“The good quality of leadership throughout the school is driving the development of teaching and learning…”
Ofsted Inspection Nov 2007
Student aces University Masterclass
A Tanbridge House School student has gained a Distinction in an on-line Critical Reading Masterclass organised by the University of Oxford.
Aimee Hayes, 16, collaborated with literary experts from the university during the two week programme and contributed to tutorials led by literary academic Dr Sarah Dauncey. Able students from all over the world participated and were challenged to develop their understanding of “The Lord of the Flies”, Aimee’s GCSE Literature text. The Masterclass, through real-time debates, developed communication, reasoning and advanced critical-thinking skills, as well as introducing the students to university-level thinking.
Aimee was one of only 7 students who was selected after the class to take part in an experimental online project with the African Gifted Foundation, who work with able young people in Sub-Saharan Africa aged 15 to 18, to prepare them for attendance at world class universities. By taking part in discussions and debates with these students, Aimee could, according to Dr Dauncey, ‘play a major role modelling effective online communication and deep thinking.’
Gaynor Deoraj, Aimee’s English teacher, said: “As a school, we are incredibly proud of the level of commitment and achievement Aimee has shown. Aimee is now hoping to gain a place at one of the top universities in the future as a result of her involvement in the course.”
Aimee said: “I was inspired to do the Masterclass by my Grandmother, who did an English degree when she was well into her seventies and then did her MA when she was pushing 80! She’s now 86 and helped me to pay for the Masterclass so I’m very grateful. I was also inspired by my wonderful English Literature teacher, Mrs Deoraj. I love English Literature with a passion and want to study it at University and possibly go into Journalism after that.”