Ilfracombe students encouraged to ‘dream big’ with Oxford Uni visit

Students from Ilfracombe Academy have been encouraged to ‘dream big’ after experiencing a taste of life at one of the world’s best and most famous universities.

The Year 10 and Year 11 students visited the ‘dreaming spires’ of the University of Oxford and spent the day at its famous Exeter College.

The college is Oxford’s link college for schools in the South West and the group got to explore as well as join in some science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) and social policy workshops before sitting down to lunch in the refectory.

Above: The Ilfracombe visitors sit down for lunch in the refectory at Oxford’s Exeter College. Credit: Athena Learning Trust

Athena Learning Trust, which runs Ilfracombe Academy, said the visit is just one of the events the school arranges each year as part of its ongoing mission to encourage students to ‘dream big’ when considering their futures.

These efforts are stepped up when students reach the sixth form and while more than half of the school’s pupils tend to go straight on to university, many opt for other avenues such as immediate employment, apprenticeships, the armed forces, or a year out travelling.

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Ilfracombe Academy offers a wide array of careers-focused workshops, dedicated tutor programmes and visits to everything from university open days to the National Apprenticeship Show and the Next Steps Day showcasing opportunities from local and national employers.

Headteacher Steve Rogers said: “At The Ilfracombe Academy, our mission is to help every student dream big and live life in all its fullness.

“We do this by supporting them in developing self-awareness, exploring career options and acquiring the skills needed for future success.

“The Oxford trip was a real inspiration and really captured our students’ imagination.”

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