Students Set Sights On Cambridge University

Picture caption: L-R Students Simran Aujla, 17, George Searle, 16, Danielle Jackson, 16 and Gary Bourke, 16 with Head Teacher Stephen Curran, Bradford Council Chief Executive Tony Reeves and Director of Sixth Form Bernie Leonard

Four Cambridge University hopefuls from Tong High School (THS) in Bradford have been accepted onto a flagship scheme to shadow undergraduate students, a first for the school.

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The scheme brings high flying students from schools without a tradition of top university entry to Cambridge to give them a taste of everything they can expect from university life, including lectures, supervisions, playing sport, going shopping and socialising. As part of the initiative, students are also given information about the applications process by both students and Admissions Tutors.

The students, Simran Aujla, 17, George Searle, 16, Danielle Jackson, 16 and Gary Bourke, 16 are doing a combination of sciences, maths and psychology in their A-Levels. Simran and Danielle hope to study biology, George hopes to study physics and Gary hopes to study physical computer science. They will all visit the university for three days at the beginning of February.

The Cambridge Shadowing scheme is part of the sixth form Guidance Programme developed this academic year by Director of Sixth Form Bernie Leonard. It ensures students get a tailor made package of support to enable them to realise their full potential.

This new package of support includes a Professional Attachment Scheme and a Sixth Form Skills Programme which ensures, that in addition to gaining academic qualifications, students develop the necessary skills, knowledge and experience to help them flourish when they progress to university or the world of work.

George has even more news to celebrate as he has just secured a work placement in astrophysics at Jodrell Bank at Manchester University. He was one of only four students accepted onto the placement from across the UK.

George said: “There are a lot of opportunities to progress at Tong’s Sixth’s Form – there is a real focus on academic achievement and we’re always encouraged to push ourselves to be the best that we can be.”

Bradford Council Chief Executive Tony Reeves said: “Employers see hundreds of CVs. Obviously academic qualifications are important but extracurricular activity which tells employers more about the person is also incredibly important to employers. The Skills Programme at THS is very impressive and is a great template for other schools.”

Head Teacher Stephen Curran said: “As a school we are committed to providing our students with a stimulating learning environment in which they can flourish to meet their full potential.

“I am incredibly proud of Simran, George, Gary and Danielle for getting onto the Cambridge Shadowing Scheme. It will be hugely beneficial to them to see what they can expect from the university. It is exciting to think that these pupils could be our scientists of the future discovering and developing new technologies.”

Competition for the shadowing scheme was fierce with seven applications received for every available place. In addition to the THS students who have been accepted, four more are currently on a waiting list.