Spencer Academies Trust students inspired by Oxford & Cambridge visit as offer numbers double
Students across Spencer Academies Trust have been given a powerful insight into life at two of the world’s leading universities, following a three-day Oxford and Cambridge trip that is already helping to raise aspirations.
Led by Executive Director of Post-16, Susan Sharp, the visit saw 168 students and 17 staff members travel over 650 miles to experience academic life at St Edmund Hall, Oxford, and Peterhouse, Cambridge. More than 80 of the students were from Spencer Academies Trust sixth forms, alongside learners from the wider Spires collaboration with the Redhill Trust.
During the visit, students took part in 10 university-style lectures covering a wide range of topics, including history, biology and English literature. Sessions such as “Why are we still studying Hitler?”, “Biology – size does matter” and “Shakespeare’s monsters” challenged students to think beyond the classroom, while also giving them the opportunity to handle genuine ancient Greek and Roman artefacts.
Staff reported a noticeable increase in interest in Oxbridge applications over the course of each day, with more students considering applying by the end of the trip than at the beginning.
The visit forms part of the Spires programme, an Oxbridge preparation scheme developed in partnership between Spencer Academies Trust and the Redhill Trust. The programme supports 100 Year 12 students across all six SAT sixth forms and includes regular workshops, guest speakers, university visits, and mock interview preparation.
This year, the impact of the programme has been clear. A total of 13 students across the Trust have received offers from Oxford or Cambridge - more than double last year’s figure of six. Offers span a range of competitive subjects, including Maths, English Literature, History, Economics and Medicine.
Students involved in the programme have spoken positively about its impact. George Clarkson from Arnold Hill Spencer Academy said: “The support I have received from the Sixth Form and visiting Cambridge on the programme was really inspiring and helped me to realise that applying to Maths at Oxford was worth a shot for me.”
Aryad Mohamed, also from Arnold Hill Spencer Academy, added: “Before going to Cambridge as part of the programme, I wasn't sure on where I wanted to go or what I wanted to do. This scheme helped me realise both.”
In addition, a recent online session led by successful Year 13 students provided guidance and encouragement to current Year 12 participants, helping them better understand the application process and build confidence.
Susan Sharp said: “We are thrilled at how many successful students we have had across the Trust, which has more than doubled this year. We already had a programme of support, but the new Spires programme improves this, and working with another Trust enables us to provide even wider support.”
She added: “Any student in SAT with the potential should feel confident to apply, knowing that we are here to support them through the whole process. Experiences like visiting Oxford and Cambridge help students understand what studying at one of the world’s best universities is really like, and we hope they come away inspired and more prepared than before.”
With growing participation and increasing success rates, the Spires programme continues to open doors for students across the Trust, encouraging more young people to aim high and consider applications to the UK’s most competitive universities.
