2013 Teachers' Conference inspires and encourages

Ten years ago Dr Robert Henderson held admissions interviews for Emmanuel College in a house shared with third year undergraduates.

The students who lived in the house tried to make the waiting area more friendly. They bought a pink fluffy hippo and put it on the chair on the downstairs landing.

There were two sorts of candidates, Dr Henderson found. Those who picked up the hippo, put it on the floor, and sat on the chair, and those who waited next to the chair, looking at the hippo with suspicion.

“I believe there are Cambridge graduates in their 30s saying to each other, “thank God I passed the hippo test!” he told his audience of 180 state school teachers from across the UK.

Of course, there is no devious hippo test, and no rugby ball challenge, and no newspaper waiting to be set on fire. The state school teachers, who had come to Cambridge for the 2013 Teachers Conference, were advised that the only thing an applicant should expect at their interview is to be asked subject-focused questions to which they don’t immediately know the answer, and that they should be prepared to think out loud while tackling the question.

The interview workshop, delivered by Dr Robert Henderson, Senior Tutor and Admissions Tutor for Science, Emmanuel College, and Dr Sam Lucy, Admissions Tutor for Newnham College, was the final session in a three-day programme designed to give teachers the latest information about the University’s application and selection processes, and to offer an insight into student life at Cambridge through staying and dining in a Cambridge College.

Louise Rodgers and Dominic Sinnett travelled from Leeds to take part in the Conference.

“The 2011 Conference was extremely useful, for practical tips about interviews, and the contacts with the Colleges,” said Louise, Head of 6th Form at Lawnswood School, Leeds.  “The main benefit for me this time has been the confirmation that I’m doing the right thing for my students.  It’s just as important to check that you are doing it right as it is to learn new things.”

“It has been good to experience the sincerity of the University’s commitment to reaching out,” said Dominic, Director of 6th Form at St Mary’s, Menston.  “The academics have been clear about what they are looking for – and about the fact there are no tricks!

“We want the same thing -  students who are engaged, and knowledgeable, and who are encouraged to love learning, and who think creatively and discuss ideas.

“The Conference has given me clarity about what I am trying to achieve, and ideas to take back to school. It’s been an opportunity to remember what matters in education.”

Alison Haselden, Year Manager at St Wilfrid’s C of E Academy, Blackburn, is also back at the Conference for the second time.

“I wanted to come back to reinforce what I’d learnt in 2011, and to pick up on the finer details."

For Alison, the Conference is an opportunity for working with others. “The opportunity to talk to the academics and get their views on recent developments as well as the concerns that we share, and talking to other schools – it’s a unique atmosphere and opportunity.

“I feel able to go home and empower my students and able to raise the aspirations of all students in our Academy.”

Faheem Khan, Advanced Skills Teacher at Woodbridge High School, also felt that the information that was shared at the Conference would empower the students at his school.

"It's clear that the only requirement Cambridge have is that pupils be dedicated to academia, achieve extremely well and have a persevering passion for their subject. There is not a specific type of student, one with a particular background or set of life experiences that they are looking for – a point which was supported by the admissions data they shared with us.”

“Cambridge really is an option for so many different types of pupils across a range of academic disciplines; and I know that at our fully comprehensive school, our highest achieving pupils will once again be aiming to secure places for next autumn; further motivated by the success of some of our current year 13 pupils, who will soon be starting their studies at Cambridge."

“This is a powerful message for me to take back to our pupils – to inspire them, and to help them believe that studying at Cambridge is a very real possibility, and one that they can seize!”

Dr Mike Sewell, Director of Admissions for the Cambridge Colleges, said “There has been an invigorating buzz throughout the whole event, sustained by the commitment and thoughtful engagement of the teachers.

“We hope they will take home to their students the message that Cambridge is a welcoming, accessible and friendly place to study as well as an exciting one rich with academic opportunities, and that the chance come and study here is open to all with the ambition and aptitude.

“The Conference has helped us to begin new conversations and strengthen existing relationships. We look forward to keeping these lines of communication flowing openly and freely in the future.”

• The 2013 Teachers’ Conference was supported by The Sutton Trust and Cambridge International Examinations.