About the Inspire Programme
What is the St John’s Inspire Programme?
The St John’s Inspire Programme is a series of events, visits, workshops and online contact for pupils from Primary to Year 13 from non-selective state schools in our linked regions and across the country.
Participants get the opportunity to:
- Explore academic subjects they are enthusiastic about in a more structured and deeper way
- Gain confidence in their academic abilities; talking about their subject and making applications to competitive universities
- Meet people who share a passion for their subject
- Receive up-to-date and accurate advice on all aspects of university admissions and funding
- Gain the tools to make informed academic choices and submit strong applications to competitive courses and universities.
" You came to my school and gave an amazing speech about maths today and it really inspired me. Your lecture got me really excited and I really want to study maths in the future. " Zahra, Greenford High School
" Thank you so much for the amazing time at St John's yesterday. It was incredible. " Rose Hill Primary School Pupil
In 2022 we launched Inspire Primary, an initiative which represents an extension of our outreach work into the Primary sector. We began with a partnership with Rose Hill Primary School and have since expanded our role in the local community to build partnerships with other schools including Bayards Hill and Church Cowley St James Primary School whilst maintaining our original links with Rose Hill. We have welcomed primary schools from across Oxford as part of our partnership with local museums. We hope that the resources of St John’s – be they our outstanding students or excellent facilities – will enhance the educational experience of young learners, and make the first steps in inspiring a lifelong interest in education.
Find out more here.
The Inspire Scholars Programme for Years 9, 10 & 11 is a pioneering, sustained-contact programme developed collaboratively with schools in order to help pupils explore their interests, develop their academic skills, and consider their futures. The programme is free of charge.
The Inspire Scholars Programme recognises the importance of each school’s community in supporting students to reach their academic potential. Our programme offers a range of opportunities - from Inspire Clubs to Teacher Conferences, and Summer Schools to parent information sessions - to ensure that our Inspire Scholars, their schools, and their families feel supported, excited by, and engaged with higher education options.
Find out more here.
Inspire 12 & 13 consists of a series of online Twilight Sessions throughout the year. Sessions include a combination of academic taster talks by scholars from Oxford or other leading universities, and expert guidance on skills development and how to make an effective and competitive application to university. All pupils on Inspire 12 & 13 are also invited to attend a virtual summer school, which offers academic lectures, skills sessions and careers advice.
Parents, carers and teachers of Inspire 12 & 13 pupils will be invited to attend online webinars designed to support their pupils. Topics will include ‘The University of Oxford’, ‘The Oxford Application Process’ and ‘Interviews’.
In addition, Inspire 12 & 13 pupils will also be invited to apply for competitive spaces to the following events which run independently of Inspire 12 & 13, including:
- Residential summer schools at St John’s College which offer pupils a taster of student life at the University of Oxford
- Study Days and Subject Exploration Days which offer pupils a more in depth look at their subject, with a chance to meet tutors, students, and visit St John’s College
- The Inspire Research Project, where pupils will be guided in how to prepare and submit a research project proposal. Winning entries will be awarded book vouchers, and pupils will be invited to a research day at St John’s College.
Find out more here.
The Access and Outreach office recognises that access does not end when students arrive at university. We provide a range of opportunities for current students, find out more by clicking here.
