Project A: Independent Research
Project A offers all first-year A Level Students the opportunity to undertake an academically rigorous research project as part of their Personal and Professional Development (PPD). This is your opportunity to explore a subject of personal interest in depth, develop independent learning skills and engage with academic methods beyond the classroom.
You will design and complete a project of their own choosing, culminating in a formal presentation to peers and staff. Outstanding and ambitious projects will be recognised at a dedicated awards forum, celebratingintellectual curiosity, originality and academic achievement.
Project A supports the development of key skills essential for university and professional life, including research, critical thinking, communication and time management - preparing you to take ownership of your learning and to pursue your interests with confidence and purpose.
Please Note:
You will select either one programme that you attend for the academic year, or two programmes - Term 1 and Term 2. On Enrolment Day, you will be asked to rank your preferred activities and we will do our best to accommodate your first choice.
Enrichment Name Description
AMRE: Astronomy and Model Rocketry
AMRE: Electronics and 3D Printing
Open to all: Evening observations of the Moon and planets in winter, and observations of the Sun in summer. Frequent launches of model rockets, developed as part of Electronics and 3D Printing in the spring/ summer months. Join the Google Classroom using “asyulon” where events are advertised. This enrichment is weather permitting. You do not need to sign up, everyone is welcome.
Learn basic electronics such as using breadboards, sensors, and constructing circuits, leading to programming Microcontrollers such as Arduino, PICAXE, or Raspberry Pi to create custom robots and rocket payloads. Design and print parts for robots and model rockets using the 3D Printer. Goes alongside Astronomy and Model Rocketry, which are optional adhoc sessions in addition to Electronics and 3D Printing.
Any All Year
Anatomy & Pathology
Ancient Myths & Religions
Offering students a hands-on learning experience that will develop knowledge on anatomy and pathology, including different organ systems and diseases that affect organisms through dissections, case studies and career talks.
Step into the world of ancient myths and religion in this weekly A Level enrichment. From the gods of Egypt and the myths of Mesopotamia to the mystery cults of Greece, explore the stories, beliefs, and practices that shaped civilisation. Discover how these myths influenced history, society, and even modern storytelling. If you have an interest in history, literature, or the origins of human belief, this is the perfect opportunity to dive into the fascinating world of ancient deities and legends.
Electronics, Physics, Computer Science, Maths, Double Maths, Product Design
1 -
2 -
Ancient History, Classical Civilisation, Religion and Philosophy, History, English Literature, Sociology All Year
Badminton for All
Badminton for Pros
Whether you’re a complete beginner or just looking to improve your game, come along for fun, fast-paced sessions focused on technique, fitness, and friendly matches. No team? No problem – just bring your energy and a willingness to give it a go!
This enrichment has more of a competitive edge and is perfect for PE students who do not have a team sport. These will be fast-paced sessions and an opportunity for students to improve their badminton game under the supervision of expert coaches.
Any
Term 1Sept-Dec
PE, Any Term 2Jan-Apr
Bar Mock Trial
Beginners Ancient Greek
Chemistry in Action
Enhance your debating skills and learn how to prepare and argue in a court for a real-life case. Students will be entered for a regional competition competing with other colleges in the area.
Join our Beginner’s Ancient Greek enrichment and take your first steps into the fascinating language of Homer, Plato, and Aristotle! No prior experience needed - just curiosity and a love for history.
This exciting enrichment programme allows students to extend their A-Level Chemistry knowledge through practical work linked to the OCR specification and real-world industry. Students will build key skills, explore chemistry in context, and take on the Cambridge Chemistry Challenge to stretch their problem-solving abilities. Ideal for those considering science-related degrees or careers.
Cinema Society This weekly A Level enrichment is designed to expand your knowledge and appreciation of global cinema. Through a carefully curated selection of feature extracts and short films, Film students will deepen their understanding of international storytelling, while focused workshops on screenwriting and storyboarding will prepare them for external competitions. For those studying other subjects, this is a fantastic opportunity to explore film as a powerful art form, enhancing critical thinking and cultural awareness. Whether you’re a budding filmmaker or a curious cinephile, this enrichment will broaden your cinematic horizons.
Coding for Non-Coders
Curious about coding but didn’t choose Computer Science? This enrichment club is perfect for students who want to explore programming basics without the pressure of a formal class. Whether you’re considering a degree in Physics, Maths, Electronics, Biology or Chemistry coding skills can be a game-changer. Join us for a hands-on, beginner-friendly experience that will introduce you to essential coding concepts and problem-solving techniques. No prior experience needed - just bring your curiosity and willingness to learn!
Law
Term 1Sept-Dec
Ancient History, Classical Civilisation
Term 1Sept-Dec
Chemistry
English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, English Language, English LangLit, History
Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
Maths, Electronics, Physics, Chemistry, Biology
Criminal Minds Analyse real-life cases, explore forensic evidence, and debate legal and ethical dilemmas. Develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills while gaining insight into the complexities of the justice system. Perfect for aspiring lawyers, criminologists, and anyone fascinated by true crime. Criminology
Crochet Club Whether you’re a complete beginner or an experienced crocheter, this weekly A Level enrichment is the perfect opportunity to develop your skills while making a difference. Learn new techniques, create handmade items, and contribute to a charitable cause by selling your work to raise funds for a chosen charity. A creative and relaxing way to unwind, this enrichment combines skill-building with social impact - one stitch at a time!
Any
Term 1Sept-Dec
2 -
1Sept-Dec
2 -
Debating Society Debating Society is an exciting enrichment programme where students engage in thrilling and thoughtprovoking debates on controversial topics. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your public speaking, critical thinking, and argumentation skills while tackling current issues and timeless debates. Whether for fun or competition, students will gain confidence in presenting their ideas and defending their viewpoints in a dynamic and supportive environment.
Disorders and Dinners
Disorders and Dinners is an engaging enrichment programme where Psychology and Biology students explore a variety of psychological and biological disorders over lunch. From multiple personality disorder and schizophrenia to depression, anxiety, and OCD, students will dive into the causes, symptoms, and treatments of these fascinating conditions. It’s a casual yet thoughtprovoking way to expand your knowledge of the human mind and brain!
Economics Essay Writing Sharpen your research and writing skills by diving deep into current economic issues. This is a great chance to explore topics you’re passionate about, develop persuasive arguments, and showcase your academic voice. Perfect for aspiring economists, writers, or anyone who loves a good intellectual challenge!
Escape RoomLegal Edition
Psychology, Biology Term 1Sept-Dec Term 2Jan-Apr
2Jan-Apr
Everything is Design
Step into the shoes of a legal detective in this thrilling weekly enrichment activity. Each session, you’ll be faced with a series of fiendish legal puzzles designed to test your knowledge, logic, and teamwork. Your mission? Recover missing verdicts, uncover lost statements, and crack the case before time runs out. But there’s a catch – you can’t move forward until every puzzle is solved. Think you’ve got what it takes to escape the case files?
Unlock the creative potential of the world around you with “Everything is Design”, our exclusive A-Level Product Design enrichment program! This inspiring and hands-on experience goes beyond the classroom, exploring how design shapes our everyday lives - from innovative technology to sustainable solutions and iconic architecture. Through practical workshops, industry insights, and creative challenges, you’ll develop problemsolving skills, experiment with materials, and refine your design thinking. Whether you’re aiming for a career in design, engineering, or architecture, or simply love creating, this is your chance to push boundaries, think like a designer, and bring your ideas to life. Join us and discover - because truly, everything is design! Product Design, Photography, Fine Art, Textiles
1Sept-Dec
2Jan-Apr
Gaming Development Through The Ages
Love retro games? This enrichment session is perfect for Computer Science students who want to explore the classics that shaped the gaming industry. We’ll dive into the technology behind these iconic games, their impact on modern development, and what makes them timeless. Your own laptop MAY be required. Computer Science Term 2Jan-Apr
Have I Got News For You?
Are you keeping up with the latest political drama, global shake-ups, and headline-making moments? Join us for “Have I Got News for You”, a lively and engaging weekly session where we break down the biggest political stories, debate key issues, and challenge the spin. Whether you’re a future Prime Minister, an aspiring journalist, or just curious about the world, this is your chance to stay informed, think critically, and have your say.
History Extra
Japanese for Beginners
Are you ready to dive deeper into the past? History EXTRA is here to take your understanding of history to the next level. Tailored specifically for history students, this program offers engaging historical lectures that explore fascinating topics of the 20th century. You’ll not only listen to expert insights but also carry out your own research to craft a compelling presentation on the historical topic of your choice. Get ready to enhance your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and present history like never before with History EXTRA!
Embark on a journey into the Japanese language with this weekly A Level enrichment. Designed for beginners, this session will introduce you to conversational Japanese while also teaching you how to read and write in the language. With additional practice and homework to reinforce your learning, you’ll gradually build your skills and confidence. Whether you’re interested in language, culture, or future travel, this is the perfect opportunity to take your first steps in Japanese!
Any All Year
Lancaster 100 Day Challenge
Legal Eagles
Take on a real-world problem and work collaboratively to design innovative solutions. This challenge, backed by Lancaster University, gives you the chance to develop your creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities - all while making a meaningful impact. It’s intense, rewarding, and a brilliant addition to any CV or university application.
An exciting enrichment programme where we go beyond the curriculum to explore fascinating areas of law not covered in the specification. From human rights to medical law and emerging legal debates, this is your chance to broaden your legal knowledge, sharpen your critical thinking, and engage in thought-provoking discussions. Perfect for aspiring lawyers or anyone with a passion for law.
Lingo - A Modern Foreign Languages Magazine
Calling all A Level French, German, and Spanish students (as well as speakers of other languages)! Triolingo is a student-led magazine where you will research, write, edit, and design articles exploring the rich culture, history, and art of your chosen language’s country. This weekly enrichment offers a unique opportunity to develop your linguistic and analytical skills while creating a publication that showcases your interests and insights. Take full creative control and bring global perspectives to life through your writing!
French, German, Spanish
Term 1Sept-Dec Term 2Jan-Apr
Literature in Performance
Experience the power of literature brought to life on stage! This enrichment programme offers students the opportunity to watch acclaimed theatre adaptations of literary works and engage in critical discussions on how they are transformed for the stage. Through guided analysis, students will explore themes, directorial choices, and the impact of performance on interpretation. This course is perfect for those looking to deepen their appreciation of literature, theatre, and the art of adaptation.
English LangLit, English Literature, Drama and Theatre Studies
Mathematical Problem Solving
Media & Current Affairs: Perspectives & Narratives
Unlock your potential with our Mathematical Problem Solving Enrichment Activity, designed specifically for A-Level mathematicians! Dive deep into advanced problem-solving techniques, enhancing your critical thinking and analytical skills. Through a series of challenging puzzles, real-world applications, and collaborative discussions, you’ll refine your ability to tackle complex problems with confidence. The first few weeks will be spent preparing for the UKMT Maths Challenge. But whether preparing for exams or seeking to expand your mathematical knowledge, this activity will help you master essential strategies, boost your problem-solving prowess, and foster a love for mathematical exploration. Join us and elevate your mathematical journey to new heights!
In a world of 24-hour news and social media influence, how do we separate fact from bias? This weekly A Level enrichment offers a space to explore and discuss current events, media interpretation, and the construction of political and social narratives. Through debate and analysis, we’ll examine different perspectives, uncover bias, and question how information is presented to us. If you’re interested in media, politics, journalism, or simply understanding the world around you, this is the perfect forum for critical discussion and debate.
Medical & Dental Society Providing students with key insights, skills and confidence to make a successful application to highly competitive medicine and dentistry courses. The enrichment covers medical ethics, challenges faced by the NHS, obtaining work experience, preparing for UCAT and interview. You will need to be obtaining at least C grades in formals and mock exams in order to join this enrichment owing to the high grades required by universities to study these courses.
Navigation for Novices Navigation for Novices will help you to master the basics of navigating through unfamiliar terrain. It will cover essential skills such as reading maps, using a compass, and understanding natural landmarks. Whether you’re hiking, traveling, or exploring new areas, this guide ensures you will gain the confidence to find your way with ease.
Netflix and Kill Are people born criminal? Or do they learn to be criminal? This enrichment will delve deeper into the nature vs nurture debate. Students will explore different criminological theories such as biological, psychological and sociological and apply these to different media platforms such as movies, documentaries and books.
Term 1Sept-Dec
Media Studies, English Language, Film Studies, Politics, Sociology
All Year
Biology, Chemistry
Geography, Environmental Science, Geology
Term 2Jan-Apr
Criminology
Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
Poetry Writing Workshops
This weekly A Level enrichment offers a space to experiment with poetic form, style, and theme while developing your own unique voice. Through guided writing exercises, creative challenges, and the study of diverse poets, you will build a personal poetry portfolio that showcases your growth and exploration. Whether you’re refining your craft or discovering poetry for the first time, this enrichment encourages both individual expression and appreciation of the power of language.
Psychology Scholars Psych Scholars: A Research Collective is an enrichment programme where students work collaboratively to choose a research question related to psychology. This includes societal social experiments, questions surrounding gender differences, effects of advertising, influences of social media and many more. They then engage in the process of collecting and analysing data, applying research methods, and drawing conclusions based on their findings. The programme culminates in students presenting their research outcomes, offering them a chance to develop critical thinking, research skills, and public speaking abilities.
Puzzles and Problem Solving
Serial Killers
Explore the exciting world of problem-solving in our enrichment activity, designed for both mathematicians and non-mathematicians alike! Engage in a variety of stimulating challenges, from cryptography and sudoku to logic puzzles and brainteasers. Whether you’re a seasoned puzzle enthusiast or a curious beginner, you’ll have the opportunity to sharpen your analytical skills, improve your critical thinking, and have fun in a collaborative environment. Join us for a journey into the art of problem-solving and discover the thrill of unlocking new solutions!
English Language, English LangLit, English Literature
Stock Market Challenge
Serial Killers is an immersive enrichment programme that explores the psychological, social, and environmental factors behind serial killing. Students dive deep into the chilling minds of serial killers, uncovering the twisted motivations and dark patterns of behaviour that drive such extreme actions. They’ll explore theories and research that explain these behaviours, and even have the chance to create presentations on the psychological profiles and criminal strategies behind notorious cases. Through gripping, thought-provoking sessions, students gain a fascinating understanding of how the mind of a serial killer works while developing critical thinking and presentation skills. Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Law
Step into the fast-paced world of finance! In this simulation, you’ll manage a virtual portfolio, track realtime data, and make strategic investment decisions. Compete against your peers, test your market instincts, and learn valuable lessons about risk, strategy, and economics along the way. Business, Economics, Any Term 1Sept-Dec Term 2Jan-Apr
Study Forum: Mastering Study
- Techniques for Success
This weekly A Level enrichment is open to students of all subjects looking to refine their study skills, improve revision techniques, and enhance their academic performance. Through collaborative sessions, we’ll explore effective learning strategies, time management, and memory techniques to help you study smarter, and more effectively. Whether you want to boost your confidence, optimise your revision, or develop new approaches to learning, this is the perfect space to build lifelong skills for academic success.
Any Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
The Cut Magazine
The Living Gallery Project: Transformation
Passionate about film and journalism? The Cut Magazine is a new A Level publication dedicated to all things cinema. This weekly enrichment offers the chance to contribute reviews, features, creative and journalistic articles, photography, and artwork, shaping a magazine that celebrates film in all its forms. Whether you’re a writer, critic, designer, or film enthusiast, this is your opportunity to develop your skills, share your voice, and be part of an exciting student-led project.
Take part in a unique cross-arts project exploring the theme of transformation. Collaborate with students across Fine Art, Graphics, Photography, Fashion, Drama, Dance, Music, Film and Creative Writing to create original work that fuses visual art, performance, sound, and storytelling. The project culminates in The Living Gallery - an immersive, interactive exhibition where your creative contributions come to life in a one-of-akind live event. MUST be willing to create outside of session.
The Social Experiment Podcast Aims to target A-Level students who want to see the world through a critical lens. From viral TikTok trends to blockbuster films, celebrity scandals to social movements, we break down the forces shaping popular culture - examining how power, identity, and inequality play out in the media we consume every day.
Join us as we apply key social science theories to real-world events, challenge mainstream narratives, and explore the hidden structures behind what we call “culture.” If you are enthusiastic in questioning the status quo, The Social Experiment Podcast will sharpen your sociological imagination and make you see society in a whole new way.
Think critically. Challenge norms. Stay woke.
The Vampire: Fact & Fiction
From the chilling folklore of Eastern Europe to the brooding gothic figures of classic literature and the glittering immortals of modern cinema, the vampire has evolved across history, culture, and storytelling. This weekly A Level enrichment invites you to sink your teeth into the origins, tropes, and transformations of the vampire, analysing its enduring appeal through historical, artistic, literary, and cinematic lenses. Through a mix of written texts and video depictions, we will trace the evolution of this fascinating figure, exploring themes of fear, desire, power, and the supernatural.
Film Studies, Media Studies, English Language, English LangLit, English Literature, History, Fine Art, Graphics, Photography
English Language, English LangLit, English Literature, Fine Art, Photography, Graphics, Drama and Theatre Studies, Music/Music Tech, Textiles, Dance, Film Studies
Sociology, Psychology, Criminology, Law, Biology
Term 2Jan-Apr
English Language, English LangLit, English Literature, Film Studies, Media Studies, History, Drama and Theatre Studies
Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
Term 1Sept-Dec
Unbelievable but True: The Stories They Didn’t Teach You in School
Wednesday Running Club
Zoological Society
This enrichment will explore a variety of different stories each week that will broaden student’s awareness of the world around them and cover interesting, topical issues that have not been looked at before. The influence for each session will be a non-fiction book that delves into topics varying from corporate mishaps, amazing historical events, bizarre true crime cases and even mind-blowing scientific insights to name but a few. This will be very much done in layman’s terms so please do not worry about being a specialist in any of these areas in particular. Each session uncovers a gripping true story that challenges perspectives, sparks debate, and deepens critical thinking.
Open to students with some pre-existing fitness, weekly 5 - 10km runs on a variety of routes and surfaces, e.g. along the canal.
Are you interested in working with animals or in the field of conservation? Zoological Society will look to develop your skills and experience within these areas. This is suitable for students wanting to pursue careers in veterinary science, animal science or conservation and ecology. We will look to combine classroom sessions, practical field work and trips to enhance your animal experiences. You will produce a portfolio of your experiences for use at university interviews
Any Term 1Sept-Dec
Term 2Jan-Apr
Any All Year
Biology, Environmental Science, Geography
Term 2Jan-Apr
Burnley College Sixth Form Centre, Princess Way, Burnley, BB12 0AN
01282 733333 (Course Information) 01282 733373 (General Information)
EMAIL WEBSITE
www.burnley.ac.uk ADDRESS TELEPHONE
s.services@burnley.
