Poppy’s Story

Currently Studying: A Levels in Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics, Physics Academy and Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

Previous School: Penryn College

Next steps: Hoping to go to an Oxbridge University to study Engineering or Chemistry

Poppy wanted to be able to go further in Maths, which is why Truro College was the best option for her: “I really liked how Maths and Further Maths was structured where I would cover all of A Level Maths in the first year and then all of Further Maths in the second year. I had also come to open evenings and spoken to lecturers about the courses and the Accelerate Programme and it was the best option for me.”

The College’s brand-new Accelerate Programme is a bespoke programme of study for Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) learners who are academically minded and are aiming for highly competitive places in HE and university.

As part of the Accelerate Programme, Poppy takes part in the Physics Academy as well as doing an Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). The EPQ develops students’ study and research skills and allows students to tailor their projects to fit their individual needs, aspirations and choices. The sessions, and support from the students’ tutor, allow students to create a portfolio documenting their research project.

Poppy also has classes and weekly sessions with others on the Accelerate Programme. She really enjoys this aspect, saying: “I like being in classes with people who are all achieving high and being pushed more by the lectures. I also like how we get notified about all the opportunities available to us and are encouraged to participate in all we can to make our applications for university even better.

“We are also encouraged by our lecturers to enter extra activities and competitions inside our subjects, such as for maths, the Senior Maths Challenge and the Maths Olympiad for Girls.

“Every Friday we have an enrichment session which can range from helping us to access opportunities to enriching our personal statements.”

Poppy is currently deciding which university to apply to, but she is hoping to go to an Oxbridge university to study either Engineering or Chemistry.