Published at 15:40, Wednesday, 28 July 2010

WEST Cumbrian sixth formers took the university trip of a lifetime this month when they went to The Queen’s College, Oxford.

Title
Author
Copyright

Description

Twenty of the area’s brightest students from five secondary schools were wined and dined by the university after revisiting its historic links with West Cumbrian schools.

The college was founded in 1341 by West Cumbrian Robert de Eglesfield (Eaglesfield), whose aim was of an establishment of fellows, chaplains, ‘poor boys’ and various officials and servants.

Membership was open and with a preference for students living in Cumberland. Since then the university has re-affirmed links with sixth forms in the area and the students jumped at the opportunity to get a taste of life as Queen’s College students and to discover what is needed to apply to one of the most prestigious universities in the world.

The trip was organised by the West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre and included students from St Benedict’s School, Whitehaven School and the West Lakes Academy in Copeland and St Joseph’s School and Netherhall School in Allerdale.

Kevin Green, head of sixth form at the West Cumbria Catholic Sixth Form Centre, responded to a letter from Dr Charlie Louth, admissions tutor, inviting students to visit and stay overnight.

He said the college has recently been re-designated by the university to deal with all Oxford-related enquiries from Cumbria and the three-day trip was a fantastic experience for the students.

“It gave the students a great insight into how the Oxford colleges work and particularly what The Queen’s College can offer,” Mr Green said.

“The students were treated to a two-night stay at the college in the historic halls of residence which date back to 1341.

“They were given advice on how to apply through the various colleges and even given tips on how to improve their interviewing and application techniques.

“They got the chance to sit through tutorials and just get an overall feel for the university and what life is like as a student.

“We have connections as a sixth form with Cambridge colleges but this time it was great to strengthen links with an Oxford-based college. It all helps to raise the aspirations of the students and widen the net for them academically.”

The trip was part funded by Aimhigher Cumbria.

Sixth-formers Jenny Carroll, Megan Taylor and Bryony Chambers all went on the trip spending three days at Oxford.

The high achievers all have aspirations to go on to university after their A-levels and said the college trip really helped put student life into perspective for them.

Jenny, 17, from Egremont, said: “As soon as we landed everyone was very welcoming – we were shown round the university and then taken to the main hall for dinner. It is such an impressive place purely because of its age – it’s very grand but still manages to maintain a friendly atmosphere.

“I’m studying biology, chemistry, physics and maths so on the second day I made sure I visited the medical building as that’s I hope to study at university.

“I also looked round the college’s other buildings just to get a feel of the place. We got the chance to sit in lectures and got some pretty valuable advice from the staff there. We were told everything we needed to know about going to university and what we could expect when our time came. It was nice having the opportunity to speak to other students.

“Although I don’t plan to apply to Queen’s College, I know the whole experience has helped me in my application process.”

Megan Taylor, 17, of St Bees, said the trip was ideal for experiencing life in a city. “The atmosphere, not only at the university but everywhere we explored, was fantastic,” she said. “You felt like a real student taking in the sights of Oxford.

“It was such a welcoming place and somewhere I could see myself studying. The second night we were there we went punting on the river which was great fun. Then we spent the rest of the night chilling out and exploring. I wasn’t expecting to like it there as it’s an Oxford college with an excellent reputation but I soon got the feeling it was somewhere I fit in.

“I’m studying chemistry, biology, maths and geography and like Jenny, I also want to study medicine.”

Bryony Chambers, 17, of Cleator Moor, was also taken in by Oxford. She is interested in studying law at university but is still keeping her options for the moment.

“I loved the atmosphere from the whole trip – the city was a lovely place and a nice size,” she said. “It was a very friendly place, from the locals to the students. I loved the college as well as it was so impressive from the outside yet really modern once you got inside.

“The students were all so helpful and were there to answer anything you wanted to know. It was great to get their perspective on things seen as they’ve already done everything we are now facing.

“It was nice mixing with the other sixth formers from Whitehaven School and spending time with our own teachers on a more informal basis.

“I’m studying French, history, English Language and geography at sixth form and a law course is a possibility for me. Although I have looked into courses at Liverpool, I’m still keeping my options open and considering other universities as well.

“I think the main benefit of the trip for me was the fact that Oxford became a place that we could all see ourselves studying – our teachers and the university staff showed us it was somewhere that was achievable for us.

“It’s definitely helped us all when it comes to university advice and guidance. And I would say to any student that the best possible thing they can do is go and see as many different universities as possible – it’s only then that you get a true feel of a campus and its surrounding city.”

Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk