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At the end of August, our Fourth Form Academic Scholars took part in a two-day residential trip to the University of Cambridge, designed to further the Academic Scholarship Programme’s aims of fostering intellectual curiosity, intellectual humility, belonging, connection and, above all, an enjoyment of learning.
Despite being only two days, the programme was packed. Scholars were challenged to grapple with the ideas of Game Theory in a session led by Mo Tanweer of Cambridge Judge Business School. Exploring concepts including backwards induction and the famous Pirate Game, they applied logic and strategic thinking to problems where the actions of others matter just as much as their own decisions. A very different intellectual challenge came through a History of Art workshop, The Human Body in Sculpture. Scholars developed a toolkit for analysing how the human body has been represented across different artistic periods and cultural contexts before putting their ideas into practice in Pembroke College Gardens, examining sculptures in situ through observation, discussion and debate. They also had the opportunity to step inside a working research environment. During a hands-on laboratory session, pupils explored how scientists investigate immunity, disease and cancer and gained an insight into the methods and questions underpinning current biomedical research. Importantly, the science prompted wider questions too, with scholars debating the ethical issues surrounding the use of mice in experimental research and considering how scientific progress should be balanced against animal welfare.
Beyond the workshops, there was plenty of opportunity to explore Cambridge itself. A cycling tour took in many of the city’s ‘must-see’ sights, including St John’s College, Trinity College, the Backs, King’s College Chapel, the Mathematical Bridge at Queens’ College, King’s Parade, the Corpus Clock and Senate House. A behind-the-scenes tour of Jesus College offered a further glimpse into collegiate life and what studying at Cambridge might actually feel like. The scholars’ competitive instincts were fully unleashed in the escape rooms. Punting offered wonderful views of the colleges alongside a rather more forensic investigation of riverbanks, overhanging trees, stuck poles and some alarmingly low bridges.
The residential was a chance not simply to visit Cambridge, but to experience something of university-style learning: encountering unfamiliar ideas, asking difficult questions, testing assumptions and enjoying learning alongside others.
‘We are hugely appreciative of the academics who took the time to give our pupils such valuable insights. The scholars were wonderful ambassadors for Wellington College and engaged brilliantly with an exceptionally busy programme.’ — Amanda Campion, Director of Academic Extension
