Oxford on the horizon

 

Over 30 of our aspirational students took a coach to Oxford last week, for a tour of Christ Church College. The trip was for students interested in STEM subjects that may want to apply to study at Oxford next year.

 

During a busy day they attended a talk by Ana Hastoy on “Oxford Explained” and a taster lecture on particle physics. There were also Q and A sessions with three tutors (biology, psychology and mechanical engineering) and students (first year medics, first and second year biologists/biochemists and a second year chemistry student.

 

 

 

Student Preena, who is studying A level biology, chemistry, mathematics and Spanish, found the day especially worthwhile

 

“I thought the trip was very insightful, and was jam-packed from start to finish with activities! It was great to learn more about the application process, as well as student life, because it made the 'unreachable' Oxbridge goal seem more realistic.

 

What I most enjoyed was our Q&A session with the undergraduate students, especially as they were all studying STEM subjects. They gave us a better idea on the types of courses and what they involve, and how they manage the intensity of academics with social life.”

 

 

Students attended a talk by Ana Hastoy on “Oxford Explained”. There was a taster lecture on particle physics, Q and A sessions with three tutors (biology, psychology and mechanical engineering) and students - first year medics, first and second year biology/biochemistry and a second year chemistry student.

 

Louis (studying chemistry, French and mathematics at Woodhouse) said, "It was a very informative trip, all of the students were extremely helpful, we were given a very comprehensive insight into life at Christ Church and into the tutoring system and interviews. I found the day extremely helpful and very inspiring. Thanks so much."

 

Students dining in the impressive Christ Church dining hall

 

Woodhouse student Mariam also thought the trip extremely helpful and said "I think it was well organised and structured to enable for the best use of time for learning about the college as possible. The best bits of the trip were being able to experience a lecture from a PhD student as it gave me a more informed opinion about how and what a student in Oxford experiences. And also the chance to have a conversation with an Oxford first year student as he was able to give me highly relatable and up to date advice, which was useful."

 

 

Accompanying Woodhouse chemistry teacher, Dr Shah, said "The library is amazing – the photo above is of one of our hosts showing the original first drawings of Alice in Wonderland – drawn by Lewis Carroll. The other items include a handwritten and hand painted book – over 800 years old with real gold used. All the books on that table were worth millions of pounds and the look on our students faces when they heard that was priceless!"

 

30 more of our students head to Oxford this week, just one of the many strands that make up our comprehensive and very successful Woodhouse Oxbridge Academy - a whole raft of workshops, trips and mock interviews that prepare our students for Oxbridge applications. 

 

This year, an incredible 28 of our students have received an Oxbridge offer for 2020.