“Elevating Excellence made me feel more confident about what to do after school.” Student
“[Elevating Excellence] grew my confidence in my ability.” Student
“[Elevating Excellence] educated me on my future options and was an enjoyable experience.” Student
“I want to reach a higher level of education and be an expert in my field.” Student on their future plans
“ [The programme] has given me an idea for options on the future and helped me make up my mind.” Student
“It’s fantastic for them to experience what future life would actually be like. Reading books or watching videos only gets them so far, but going allows them to feel it!” Teacher
“The range of trips was great and offered an insight into a range of possibilities and experiences that these students can achieve.” Link staff
“Elevating Excellence is a great programme for our students as it provides a range of high quality sessions and activity that gives opportunity for prolonged critical thinking and allows students to explore destination options.” Teacher
One of the key visits on the Elevating Excellence programme is to Exeter College, the fourth oldest college of Oxford University, which is the oldest university in the UK.
This year all three groups of Yr 10 Elevating Excellence students visited on the same day for a jam-packed experience of this prestigious university.
Exeter college is spread over two sites; the students’ day began with an introduction to Oxford University and Exeter College, delivered at the newer Cohen Quad site. This gave young people an overview of Oxford University and how it might be different to other universities. The young people also had the chance to ask questions of two current Exeter college students and made the most of the opportunity, asking a wide variety of well thought out questions.
Following this, students embarked on a tour of the college, predominantly the Turl Street site, which has been part of the original college since 1315. The walk between the two sites allowed students to glimpse some of the better-known sites of Oxford and a range of different university buildings, illustrating to them the concept of Oxford as a university city. By seeing one of the 43 colleges that make up the university, young people got a glimpse into student life at Oxford and were able to observe students going about their daily lives.
After lunch, which was provided by the college, the young people could choose one of three taster sessions, each with a different focus: arts-, science-, or maths-based. Students particularly enjoyed the maths workshop, describing it as interesting, fun and interactive. The academic delivering the workshop presented a racing car scenario to demonstrate the use of maths formulas to work out the fastest route for their cars around the track. The member of SBY staff with them described it as, “more exciting than the real racing!”
The young people really enjoyed the visit with one student saying, “it was interesting to find out more about Oxford Uni and learn what a students’ life looks like”.
SBY really values the day that Exeter College prepared for us, and we look forward to returning next year!
