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The A*spire Programme

A*spire is an academic enrichment programme designed for high-achieving and ambitious students who wish to challenge themselves beyond the classroom and prepare for progression to top universities and competitive courses.

 

Students must have achieved four or more Grade 8s or above at GCSE to be eligible.

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What do students do on the A*spire Programme?

The programme supports students throughout their college journey, providing structured academic enrichment, guidance, and personalised support to help them achieve their full potential.

In Year 1, students take part in weekly enrichment sessions designed to develop critical thinking, intellectual curiosity, and strong super-curricular engagement.

In Year 2, students receive individual one-to-one support tailored to their post-18 aspirations, including university applications and degree apprenticeships.

What the A*spire Programme offers

Students on the programme will benefit from:

  • Visits to the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford
  • Inspirational talks from expert speakers
  • Academic group work and collaborative projects
  • Structured debates and discussion-based learning
  • One-to-one guidance for UCAS applications and degree apprenticeships
  • Mock interviews and preparation for competitive selection processes
  • Support and guidance with University offers and next steps

The A*spire Programme is designed to stretch, challenge, and inspire students, equipping them with the skills, confidence, and academic profile required to succeed in highly competitive pathways.

Strode's College
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Expert Speaker Programme

Leading university academics deliver high level, subject specific sessions. This encourages students to engage on a theoretical level above and beyond A Level, expand their learning by being exposed to new subjects and to make links across academic disciplines.

Staff-led sessions

Strode’s staff-led sessions is an area where the A*spire Programme offers something different. This provides a provision above and beyond the curriculum and the opportunity for students to engage with academic theories, which go beyond the parameters of their A Level syllabi.

Group Task

Each year A*spire students are required to research and present on a particular area. The subjects are always very varied and designed to challenge and expand intellectual horizons away from the curriculum. Recent topics have included: Design and architecture of the London Olympic Stadium; History of Computer Science; Brexit and the Qualities Act 1910.

A*spire Success

The expectation is that everyone on the programme will go to the most prestigious universities (Russell Group and Oxbridge). Find out more at one of our Open Days.

Register For Open Day

Come to an Open Day

Come along to one of our open days to tour our campuses, meet our expert staff and find out more about life as a Strode’s student.

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Meet our Students

“The staff on the A*spire programme helped me write the personal statement and helped me with my preparation for university pre-entry exams.”

Isadora Spencer
A*spire student

“I really enjoy the A*spire guest lecturers who come in to talk about subjects that interest you, which helps broaden your horizons.”

Milly Ayers
A*spire student

“With the help from the A*spire team I am studying English Literature at the University of Cambridge.”

Mia Evans
A*spire student

“John on the A*spire programme helped me the entire time, if it wasn’t for him, then I probably wouldn’t be in this position, applying to the University of Cambridge.”

Kevwe Anaughe
A*spire student

“If you plan on applying to a competitive university for a competitive course such as Medicine or Engineering, the A*spire program at Strode’s will greatly increase your chances of securing a place.”

Archit Bhardwaj
A*spire student