Two Days at Corpus Christi College
In April, 16 Year 12 students from our Future Leader schools had the exciting opportunity to experience life at Corpus Christi College. We welcomed students from Newcastle Sixth Form, Longbenton High School, Sprowston Community Academy, Ark Alexandra Academy, The Chalks Hills Academy, The Shared Learning Trust and The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College. Students were thrilled to delve into the subjects of Maths and Physics in a university setting, ask questions to current university students, engage with admissions staff, and meet each other!
In collaboration with, and generously supported by, Corpus Christi College and MathWorks, students joined a range of sessions that offered insight into subjects such as Maths and Natural Sciences at university. Many students had never visited Cambridge before, so this experience helped them to picture themselves studying there.
The Corpus Christi admissions staff offered guidance on the University of Cambridge application process and suggested events and activities that would enhance students’ applications. This included ‘super-curricular’ activities, such as listening to podcasts about course subjects or considering setting up subject-focused problem-solving groups. Students were then taken on a tour of the Corpus Christi College grounds, led by current student ambassadors, and later attended an inspiring talk from Professor David Abrahams on ‘What’s folding paper got to do with sequences and series?’. Students were immersed in university life, eating their meals in the College dining hall, as they would as undergraduate students, and staying in College accommodation.
Students listening to a talk about the admission process to the University of Cambridge.
On day 2, we spent the morning taking part in Maths and Physics sessions, led by academics from Corpus Christi. The sessions offered students, many of whom are studying Maths and Physics, an insight into what the subjects look like at undergraduate level. The students had the opportunity to test their knowledge and skillsets using Isaacs Physics, a project designed to offer support and activities in physics problem-solving. This is a free platform available to all students, to help them build on their super-curricular knowledge. Students said that this session in particular challenged them to work collaboratively with each other and the academics, it was wonderful to hear the buzz of many groups working together!
Students talking to a member of the Corpus Christi team and a Student Ambassador
Perhaps the most valuable aspect of the residential was the bespoke advice on university applications offered to each student on a 1-2-1 basis. The admissions team ensured they had bespoke conversations with each student, to consider the best routes for applications and courses to consider, based on their needs and interests.
"Residentials like this are important because they help to increase students' academic and personal skills, support the feeling of belonging at university and encourage the development of wider social networks, building social capital. We deliver them in partnership with universities and funders that share our vision and values and are incredibly grateful to Corpus Christi College and MathWorks for their brilliant support" Gaby Sumner, Chief Executive.
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