First Star Emmanuel College Cambridge

We will be recruiting scholars for our programme starting in summer 2025.

These Scholars will have completed Year 9 by the summer and will begin Year 10 in September 2025, when the first Saturday sessions will be held.

Programme Overview

Saturday Academy Sessions

Designed for young people at all levels of learning. Each month we deliver 6 hours of English & Maths Tuition to help young people get the grades they need to overcome barriers to higher education

University Connect

Is designed to bridge the gap between scholars and higher education opportunities. The project provides support, resources, and guidance to help these scholars navigate the university application process, succeed in their studies, and build the skills needed for academic and personal growth

Launch Pad

It provides scholars with the essential skills, resources, and guidance needed to succeed in further education and employment. By offering practical workshops, mentorship, and financial support, Launch Pad helps our scholars build a strong foundation for their future.

University Immersion

This annual residential gives our scholars the opportunity to experience campus life first hand. They engage in academic workshops, interact with current students and faculty, and explore university facilities. This exposure helps demystify higher education, raise aspirations, and build confidence, offering scholars a real sense of what it’s like to pursue a university education and preparing them for future academic success.

Empower U

This project supports scholars in developing the skills, confidence, and resilience needed to succeed in life. Through a combination of mentoring, personal development workshops and our life skills curriculum providing them with tools for independence.

Scholars Adventure Week

An immersive experience designed to help care-experienced young people build resilience, teamwork, and confidence through outdoor activities and group challenges. During the week, scholars participate in activities like hiking, climbing, and team-building exercises.

Contact

Rees Campbell

Cambridge Lead

Email: [email protected]

The objective of this programme is to improve outcomes for looked-after children by boosting their engagement in higher education.

The programme includes a three-week summer campus immersion experience hosted annually at Emmanuel College, Cambridge. In addition scholars take part in an Easter residential outdoor adventure retreat.

Scholars are offered a laptop to support learning. Online safety and other resources are also provided – we ask for a commitment from those working around the child to support every young person to complete the programme.

Scholars were asked to write a paragraph about what First Star Scholars means to them and the benefits it provides.

First Star Scholars have helped me in several ways. It got me through my GCSEs and is helping me with my future. Everyone is accepted, we are treated equally. We have been given vast opportunities to learn.

The thing I love about First Star Scholars is that they teach us in an interesting way, so everyone succeeds. My favourite part is the residentials as we get educated and get up to fun things.

First Star Scholars is a programme that helps children in care to see that they aren’t alone. As a child in care, I have found that it can be normal to be in care.

I have learned how to cook, make good friends. If it wasn’t for First Star Scholars, I wouldn’t have met any of my close friends. In one of our sessions, we met other children who are in care from around the country. As someone being in care, and having trust issues, First Star Scholars has helped me to get to where I am now. I started in 2021, and every easter and summer we have a residential. The leaders always help us and make us want to

First Star means a lot to me because it gives me an opportunity to meet people that have had a rough start to life like I have.

First star also gives you an opportunity to go out on days out and enjoy it with your friends.

One of the skills that I have developed while being with First Star is that my confidence has increased. It has increased because of the new surrounding and the positive influences that I have been surrounded by.

UoW Scholar

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

First Star Scholars is an opportunity not many teenagers get and is one I truly appreciate. It has honestly transformed my life, helping with my exams, confidence, and social skills.

The countless trips we have been on has increased my enjoyment of my education and my awareness or career and university opportunities. I am very grateful for the opportunity I was given.

UoW Scholar

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First Star Scholars is a place where you can have fun while you learn. The skills I have developed whilst I have been here is better understanding of my Maths and English. When I first came, I was a nervous child now I am a confident scholar. Since I have been here, we have done: glow in the dark gold, rock climbing and trips to other universities. I am so thankful to this programme because it has helped me catch up with my GCSE’s, so I have the best chance to improve. have a good time. One of the leaders makes us laugh because of his jokes. Thank you for taking your time to read this.

Uow Scholar

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Charity number: 1180754