Today, a group of bright and enthusiastic year 9 students from Walton Academy participated in the prestigious Oxford Pathfinders programme, an initiative aimed at inspiring young learners to pursue academic excellence and explore future pathways in higher education. The programme runs over several years, with students attending events at both the University of Lincoln and the University of Oxford. For our students, today’s visit to Lincoln provided an incredible opportunity to engage with health-related disciplines and experience university life firsthand.
Engaging lectures and hands-on experience
The day began with a series of engaging taster lectures delivered by experts from Oxford and Lincoln Universities. One particularly fascinating session explored the biochemistry of human evolution, focusing on the spread of a lactase-persistent allele in human populations over the past 10,000 years. This introduced students to real-world applications of genetics, illustrating how biology, history, and society are intricately connected.
Beyond lectures, students toured the university’s specialist teaching facilities and gained hands-on experience in the clinical skills suite. Here, they explored key aspects of medical communication, ethical issues in healthcare, and were introduced to clinical practice. They also learned practical skills such as history taking, patient examination, and assessment in consultation rooms designed for clinical training.
Firsthand insights into university and career pathways
Throughout the day, our students were able to interact with current university students and academics, asking questions and gaining valuable insights into what university life entails. The combination of academic lectures and practical experience provided a comprehensive look at potential career paths in medicine, biochemistry, and other health-related fields.
Building aspirations through the Oxford Pathfinders programme
Mrs Byrne, assistant principal personal development, highlighted the significance of the programme, “The Oxford Pathfinders programme is an incredible opportunity for our students to broaden their horizons and engage with university-level learning at a young age. We’re incredibly proud of their enthusiasm and eagerness to learn, and we look forward to seeing how this experience shapes their future aspirations.”
A look ahead to future opportunities
The Oxford Pathfinders programme is designed to introduce students to subjects beyond the traditional school curriculum, including law, medicine, business, politics, and art history, while also providing an in-depth understanding of more familiar subjects. Running from year 9 through year 11, the programme includes visits to both Oxford and Lincoln Universities, culminating in a residential trip and graduation at Oxford in the final year. Throughout their time in the programme, students attend lectures, workshops, and mini-trips, working closely with world-leading academics and student ambassadors.
The trip was a great success, leaving students excited about the future possibilities in their academic journeys. This experience not only offered a glimpse into university life but also ignited a curiosity about science, healthcare, and a wide array of academic fields.
