The students successfully applied for their places via the University’s HE+ Programme where it is committed to widening participation to higher education.

Dr Ian Young, CEO of Peterborough Keys Academies Trust, said: “This excellent news follows Jack Hunt School’s recent ‘Good’ Ofsted inspection. The students were selected based on their strong academic potential, as part of this programme of widening participation run by Cambridge.”

The university’s HE+ team said: “We are keen to focus and work with and support students who may have experienced disadvantage or belong to a group that is statistically less likely to progress to higher education.  HE+ is a collaborative programme between the University of Cambridge and its Colleges, working together with groups of state schools and colleges across the UK. It has been running for over 10 years and we have worked with approximately 30,000 students over the course of that time in the 2021-22 academic year, over 4,000 Year 12 students from more than 170 schools and colleges participated in the initiative.”

Mr Conor George, Assistant Head of Sixth Form said: “As part of the HE+ course, students will be able to access online resources, webinars and seminars on over 30 subjects ranging from Archaeology, Architecture, Chemical Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Medicine and Philosophy from the University of Cambridge. They will also have the opportunity to complete an independent research project, matching the type of research university students complete regularly. Not only will this provide them with a fantastic opportunity to experience university academia, but the University of Cambridge select nominations for awards and opportunities to present their research projects in front of Cambridge faculty and staff.”

He added: “We are very proud to have so many representatives from Jack Hunt School, some of them aspire to work in fields of accountancy, computer science, law, palaeontology and more. Yet this experience could provide them with the spark and enthusiasm to pursue any discipline that may catch their attention undertaking the course.”

One successful Jack Hunt applicant who is in the Sixth Form said: “There's something really nice about seeing your hard work pay off and be noticed by a group of highly experienced individuals. It really has made all the hard work that I put in last year feel very worth it!”

A sixth form student said: “I am really excited to gain a real understanding of university life, from lectures to the experiences of living in accommodation. Alongside this I look forward to grasping what exactly makes an outstanding personal statement that is deeply unique and ambitious.”