JLC takes Isle school pupils to the University of Cambridge

The visit included pupils from a wide range of schools from the local area including The Axholme Academy, South Axholme Academy, Winterton Community Academy, Huntcliff School, Saint Bede’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, The St. Lawrence Academy, Outwood Academy Brumby, Frederick Gough School and Melior Community Academy

“(The trip aimed to) raise aspirations for local school children and widen participation to make universities more accessible,” commented John Leggott College’s Schools Liaison Officer Vic Boreham.

Former JLC student Rebecca Blaylock, now the Schools Liaison Coordinator at the University of Cambridge, hosted the tour of the prestigious Russell Group University welcoming pupils from her home town with an introduction to student life and offered them invaluable advice about their options beyond school.

“The uniqueness of Cambridge University is the (opportunitiy to have) one-to-ones with specialist teachers who are experts in their field,” said Rebecca.

Having studied at the college the pupils hope to progress to, Rebecca spoke about her time at John Leggott College, “(JLC offers) a really good transition between school and university, as it teaches you valuable independent skills for when you go to university”.

The school pupils who ventured down to Cambridge as part of JLC’s widening participation tour are coming to the end of Year 10 and will be considering their options when they return in September.

Karen Glynn, Careers Advisor at Saint Bede’s Catholic Voluntary Academy, hoped that the pupils would gain an insight into the University of Cambridge.

“Knowing it’s not easy to get into Oxbridge, beyond getting good grades, (it is important) to know the degree (pupils want to progress to) inside out and to research the degree (they choose)” she said.

South Axcholme pupil Melanie, 15, from West Stockwith said her day at Cambridge was “quite incredible, eye-opening and gave me a taste of what it will be like”.