However advanced the website, and however glossy the prospectus, there is nothing that can replace actually visiting a university yourself to get a true flavour of the place. That was the consensus of the 35 Higher Education advisers from all over the UK who took part in a conference held at Fitzwilliam College last week.

The event was spread across two days and incorporated a tour of the town and university, enabling the advisers to learn more about the Cambridge admissions and ask questions about courses on offer. Perhaps most importantly, it gave them the opportunity to get a flavour of student life at Cambridge.

Carolyn Harvey (pictured centre), who is Sixth Form Support Officer at Sawtry Community College in Huntingdon, said that the most valuable message she would take back to her students was that A-level subject choice was vital and that they should concentrate on three or four subjects – not more.

“Our students tend to put Cambridge on a pedestal and think that somehow they’re not worthy of such a prestigious and famous university – it’s a confidence problem. Now I can go back into school and tell them that they would fit in and flourish at Cambridge,” she said.

Sarah Haine (left), Student Services Leader at North Bristol Post-16 Centre, said that the conference had helped her to understand what Cambridge is looking for. “It’s useful to know that Cambridge is looking for more than straight As – it’s looking for people who’ve got the grades and go the extra mile – those who are really interested in their subject,” she said.

Michelle Marshall, Sixth Form Learning Mentor at Wickerlsey School in Rotherham, said that staying overnight at Fitzwilliam College and walking round Cambridge gave her a chance to sample the “buzz and excitement” of the place. “I’m going to be really encouraging our pupils to attend Open Days and visit Cambridge – you need to come here yourself to really get a feel for what it’s like,” she said

None of the three advisers had been to Cambridge before – and they said that it was helpful to meet others from schools in different parts of the country to exchange ideas and information.

Towards the end of the conference, the HE advisers were given a series of talks on what Cambridge offers in terms of curriculum enrichment for schools and pupils. These include the Cambridge Classics Project, Access Cambridge Archaeology, Cambridge Science Festival and Cambridge Festival of Ideas.

 

 

 

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