Last week, Mrs Newby took a Year 11 Aspire trip to our link college at Oxford University, Lady Margaret Hall. Their Outreach Officer ran two fantastic sessions in the morning. The first session gave key information on applying to Oxford and dispelling myths around the process and experience in general. Students were then able to take part in an academic taster session which gave them a flavour of the tutorial system with a philosophical debate. After a tour of the beautiful and spacious college grounds, library, leisure and sports facilities, they enjoyed lunch in hall.

During the afternoon, the group were delighted to welcome three Cotswold School alumni: George, Lucy and Tori, who are currently at various stages of their degrees in Oxford. They spoke about their path from The Cotswold School to Oxford and gave invaluable advice to our current Year 11s. This was followed by an informal Q&A before heading back to school, where we heard, in the words of one of the students, “I feel inspired now.”