Q-XTRA: Connect
The Art Pop-Up Shop is a student-led initiative designed to provide a professional platform for creative individuals to showcase and sell their work. This independent project offers students real-world experience in entrepreneurship, spanning product development, cost management, and retail sales. Participation is open to all Year 1 and Year 2 students across all creative disciplines. We invite students with a passion for producing high-quality, unique items—such as jewellery, handmade cards, textiles, and ceramics—to enrol for this opportunity. We aim to host three pop-up shops throughout the academic year. In partnership with Eastleigh Borough Council, these events will be held at The Point, allowing students to sell their work alongside established local artists in a safe and inspiring community setting.
Length: All Year, Weekly Meetings
An extension and creative opportunity for ambitious art students to support and enrich progression to the Foundation Diploma in Art and Design and competitive university courses. Expect to learn how to construct a portfolio for university and work experience. You will be provided with example interview questions and practice articulation skills.
Length: All Year, Y2 Only
Interested in understanding the psychology of wellbeing and how to introduce more positive emotions into your life? BrainWaves is for YOU! Learn about the Teenage Brain, how key hormones and sleep impact the brain and your wellbeing. Learn strategies to manage stress, how to talk to a friend about mental health and how to boost your mood. BrainWaves uses cutting edge research with thousands of young people to create a curriculum where you will learn how you can manage your own wellbeing and become more resilient.
Length: 6 Weeks, throughout the Year. Open to both Y1 & Y2.
There is no guarantee that this Q-Xtra could lead to you becoming rich, but it will help you make more educated financial decisions in the future. If you want to learn about investing in shares quoted on the stock market, buying assets and real as well as virtual currencies then this is for you. During these sessions you will be taught a few trading fundamentals and invest virtual money, tracking your progress over that period.
Length: 10 Weeks
Develop the skills to lead teams and manage projects. Learn how to be a successful, authentic leader in an ever changing business environment.
Length: April to June
Designed for students who want to turn a business idea into reality — or discover one. You don’t need to have an idea before you begin; we start by helping you generate and shape a concept that excites you. The programme then guides you through every step of launching a business, from researching customers and developing a brand to understanding finance and planning day-to-day operations. You will also have the opportunity to sell their products or promote their services at our on campus business pop-ups, gaining real-world experience and confidence.
Length: 6 Weeks
Develop your entrepreneurial, business, leadership and employability skills by working in a small group or as an individual entrepreneur to write a business plan, secure a no-risk loan, intensely trade and compete against other young people in the nationally recognised Peter Jones Foundation Tycoon Programme.
Length: 1 term, 1.5 hrs per week.
Intended for those planning to study Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science at university. An opportunity to work with like minded students developing a host of skills in preparation for the Admissions tests and interviews.
Length: 1.5 hours/week, All Year
Be the start of a revolution at Barton Peveril by designing, creating and establishing the vegetable / fruit plot and growing garden at the College. There is the College greenhouse and patio that will be re-appropriated to grow organic fruit and vegetables for the College Community, encouraging new and inventive ways of growing plants in unconventional areas.
Length: All Year
You’ll have the opportunity to trial a wide range of assistive technologies enabling you to become a confident, independent student.Develop your oracy skills exploring a range of topics. Can you put together a convincing argument? Can you rebut the opposition’s points? Stretch your thinking and see things from a new perspective. Excellent preparation for university interviews.You’ll have the opportunity to trial a wide range of assistive technologies enabling you to become a confident, independent student.
Length: All Year
The Duke of Edinburgh Award is internationally recognised as a mark of achievement; respected by universities and employers. The College supports Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. There are four sections: Volunteering, Physical, Skills and the Expedition. At Gold there is an additional residential section. Each section is of varying increasing length and commitment depending on the award chosen. At Barton other Q-Xtras can be used alongside D of E for the sections.
Length: Over 2 Years non-timetabled
Additional cost: DofE Registration is £30.50 for Bronze and Silver, and £37.50 for Gold. Plus the extra cost of practical and actual expeditions.
This Q-Xtra will show you how to search for apprenticeships, placements and jobs, as well as how to stand out from other applicants. You’ll create/update your CV, take part in a mock assessment centre and have a mock interview.
Length: 6 Weeks
Considering a Career in Education? Our Q-xtra provides a unique insight into the world of teaching, whether your interest lies in Primary, Secondary, Sixth Form, or Special Educational Needs. You’ll develop essential teaching skills through engaging taught sessions and put your skills into practice with a placement in a school.
Length: All Year. 1.5 hours per week when in college. 3 hours per week
when on placement.
All students on the Health & Social Care courses are required to carry out a placement as part of their course. Time will be allocated to your timetable for this to take place.
Gain a foundational understanding of mental health and wellness. Over six weeks, you will examine various conditions and how they are classified and diagnosed via the DSM. Most importantly, these sessions nurture empathy while providing you with actionable skills for self-care and helping others. This Q-Xtra aims to break down stigmas and foster open dialogue to enrich your educational journey.
Length: 1.5 hours per week, 6 weeks
All students are required to carry out a placement. Sessions will be added to your timetable where you can use the time to prepare/search for a placement or attend a weekly placement. If you are not attending a weekly placement then we recommend that you arrange a placement for the following dates:
- 21st – 23rd June
- 7th – 9th July
- 7th – 9th September
More information: Finding a Placement
This is an impactful community outreach programme run in partnership with Solent Mind, the region’s leading mental health charity. The initiative bridges the gap between mental health advocacy and education, offering students a unique opportunity to build specialised knowledge, develop vital professional skills and make a tangible difference in the local community. This project is an excellent stepping stone for students aiming for careers in teaching, youth work, counselling or community development. Available to Y1 primarily studying Health & Social Care.
Length: 8 Weeks
Want to be a Student Leader? A Changemaker? Why not sign up for the Student Leadership Programme? Take part in a day’s Student Leadership UNLOC Bootcamp including: interactive workshops on effective project planning; collecting and representing opinion; confidence and public speaking; designing effective campaigns; communication and working as a team and reporting back. You’ll later help facilitate a learner voice conference where students will openly discuss any issues they are facing, identify what they would like addressed and then be part of finding and supporting the solutions alongside senior managers. Beyond discussing College life, key foci for the conference could include sustainability, social mobility or social action/community initiatives. Help make a difference! You will have the opportunity to join the Sustainability Committee or Campaigns Committee and become part of the College’s Student Union.
Length: All Year. 1.5 hours per week.
STEM ambassadors play a crucial role in inspiring the next generation to pursue STEM subjects. This voluntary role involves various activities such as interacting with students at Barton Peveril on designated days, going into school and providing tutoring for year 10 and 11 students preparing for their GCSEs, and participating in after-school science clubs. It’s a wonderful opportunity to give back and motivate more students to pursue STEM subjects.
Length: All Year, 1.5 hrs per week
Students represent the College at Open Evenings, school assemblies and careers events. Individuals gain valuable experience in marketing, public speaking and customer service whilst sharing their experiences and knowledge of Barton Peveril with the wider community.
Length: 12 Weeks, 1.5 hrs per week
Are you passionate about making a difference and representing Barton Peveril College in the wider community? This is a fantastic chance to develop your communication and leadership skills, become a positive role model, and help foster strong, lasting relationships between the college and our local area.
Length: All Year
Students who volunteer in the library will be involved in a range of activities including shelving, reviewing and exploring books and resources for their subjects, and assisting with digital resources and eBooks. Library volunteers will also have the option to work on design and branding with digital tools to create promotional materials and learn skills in this area.
Length: Termly
Would you like to give something back to the school you attended or another primary or secondary school? Acting as a role model – assisting teachers, supporting individuals, helping young children to read, assisting in after school clubs or sporting activities. Sign up for this Q-Xtra and join the college’s growing number of student ambassadors.
Length: All Year, 1.5 hrs per week
Make a difference to local lives by volunteering at our College Pantry/Foodbank. Foodbanks provide essential support to individuals and families facing hardship in our community, and your help can be invaluable. Whether you are sorting donations, overseeing foodbank opening hours, packing parcels, or assisting with distribution, every hour you give directly contributes to ensuring no one in our area goes hungry. It’s a rewarding opportunity to show compassion, support a critical local service, and truly impact those in need.
Length: All Year