Over the past few years we have cultivated a link with University College at the University of Oxford. This has led to their schools liaison officer visiting the school, sharing resources and advice with regard to higher education and, now, the opportunity to visit the College for taster days. We have recently been able to organise trips for 15 students in Year 10 last year and this year.
These are a fantastic opportunity to give some of our students a sense of the intellectual and physical environment of one of the finest universities in the world. A typical itinerary looks like this:
10:30 – Arrival and ‘Welcome to Oxford’ at University College
11.00am – ‘Oxford Explained’ Talk
12.00pm – Packed Lunch in the University College Dining Hall
12.45pm – Tour of University College
1.15pm – Q & A with current Undergraduate Students
1.45pm – Classroom activity (subject taster sessions or a facilitated trip to a museum)
2.45 – Conclusion and travel home
We have travelled on the school minibus and aim to enable all students who wish to go to have the chance of a place. When a trip comes up I ask that students send me a letter expressing their interest and in which they explain what ways they hope to benefit from the day. It has previously been a fantastic experience and we look forward to running more of these and developing our link with University College further in the coming years.