The visit in February was organised by Yewlands Technology College in Parson Cross following a successful day trip last year by Year 8 students to discover more about what higher education can offer.
Yewlands Technology College’s Teacher of Modern Languages Ali Jaffer said the students had benefited enormously from the visit, which included attending undergraduate lectures, punting on the River Cam, taking part in workshops and dining in the magnificent surroundings of Magdalene College’s formal hall.
He said: “The upshot of the trip was a step-change in aspirations for those students. They each explained what the trip had done for them and several decided that they would love to study beyond both 16 and 18 so they could access the best quality of education and the most prestigious career options after that.”
Following last year’s successful visit, the same trip was planned again for this year, with an overnight stay, but the cost of transport and accommodation meant that the school was unable to run the visit at nil cost to the students, a key element in encouraging them to participate.