Inspiring Futures: Year 10 Visit Oxford University

Our top 15 students in Year 10, selected following their synoptic exams, recently enjoyed an inspiring visit to Worcester College at the University of Oxford. The day was hosted by Zoe Cambell and Ag Czernecka, who offered a warm welcome and a fascinating introduction to life at Oxford.

Zoe was a larger-than-life character whose energy and humour made her a captivating and friendly guide throughout the visit. Ag shared her own experiences of studying at Oxford, giving students a personal insight into the challenges and opportunities of university life. The group also had the chance to hear from other current students, who spoke honestly about their journeys and what studying at Oxford is really like.

Students had a tour of the beautiful Worcester College grounds (including around their lovely lake) and learnt about some of the unique traditions that make Oxford such a distinctive place to study, including the famous inter-college tortoise racing competition—along with the amusing solution for colleges that don’t happen to own a tortoise of their own! They also heard about one of the rarer books held in the Bodleian Library - a book about cheese MADE OF CHEESE!  One of the highlights of the day was a thought-provoking taster session led by Peter Lernyei, a current PhD law student. Through lively discussion and challenging questions, he encouraged students to think carefully about what actually counts as 'theft', sparking some excellent debate and critical thinking.  

The visit gave our Scholars’ Club students a valuable glimpse of what their own futures could hold.  It was also encouraging to learn that 72% of Worcester College students come from state schools, compared with an Oxford average of 66%, reinforcing the message that institutions like Oxford are increasingly accessible to talented students from a wide range of backgrounds.