Following in the footsteps of intellectual giants some of Loreto’s brightest students have been on a fact-finding trip to investigate student life in Cambridge.

Students visited the city’s colleges to meet the key people they may have to impress if they decide to apply. They also sampled student life with punting on the River Cam and enjoying a garden party in the manicured college gardens.

As well as touring the beautiful colleges and meeting academics the students talked with current undergraduates about university life in the city.

The students, who are all expected to achieve the highest grades in their A levels were accompanied by Loreto teachers Dr Lyons and Mrs Friedenthal, who are both Cambridge graduates. Dr Lyons said the colleges were most welcoming: “The visit to Cambridge was a great success: it was most informative and gave our students a real insight into what life at the University could be like.” “We have built up a good accord with a number of colleges over recent years and the stay in Cambridge will have helped to build on these good relationships.”

The Cambridge trip is part of a programme to equip students to apply to Oxbridge. A Cambridge engineering professor recently came to Loreto to talk to students and as a result two students visited Fitzwilliam College whilst they were in Cambridge.

In addition students have been to Oxford’s colleges and were guided around by ex-Loreto student, Sadie Drew-Brown, who's just finished her second year reading French and Spanish at Queen's College.
“She really was wonderful,” said Dr Lyons “she not only gave the students an insight into the reality of student life but she was also was able to placate any worries about the transition from Loreto to Oxford.”