We are very proud that Durrington is one of only approximately 30 schools in the southeast to have developed a strong working partnership with St John’s College Oxford as part of their Inspire Scholars Programme. Joining the Inspire Scholars Programme marks the beginning of a 3-year partnership with the University of Oxford which we hope will support our students in their academic endeavours, provide them with a wealth of extra-curricular opportunities and prepare them for life beyond Durrington.
Membership to the program group is by invite only, with approximately 30 of our highest attaining students in year 9, 10 and 11 having the opportunity to attend after school workshops designed by Oxford staff and led by Durrington teachers on a wealth of subjects. In addition, members of the program have the opportunity to attend virtual and face to face summer schools at the University of Oxford, take part in national critical thinking workshops, and have priority visits to the St John’s College to speak to current undergraduate students about university life.
To find out more about the activities and opportunities available to our Oxford Scholar’s please see the links below or visit the Inspire Scholars Programme webpage.
What our students have to say:
“We cover some really interesting topics that don’t relate to things we learn at school and it’s great to be given so many new opportunities and to be part of something wider.” Natalia
“The programme has been good at letting me have more opportunities to better myself and also improve overall at school.”
“The programme has been very interesting and is a nice thing to be a part of. It is an amazing opportunity.” Daisy
“In this programme we have learnt about Norse mythology and language, distribution of pollution, computing (game making) and PE and recovery (fitness tests). We also have had lectures on the human brain, psychology, space and the cosmos, and the slave trade.” Tom
“I have been exposed to more opportunities and have been made to think more in depth about things I wouldn’t in a normal lesson. My favourite session was Esperanto.” Amber
“You explore topics in further detail and it’s good to learn about more interesting things that aren’t in the curriculum, and the people are nice too.”
“I have enjoyed being a part of the programme and exploring deeper into different subjects.”
“I like learning stuff you wouldn’t originally learn in the school curriculum, and there is no pressure.”
“I have learnt about Norse mythology, carbon emissions, game making, fitness tests, as well as science and history lectures. They were all great and interesting to learn.” Luke
