A FANTASTIC ‘moon-set’ over the sea at Widemouth, coupled with a stunning sunrise, made the 5.30am start for ten Year 10 Budehaven students attending Oxford Pathways 2016 slightly less arduous, writes teacher Colin Ryan.

The theory that our students would catch up on their sleep during the journey soon proved erroneous as the games and snacking began before we reached the A39.

After arriving in Oxford city centre at 10am, we were quickly escorted down an ancient tunnel to a lecture theatre in Oriel College where we were welcomed and introduced to the concept of the day — namely addressing misconceptions about Oxford, reiterating the prestige and history of the university and enlightenment concerning the benefits and possibilities of becoming an Oxford student.

A tour of the college followed including a guided walk past some of the other colleges, the Bodleian library, the most expensive cat flap in the world and the student accommodation, before we were treated to a delicious lunch menu in the Oriel College great hall which is presided over by the Oriel college visitor — the Queen!

All ten Budehaven students were excellent ambassadors for the school and engaged with the activities at the university with genuine interest and enthusiasm.

Matt Cleave deserves mention for his willingness to contribute to discussions and both ask and volunteer answers to questions throughout the experience.

It was a beautiful, hot and sunny day in Oxford. After lunch, a short walk through the city took us to the Pitt Rivers museum of anthropology where students studied and searched through the four floors of exhibits.

Tired but inspired, we made our way to our accommodation at the Oxford YHA for a well-earned rest.

Our next destination was the historically rich folly bridge pontoon from which we embarked on a river cruise up the Thames taking in the sights and sounds that once inspired Lewis Carroll to write Alice in Wonderland. We had a knowledgeable Captain who regaled us with tales of the river, river lodgings, private nooks, public houses, docks, boathouses and lots of colourful history!

The river was cluttered with countless crafts and all abilities and classes of rowers, whilst the river paths were a relentless flow of runners, joggers, walkers and saunterers, all enjoying the wonderful idyll — very inspiring, particularly to our budding rowers!

From the boat, we went straight to our dinner destination where the menu was eagerly devoured by all.

After a good night’s sleep and an ample breakfast, we walked to Pitt Rivers Museum of Natural History, where we were treated to a hands-on artefact and exhibit demonstration.

This almost led to live hissing cockroaches escaping to the perfect breeding ground of the air conditioning system due to not one, but two, cockroach drops by our excited but butter-fingered party! I promised both Abi and Reuben that I would not say who dropped them, so I shan’t.

After the talk, we were free to explore the incredible natural history museum and all of its fascinating exhibits.

Coffee in the sun or shopping and picnicking provided a brief interlude before walking to the Ashmolean museum of Art and Archaeology for our next engagement with culture! Students had the opportunity to enter the Warhol exhibit or peruse the acres and acres of resident artistic exhibitions from across the world and throughout global history.

This drew our Oxford experience to an end and we returned to Budehaven. I think the richness of the experience from the students’ perspective is captured in the words of Helena Ruskin: “I really enjoyed the Oxford trip (except for the 5.30 start) and found that most of my previous thoughts about the university and the people who attend it were incorrect. For example, although the university itself is very historic and ‘Hogwarts’ like, the students aren’t all Einsteins with posh accents and from rich families. They are normal people who are clever and have succeeded, with hard work, to earn a place at a prestigious university.

“I also thought that everything would be overly-expensive but I found that everything was reasonably priced and learnt that it doesn’t cost any more to study at Oxford than it does any other university; in fact, in some ways it is cheaper.

“I enjoyed the boat trip the most as I found it really relaxing and we got to see the non-academic side to the city. I also loved going to Nandos; the food was so good! Although museums are not usually my thing I found both the Ashmolean and the Pitts River really interesting and I am especially proud of the fact that I held a cockroach!

“I already knew that I wanted to go to university but didn’t think I stood a chance of studying at a place such as Oxford or Cambridge. However, I now think that I have a chance of going to somewhere as prestigious, as after speaking to two of the students and one of the members of staff I could see that you don’t have to be overly wealthy to study there and as long as I am passionate about the course I choose and gain good A-level grades, I stand a chance of achieving a place at Oxbridge.”