Aim Higher/Gifted and Talented Events
Our continued commitment to Aim Higher has enabled KS4 Whitgift Students to participate in Higher Educational events both at universities around the region and here in school.
In January, Mr Mills accompanied ten of our Engineering Diploma students to Sheffield University. During the day students participated in hands on interactive laboratory experiments and had a tour of the campus.
In February, Year 10 students Holly Walton and Charlotte Johnson were selected to attend a workshop with Canadian poet Paul Sutherland at Franklin College. They studied and produced various international poetry forms, including ‘Haiku' and ‘Ringa' and were encouraged to consider social and cultural perspectives.
During the February half term break, Abbi Laverick and Aimee Gregg attended Leeds Met University for the day. Both year 11 students participated in a range of activities, including team building games, a tour of the Headingly Campus, and Ten Pin bowling at Kirkstall Leisure Park.
Our Year 9 and 10 Gifted and Talented students participated in a workshop here at Whitgift, and were visited by representatives and undergraduates from Cambridge University. Year 9 students had a seminar about studying for degrees in English and Humanities, and Year 10 students found out from undergraduates about student life at one of the most prestigious universities in England. They also learnt where many celebrities and politicians such as former Prime Minister Tony Blair and comedians Matt Lucas and David Walliams attended university, and which degrees they studied.
Just last week, four of our Year 10 students attended an Aim Higher Regional Easter School the University of York St John for a four day residential. Holly Walton, Sarah Farrell, Emma Lancaster and Charlotte Johnson had an unforgettable experience and we hope that their time in York has encouraged them to think about continuing higher education to degree level.A further twenty three Year 10 and 11 students have applied to attend Aim Higher Regional Summer Schools in July this year at Leeds Met, Leeds, York and Bradford Universities. We await news as to whether they have secured a place. Last year, ten students applied, so the increased number of applications is extremely encouraging. We wish them well in securing a place!