Students from Exmouth Community College jumped at the chance to experience life at one of the world’s best universities this term.

Dozens of students from years 10, 11 and 12 made the trip to Oxford for a day at Exeter College, the University of Oxford’s link college for schools in the south west.

The group took part in some critical thinking and academic taster sessions, before being treated to lunch in the refectory and a tour of the college. 

The visit is just one of the events Exmouth Community College runs each year to prepare students for what comes next on their academic journey. As part of the Ted Wragg Trust, the college has a strong focus on helping students make well-informed and ambitious decisions about their futures.

The college is also part of the Somerset, Devon and Cornwall Residential Programme run in partnership with the same Oxford college. The programme is designed to give year 12 students from under represented backgrounds a taste of life at Oxford and raise their confidence before applying to an elite university. 

Closer to home, ECC has forged strong relations with the University of Exeter, through its ‘Exeter Scholars’ programme. The programme is designed to give students the opportunity to find out more about university, develop a passion for a chosen subject, and gain first-hand experience of student life at their local university.

Tom Inman, Headteacher at Exmouth Community College said: 

 “At Exmouth Community College, we are big believers in nurturing ambition and wish to further develop the opportunities for our young people to fulfil their considerable potential. The Oxford trip was a great  success - it was a real joy to hear our students so excited about all the possibilities the future holds. We look forward to building on this with our exciting new 'scholars' programme".

Moira Marder, CEO of the Ted Wragg Multi-Academy Trust said: 

 “Trips like these are much more than a day out exploring somewhere new, they’re about our students being inspired for the future. At the Ted Wragg Trust, we are committed to helping all our students realise their full potential and I'm delighted to see our students embracing these opportunities.”