Sixth Form Students Have A Busy Summer

In order to ensure that students have plenty experience to put in their university or job applications and to make them stand out, Y12 students have had (or going to have) a busy summer.

Jamie Hiley who studies A-levels in Chemistry, Maths, Further Maths and Physics is attending a number of sessions at the Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford to develop the problem solving skills necessary for the Mathematics Admission Test and the Test of Mathematics for university admission.   In October he will attend the Villers Park Maths programme for a five day residential which is aimed at inspiring students from state schools.   In addition, along with other Y12 students, Jamie has been part of the HE+ programme run by Cambridge University where academically able students attend masterclass lectures throughout the year along with participating in a two day residential in the spring at Christs’ College with a tour of the campus and lectures.

Arthur Huxley who studies A-levels in Maths, Physics and Further Maths has attended a one week residential at Bath University experiencing the life of a student and attending Maths lectures. In August he is going to Durham University to undertake a similar experience as Bath.

Rosy Turner who studies A-levels in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Dance has secured a highly sought after work experience placement at the Natural History Museum in Kensington over the summer holidays in the Molecular Biology Laboratories and Core Research Laboratories. Working alongside laboratory managers, her main tasks and responsibilities will include:

  • Different methods of DNA extraction and gene amplification by PCR
  • Assessment of the DNA quantity and quality by spectrophotometric measurement and use of agarose gel electrophoresis
  • Overview of DNA sequencing and analysis

Joe Brittan and India-Rose Sockett were both supported in applying for an English study day at Brasenose College, University of Oxford. They were both successful in their application and recently enjoyed the experience. They were required to pre-read ‘Initial Illumination’ by Tony Harrison, ‘Weighing In’ by Seamus Heaney and an excerpt of ‘Crediting Poetry’ by Seamus Heaney. They experienced: tutorials, tours of colleges, discussions with current students and an academic lecture ‘Shakespeare: words, bodies, action!’ delivered by Professor Palfrey.

We are pleased to announce that for the fourth year running a student from John Masefield Sixth Form has been awarded a £1k Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths (‘STEM’) bursary from QinetiQ plus a paid summer placement. This year’s scholarship has been given to PJ Recordon who has a conditional offer to study Materials, Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield.

Previous winners of the QinetiQ sponsorship were Katherine Shaw who has just attained a First from Swansea University for her Physics degree and will start in September at Cardiff University to complete her Masters degree.   Isaac George received it last year and is currently studying for an Engineering Degree at Bath University. He has just started his summer placement at QinetiQ and is loving every minute doing CAD and other interesting engineering design work.

Elen Clarke and Emma Warren performed live at the BBC Proms and a full write up on their amazing experience can be found here: http://www.jmhs.hereford.sch.uk/news/sixth-form-students-perform-live-at-bbc-proms/

Head of Sixth Form, Mr Hawksworth said: “we are proud of all our students and actively encourage them to involve themselves in as many super curricular activities to help them when applying for future jobs and university”.

Published on 21st July 2017