Hundreds of teenagers have once again descended on Cambridge to take part in the University’s increasingly successful summer schools.
Hundreds of teenagers have once again descended on Cambridge to take part in the University’s increasingly successful summer schools.
From now until the middle of August, various courses are on offer as part of a programme aimed at attracting the brightest and best who might not otherwise consider coming to Cambridge.
It was back in 1998 that the first summer school was organised in partnership with the Sutton Trust. Since then the scheme has grown in both scope and popularity.
Sir Peter Lampl, the founder and Chairman of the Sutton Trust, wanted to tackle the criticism that universities such as Oxford and Cambridge were only for the privileged few.
“One of the first things we did,” Sir Peter explained, “was to begin a programme of summer schools aimed at dispelling these myths. As a result, thousands of students who might not otherwise have done so have gone on to gain a place at a top-ranked university and thrived there.”
One of those students is Phil Horler, who has just completed his third year as an engineering undergraduate. “I wanted to get a feel for what Cambridge was all about,” he explained, when asked why he had attended an engineering summer school. “It helped me make the decision to apply to the University.”
Phil is now helping out on this year’s Further Education summer school, with 60 students based at Fitzwilliam College. “With so much packed into one week, the school can be quite intensive,” Phil said, “but it gives the students a good idea of how demanding Cambridge can be.”
Quiz nights, punting on the Cam, barbecues, and an end of school dinner are just some of the highlights of a week that gives participants a full flavour of Cambridge undergraduate life.
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