Seren Academy

Seren is a Welsh Government initiative dedicated to helping Wales’ brightest learners achieve their full academic potential and support their education pathway into leading universities in Wales, the UK, and overseas.

The Seren programme is available to ALL year 8 to 13 learners from state schools and further education colleges across Wales, regardless of their economic background, personal situation, or location.

It supports the aspirations and ambitions of the most talented and able learners, helping to widen their horizons, develop passion for their chosen field of study, and achieve their goals.

The programme provides extra-curricular study experiences and enrichment activities that enhance and go beyond the curriculum.

 Thousands of Seren graduates have been successful in studying at some of the best universities, not only in the UK, but all over the world, including Harvard, Princeton, Chicago, MIT and Melbourne to name a few. The Seren Academy will provide you with the tools and support to fully realise your academic potential, wherever that might take you.

 Your Hub coordinator: Fiona Thomas

Your Region: Powys

To register, visit welcome.serenspace.wales.

 

As a parent/guardian, what can I do to support my child?

There are many practical steps that you can take to support and nurture your child, for example by encouraging them to:

• Utilise the local library and the internet as learning and research resources
• Visit museums, science centres, theatres and art galleries
• Watch educational and current affairs programmes such as the news, wildlife/nature programmes and documentaries, and discuss them
• Read a quality national newspaper
• Discuss and debate topics, such as politics, the environment and the media
• Discuss homework and schoolwork
• Take part in extra-curricular activities
• Take an active part in family decision-making
• Listen to different types of music
• Read for pleasure, including demanding/challenging books
• Take regular physical exercise
• Socialise and relax in between work and learn to ‘switch off’

 

What can I do to help the school support my child?

You know your child better than anyone else. If there are any ‘hidden talents’ that we as a school are not aware of, please contact us so that we can recognize and celebrate them.

https://www.gov.wales/seren-network-overview

https://www.ox.ac.uk/oxfordcymru/Oxford-Cymru-and-Seren

 

Year 12 Seren Academy learners…

Applications for the 2024 Seren residential summer schools are now open!

Here’s everything you need to know…

There will be five year 12 residential Seren summer schools taking place this year:

• University of Cambridge residential summer school – 25-28 March 2024
• Cardiff University Medicine residential summer school – 10-12 July 2024
• Cardiff University Dentistry residential summer school – 10-12 July 2024
• Jesus College, University of Oxford residential summer school – 19-23 August 2024
• Aberystwyth Veterinary residential summer school – 17-19 July 2024

 

Here’s a rundown of what to expect in each of these summer schools so you can decide which one(s) you would like to apply for:

 

University of Cambridge residential summer school

25-28 March 2024

Spend three days at the University of Cambridge where you’ll meet with current Cambridge undergraduates, discover a variety of degree subjects through fascinating lectures led by expert tutors, and learn about the university’s specific application process.

 

Cardiff University Medicine residential summer school

10-12 July 2024

Aimed at learners interested in studying medicine at university, this summer school will see them spend three days attending practical clinical sessions, joining interactive lectures and learning from practicing doctors and experts at Cardiff University’s state-of-the-art medical facilities.

 

Cardiff University Dentistry residential summer school

10-12 July 2024

Aimed at learners interested in studying dentistry at university, this summer school will see them spend two days attending practical clinical sessions, joining interactive lectures and workshops, meeting dental experts and speaking to current dentistry students.

 

Aberystwyth Veterinary residential summer school

17-19 July 2024

Specifically for aspiring vets and hosted at Wales’ only dedicated veterinary school, will give learners an insight into what it’s like to study veterinary science at university as they will develop practical research skills, attend lectures and lab sessions, and learn directly from practicing vets and experts.

 

Is there a cost?

Seren will cover the cost of transportation, accommodation and food for all summer schools.

 

How to apply:

Applications for each residential summer school will close on 12 February 2024.

You will need to complete an application form via the ‘Events and Opportunities’ tab on Seren Space.

You can apply for as many of them as you wish.

Below, we have included information on the questions the application form will ask you so t you can begin preparing for them over the holidays, should you wish. 

For Cambridge, Aberystwyth and Cardiff University, you will be asked:

1. Tell us why you should be considered for one or more of Seren’s summer programmes (max 500 words)
2. Tell us about one of your academic interests (max 500 words)

For Jesus College, Oxford , the questions will be:

1. Tell us why you should be considered for one or more of Seren’s summer programmes (max 500 words)
2. Write an essay defining and arguing any ONE of the following five words (max 500 words)
3. Complete
4. Help
5. Impact
6. Problem
7. Solution

If you have any questions in the meantime, please contact your Seren hub coordinator or email the Seren team.

Good luck!