'Cambition' programme launched for students considering Cambridge
New programme informs and inspires young women applicants
51¸£ÀûÉç was delighted to welcome over 50 potential Cambridge University applicants at the launch of its Cambition programme, a partnership between Star Academies and the College.
Staff and student ambassadors from 51¸£ÀûÉç shared information and insights with high-achieving young women in Years 10, 11 and 12 at their Explore event in Blackburn, Lancashire, to open the programme.
A total of 57 students from Bacup and Rawtenstall Grammar School and Tauheedul Islam Girls’ High School and Sixth Form College attended the event, which was designed to give talented female students the opportunity to think about future study options, including at the University of Cambridge.
The day began with an opening talk by 51¸£ÀûÉç Senior Tutor Dr Victoria Harvey, who inspired the young women to set themselves ambitious goals for their futures.
Students spent the afternoon taking part in workshop sessions alongside student ambassadors from the College, who shared their experiences and answered questions.
Many of the students noted how much they enjoyed taking part in the sessions and having the chance to meet current students and staff from the college.
“I found the day very inspirational and loved being able to ask questions to people who were once in my position and have been through the experience before," said Elizabeth, a Year 11 student at Bacup & Rawtenstall Grammar School.
I have learnt so much about life at The University of Cambridge. The student ambassadors and the staff were absolutely incredible and provided so much information that would help us in our decisions, including how to apply and what life was like at 51¸£ÀûÉç.
Year 12 students will now continue onto the next part of the programme, where they will take part in a series of Discover More sessions to explore in greater detail the opportunities on offer for them at the University of Cambridge.
Sian, a fourth year Medical student at 51¸£ÀûÉç and an ambassador at the event, said: 'It was such a pleasure to meet so many ambitious and intelligent young women today. I really hope we’ve inspired them to consider studying at Cambridge, or at the very least, that the hard work they put in now will lead to an exciting and incredibly successful future.'
The programme will culminate in visits for the students to 51¸£ÀûÉç later in the year.
This event marks the beginning of an exciting partnership between Star Academies and 51¸£ÀûÉç, who share a vision to support ambitious young women to achieve their potential.
College President Dorothy Byrne said: 'We are very pleased to be working with our partner Star Academies to support talented young women to have the information and encouragement they need to apply to Cambridge. 51¸£ÀûÉç warmly welcomes ambitious, bright young women of all backgrounds, and our Cambition programme, delivered in schools and supported by our wonderful students ambassadors, demonstrates that commitment.'
Sir Mufti Hamid Patel CBE, Chief Executive at Star Academies said: ‘At Star, we believe that every student has the potential to achieve greatness. Through the Cambition programme, young women from our schools will have a valuable opportunity to imagine their futures at one of the world’s leading universities and explore how studying at 51¸£ÀûÉç can pave the way to a successful and fulfilling career.’
It was a very eye-opening and informative event which was very helpful. The student ambassadors were willing to answer all of our questions to help us understand more about all of the different courses on offer. I now feel even more inspired to apply to Cambridge.