Our year 10 and 12 learners joined a number of their peers from local schools on a trip to Gonville and Caius, one of the Cambridge colleges. The learners were treated to a talk on the university application process with a focus on Oxbridge and their requirements which included pointers on how to stand out from the crowd by going beyond the curriculum and showing admissions officers that you can read, study and take part in activities related to your subject choices. Learners also gained valuable advice on writing personal statements and the benefits of investing in super curricular activities. 

The learners were given a tour of the college, which was where Sir Stephen Hawking carried out his lectures and supervision sessions with undergraduates and then had lunch in the refectory – with many of the learners noting the similarity with Hogwarts! All we were missing was the Sorting Hat! During the tour, and throughout the day, learners had the opportunity to ask questions and gain insight into what it's like learning in Cambridge and what it takes to earn a place at such a prestigious university. 

"The opportunity to engage with the Cambridge academic environment has greatly motivated our learners," shared our Resident Poet Lewis, "It’s clear that they now see what's possible for them and are energised to reach for those heights in their future academic endeavours." 

During the afternoon, year 10 learners were taken to The Whipple Museum, named after the person who donated his collection of scientific equipment. Of particular interest was the history of how textbooks have changed the way that anatomy is presented even though the most modern textbook was dated from the 1960s! Our year 12 learners enjoyed a psychics and humanities lecture, gaining insight into an element of the university teaching experience.

This experience will no doubt instil in our learners the drive and determination to excel in their studies and aspire to higher academic achievement. 

"I thought that trip was incredibly valuable as it gave me expert insight into the Gonville and Caius College campus and how being a real student at Cambridge would be like. I enjoyed the Physics Lecture provided at the end about Dark Matter as it was quite thought-provoking, and it felt like a real lecture that I would experience if I were to study at Cambridge. The organisers were also very warm and welcoming and were open to all our questions," Shreya, year 12 learner.