About the Programme
Our Aspire programme is dedicated to providing exciting and challenging academic opportunities for our highest ability students.
Our commitment to providing motivating and broadening academic and extra-curricular opportunities for all students, however, remains at the core of our ethos. The majority of our trips and visits will remain open to whole cohorts.
These opportunities are focused on extending knowledge and understanding, providing stimulating and demanding academic challenges, and, ultimately, inspiring students to apply for the most competitive courses at the most prestigious institutions.
Pupils on the programme participate in off timetable activities to expand their knowledge and skill set. They then put their new-found knowledge to the test through a competition or activity.
Some of the activities taking place this year include entering national debating competitions, visits to the British Library, live life drawing, and attending Christ’s College, Cambridge, for a day on Oxbridge applications.
Parents won't need to apply for this. Instead, teachers will invite pupils directly to take part, notifying parents when they do so and explaining any expectations.
Some of the initiatives held to date or planned include:
- Art: Life Drawing, Years 9-13.
- Business and Economics: KS5, Wilkin Chapman talk on mergers and acquisitions.
- English: Year 8s, visit to British Library.
- English Speaking Union: KS3 heats.
- Geography: Year 9s, urban fieldwork.
- History: Year 13s, 'Great Debate' at Lincoln University.
- Oxbridge: Years 10-12, visit to Christ’s College, Cambridge; Year12 Oxbridge Conference.
- Performing Arts: KS3, 'Moana' performance.
- Psychology: KS5, Psychology Live Conference, Paris.
- Science: Year 7s, Magna Centre programme.
Aspire runs alongside our Academic Scholars Programme.
We are currently developing an area in the school internet site to promote and record activities associated with this initiative and we will be letting you know about further developments as they occur.