NewVIc student Craig Bukenya secures a college partnership with Eton and is selected for the Cambridge Shadowing Scheme
At the end of last year, ambitious student Craig Bukenya contacted the prestigious Eton College, one of the leading private schools in the UK, to arrange a visit for himself and fellow students.
Craig is studying A levels in English Literature, Politics and Sociology is in his first year at NewVIc. Craig is only 16 years old and is enrolled on the college’s Honours Programme for gifted and talented students.
Following Craig’s trip to Eton, Eton College is now working with NewVIc by providing specialist support to first-year Honours Programme students. At Eton, NewVIc students gain experience in challenging interview settings, this helps to prepare them for the demanding entrance requirements of elite universities.
In addition to securing this prestigious partnership for the college, Craig has also been selected for the competitive Cambridge University Shadowing Scheme.
The Cambridge University Students’ Union (CUSU) Shadowing Scheme received a high number of applications with over 3,000 students from across the United Kingdom. The scheme brings 300 sixth-formers to Cambridge for three days from 31 January to 2 February 2020. Throughout the experience, students shadow and meet a range of current Cambridge students and get a sense of what life is really like. Craig will also have all his meals in the halls alongside current undergraduates and go to lectures, classes and social activities seeing the university facilities, from the library to the sports pitches.
I am strongly considering applying to Cambridge which is why I applied to the shadowing scheme to give me a greater insight to what it would be like being an undergraduate student, to understand it better and confirm my passion for the course I want to study at university. I am very fortunate to have been given a place out of all the applications that have been made. It is very competitive. My ambition has increased even more now that we have support from Eton as well as NewVIc and other partners that work with them. Although we study in a state school, this will not hinder my level of ambition. Although Newham is blighted by social problems I think for me it just makes an incentive to work harder and be a source of inspiration for the community; if they see my ambition to be successful it might encourage them to be successful themselves. It fosters more confidence in our state schools, particularly students just like myself, young black males who are often stigmatised by the media, I think me being successful I can be a role model at NewVIc.
Craig Bukenya
Honours and A Level student
The Honours Programme at NewVIc aims to support students with high academic potential from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, by inspiring and engaging them in challenging topics often only taught in private schools. Craig is one of many NewVIc students that have benefitted from taking up the opportunities available to him.
With the support of the NewVIc, Craig has also been involved in many unique opportunities available to students. These include the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) supported by Greenwich University, LSE Pathways to Law with London School of Economics, the Toynbee Hall Project with Wadham College (Oxford University) and the Classics Programme in partnership with King’s College whilst he was in Year 11 at Cumberland School through the college’s Schools Outreach programme, which provides specialist workshops for local secondary school students.
This is an exciting opportunity for academically talented students like Craig who is eager to aim high with the support of his peers and NewVIc. Craig is very fortunate to be selected on the Cambridge Shadowing Scheme that many other ambitious young people like him apply to but only a few get selected. Our Honours Programme works in partnership with many universities, some bespoke and only available at NewVIc. We are extremely proud of Craig and will support and encourage him throughout his time with us and be a role model for the college and the community.
Carina Ancell
Curriculum Team Leader for Extended Studies, Newham Sixth Form College