Varndean Personal Development

Enrichments run from September to February Half Term

• You need to choose one enrichment to include on your timetable. 

• There are five categories to choose from but you can only select one enrichment session from one category.

• You can choose one of the following 

Christian Union

Find your community and explore your faith with the CU Club enrichment! This group offers a warm, welcoming space for Christian students to connect, pray, and sing hymns together. Running from September until February half-term, you will dive into Bible passages, reflect on how they relate to the modern world, and occasionally welcome exciting external speakers like local pastors and deans. It is a fantastic opportunity to build positive relationships, develop skills in respectful discussion and critical thinking, and find a supportive, caring environment that fosters a true sense of belonging. 

Denmark Cultural Exchange Programme

The Denmark Cultural Exchange Programme offers students a unique opportunity to experience life as a young person in Denmark through an immersive cultural exchange with Bjerringbro Gymnasium, a sixth form college set in the beautiful Danish countryside.

Unlike a traditional school trip, students will live with a Danish student and their family, giving them first-hand experience of everyday family life, customs and traditions. They will attend lessons alongside their exchange partner, experience a different education system and discover what life is like in one of the world's happiest countries.

Located near Billund, the birthplace of LEGO, the programme also includes educational and cultural visits that showcase Danish innovation, sustainability and design. Students will experience the stunning forests and lakes that surround the college and gain a real appreciation of Danish culture, including the values of hygge, community and wellbeing.

In February, students will welcome their Danish partner into their own home, offering the same hospitality and sharing life at Varndean Sixth Form College, Brighton and the surrounding area. The programme builds lasting friendships, broadens horizons and develops the confidence, independence and global outlook that universities and employers increasingly value.

Design and Architecture Portfolio

Secure your place at a top university with our Design & Architecture Portfolio application enrichment! Applications for competitive courses like Design and Architecture now require complex portfolios and rigorous university-set projects. Running from September to Easter, this specialized program provides the expert, hands-on guidance you need to build, refine, and submit a powerful portfolio. You will get vital support tackling complex university assignments while developing essential skills in project management, creative decision-making, and presentation—giving you the ultimate edge to secure your university interviews! 

First Aid

Gain life-saving skills and boost your personal development with our new First Aid Training enrichment programme! This hands-on, 10-week course is designed to equip you with an "Immediate Survival" toolkit. You will master vital, practical first aid skills, including the Primary Survey (DR ABC), CPR, AED training, the recovery position, and how to manage trauma and bleeding. Whether you are looking to stand out on your CV or simply want the confidence to handle emergencies, this course offers the perfect opportunity to earn a certificate and gain skills that could literally save a life. 

Journaling (for calm) 

The aim of this course is to introduce students to Journaling as a means to managing anxiety both within the classroom and outside it. 

Meditation 

When we meditate, we inject far-reaching and long-lasting benefits into our lives: We lower our stress levels, we get to know ourselves, we connect better, we improve our focus, and we're kinder to ourselves and others. During these sessions you will learn several different styles of mediation including breathing space, body scan, mindfulness of breathing and the loving kindness practice. We will discuss the benefits of regular meditation practice. 

Psychology Film Club

Throughout the year, we will watch and analyse a range of fascinating films, including One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, The Blind Side, Shutter Island, Get Out, Gone Girl, and many more. Together, we will explore the psychological themes behind the characters, their motivations, relationships, mental health, social influences, and decision-making processes.

Each session will involve discussions, debates, and activities that encourage you to apply key psychological theories and concepts to scenarios presented on screen. This is a fantastic opportunity to deepen your understanding of topics such as psychopathology, social influence, attachment, memory, personality, and cognitive processes. 

Understanding your Finances

Level up your financial future with our Personal Finance Level 3 Award enrichment programme! Designed to fit seamlessly alongside your current studies, this course cuts through the noise to give you real-world financial independence. By exploring core principles you will learn how to master a budget, navigate bank accounts, and smartly handle student or adult debt. Best of all, at the end of this short course, you won't just walk away with crucial life skills and a formal certificate—you will also sit an exam to bag yourself extra UCAS points to supercharge your university applications. Don't just earn money in the future—learn how to rule it!