bridgwater or Taunton. It is important that you register for the campus which you wishing to attend.

A Level Enrichment

These enrichment options vary in length according to the subject and some have a formal qualification attached. Your options include:

An Extended Project qualification
Earn up to 28 further UCAS point by completing the EPQ qualification. Learn advanced study skills whilst researching your project which will further prepare you for University.

Debating Team
Learn to debate a wide range of topics and develop creative and critical thinking skills crucial for success in employment and progression to university.

Core Maths
This formal qualification will help support the mathematical content within your other subjects and place you in a commanding position in a competitive world where numeracy skills are highly desirable.

Creative Writing
If you wish to pursue creative writing as a hobby or career, learn how to communicate expressively and build your confidence with written skills.

The Duke of Edinburgh Award
The Award ensures that you are able to enhance and extend your portfolio of skills. Follow the DofE programme and demonstrate that you have extra qualities desired by employers and admissions officers such as teamwork, problem solving, becoming self-motivated and developing excellent communication skills.

European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL)
This qualification is well-known and respected amongst employers and sets the benchmark for computer competence.  The ECDL will build confidence with various software and boost your creativity and success in your main qualification.

Honours Academy
This Academy is for high achieving students, will help you progress on to leading universities and employment by offering additional tuition and skills development.

Business Start-up
Developing entrepreneurial skills and learning how to start your own business will boost your CV and UCAS applications. Work with business mentors and spend the year working in teams to creatively implement new business ideas.

Critical Thinking
The skills taught in this enrichment course such as critical analysis, understanding of logical fallacies and analysis of arguments will help achievement in your other subjects, but also help you prepare for university entrance tests and interviews.

Beginners Italian
Learning a language will ensure you are at an advantage when applying for employment or Higher Education. Learn about Italian culture at the same time as developing your language skills.

Paranormal Psychology
Anomalistic psychology is the study of extraordinary phenomena of behaviour and experience. It aims to explain the ‘paranormal’ using known psychological factors.

Beginners Philosophy
Learn to think in the abstract and problem solve. This course will help you become a far more reflective thinker which will help  you achieve the very best A Level grades whilst allowing you to appreciate many different philosophical perspectives.

College Academies
These include the 999 Academy, Esports, Drama, Dance, Show Choir, Music, Technology, Photography, Fashion, Design, Media and Team BTC.

Experimenting with Science
The Gold Crest Award allow you to conduct real research, contributing something new to a particular field of study. At Gold level, you will develop and lead the project, consider the broader impact of your project and demonstrate an innovative approach.

Please click here to register your interest for these enrichment activities. If you cannot see the activity you would like to do on our sign up form, please contact your tutor or our Information & Guidance team via info@btc.ac.uk, they will be able to put you in touch with the relevant people.