Valleys learners to study at some of the UK’s leading universities

Four college learners from the South Wales valleys are set to spend their summers experiencing life at some of the top universities in the UK.

Josie Wood (17), Rhys Bracher (17), Daphne Rosser (16) and Josephine Lee (17), have secured places on the prestigious Sutton Trust Summer Schools scheme which will see them attend free summer schools within their chosen fields at some of the most esteemed universities across the country.

The summer school placement will give the Welsh learners the chance to experience life in a new city as well as an insight into university and their chosen courses as they attend lectures and workshops within the subjects they are hoping to study in the future.

The learners, who are all currently studying at Coleg y Cymoedd, will take part in a week-long residential stay at some of the UK’s leading institutions including the University of Cambridge and University College London.

Rhys Bracher from Pontypridd, is one of the learners who has been selected to take part in the summer school, securing a place to study Psychology and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge. Speaking about the opportunity, he said:

“At first I wasn’t sure whether I wanted to go to university, but felt if I didn’t, I wouldn’t be achieving my full potential, so I decided to look into the summer schools further.

“I’m excited to have secured a place at such a prestigious and highly regarded university as Cambridge. I’m really looking forward to getting an insight into how psychology is taught at a higher level and to gain first-hand experience of studying at the university.”

Josie Wood, from Blackwood, will be heading to summer schools at both Bath and Durham University to study Chemistry. She said:

“I’ve always wanted to go to university but was unsure where, so I thought this would be the perfect chance to see what university will be like. I’m excited about meeting other like-minded people that are interested in the same subject as me and the summer school will give me great experience for the career in science that I am hoping to pursue.”

Designed to give young people the chance to learn more about the subject they’re interested in and to experience what life at university will be like, the Sutton Trust Summer Schools programme aims to equip learners with the knowledge and insight to make a better-informed decision about their future in higher education.

Also taking part in the programme this summer will be learners Daphne Rosser and Josephine Lee, who are both set to study at University College London for a week.

Pontypridd learner Daphne will be studying Psychology with Education and believes the placement will be invaluable for her CV and university applications. She said:

“After reading comments from previous students that have taken part in the Sutton Trust summer schools, I knew this would be a very beneficial opportunity for me. Studying at UCL will highlight what the subject will be like in a different learning environment and will be extremely helpful for me when I make my university decisions and put together my application.”

Josephine, from Rhydyfelin, will be getting a taste of a degree in English. She hopes the experience will provide her with the opportunity to see whether she’s ready to move to the capital. She added: “

Attending university has always been an aspiration of mine and I’m very excited to get a taste of what studying in the city of London will be like. College has already acted as a stepping stone to uni, but this programme will give me the opportunity to interact with new people and better prepare me for life at university.”