Academies & Enrichment

Academies

As a full-time student, you could join one of our academies. These have been set up to encourage development and excellence. Whether your interest is sporting, academic or artistic, we have created programmes and support to help you excel.

As part of any academy you can expect to enjoy success during your time at Callywith College, but the skills you acquire will stay with you as you progress to university, your career and into life as an enriched individual. Academy activities are included into your timetable, enabling you to access as much as possible without interfering with your studies.

Please note that academies can only be taken in conjunction with a full-time programme of study.

If you are joining one of the sports academies or Sport courses, please visit our online shop to order sports kit for September here.

Find out more about our academies below.

Academies

Callywith Active

Callywith College is committed to providing an environment where students can grow and develop by offering a wide range of free physical activities across the college through our Callywith Active student programme. The menu of activities which fit around student timetables, include gym and fitness sessions, badminton, table tennis and astro pitch activities.

The gym sessions take place in Fox Gym, where students can come and exercise following their own plan, or our Callywith Active Lead is available at all gym sessions to offer guidance and advice on planning a training session.

The menu of opportunities is fully inclusive and has been established for all students to access regardless of their ability, previous experiences and goals. The programme is provided to support positive mental health and wellbeing, and to help create healthy active lifestyles.

View the Callywith Active Summer 2025 timetable here.

Enrichment Opportunities

In addition to your course and as part of your timetable, you can choose from a range of enrichment opportunities that are offered throughout the week. As well as adding to your CV or university application, these can give you a break from your studies and enable you to meet people from other courses.

You can follow an activity that complements your existing study or use it to discover something entirely new. There are many activities you can choose from including Lingua Lounge, Music groups, Sustainability Group, Dungeons & Dragons and Creative Writing, and multiple support groups including Pride and Young Carers. If we don’t offer an activity that interests you, let us know and we’ll see if we can add it to our enrichment opportunities offer.

Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

The Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) is a great way to enhance your CV whilst studying at Callywith. It provides a unique opportunity to gain a qualification while studying a topic entirely of your own choice. Equivalent to half an A Level, it enhances university, apprenticeship and job applications by allowing you to demonstrate passion for your career path and developing a range of functional and transferable skills.

You will choose a topic that significantly extends your knowledge in your other subject(s), or one based on personal interests. With the help of a dedicated supervisor, you will identify a focused title and aims then plan, research and carry out your project. Expect to become an expert in your chosen field!

The outcome may be a 5000-word report or an artefact (a practical outcome) with a 1000+ word report, which you can tailor to your strengths. Additionally, you will provide evidence of your process and deliver a presentation.

Though the focus is on independent learning, you will be supported by your supervisor through regular one-to-ones and taught lessons where core skills are delivered. Not only will these benefit your project and other A Levels, but they are also highly sought after by employers and universities, really helping you to stand out. Read more about the Extended Project Qualification here.

Duke of Edinburgh

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) is universally recognised as one of, if not the best, programme for the personal development of young people. If you participate in the award you will experience an enjoyable, challenging and rewarding programme of personal development. Taking part builds confidence and develops self-esteem. It requires persistence, commitment and will have a lasting impact on your attitudes and outlook. On the DofE programme you will complete different types of activities to achieve an award e.g. volunteering, physical, skills, expedition and residentials.

Ten Tors

Ten Tors takes place every year on Dartmoor. All those who attempt Ten Tors will undoubtedly remember it for the rest of their lives and for many it will be a life-changing experience. We will train you during the course of the year to allow you to take part in the Ten Tors 45 Mile challenge in May. Its tough, and it will push you mentally and physically - you will learn so much about yourself!

Student Executive and Student Ambassadors

Student Executive Member and Student Ambassador roles are ways in which you can be involved in the day-to-day operations of Callywith College.

The roles will enable you to develop fantastic employability and transferable skills for your CV and next steps, whether that be university, apprenticeships or employment. They will also help you grow in confidence and meet new people.

As a member of the Student Executive, you would: 

• Run various student forums throughout the year where you collate student feedback on life at Callywith and gather new ideas.
• Be available to meet students in the ‘student executive weekly lunch time drop-ins’ in Student Services/reception areas in college. Hear students’ thoughts on any concerns about college, and opportunities they would like to see available.
• Work closely with the Assistant Principal for Student Experience on a range of cross college activities, fundraising opportunities and events promotion. This could include social media content creation.
• Contribute to the creation of new initiatives to improve college life.
• Help new students settle into college life.
• Attend half-termly meetings with the Assistant Principal for Student Experience.
• As a member of the Student Executive, you will automatically be a Student Ambassador too.

As a Student Ambassador, you can volunteer at college open events to welcome prospective students and their families/carers to Callywith and help new students settle into college life.

Fundraising

You may want to take part in some fundraising activities while at the College. You and your friends can select charities to support, for example Shelterbox, CLIC, Lamin Appeal, Heart Foundation, Breast Cancer Care, Cancer Relief, Comic Relief and Children in Need. Fancy dress and bake sales are just some of the activities you could be involved with in order to raise funds as well as the more formalised events such as Ten Tors, fun runs and marathons.

Work Experience

All first year students will be required to arrange and complete a week's work experience placement as part of Callywith's ‘Your Future Week’ in June / July. The process is supported by your Personal Development Tutor and the Work Experience Coordinator.