WELCOME FROM THE PRINCIPAL

Welcome to Bath Academy! I hope what you find here will inspire you to find out more about the special way in which we help young people to make the most of their education and progress to personally meaningful and rewarding careers.

Students are individuals with varied abilities, interests, quirks and personalities. In large mainstream schools it is often difficult to take account of these differences and build upon them. At Bath Academy there is only one meaningful criterion for joining us:

“Do you really want to learn?”

Like many students and parents, you may be seeking teachers who will know you, care about you, and work with you as individuals. We believe that knowing students well leads to good teaching, better learning and a positive day-to day community experience. Our aim is to encourage young people to move from a ‘felt minus’ to a ‘felt plus’, to direct their lives in ways that creatively express their abilities, interests and personalities.

With tailored teaching and support, we give students the best chance to apply successfully to high quality universities by offering flexible options for GCSEs and A-Levels, as well as intensive Revision and Resit courses for those who want to increase their A-Level grades with a key focus on exam technique and preparation

If you want to find out more, our Admissions Team is available to answer any questions by phone (01225 334 577) or email (info@bathacademy.co.uk). Alternatively, you can arrange a visit or Zoom meeting with myself to discuss your options further.

Tim Naylor, Principal

“Alongside A-Levels, BTEC Nationals are the most widely-recognised qualification for admission to higher education.”

COLLEGE VISION

Personal attention to individual students is central to our academic vision. It makes Bath Academy educationally distinctive and appeals to students of all levels of ability. We believe that taking time to know students and adapting to their individual needs leads to effective teaching, better learning and a positive day-to-day community experience.

PERSONAL APPROACH

Bath Academy aims to counter the impersonal and isolating effects of contemporary culture by engaging directly with each student. This personal approach is a powerful and surprisingly simple educational force. Students meet caring adults who increase their incentive to engage in serious learning, help channel their creative curiosity, and make education more responsive to the realities of their individual differences.

WE ARE COVID-SAFE

We want to reassure you that we have complied with all government guidance and rules with regard to student safety and welfare. We continue to review and refine our procedures to reflect the latest guidance and best practice from the Government, the Department for Education and the Boarding Schools Association, and as a result, the college feels very safe.

Looking for an alternative to A-Levels? BTECs provide a practical, ‘real-world’ approach and are a popular pathway to university.

BTEC ART & DESIGN – LEVEL 3 NATIONAL DIPLOMA

New Course Starting September 2022!

What are BTECS?

BTECs are specialist qualifications that are an alternative to A-Levels. Btecs provide the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a field or subject, with a more practical, real-world approach to learning alongside a key theoretical background.

What is a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma?

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diplomas, Diplomas and Certificates are two-year courses equivalent to three, two and one A-levels respectively. They are assessed by a mixture of coursework and exams.

This BTEC qualification is designed for post-16 learners who want to study art and design related degree courses at higher education. It is intended to be studied over two years as the substantial qualification in learners’ study programme.

Benefits of a BTEC Level 3 Nationals qualification:

can be taken either as the main focus of study or as part of a wider programme alongside other Level 3 qualifications (such as A Levels)
offer learners the practical industry skills, knowledge and confidence they will need to progress to further or higher education, to employment or to an apprenticeship
attract UCAS points in the same way as A Levels
are widely recognised and accepted by universities and employers

WHAT IS BATH ACADEMY LIKE?

Bath Academy is an independent, non-selective, tutorial college. The atmosphere at college is one of encouragement; for all students to continuously strive to reach their personal best but also to provide support to ensure they do not withdraw into self-doubt and anxiety. Our ambition is for students to leave us with the academic skills and confidence to enjoy and succeed at university and beyond.

Watch the video below to get a glimpse of Bath Academy college life:

Get in Touch

Do you have any questions? Please fill in the form below to contact our admissions team.

Testimonials

Harry

“When you have an issue and ask for help, they will do everything in their power and adapt to your way of learning, if you still don’t get it, they’ll use another approach. They are patient and precise, focused, accept your flaws and work with them to get the best out of you.” – Harry, One Year A Level Student who made a 5-grade improvement and is now at St. George’s Medical School

Maddie

“I appreciate the way you incorporated me into the already established class so early on and the extra effort you put in to tailor the lessons to my way of working. I couldn’t have gone through the UCAS process without your support.” – Maddie – A Level Student now studying Marine Biology with Coastal Ecology at University of Plymouth

Will

“The informality of the school makes a difference, there are few restrictions, and we are treated more like an adult, independence is encouraged.”– Will – One Year A Level Student now studying Virology & Immunology at University of Bristol

“My teacher’s lessons on the French Revolution were some of the most enjoyable I experienced at any level of education, and the broader-curricular approach which he employed has been very, very beneficial to me at University.” Sam – A-Level student now studying Y2 War Studies and History BA, King’s College, University of London

“I thoroughly enjoyed my maths lessons with you this year. I am so proud of how much I have improved this year and this is substantially down to your teaching and support. My maths teacher at school had told me that I would never get higher than a C grade, I believed them. Your enthusiasm kept me driven and I have certainly proven them and myself wrong! Hamish, A-Level Resit Student

“I would like to sincerely thank the entire Bath Academy staff for supporting my son through these extraordinary difficult times. I am sure he will look back at this year as a pivotal and formative year and as a great investment in his education and future development.” parent of One Year A-Level Student

“Thank you so much for this year, the paper went amazingly, revision really paid off! Also wanted to say thank you for believing in me even when I didn’t, it means an awful lot and what has kept me going.” Tom, A-Level Resit Student

“I have always enjoyed maths yet struggled to find the time last year to understand it completely. However, I feel this year I have found my love for maths again and understood how to do the more complicated questions, and I enjoy tackling them (which will hopefully show in my results in August). This is all thanks to you!” Hannah, One Year A-Level Student

FAQs

What is the admissions process?

Initially we’ll ask for a short academic overview, then we arrange an interview for students and family members to speak with the Principal, Vice-Principal, or College Registrar to discuss the various courses and options available at Bath Academy.

A letter will follow outlining the key points discussed and indicating the relevant course details.

How many students enrol at Bath Academy each year?

Bath Academy is co-educational and enrols between 80-100 students per year with both day and boarding students. The student population is predominantly British students with around 25% international students

Is there an application deadline?

We have a flexible application process at the college which runs later than other independent schools in the area. We also have a January cohort for those who need to resit their A -Levels or for those who wish to start a course of study at that time. The deadline for January courses is the end of December, however applications are always considered when received, even if term has started.

Is there an age limit for your courses?

Whilst there is no upper age limit for students who wish to study at Bath Academy, our GCSE and Pre-A Level programmes are available for students aged 14 and over.

Is it possible to arrange a visit to the college?

Yes, prospective students are able to visit the college from September. If you would like to meet the Principal or visit before September, this is possible but will need to be pre-arranged by appointment.

Do you have a learning support programme?

We have a dedicated SENCO who works with students and liaises with their personal tutor, teachers, and specialist advisors on a regular basis. We have much experience with students who are academically challenged or who have mild learning disabilities such as dyslexia or ADHD.

Parents of prospective students are encouraged to contact the Admissions department to discuss their child’s learning profile openly and confidentially so that we can tailor a suitable and appropriate course.

Tell me about your pastoral care?

We promote open lines of communication between staff, teachers, tutors and students to ensure every possibility of student concerns are covered. The Head of Student Personal Development works closely with the Principal, Personal Tutors and students to ensure that each individual feels they have the support, respect and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.

What measures have Bath Academy taken to ensure my child remains safe at the college?

Bath Academy is adopting the Boarding Schools’ Association ‘Covid Safe Charter.’ The Charter confirms that we will comply with all government guidance and rules as well as the additional requirements of the Charter with regard to student safety and welfare.

Do you offer scholarships/bursaries?

Scholarships may be offered to students who show academic potential. Requests for scholarships or bursaries can be discussed during the application stage.

What are some of the unique features of Bath Academy?

We are centrally located in the heart of Bath, and with small class sizes, passionate teachers, and a friendly, flexible college environment, all students are supported to achieve their academic goals.