Students celebrate their research and scholarship
Posted on Wednesday 25 November 2009
Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of York congratulates students
180 students receive bound university-style dissertations; new partnership with the University of York announced
Click here for individual photographs; high resolution images can be downloaded from Shared Folders > Extended Project 2009
Professor Colin Mellors, Pro Vice Chancellor of the University of York, congratulated 180 students at Farnborough Sixth Form College on their achievements when he presented them with bound university-style copies of their extended project dissertations last night.
The College has led the education world in pioneering the Extended Project and Professor Mellors was full of praise for the innovation. Students undertake research in an area linking two of their subjects, under the supervision of a College tutor, as though they were university undergraduates.
Speaking to a packed hall of students and parents, Professor Mellors said, “The initiative is an excellent one, and something that aligns very closely with the skills that students will need at university.”
Addressing the students, Professor Mellors continued, “It is clear from the comments I have heard this evening that you have enjoyed the research enormously and it is a huge credit to you to have done the work so willingly over and above a pretty heavy A-level workload.”
Students Josh Sancho, 17, of Hook, and Natalie Harper, 17, of Guildford, addressed the audience, speaking of the huge benefits they had felt from undertaking original research across a number of their A level subjects.
Josh said, “It has given me the confidence to analyse arguments closely and to deepen my knowledge and understanding beyond the A level specifications.”
Natalie added, “For me, the Extended Project was both challenging and exciting, and it enabled me to understand the competing demands on my time and to prioritise them, not because I was told to but because I wanted to.”
The College is recognised nationally for its outstanding teaching and learning and staff are frequently asked to address national conferences in both the state and independent sectors. The College’s relationship with many universities is strong and the Principal Dr John Guy announced another milestone at the presentation, a formal partnership with the University of York.
Dr Guy said, “This evening we are celebrating not just the occasion of real scholarship which your extended projects represent but also a new relationship with the University of York which is well known for its research and for its emphasis upon excellent teaching of undergraduates.”
Responding, Professor Mellors said, “The University feels very proud to have become part of the 'extended Farnborough family'. There is a special 'feel' about this College and it has been a pleasure to see the commitment of such highly talented staff and students.”
