EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
LEARNING BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Schools that forge links with the wider community and draw on external expertise can deliver a more rounded education for students. Abbey College is one school forging those links E ducation is about far more than just sitting in a classroom. It’s about fostering both a keen love of learning and a robust sense
complex political issues, are all developed by these kinds of adult interactions. Apollo, one of the students in Year 13 at Abbey, recently attended an art lecture with Osman Yousefzada and Sonita Alleyne OBE at Jesus College. “The course was really inspiring,” he says. “As someone who is taking architecture but is also interested in multiple facets of art, it’s always nice to understand and learn about others’ creative thinking processes.” Other talks have included one about The Atomic Human, given by Neil Lawrence, DeepMind Professor of Machine Learning at the university; a lecture from the Department of Pharmacology’s Professor Ewan St John Smith; as well as an astrophysics lecture with Professor Jo Dunkley OBE. “I always leave the lecture theatres feeling immensely proud of our students,” says Abbey College principal Ellen Hesse. “Time after time, they engage with speakers during Q&A sessions or afterwards, displaying their intellectual vibrancy, confidence and communication skills. Even after the lectures or events conclude, discussions persist, driven by their curiosity and thirst for more information.” It’s clear that students benefit personally and academically from these opportunities that maximise the wealth of inspiration on the school’s doorstep.
from visiting academics, scientists and politicians. Recently, for instance, Abbey College welcomed Lord Simon Woolley, principal of Homerton College, to hold a talk on political activism chaired by Hannah in year 12. Similarly, a visit from Professor Christopher Bickerton of Queens’ College, Cambridge saw the students engaged in discussions about the importance of political insight. The University also organises weekly talks and lectures, allowing Abbey students to extend their knowledge in areas that interest them. Students learn to engage with professors, asking thought-provoking questions in a busy lecture hall, boosting confidence and exercising inquisitiveness. Debating skills, and the understanding of
of community, energised by the pursuit of academic achievement. These are key principles to which Abbey College Cambridge is committed. Its pupils are already studious and ambitious, but the school believes in challenging them to achieve goals far beyond the subjects offered by the traditional curriculum. Working collaboratively on research projects with students overseas is just one way in which a young person can become more rounded – developing the project management and leadership skills that are fundamental for their future. At Abbey College, from year 9 (ages 13-14), students participate in two international projects, one with a school in South Africa and the other with a school in Italy. They work together, online, on assignments that improve their communication and research skills, gaining the experience of being in a productive team environment. Other accomplishments draw on the wider school community. The city of Cambridge offers plenty of opportunities to take advantage of wide-ranging expertise
MAKING THEIR MARK Abbey College students participate actively in lectures (below and left)
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