Merton heads to Birmingham for innovative outreach event

Thursday 26 October 2017

A coachload of Merton tutors, undergraduates and postgraduates is heading to Birmingham today (Monday 30 October) to take part in an innovative outreach event this evening which will provide insights into what life is like at Oxford and offer information on the admissions process to students who may not otherwise have a chance to engage directly with the university.

The event is being held in the Ruddock Performing Arts Centre at King Edward’s School, Birmingham, and is the product of a collaboration between Merton and Keble Colleges, the Foundation of the Schools of King Edward VI in Birmingham, and Birmingham Education Partnership.

While many of those attending will be from Foundation schools (these comprise six state grammar, one state secondary, and two independent schools, in total educating over 8,000 students), the majority will be from non-selective state schools in the Birmingham region.

The Mayor of the West Midlands, Andy Street, himself a former pupil of King Edward’s School and a Keble graduate, will open the event. There will also be talks from current Merton students who previously attended schools in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and from Merton tutors, as well as from the Senior Tutor, Dr Rachel Buxton, and the College's admissions staff.

Rachel said:

"This is a terrific opportunity for us to meet bright, hardworking students from the Birmingham area who are interested in applying to Oxford. Our tutors and current undergraduates are looking forward to talking with them about what it is (and isn’t!) like to live and study here."

Over the coming year the College is hoping to develop a series of similar hub events in its link regions of Dorset, Wiltshire and the London Borough of Merton. For further information contact Merton College Schools Liaison and Access Officer Andrew Miller.

Teachers and pupils from across Birmingham hear about access to Oxford University — *Teachers and pupils from across Birmingham had an opportunity to hear from Merton's staff and students about access to Oxford University*

Senior Tutor Dr Rachel Buxton with students from Merton College, Oxford, speaking to teachers and pupils from across Birmingham about access to Oxford University — *Senior Tutor Dr Rachel Buxton addressed the audience*

West Midlands Mayor Andy Street with staff and students from Merton College, Oxford, speaking to teachers and pupils from across Birmingham about access to Oxford University — *West Midlands Mayor Andy Street opened the event*