̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge - ̽��ֱ��Sutton Trust

̽��ֱ�� marks association with social mobility charity

ps748 — Tue, 07 Aug 2018 09:29:37 +0000

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the ̽��ֱ��’s association with the Sutton Trust, a charitable foundation which was set up by the philanthropist Sir Peter Lampl to promote equality in educational opportunity for all young people, regardless of their background.

Since 1998 more than 6,000 young people have attended Sutton Trust summer schools offered by the ̽��ֱ��.

More than 500 have gone on to study in Cambridge, with many more feeling inspired to apply to other Russell Group Universities.

For the first time, this year, the summer schools are taking place over 6 days - from Monday to Saturday.

When Jenny O’Sullivan came to Cambridge from Huddersfield for her first summer school in 2014 she found the experience extremely helpful in planning her degree.

This paved the way for her to read German and Spanish at King’s College, Cambridge. She’ll be volunteering as a student ambassador this summer, for the second time, offering advice to young people who she hopes will follow in her footsteps.

“Going on both of the summer schools as a student is honestly one of my happiest memories.

"I had such a good time and it made me feel like getting into Cambridge, or Oxford, was possible.

"So getting the chance to relive that and provide the experience for others from similar backgrounds is something I knew from the start I wanted to be part of.”

̽��ֱ��Sutton Trust aims to raise aspirations among pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds by providing universities with a framework to pass on practical advice on how to secure a place on a course.

Summer schools are a key component of the diverse range of work being undertaken at Cambridge to widen participation.

This has led to 64% of its new undergraduates coming from state schools, the highest rate on record.

Sutton Trust attendees on a tour of one of the Cambridge Colleges

Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Education, Professor Graham Virgo, says: “ ̽��ֱ��Collegiate ̽��ֱ�� is committed to the principle that no UK student should be deterred from applying to study at Cambridge for financial reasons.

"We’re working hard to ensure that children from disadvantaged backgrounds, who have the ability to do well, receive the support and encouragement they need in order to secure a place on one of our courses.

"We are proud of our association with the Sutton Trust which has an outstanding record in helping to raise aspirations.

"Together we have assisted thousands of young people gain access to the country’s leading Universities, and we look forward to working with the Trust in future years.”

̽��ֱ��chairman of the Sutton Trust, Sir Peter Lampl, says: “Over the past 20 years, our summer schools at Cambridge have given thousands of young people the opportunity to change their life.

"Many of our alumni have gone on to study at the best universities in the country, and secure jobs in the most competitive fields.

"We are thrilled to be in partnership with Cambridge.

"Cambridge offers unbelievable quality which we want our students to experience.

"We look forward to building on this partnership in the years to come.”

In addition to the Sutton Trust, the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge hosts other residential courses for schools, including those for Target Oxbridge, as well as various Open Days.

This summer more than 500 teenagers from under-represented and disadvantaged backgrounds will have stayed at the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge to learn more about what it’s like to study at one of its 31 Colleges. They’ll come from all corners of the UK, keen to find ways of achieving their dream of becoming an undergraduate at one of the world’s leading academic institutions.

Together we have assisted thousands of young people gain access to the country's leading Universities

Prof Graham Virgo, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor

Sutton Trust

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. Images, including our videos, are Copyright © ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge and licensors/contributors as identified. All rights reserved. We make our image and video content available in a number of ways – as here, on our main website under its Terms and conditions, and on a range of channels including social media that permit your use and sharing of our content under their respective Terms.

Yes

Supporting high-achieving black students

ta385 — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:45:00 +0000

Target Oxbridge provides 16 – 18 year old black African and Caribbean students with positive role models and practical advice. ̽��ֱ��development programme runs over the course of a year and involves residential visits and academic sessions. When they visit Cambridge, participants will have an immersive experience of life at the university, including taking part in tutorials and meeting both staff and current students.

Since 2012, 46 Target Oxbridge students have already gone on to receive offers from the two universities. Eleven former participants are currently studying at Cambridge and have welcomed the new sponsorship.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ��’s support, alongside Oxford’s, will help Target Oxbridge to expand its places from 45 to 60 in 2018, double the number available in 2016. ̽��ֱ��programme is run by Rare, a specialist diversity recruitment company, and its patron is Cambridge alumna, Zadie Smith, who has previously said:

“Going to Cambridge changed my life. Nothing I have done would have been possible without it. I want more people from backgrounds like mine to have that life-changing experience. That's what Target Oxbridge is about”.

Jon Beard, Cambridge’s Head of Undergraduate Recruitment, said:

“We’re delighted to be strengthening our relationship with Rare through our sponsorship of Target Oxbridge, and look forward to welcoming to Cambridge more of the high-achieving aspirational black students that the programme supports. ̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� and the Colleges are committed to widening participation by raising aspirations and attainment. Working with partners including the Sutton Trust, ̽��ֱ��Brilliant Club and Target Oxbridge is an important part of our approach.”

Fopé Jegede, an English student at Homerton College, said:

“Target Oxbridge helped to dispel the myths and preconceived notions I had about Cambridge and I genuinely don’t think I would have applied without the encouragement and support offered by the programme. Applying to Oxbridge is a very daunting process but studying at this university is such a unique experience. Already, my academic and personal growth during my time here has been incredible. Potential applicants should rest assured that it truly is your intellectual curiosity and potential that matters most - regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.”

Daniel Oluboyede, a Medic at Downing College, said:

“This is exciting news and a clear message that Cambridge aims to be more inclusive. Target Oxbridge was undoubtedly a major factor in getting me to Cambridge. They not only made me more confident for the application process but somehow made it an enjoyable experience too! I am confident that this partnership will make a tangible difference because of the real impact that Target Oxbridge makes in developing Afro-Caribbean students from typically less privileged backgrounds to become impressive Oxbridge Candidates.”

Imani McEwen, a Modern Languages student at Clare College, and currently on her Year Abroad in the Canary Islands, said:

“I’m absolutely thrilled. ̽��ֱ��partnership will enable lots of bright potential applicants to see that this is a place for them. When applying, Target Oxbridge certainly helped to prepare me for Cambridge life. ̽��ֱ��mentoring taught me how to engage with what I was reading and then confidently have an academic discussion about it. This was key during the interview and still is during supervisions. Definitely apply to Cambridge, your race should never discourage you because it's your ability that counts.”

Bez Adeosun, a Politics and Anthropology student at Clare College, said:

“Without Target Oxbridge, I may not have received my Cambridge offer. Their help ranged from personal statement advice, mock interviews and simply just being in contact with current students at the university. All this helped make a process that seemed so surreal to me, seem real and achievable. I would definitely encourage students to consider applying for this program as they really do care about helping young talented students get into prestigious institutions like Oxford and Cambridge.”

Michael Harvey, an Engineering student at Homerton College, said:

"Coming from a background in which you weren't expected to study at a place like Cambridge and then making it here gives a constant feeling of accomplishment. To know that you're working among some of the best thinkers of the future, to know you're at that level and to be encouraged to push even further is great. Once you're here the sky is really the limit, anything is achievable. It may seem a daunting task to get in from the outside, but anyone with the right attitude can achieve and excel here. My advice for people thinking of applying would be to put in the work because the rewards are more than worth it."

Timi Sotire, a Human, Social and Political Sciences student at Girton College, said:

"I felt very insecure and worried about applying. Being a part of the Target Oxbridge programme gave me the confidence to fully realise that I am good enough to be at a prestigious university such as this, I don’t know what I would have done without their constant support and mentoring. I hope that this partnership will encourage more people to have the confidence to apply.”

Find out more about Cambridge’s Widening Participation programmes.

̽��ֱ�� ̽��ֱ�� is sponsoring Target Oxbridge, a free programme which aims to increase successful undergraduate applications from black students.

Regardless of your social, economic or ethnic background. You do and will belong.

Fopé Jegede, undergraduate at Homerton College.

Undergraduates (L to R): Timi Sotire, Bez Adeosun, Michael Harvey, Daniel Oluboyede, Leah Grant, Fopé Jegede.

̽��ֱ��text in this work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. For image use please see separate credits above.

Yes

Cambridge ̽��ֱ�� to host free teachers conference this April

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 16:02:38 +0000

̽��ֱ��three-day conference, being held between Wednesday 17 April and Friday 19 April 2013, is for teachers and HE advisers in the UK state sector who would like up-to-date information regarding entry to and study at the ̽��ֱ��.

Caroline Baylis, Oxbridge Applicants Coordinator for Hereford Sixth Form College, attended the 2011 Teachers’ Conference. She now feels more confident about explaining the different course choices available at Cambridge, and better-informed about how AS grades and contextual data are used in the admissions selection process.

“I filled a whole notebook with notes!” Caroline said. “Some things I had heard before, but having the luxury of the dedicated time brought the whole process into better focus for me.”

“ ̽��ֱ��informal chats with sixth form colleagues are as enlightening as the formal lectures,” Caroline added. “ ̽��ֱ��ground rules in this area are changing all the time with new initiatives and rules. ̽��ֱ��Teachers’ Conference is a very useful forum to get up-to-date information and to discuss how other colleges and schools are dealing with the changes.”

As well as receiving the latest information about the ̽��ֱ��’s application and selection process, delegates will gain an insight into student life at Cambridge by staying and dining in a Cambridge College. They will also be able to ask current undergraduates about their experience of studying at Cambridge for an up-to-date student view.

̽��ֱ��2013 Teachers’ Conference is being supported by ̽��ֱ��Sutton Trust and Cambridge International Examinations.

̽��ֱ��Sutton Trust works with the Government, universities and other related organisations to research, pilot and fund initiatives aimed at improving access to universities and the professions. ̽��ֱ��Sutton Trust and the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge also work together to deliver one of the largest Summer School programmes in the UK, giving students the opportunity to experience university-style learning.

Cambridge International Examinations is the world’s largest provider of international education programmes and qualifications for 5–19 year olds. CIE qualifications are taken in over 160 countries. Part of the Cambridge Assessment Group, CIE is a not-for-profit organisation and a department of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge.

̽��ֱ��conference will be held from 5pm on Wednesday 17 April to 12.30pm on Friday 19 April 2013.

Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis

To book a place: /study-at-cambridge

State school teachers and HE advisers are invited to book their places at the 2013 Teachers’ Conference, hosted by the Colleges of the ̽��ֱ�� of Cambridge.

̽��ֱ��Teachers’ Conference is a very useful forum to get up-to-date information

Caroline Baylis, Oxbridge Applicants Coordinator, Hereford Sixth Form College

Sir Cam

Homerton College

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.

Yes

Double opportunities as Cambridge Sutton Trust summer schools increase capacity

bjb42 — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 00:00:00 +0000

All costs are covered, including transport to and from the event, meals, accommodation and all activities. Applications are now being taken for the 17 subject-specific residential courses - and those from applicants who most closely match the Priority Criteria are especially welcome.
̽��ֱ��Priority Criteria include: -

those who’ll be the first generation in their family to attend university
those who are eligible to receive EMA (Educational Maintenance Allowance)
those whose schools or colleges have little history of sending students to research-intensive universities
those who’ve achieved at least five A or A*s at GCSE

̽��ֱ��summer schools offer a unique opportunity to find out what living and studying at Cambridge is like. Participants stay in single-room student accommodation in a Cambridge College and benefit from a combination of lectures, seminars, discussion groups, practical work and of course, equally important in many respects, the social activities that university life at Cambridge offers.

Joe Fitzpatrick attended a Sutton Trust Summer School at Cambridge in July 2007 while a student at Luton Sixth Form College. He went on to successfully apply to Cambridge, and is now studying Music at Pembroke College. As a disabled student, he had particular concerns about how he’d fit in which the summer school helped him address:

“ ̽��ֱ��opportunity to meet current students, lecturers and other prospective applicants in the same predicament as me really showed me at first hand that I had nothing to worry about. Everybody involved was really supportive and friendly and I met some great people who I am still in touch with today. When I went on the Summer School I was very undecided about which subject to study at university. ̽��ֱ��chance to spend a week experiencing the content and the style of teaching of a university degree in music was extremely useful and undoubtedly played an influential role in my ultimate decision. ̽��ֱ��only bad thing about the week was that it made me want to study at Cambridge way too much!”

Chloe Stott was a student at Oldham Sixth Form College when she went on a Physics Sutton Trust Summer school. Now she’s studying Natural Sciences at Peterhouse, one of Cambridge’s oldest Colleges. She found the summer school really helpful in giving her a better understanding of Cambridge and university life generally, as no one in her family had any experience of Higher Education:

“I was a bit nervous about whether I'd fit in, but after the summer school I was sure I wanted to apply! All the students I met were lovely, everyone running the summer school was really nice and although the work was hard it was also fun and it gave you confidence in yourself when you managed to do it! We were all looked after really well - lots of food, lots of activities to do out of classes (punting, tour of the observatory, finale dinner) and the current undergraduates were approachable if you needed help with the set work.”

Several new subject combinations are being offered for this year’s Summer Schools, including Theology and Religious Studies, with Philosophy. Applicants are encouraged to consider thinking of subjects they might not have previously had the opportunity to study, such as Archaeology and Anthropology, or Psychology and Sociology. A full list of the subjects offered and further information on the Sutton Trust Summer Schools at Cambridge is available through the links at the side of the page.

Places on each subject-specific summer school are limited. Priority will be given to those who most closely match the Priority Criteria and the closing date for applications is 12th March.

̽��ֱ��number of places available on the Sutton Trust Summer Schools at Cambridge in 2010 has almost doubled, giving more year 12 students from UK state-maintained schools or colleges the opportunity to spend a week living and studying as a first-year undergraduate might at Cambridge.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Licence. If you use this content on your site please link back to this page.

Yes