One of the highlights of this community-led partnership was a recent after-school event at the College that showcased HSDC’s Be Aspirational Programme. Be Aspirational is an extra-curricular programme designed to ensure that students maximise their potential to go on to study at Oxbridge and other Russell Group Universities.
Pupils from eight different schools attended this event, and got a chance to hear from guest speakers and Alton alumni about their journeys. Alton College is extremely proud of its ongoing partnership with St Hilda’s College, Oxford, who have hosted roadshow talks for school pupils at the College in the past.
Alton’s School Liaison Adviser, Anna Johnson-Brown, said:
“We were thrilled to see such enthusiasm from feeder school students eager to find out more about our Be Aspirational Programme. It was exciting to offer them the unique opportunity to connect with St. Hilda's and gain insight from inspiring Oxbridge talks and presentations from our accomplished alumni. We're so proud to support the next generation of bright minds on their academic journeys!”
However, Alton’s role as a community hub for local schools goes far beyond this progression support, with the College actively ensuring that pupils at these schools have the opportunity to enrich their learning.
Amery Hill School and Eggar’s School often participate in workshops organised by Alton, introducing students to 3D design, the Space Technologies Programme, the T Level in Early Years and the Public & Defence Services Course.
Recently, the College’s Martin Read Hall hosted the Advanced Mathematics Support Programme’s ‘Maths Feast’. This was a fantastic event that saw pupils from nine schools face off against each other in a friendly mathematics competition.
The Maths Feast consisted of four rounds, each focusing on the importance of teamwork and problem solving. Not only did this fantastic event enrich the pupils’ existing knowledge of mathematics from their GCSEs, but it also introduced them to concepts from A Level Maths.
A pupil who attended the Maths Feast said:
“This was an amazing event that we all thoroughly enjoyed. I particularly liked the relay in the fourth round because it was fast-paced and exciting! It was great to apply what we are learning at GCSE into more advanced maths problems, like a mini introduction to A Levels!”
In the Summer Term, Alton College will open its doors to six schools for Taster Days. These will give over a thousand pupils the opportunity to experience life at the College, embarking on a variety of workshops from academic, technical and vocational subjects.
This highlights Alton's commitment to ensuring that school students are prepared for the wide variety of educational options open to them after their GCSEs.