13 Ashton students attend OxNet’s Access Week 2025!

10 Sep 25

13 Ashton Sixth Form College students completed OxNet’s 2025 programme over the summer at Pembroke College, Oxford. Access Week is an opportunity for students to experience life as an Oxford undergraduate though an academically intense summer residential. Students participate in a variety of activities than enable them to prepare for their next steps after college and work with academics leading in their field. 


Students from the North West, North East and London have completed one of seven OxNet programmes including: 

  • Philosophy & World Religions 
  • Humanities 
  • Social Sciences 
  • Languages 
  • English 
  • Science 
  • Heritage 360 

Throughout the week, students took part in a variety of academic and social activities. Upon arrival, students were welcomed to Pembroke College by Access Fellow and the Director of OxNet, Dr Peter Claus; Dr Claus supported students with an Oxbridge admissions talk, lectures, a mock tutorial and mock interviews.

 
At the beginning of Access Week, students participated in their first Oxbridge tutorial, working closely with academics on a variety of essay questions and problem sheets. They also had the opportunity to engage with lectures, essay writing workshops and mock interviews to develop their subject knowledge and academic skills further. 
Science students produced and presented their academic posters to the whole cohort one afternoon, answering questions on the research done during February’s Seminar Series. In the evening, all attended a keynote lecture delivered by Dr. Simona Capisani followed by the annual Joseph Owen Formal Dinner. 


Alongside academic sessions and essay submissions, students got involved with quiz nights hosted by undergraduate mentors, trips and visits across Oxford and new to this year’s residential, joined either Art or Music workshops. Students produced artwork later displayed in Pembroke’s art gallery, whilst the choir learnt two songs with the Musician in Residence, Helen Jones, and performed at Friday’s Access Week Awards Ceremony.  


“I am so proud of our students – they all pushed themselves out of their comfort zone and made the most of the OxNet experience. Academics were impressed with our students’ questions and thoughtful contributions in their tutorials, lectures and mock interviews. It was great to see them engaging well not only with students on different courses to them but the academics supporting the programme.” 
Alex Noble, Realising Aspirations Coordinator 


A huge congratulations to all Ashton students who participated in the programme including: Afsana (Philosophy & World Religions), Blessing (Philosophy & World Religions, Faye (Philosophy & World Religions, Nehal (Philosophy & World Religions, Maddie (Humanities), Eduardo (Languages), Ariana (Social Sciences), Artelia (Social Sciences), Alice (English), Charlotte (English), Wren (English), Ibrahim (Science), and Jeevan (Science). 
All students throughout the week received exceptional feedback from visiting academics and OxNet Coordinators for their commitment and attitude to the programme.

 
2025 Awards for Ashton students: 
Pembroke Scholar, English Exhibitioner – Alice 
Easter Essay Competition winner, Science Exhibitioner – Ibrahim 
Easter Essay Competition winner, English Exhibitioner - Wren 
Access Week, Philosophy & World Religions Exhibitioner - Blessing  
Access Week, Humanities Exhibitioner - Maddie 
Access Week, Science Scholar - Ibrahim 
Access Week, English Scholar - Wren 


Ashton Sixth Form College is proud to partner with Pembroke College and be the host hub school for the Goldsmiths’ and Sutherland Centre for Philosophy and World Religions.