Throughout the day, students took part in interactive workshops exploring student life, where they gained an insight into academic support, balancing work and study, and the wide range of social clubs and activities available at university. They were also provided with information about different progression routes into higher education and apprenticeships, helping to dispel common myths and replace them with the facts about post-16 and post-18 pathways.

Students attended an engaging Games Design taster lecture, where they learned how games are developed, the costs involved in game production, and the importance of creativity and problem-solving within the industry.

The visit concluded with a guided tour of the university's impressive facilities, including its medical science laboratories, sports facilities and library.

The students were a credit to Basildon Academies, earning praise from university staff for their outstanding engagement, enthusiasm and exemplary behaviour throughout the day.

“I thought it was a great trip because it gave us the opportunity to see how a university is run and what day-to-day life there is like. It was really helpful to experience what university could be like and think about whether it is something I would want to do in the future. Hearing honest opinions from staff and seeing the experiences of people who attend the university made the visit really interesting and useful.” Oliver.H

“I thought the trip was really interesting and a great experience. It was exciting to see the wide variety of subjects you can study at university and take part in different activities. The activities were fun, and the teachers who came with us were great. The university was a really interesting place to visit and helped me understand more about what it could be like in the future.” Cory.J