A girls’ school in Clapton will participate in a programme designed to “inspire and support state school students” in applying to Oxford University.
The three-year programme, organised by New College, kicked off last week at Clapton Girls’ Academy (CGA) with a talk aimed at dispelling myths about studying at Oxford. In particular, some high-achieving girls “don’t feel like they will fit in” and believe that “Oxford and Cambridge are for other people,” says Victoria Reed, Director of Sixth Form and Assistant Head at CGA.
No CGA pupils were admitted to Oxford or Cambridge last year. CGA has been chosen as one of 21 state schools nationally to take part in the scheme.
“We want our girls to be able to gain confidence in their own abilities and be aspirational about their choices of university in the future,” said Victoria Reed, Director of Sixth Form and Assistant Head at CGA.
In January, 40 Year 11 pupils with high academic potential will be visiting New College, Oxford, to attend lectures and have lunch with professors.
Misha Tope, Outreach and Communications Officer at New College, said the college was “delighted” with the project’s enrollment so far, and it hopes to “help underrepresented groups make a competitive application to top universities.”
“We have a very diverse group of girls studying at Clapton and we wanted to raise aspirations amongst all groups of students, no matter what their past family experience of university has been,” Ms Reed said.
‘Step Up’ visited Clapton Girls’ Academy today! ‘Step Up’ is New College Oxford’s outreach initiative. The programme is designed to inspire and support state school students throughout Years 11-13 and offered a great insight into life at @UniofOxford #stepup pic.twitter.com/a5Qh3AyQHq
— ClaptonGirls’Academy (@ClaptonGA) October 5, 2018
