̽��ֱ��

̽��ֱ��18 teachers and higher education advisers were the guests of seven Cambridge Colleges: Christ’s, Downing, Homerton, Jesus, Pembroke, Peterhouse and St Catharine's. All came from state schools and colleges located within the “link areas” covered by these particular Colleges.

̽��ֱ��visitors saw a city sparkling with frost as temperatures dipped well below zero. “Walking down the passage that leads to the entrance of Jesus College with a sprinkling of snow on the ground was utterly magical,” said Jonathan Cheshire, head of year 13 at St Marylebone C of E School in central London.

“Staying overnight at Jesus College made me realise just how inspiring Cambridge is for those who study here – and what a strong sense of history and scholarship Cambridge has.”

For many participants, the visit was their first trip to Cambridge. Among them was Zoe Anderson, head of English at Kesteven and Sleaford High School in Lincolnshire.

She said: “ ̽��ֱ��conference was a great chance to get a feel for the place and find out how we should be advising students on A level subject choices. It will reinforce our message to pupils aiming for the most academic courses that they need to concentrate on traditional subjects.”

̽��ֱ��Target Teachers conference began with a dinner at St Catharine’s where participants met admissions tutors for some of the colleges. ̽��ֱ��following day the teachers had a series of talks, covering the applications process and student finance, plus tours of some of the colleges.

“ ̽��ֱ��dinner was a terrific opportunity to talk informally to admissions tutors and ask detailed questions about interviews,” said Lawrence Prior (pictured left), who teaches sociology and politics at George Spencer School in Nottingham.

“Spending just 24 hours here means I will be able to go back into school and address some of the myths about Cambridge. For example, some of our students may think that Cambridge is a place for other people, and not for them, which clearly isn’t true.”

Carol Crowley, who teaches chemistry at Franklin College in Grimsby, North Lincolnshire, said the talks had helped give her a better grasp of what admissions tutors are looking for in candidates.

“It’s important that our students realise that Cambridge is looking for more than excellent exam grades and needs evidence of real passion for the subject they are applying for. That’s the message I’ll be taking back to college,” she said.

̽��ֱ��conference was co-ordinated by Clemency Cooper, School Liaison Officer for Pembroke and St Catharine’s.

Clemency, a recent Cambridge graduate who went to a state school in Lincolnshire, said: “ ̽��ֱ��feedback we’ve had from the teachers who attended was really positive. I’m delighted that they found it helpful and hope they can pass on their enthusiasm to their students back at school.

“A important aspect of my job is to ensure that teachers are as well advised as possible on Cambridge applications because they often have a direct influence on their students’ university choices and are able to address the stereotypes that may deter some applicants.’

For details of events for schools and colleges go to /admissions/undergraduate/teachers/index.html. For a map of college link areas go to /admissions/undergraduate/arealinks/index.html.
��