A Memorable Trip to Homerton College, Cambridge

Our school trip to Homerton College, part of the University of Cambridge, was an eye-opening and exciting experience. The day began with a series of talks about the prestigious university and what it takes to get there. We learnt about the importance of enrichment activities and the specific A levels required for different career paths, which was both informative and inspiring for everyone.

Afterward, we were treated to a tour of the beautiful Homerton College grounds. It was amazing to walk around such a historic institution and imagine what it would be like to study there one day. To top it off, we got to eat in the college’s canteen, which felt more like fine dining than a typical cafeteria. The food was delicious, and it really gave us a glimpse into student life at Cambridge.

Next, we participated in an exciting series of complex puzzles. These weren’t just any puzzles! They could be solved in multiple ways, and each solution would produce a card. Once we had the card, we exchanged it for a clue, which helped us work on a larger mystery that was waiting to be solved. It was a lot of fun seeing everyone work together, and one of the groups from Heston Community School was the only one to solve the big mystery! The sense of accomplishment was incredible, and we couldn’t help but feel proud of our school.

To finish off the day, we took a stroll around Cambridge’s city centre, where we could explore the local shops and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the city. It was a great way to unwind and reflect on everything we had experienced at Homerton College.

The trip was not only a day of fun, but also an inspiring glimpse into the world of higher education and the possibilities that lie ahead.

Anneka Chumber [10B]

An unforgettable trip to Cambridge University.

Visiting Homerton College at Cambridge University was an eye-opening and informative experience which provided me with a glimpse of the life of a student at Cambridge. It began with a brief, engaging introduction from four students who attend Cambridge. I found this particularly helpful as it provided us with the opportunity to ask any questions and queries we had, ranging from life as a student at university, the courses to choose from and adjusting from school to university. We were told about the application process and the difference between extracurricular and super-curricular and how they affect your personal statement. The responses were very honest and helpful. 

We were then kindly escorted by our guide, Amy, who is a student at Cambridge. We saw The Great Hall, which is where formal dinners are held by candlelight. It looked like something straight out of Harry Potter! Everything about Cambridge seemed so grand and regal, from the vibrant, green grass and the historical aspects of the buildings. Lunch in the dining hall was incredible, the food was lovely, and everyone had amazing table manners. 

After lunch, we were then guided to the auditorium where we were greeted with an array of different puzzles that we had to solve.  We then split into groups where we had to use our logical thinking skills to solve the escape games under a time limit, which was both rewarding and extremely stressful. The time pressure was very motivating and the satisfaction we felt after solving every puzzle was immense. We were then provided with a series of different clues to try and solve a murder mystery. This was extremely challenging, but out of all twelve teams across three schools, one of Heston’s teams won! 

A short coach journey later, we arrived in the City Centre, where Amy showed us many of the 31 colleges at Cambridge University. This was a great opportunity again to ask any remaining questions. We saw a matriculation ceremony, which is a formal process to show the new enrolment of a student at a college. The Centre was bustling with cyclists and students. Amongst them, there were punting tours which are a fabulous way to view the riverside and the City Centre. 

Overall, I had a fantastic experience at Homerton and hope to be able to attend myself in the future. It exposed me to the type of work ethic and atmosphere that I would be surrounded by in pursuing higher education. 

Thank you to Mr Ghataura as well, who organised this trip and made this experience possible. 

Diya Khosla [10Y]