Our GCSE and A Level German students have returned from a wonderful week in Cologne, filled with language learning, cultural discovery and a huge amount of fun.

After an early start, the journey went smoothly — even the ferry crossing was described as plain sailing! The group arrived ahead of schedule, settling into their hostel and immediately making new friends with a visiting German school group. It was fantastic to hear so many of our students confidently using their German in conversation from day one.

The following days were packed with experiences that brought classroom learning to life. There was an early-morning jog through the Hiroshima–Nagasaki Peace Park for some of our keen runners, followed by a scenic Rhine river cruise, where students enjoyed views of Cologne’s famous skyline. A guided tour of the Olympic and Sport Museum saw them recreating world records in long jump and weightlifting and even playing football on the rooftop pitches overlooking the river.

A visit to the Chocolate Museum provided both cultural insight and delicious treats, while an impromptu stop at the historic Großer Martinskirche and a stroll through the city centre offered more chances to practise their German with locals. Students also enjoyed a creative language-through-art workshop at the Ludwig Museum, showing great focus and flair, and worked together to climb all 533 steps to the top of Cologne Cathedral for breathtaking views across the city.

One of the highlights of the trip was the behind-the-scenes tour of the Bayer Leverkusen Stadium (the Bay Arena), where students sat in the dugouts, held a press conference in the media centre and walked through the changing rooms once used by European football legends. The stadium guide even commented that Bartholomew’s group was one of the best he could remember — high praise indeed!

Evenings were filled with friendship and laughter — from table football and card games in the hostel, to a riverside meal of traditional schnitzels and a final night of pizza and ten-pin bowling, where students (and staff!) got to test their skills. Congratulations to Mr Lloyd, who narrowly won the staff bowling competition!

On the final morning, a handful of energetic students joined Ms Selfe and Mr Scott for one last jog before the journey home. The group made excellent time, fitting in a picnic lunch in Belgium, a Cologne trivia quiz, and even a quick stop at a French hypermarché in Dunkirk — putting their French to use as well as their German — before catching an earlier ferry than planned.

The trip was a tremendous success from start to finish. Our students embraced every opportunity, represented the school superbly, and returned home tired but full of wonderful memories and new confidence in their language skills.

On Tuesday 14th October, Years 10-13 Drama students went to see The Talented Mr Ripley at The Oxford Playhouse as part of the work required for the Live Theatre section for their written exams in GCSE and A Level.

Patricia Highsmith's psychological thriller was gripping and fantastically acted by the ensemble cast. As always, the students were exceptional ambassadors for Bartholomew School and seemed to really enjoy the play (even if it was a little long!). 

We have spent the last few lessons of term re-enacting key scenes and trying out our best American accents! There will be lots for them to include in their written exam and choosing and exploring moments to write about has been fun and inciteful. A very successful trip! 

This term’s Year 7 concert was a resounding success, showcasing the incredible musical talent and enthusiasm of our newest cohort. 

The students came together creating a year group choir to give us a vibrant performance, having worked diligently in their lessons to produce a fabulous sound. Their gospel medley was uplifting, and their rendition of Wonderwall was made even more special thanks to Petru on guitar and Benji on drums, both from 7B.

We were also treated to a series of brave and brilliant solo performances, including piano, trumpet, and vocal pieces. Highlights included Jupiter from The Planets and Adele’s Set Fire to the Rain.

Parents were delighted to see how positively their children have settled into school life and were thoroughly impressed by the quality and variety of performances achieved in such a short time. It was a wonderful evening that celebrated creativity, courage, and community.

A heartfelt thank-you to FOBs for providing refreshments on the night – your support helped make the event even more enjoyable for everyone involved.

This term, our School Cricket Club has been a resounding success, with around 30 students attending each week to take part in lively, inclusive sessions. With the option to play either hardball or incrediball cricket, the club offers something for everyone—regardless of age or experience. It’s been brilliant to see students from all year groups getting involved, building skills, and enjoying the game.

This thriving club wouldn’t be possible without the incredible generosity of our local cricketing community. Huge thanks go to Eynsham Cricket Club and Charlbury Cricket Club, whose volunteer coaches bring energy, expertise, and encouragement to every session. We’re also grateful to Oxfordshire Cricket for providing a dedicated coach, and to Oxford Downs Cricket Club for donating batting kit—making hardball cricket accessible to all.

If you're interested in joining, simply come along to a session or speak to Miss Flory. Whether you're new to the game or a seasoned player, there's a place for you at Cricket Club!

Year 13 students presented their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) in the final week of term, showcasing an impressive range of research and creativity. The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate their exploration of individual topics beyond the curriculum, and it was fascinating to hear them speak with such enthusiasm and confidence about their work.

A huge well done to Year 13 – you were absolutely brilliant! The feedback from staff and governors was incredibly positive, and it’s clear that our first real exam of the year was a great success. Let’s keep up the momentum, continue working hard, and aim to repeat this fantastic result next year.

We are very grateful to the staff and governors who supported the assessments, and congratulate all students on their achievements.

Our Year 7 Open Evening took place on Thursday 25th September 2025 and we welcomed around 1000 visitors to the School.  Our students were excellent ambassadors and many visitors commented on the calm and happy atmosphere.

Following this event we held two Open Mornings, with opportunities to visit the school during the day, and we continue to offer visits throughout the year.

If you would like further information about admissions to Bartholomew School, or a reminder of the key transition dates,  please visit our website:

https://www.bartholomew.oxon.sch.uk/266/admissions

REMINDER - Friday 31st October 2025 is the deadline for applying for a secondary school place through the Local Authority (Oxfordshire County Council).