develop skills & knowledge to change the future.
brought to you by winchester college.
1 & 2-week selective, digital enrichment programmes for students ages 13-17.
what is catalyst?
CATALYST is a global, digital enrichment programme for curious, ambitious 13-17 year-olds developed and delivered by Winchester College. We offer 1-2 week courses where students explore university-level topics with expert educators, engage with global leaders, and build critical skills for success in school, university and beyond.
"Catalyst is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Incredible individuals all working towards one thing: change."
"It's bringing education to life: how is the world evolving, what skills are needed for the workplace… it's giving him wings."
Interactive, informative, crazy, fun, intensive, immersive, and unforgettable!
Look at the content. Look at the style of teaching. Look at the calibre of the people to put that blend of topics, and expertise. It's a unique opportunity really.
Curious?
By registering interest you agree to be contacted about Catalyst by our team.
what do students learn
CATALYST draws on Winchester College’s unique pedagogy and empowers students to explore topics that span tech & innovation, culture, industry, and climate change & conservation.
The CATALYST team focus on building skills in communication, critical thinking, negotiation, and narrative defence. Students also have the opportunity to work on their own Change Project, a capstone initiative allowing a deep dive into an individual’s area of interest or passion.
STRETCH YOUR THINKING
Solving complex problems requires 21st Century skills and interdisciplinary thinking. CATALYST students receive a unique transcript with personalised feedback on strengths and areas for further development in 6 key competency areas.
a path to university & beyond
Graduates are invited to join an alumni network, gaining access to select Winchester College and CATALYST programmes. Students may also receive a personalised letter of recommendation from Winchester College which can be addressed to the university of their choice, and/or funding to further develop their Change Project.
Just because we can’t vote doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have a seat at the table. Youth activism is one of the most powerful ways of effecting change as a young person.
Performance arts education holds unique power in helping develop rounded young people but often goes overlooked in schools.
The biomedical tech revolution isn’t coming. Its here. We can do more to improve early detection of and response to pervasive illness.
what our alumni say
I gained skills from all different areas; teamwork, how to think at speed and then form a solid argument, how to be pushed out of your comfort zone, and then having enough confidence to present a speech or present a piece of work that you've done.
They expect students to be knowledgeable in various areas and treat students as more mature people than school teachers usually do. This allows the students to be more independent but also be able to take part in more academically stimulating conversations.
Do you want to look at the world with a different lens? CATALYST is the way to go. You will work alongside people from all over the world who have a diversity of interests but who are all driven to make the world a better place. CATALYST’s style of teaching is creative, lively and interactive.
You get to meet so many amazing people, including your teachers, lecturers, guest speakers, and peers. It is definitely an experience that helped me grow as a person and also helped me expand my knowledge and manage my teamwork skills and work ethic better.
- Shotaro, S22 Cohort
A true eye-opener. The programme brings not only new perspectives but also important life skills. Socialising, sharing ideas, having a debate, and laughing with your cohort.
I have completely changed my outlook to studying, the future. I also learnt better study skills and time management.
I feel that he has gained new confidence and knowledge in how to develop an idea he is passionate about from the beginning. I also see it has deepened his belief that he can make a change.
Interactive, informative, crazy, fun, intensive, immersive, and unforgettable!
do you have what it takes?
Please apply here.
common questions
Catalyst is a two-week digital course offered by Winchester College, and taught by Winchester College educators. Catalyst also features keynote appearances from accomplished changemakers and provides students with personalised coaching and tutoring throughout the course.
Catalyst is designed to stretch students. Engaging and rigorous, the course will cover a broad range of topic areas that go far beyond the scope of any standard secondary school curriculum. In addition to course content, the format - seminar, small group, team, 1-2-1 tutoring - mirrors that of many universities. Embedded in the program are opportunities for university entrance coaching and exposure to expert admissions advisors who can help demystify the application process.
Finally, through a solo summative project, students will have the chance to establish the foundations of their university application personal statement and of a Catalyst Transcript - a narrative detailing how students best learn, their accomplishments to date, and their ambitions beyond secondary school.
Catalyst explores the topic of ‘change’ in the past, present and future. Lessons are interdisciplinary, covering a variety of topics across STEM, and natural and social sciences, among other areas of study. Our aim is to help students develop the intellectual frameworks and hard skills needed to understand, analyse, and catalyse change.
A Catalyst Transcript (CT) is a comprehensive narrative document created by the Catalyst Team detailing students performance on the course. It provides personalised feedback and assessment against Catalyst key competency areas.
CTs are intended to be informative and guiding, surfacing strengths and areas for growth.
Please see our Programmes page for details about upcoming programmes in 2023.
Catalyst works with cohorts to ensure an immersive, interactive experience for all students. Programmes are full time; on average, students will spend 35 hours per week involved in course programming. Some students may choose to dedicate more of their time to the course, specifically with a view to working on their personal projects.
Importantly, though it is a full-time course, we fundamentally oppose ‘ZOOM-school’ and are extremely wary of screen fatigue. Students will not be ‘stuck behind the screen’ all day. Catalyst challenges students to participate in both remote and in-person activities in the student’s local community.
Programme fees vary by programme and application date. In short, the earlier you apply and accept an offer, the lower the course fee. Please see our Pricing page for a summary of application deadlines and course fees.
Financial aid is available, and is offered on a case by case basis. Students who are invited to interview will have the chance to indicate whether or not they require financial aid.
Most Catalyst students are between 13-18 years old; entering Years 9 - 13.
If you are currently in your final year of secondary school, you may also be eligible to apply depending on the term dates of your academic year.
If you’re not sure of your eligibility please get in touch with us at: catalyst@wincoll.ac.uk
Catalyst is offered by Winchester College, one of the world’s most distinguished secondary schools. Winchester College is accredited.
Yes, students who successfully complete the course will receive, among other things, both a completion certificate and a Catalyst Transcript. They will also be invited to a Catalyst alumni network, a growing community of Catalyst and Winchester College alumni.
Students who excel may also graduate with distinction.
Students are asked to complete a short application form aimed at showcasing their strengths, interests and ambitions. It is designed to be very straightforward and, hopefully, enjoyable!
Successful applicants will be invited to an online interview with our admissions team prior to receiving a final result.
We want to respect your time. We aim to respond to all applications within seven working days. If successful, we will arrange a short online interview. Following the interview, we will let you know if you have been accepted or waitlisted within seven working days of the interview date.
The course is interdisciplinary, meaning that students will have exposure to a range of subject areas across STEM, and natural and social sciences.
Why interdisciplinary? The problems facing humanity are more complex and interconnected than ever before. Rooted in Winchester College’s established DIV methodology, we believe that interdisciplinary study helps students develop a diverse and comprehensive set of skills and perspectives relevant for today and, more importantly, for tomorrow.
~20 students are invited to participate in 1-week courses; ~30 students are invited to participate in 2-week programmes.
We do not specify exact enrolment as we hold high standards for admissions and will only accept those who are successful.
Students will participate in a range of different class sizes including: full cohort seminars and panels, roundtable live lessons the Catalyst team, small group sessions with mentors and coaches, and 1-2-1 coaching and feedback sessions.
You will need to have access to reliable, high speed internet during the programme. You’ll also need a laptop with good video and audio conferencing capabilities. We recommend having access to a headset and mobile phone with camera/video recording as well.
You must be a native or fluent English language speaker.
Catalyst is a digital programme. Students can participate from anywhere in the world. However, we fundamentally oppose ZOOM-school and are extremely wary of screen fatigue. Students will not be ‘stuck behind the screen’ all day. Catalyst challenges students to participate in both remote and in-person activities in the student’s local community.
Off-screen interaction is embedded in Catalyst Challenges and programme content. Details will be shared with course participants in the pre-programme period leading up to kick-off.
And, when students are ‘online’, they will have access to a custom-designed online environment that aims to foster interaction, idea sharing, and cohort community building.
We really don’t want you to be on mute 🙂