Students from St Paul’s Way Secondary, part of the Elephant Group cohort, recently attended the Spring Conference at Senate House, an inspiring event designed to support ambitious young people aiming for places at top universities. This opportunity reflects University Schools Trust’s commitment to broadening horizons and supporting students in planning for their futures.

Throughout the day, students engaged in a series of insightful talks and interactive workshops focused on preparing for higher education. One key area explored was metacognition, helping students to better understand how they learn most effectively and how to apply this to their studies.

These sessions encouraged students to reflect on their learning habits and take greater ownership of their academic progress.

The young learners also received practical guidance on writing strong personal statements and navigating the UCAS application process. These workshops provided clear advice on what competitive universities are looking for, alongside strategies to help students strengthen their applications and make informed choices about their next steps.

As part of the visit, students also took part in a tour of University College London, giving them the opportunity to experience life at a leading London university. Walking through the campus helped students to visualise themselves in a higher education setting and further consider their future pathways.

Overall, the conference was an informative and motivating experience that left students feeling more prepared and confident about the journey ahead.

Experiences like these reflect our trusts mission to provide a transformational education for all, that equip our students with the knowledge, skills and experiences needed to access and succeed in higher education.