CATALYST by Winchester College

An experience designed to challenge and inspire students from across the world to stretch beyond the boundaries of traditional education.

What is CATALYST ?

CATALYST by Winchester College is a global, digital enrichment programme for curious, ambitious 10-18 year-olds. The one or two-week programmes are designed to expand the reach of Winchester College to a global audience of ambitious students seeking new and exciting ways to enhance their education and personal development.

CATALYST tackles a significant question: how should we teach our students to think? CATALYST students engage in discussion and debate while embracing learning, unconstrained by exams or a tightly defined curriculum. Alongside expert educators and leaders, students explore university-level topics that span technology, climate science, culture, industry, philosophy and ethics while building the critical skills for success in school, university and beyond.

Key Competencies

CATALYST's key competencies reflect a range of the skills required both in our programmes, at university, and beyond. Whatever the student’s ambitions, we believe the following skills are essential to success:

Negotiation and resolution - understand, articulate, and assess different perspectives to build consensus
Narrative defence - establish bulletproof arguments
Effective communication - tell your story in a simple, easy-to-understand way that anyone can access
Quantitative fluency - use numbers as main characters in your stories
Empathetic collaboration - work with others to make them part of the solution; create champions
Critical analysis and problem solving - grasp the problem from first principles, design a solution that works

Key Feature of the Programme

The programme is designed and delivered by the Deans and Dons of Winchester College with a panel of experts from different fields
Each programme offers a range of live, interactive lessons, online seminars, roundtable sessions, as well as 1-to-1 coaching to help its students before or after the programme
Personalised university coaching with specialist advisors both during programmes and after, as alumni - for example, a personal statement
Each programme has no more than 30 students worldwide
Winchester College will provide funding and personal references from teachers of the School for any successful projects
Students will be rewarded with transcripts from Winchester College

Preview of the course:

Basic Requirements

Each course has limited spaces, subject to availability, all applicants are required to fulfill the following:

Must be a native or fluent English speaker
Must meet the age requirement
Applications are evaluated based on the student's overall profile, including information provided in the application form and performance in the interview.
Must be qualified for Winchester College's assessment process
Look for evidence of the student's intellectual curiosity and their potential to contribute and thrive in the program.

Student & Parents' Testimonials

Programmes offer a unique blend of tried and tested educational pedagogy and innovative technology and teaching modalities. A standout experience aimed at helping students thrive in a rapidly changing world. ~ Justin Pinnells, Academic Director at Winchester College