General Notices

CCF Science Students Visit Oxford University

On Wednesday 3 June 2025  a group of Year 10 students from Christ’s College Finchley (CCF) had the opportunity to visit Oxford University as part of their exploration in Science. The experience was not only educational but also truly inspiring.

From the moment the students arrived, they were captivated by the rich history, architecture and academic atmosphere of the university. The campus was a hive of activity with many Oxford undergraduates busy studying for their final exams and others in their tailcoats taking a break in the dining hall - a brief respite from the books and laptops. The dining hall dates back to the 16th century and was commissioned by Cardinal Wolsey. It also served as an inspiration for the Great Hall in the Harry Potter films.  

One of our students, Haran opined saying ‘I feel like royalty dining in this hall. I think I would feel at home here but I first need to get the grades before the university would consider my application.’ 

The campus tour offered our students a fascinating glimpse into college life, and the facilities, especially the library which served as the filming location in several Harry Potter films. The  dining hall exceeded our expectations in every way. Whether it was the cutting-edge technology, interactive lectures, or the insightful Q&A sessions with researchers and students, each part of the visit deepened the students’ understanding and appreciation of science.

One of the most memorable aspects was being able to participate in hands-on tutorials that brought scientific concepts to life in a way textbooks never could. The speakers/presenters for the  afternoon were Access Tutors at Christ Church and were presented by: Shannon Russell, who gave a session on vaccines, Tom Wilson, who led a workshop in Computer Science, and Jack Amiry, who spoke to the pupils about medical ethics. It was a valuable reminder of how science is applied in the real world and how it constantly evolves through research and innovation.

Moreover, engaging with current Oxford students and the science faculty gave our students a clearer picture of what it takes to pursue higher education in science. Their encouragement and advice left many of our students feeling more motivated and confident in their academic journeys.

This trip has kindled a renewed passion for science among CCF students and we hope all our students will carry this enthusiasm forward into their studies and future career aspirations.

It would be remiss not to mention the friendly Horizons Coordinator Dr. Ana Hastoy (Admissions & Access Manager), who ensured that the entire day’s activities ran seamlessly.  

We wish to express our appreciation to Dr. Ana Hastoy for hosting us and for making our visit to Oxford University such a rewarding and unforgettable experience.

Mr Arendse

Congratulations to the Whetstone Wanderers!

At the end of May Whetsone Wanderers U14 Pumas played in the 2025 Summer tournament in Devon.

We are so proud of Jorden and his fellow CCF student and Whetstone Wanderers team mate Barnabas who played absolutely brilliantly helping their team win the entire tournament. Congratulations from us all!