"Three of our current students came with me on the trip. Helena Blair, Alex Shellum and Naomi Clothier have all just finished their second year at the college. All three went to state schools before coming to Cambridge and were keen to share their experiences with other state school students.
“During our time in Doncaster and Rotherham we spoke to 370 students from 11 different state schools in the area over 4 days. It was an extremely enjoyable trip and I am already looking forward to visiting again in 2014!
“On our first morning we visited Ridgewood School in Doncaster. We spoke to all of the school’s year 12 students about making university decisions, particularly focusing on choosing the right course for you – something that you enjoy and are passionate to study for three (or possibly more!) years.
“The student ambassadors contributed to the talks, and in this particular session shared their own personal experiences of choosing what to study, making an application, and how they have adapted to being more independent since moving away to study at Cambridge.
“We also visited Don Valley Academy as part of our time in Doncaster. We spoke to 16 of their brightest year 10 students about the advantages of attending a top institution like Cambridge, and how to make informed subject choices over the coming years. The group was really enthusiastic and asked us good questions about going to university.
“We spent our final two days in Rotherham, which included a visit to Wath Comprehensive School to speak to some of their year 12 students. Chris Orwin, a former student of the school, joined us for this session. Chris went on to study French and Italian at St. Catharine’s College in 2009.
“Chris told me “It was great to go back to my old schools and share my experience - it helps to show that Oxford and Cambridge really aren’t exclusive. I hope these visits inspire many more students to apply over the next few years.”
The student ambassadors and I thoroughly enjoyed our time in Doncaster and Rotherham this July. We hope that the Schools Tour gave them an insight to life and study at University more generally, as well as at Cambridge.”
Ellen Slack is the Schools Liaison Officer at Homerton College. Along with three student ambassadors from the college, she visited schools in Doncaster and Rotherham this July. This is her diary.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.