Our story
Who we are & why we’re here
About catalyst
In 1382, William of Wykeham founded Winchester College — one of the UK’s oldest independent schools. Among our storied history and traditions lies 'Div', an interdisciplinary subject unique to the College with no set syllabus and no exams.
In Div classes, our teachers (called ‘dons’) use any topic of interest to educate students about the history of the world and intellectual thought — from culture and current affairs to history and science. Rather than rote learning, students are encouraged to think deeply, discuss widely, and engage critically with the world around them.
Why, in an era fixated on exam results, why does the College continue to teach Div?
We believe that learning should go beyond memorisation and standardised tests to develop a genuine curiosity and connect learning with real-world outcomes —the ability to solve problems, communicate with diverse audiences, and work effectively in teams, among others.
““Mastering disciplines, learning to communicate effectively, engaging civilly in discussion and argument – these have and should remain at the forefront of all education”.”
CATALYST: bringing div to you
CATALYST, like Div, helps students to think critically, to question and assimilate complex ideas, and to articulate their thoughts with clarity and confidence, both in writing and orally. Our students leave better prepared to face the demands and challenges of today’s world. They follow in the footsteps of centuries of Old Wykehamists, joining a movement that knows education doesn’t stop at the back of an exam paper.
CATALYST extends the reach and relevance of Div to students from across the globe. We are not confined by the physical walls of Winchester College or the traditional limits of school curricula. Instead, we offer online courses that draw students from around the world into the Winchester way of learning — engaging, questioning, and debating topics far beyond the range of a typical syllabus.
