Six student volunteers have paid a visit to 25 schools in and around Middlesbrough to talk to Year 10 school students about studying at University as part of the College's 'Access Bus'. Due to Covid restrictions it is the first time since 2019 that the initiative has been able to run. The students, along with Outreach Officers Ellie Nethaway and Tansy Wickham, covered topics including subject choices, student finance, career prospects, extra-curricular options and the process of applying to University.
Admissions Tutor Zoe Adams said:
We estimate that during that week we have engaged with 500 students and at least 25 members of staff at local schools. Our volunteer student helpers have once again shown that students at King’s are incredibly generous when it comes to giving their time and energy to outreach activities.
This week also sees the return of our Residential programme in collaboration with Christ’s College, which affords high-achieving Year 12 students from schools with a low Oxbridge progression rate the opportunity to come for an overnight stay and to talk to current students about their experience of applying to and studying at Cambridge. Outreach Officer Ellie has also just concluded two exciting initiatives aimed at Year 10 and Year 12 students in our link areas in Yorkshire and the North East. The Year 10 programme included a range of introductory sessions to which many King's Fellows contributed, while the Year 12 programme involved a series of subject-specific masterclasses and talks designed to "myth-bust" the application process and student finance – all of which were enthusiastically embraced.
As for our offer-holders, we have been able to hold some virtual sessions in order to make them feel less nervous, and more excited, about joining us in October. Many of these offer-holders are currently receiving private tutoring, funded by King's, to help them meet the conditions of their offer. This additional support doesn't stop when students arrive at King's; the College continues to provide tutoring for eligible students and additional support to ensure that all students are able to flourish and make the most of their time at King’s.
In addition to all this work, the College is also developing new resources to help students to master the skills they might require to do well in admissions tests and interviews. This is designed to ensure that students who come from under-resourced schools are not disadvantaged during the application process and can access the sort of help in their preparation that other applicants may receive from their school as standard.
Finally, as always, we will be participating in Target Oxbridge this year again, the University Open Days throughout July and September, and will be running our fifth Open Day for Ethnic Minority students in June.
