Warwick runs “A-Level bootcamp” over Easter

The University of Warwick held free revision sessions for over 120 A-Level students from the local area, as part of its ‘Widening Participation and Outreach’ programme, from 4-6 April.

The programme is now in its third year running, and it is aimed at students who come from less privileged backgrounds: many of the pupils live in areas of low participation to higher education and are the first in their family going to university.

This year, those who took part in the programme had the chance to revise for A-Level Biology, Chemistry, History, Mathematics or Psychology; students only choose one subject on which to focus for the three days.

Apart from subject-specific revision, participants were also taught about approaches to exam strategy and they also had the opportunity to learn more about university in general, as well as specifically about Warwick. The sessions were not delivered by university staff, but by qualified teachers hired by the university for the event.

Katrina Howitt, a student from Birmingham who took part in the bootcamp, told The Guardian: “It’s absolutely amazing. I think I’ve learned a lot more here than I’ve learned in the past few months at college, to be honest.”

John Miller, chemistry teacher at King Henry VIII independent school in Coventry, also commented for The Guardian: “I’m acutely aware this is in the Easter holidays. These students don’t have to be here. They could easily be at home on their PlayStations.

“There are several students in the room I believe will get an A*. I hope they leave here with a greater confidence in their abilities and continue to work diligently. It’s been an absolute privilege to work with very capable, very motivated students.”

Universities in the country were recently in the spotlight after the Higher Education Policy Institute (HEPI) published a report on equity in participation to higher education, with Warwick being ranked 19th,  in the bottom 20 along with 12 other Russel Group universities.