Year 7 students visit St John’s College following exam success

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A group of school pupils in uniforms stand together outside a historic building with stone arches on a sunny day. Some carry tote bags and wear ties, while others wear skirts or shorts.
A group of school pupils from Lift New Forest visit the University of Oxford

Fifteen year 7 students from Lift New Forest enjoyed a special visit to the University of Oxford after achieving outstanding results in their end-of-year geography exam.

A classroom at St John’s College with Year 7 pupils in uniform sitting at tables, listening attentively to two women at the front. A screen displays a presentation on exam success, and notebooks, drinks, and bags are scattered across the tables. Large windows and a fireplace provide a welcoming backdrop.
A classroom at St John’s College with Year 7 pupils from Lift New Forest, sitting at tables, listening attentively to two women at the front. A screen displays a presentation on exam success, and notebooks, drinks, and bags are scattered across the tables. Large windows and a fireplace provide a welcoming backdrop.

The trip was made possible through a connection with a former pupil from the school, Emily Lanham, who studied Geography at St John’s College, Oxford and is now completing her PhD at the university.

Five students in St John’s College uniforms eat lunch together at a wooden table, sunlight streaming in through a window, creating a warm, bright atmosphere. Plates of food and drinks are set on trays in front of the Year 7 friends as they chat enthusiastically about their latest exam success.
Five students in St John’s College, from Lift New Forest eat lunch together at a wooden table, sunlight streaming in through a window, creating a warm, bright atmosphere. Plates of food and drinks are set on trays in front of the Year 7 friends as they chat enthusiastically about their latest exam success.

During their visit, students received a warm welcome at St John’s College, where they attended a talk about university life and found out more about studying at Oxford.

They also enjoyed lunch in the college hall before visiting the Ashmolean Museum, where they took part in a hands-on workshop exploring historic objects.

Six Year 7 pupils from St John’s College, dressed in school uniforms, sit on the floor around a black cloth, examining various objects—including a container and a rolled item. A sheet of paper with text lies on the cloth as they appear engaged in a collaborative group activity, building skills that contribute to their exam success.
Six Year 7 pupils from Lift New Forest, dressed in school uniforms, sit on the floor around a black cloth, examining various objects—including a container and a rolled item. A sheet of paper with text lies on the cloth as they appear engaged in a collaborative group activity, building skills that contribute to their exam success.

Students had the opportunity to handle and examine artefacts including an Iron Age axe and ancient Greek coins, before exploring the museum’s collections, including displays of mummies and samurai swords.

The day finished with a guided tour of St John’s College, giving students the chance to explore its historic buildings, courtyards and grounds.

The visit gave students an insight into the opportunities available through further education and showed how their own efforts and achievements can help shape their future.

Rob Forder, Principal of Lift New Forest, said:

“This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to experience life at Oxford University and gain a better understanding of what studying at university involves.

“The link with our former student made the visit especially meaningful, as she showed our students what can be achieved through dedication and hard work. We were incredibly proud of how they represented the school throughout the day.”

A group of Year 7 pupils in school uniforms stand outside the historic stone building of St John’s College, with arched walkways and a statue above the entrance, enjoying a sunny day.
A group of Year 7 pupils from Lift New Forest stand outside the historic stone building of St John’s College, with arched walkways and a statue above the entrance, enjoying a sunny day.