Dreaming Spires

Published by Malvern St James Girls' School on Thursday 10th of April 2014

At the end of February, nineteen Years 10 and 12 girls from Malvern St James accompanied by Mrs Huntley and Mrs Bennett set off for Oxford, to gain an insight into undergraduate life there.

The first stop was Somerville College, where the girls enjoyed a talk on the Oxbridge application process. This was followed by lunch with current undergraduates in the splendid Dining Hall. Old Girl Anna Baird (currently reading Classics) hosted the lunch at Somerville and was happy to answer the many questions put to her by our students.

After lunch, the group did a little sight-seeing in the city centre taking in the Bodleian Library and Radclifffe Camera, en route to Oriel College. Finally, next door at Christ Church College, former Head Girl Jess Wright (currently reading Geography) showed the girls around the college and grounds. They were able to take in the fabulous Great Hall, which was replicated in the Harry Potter films as Hogwart's Hall. Many of the scenes in the Harry Potter feature films are shot in various locations of the College and as you walk around the cloisters and quadrangles it is easy to see why. This continues Christ Church College's long association with children's literature - Alice's Adventures in Wonderland were inspired and written here by Lewis Carroll.

Jenny Avdoi, Year 12 said 'I would like to thank staff for accompanying us on our visit to Oxford. Today was a truly inspirational day, which gave all of us an insight into life at Oxford. Talking to the students was extremely helpful in shaping our understanding of the University as a whole, as well as the college system.'