We are delighted to invite you to the Robinson College Teachers’ Conference 2025, which this year will take place at the Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury, on Monday 31^st March, 4:30pm - 8.00pm. If you are unable to make the start time, please let Kaz know, as we will still be keen to offer you a place, we just ask that you provide us with an estimated arrival time.

As well as looking forward to catching up with those of you we have met before, we sincerely hope that schools and teachers who haven’t previously been able to attend our events will be able to take advantage of the opportunity to:

·         meet with Robinson College’s Admissions Tutors;

·         learn about the College and the University’s outreach initiatives and support programmes, especially for applicants from “widening participation” backgrounds;

·         speak to a current undergraduate;

·         socialise and network with colleagues from schools across the region over an informal buffet dinner.

Colleagues with responsibility for students in Year 12 will benefit from:

·         up-to-date information on UCAS and personal statement preparation to support candidates making applications to the University of Cambridge and other high-tariff institutions;

·         insights into the pre-admissions tests and interview process in different subjects and training on how best to support and prepare students;

·         opportunities to ask individual questions of Admissions Tutors and the Outreach and Widening Participation Officer

·         strategies to support students making the right post-16 course choices for them;

·         resources and approaches to encourage high-attaining students to enrich their academic studies with independent work around their favourite subject(s), building a portfolio of reading and experience that could support them to make a strong university application in due course.

Attendance at the conference is free and will include an informal buffet-style dinner. in the first instance we are offering two places per school, one for a teacher with responsibility for students in Year 12 during the university applications process, and one for a colleague with responsibility for KS4 students. Places are limited by our venue capacity, so we warmly encourage you to register for your place as soon as possible here.

For colleagues coming from further afield, we may be able to make a modest contribution to travel costs where these can’t be covered by your school and would otherwise be prohibitive. Please get in touch with Kaz (outreach@robinson.cam.ac.uk; 01223339224) if you would like to discuss this.

On the day of the conference, as well as during the week, Kaz will also be visiting schools in the North Wiltshire and Swindon area. Below is an example of the types of sessions we offer, yet please note that we are always happy to adjust sessions to suit the needs of your students.

·         Introduction to University, Oxbridge and Applications

This is usually an hour-long session with a presentation introducing the students to what life at university is like and a guide on how to prepare for choosing a course. Please feel free to indicate whether your students would need an introduction into university as a whole, or whether they would be more focused specifically on Oxbridge applications.

·         Interview and Oracy Workshop

This session tends to last around 1.5 hours and allows students to think about some real Cambridge interview questions, whilst giving them more time and space to construct a successful answer to a chosen question. Usually, students will work in a small group and receive guidance and feedback throughout the session on how to structure an argument and think critically. The intended outcome of the session is to build on confidence and oracy skills in preparation for a supervision-style interview. These tend to be quite fun and can also be adapted according to subject and ability.

If you would like to book a visit with us for your school, please contact Kaz with a preferred day between Monday 31^st March and Friday 4^th April.

If you can't make the in-person Conference, you are welcome to sign up to the collaborative Oxford and Cambridge Information Days for the South West. In addition to sessions for students and parents, a teachers and advisers session will take place on Thursday 6th February, 4:00pm - 5:00pm. 

Conference Sign-Up Form: https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cu3a1BlCZ1RwpzE

Teachers and Advisers OCID (Oxford and Cambridge Information Days) Session Sign-Up Form:

https://cambridge.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3xQqXZHMKxBqLwq