Heathfield Community College continues to participate in the Oxford Inspire Programme, an ambitious sustained-contact initiative designed to support high-achieving students in reaching their full academic potential.
Developed by St John’s College, Oxford, the Inspire Programme offers a series of workshops, super-curricular resources, and competitive opportunities aimed at pupils from Year 9 through to Year 13. The programme is designed to encourage critical thinking, bridge the gap between school and university-level study, and demystify the admissions process for the UK’s most selective universities.
Our new Year 9 Cohort of students has started this year and have participated in sessions based around learning Espiranto, Viking history, entomology and maps through Geography. The Year 10 Cohort, who are now in their second year of the programme have also had the opportunity to learn about DNA. In Year 12 and Year 13 students participate in the programme independently.
By joining this initiative, Heathfield Community College reinforces its commitment to academic excellence and social mobility.
One successful participant in the programme Chloe, tells us ““I’ve been a part of St John’s Inspire programme since Year 9, initially using the Critical Thinking Workshops, then I was lucky enough to spend a week at St John’s as part of the Summer School in 2024, and finally using resources from the Inspire 12&13 Programme, eventually leading me to apply to St John’s for Medicine via UCAS, and being lucky enough to receive an offer”
Whilst Heathfield has a strong track record of students achieving places at Oxbridge, through this programme we look forward to many more students following on in Chloe’s footsteps.
“We are delighted to be working with the University of Oxford on this initiative,” said Donna Taylor, Inspire Lead at Heathfield Community College. “Our participation in the Inspire Programme ensures that our students are not only ambitious in their goals but are also equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed at the very highest level of Higher Education.”
Heathfield Community College continues to strive for an inclusive environment where every student is empowered to excel. This partnership marks a significant step in the college’s ongoing mission to provide world-class opportunities for its local community.
