A CHESTER high school is offering free academic lecturers for all students locally.

The Queen's School Academic Lecture Programme aims to help students stand out from the crowd in university applications.

When applying to the top universities and competitive courses, candidates need to stand out from the crowd. Background reading and inspirational and challenging learning from experts and peers is key, as is hearing from academics already working in Higher Education.

The Academic Lecture Programme run by The Queen’s School in Chester aims to give students the chance to hear from some of the UK’s leading university researchers. The lectures are organised to be relevant for Year 12 university applicants but would equally be suitable to Year 10, 11 and 13 students wanting to find out more about a subject they are considering.

The next set of lectures are being delivered remotely due to lockdown and cover a huge range of topics, from science to business and from psychology to linguistics.

Environmental topics are central with Dr Sarah Ivory from the University of Edinburgh speaking on business and sustainability and Dr Joe Roberts from Harper Adams University presenting on ecology and the world’s food needs.

Former Queen’s pupil Rebecca Barritt will be offering a highly topical perspective on epidemiology based on her own studies in biochemistry and, for some light relief, Keele psychologist Lucy James will be speaking children’s understanding and use of humour.

Head of Sixth Form Robin Wilson said: "The lecture programme is aimed at giving students in Year 12 and below their first real feel for university level study. The topics are hugely useful in helping them make UCAS choices and also provide excellent material to support personal statements.

"We are proud to be able to open these lectures up to local students to take advantage of as well as our own girls. Simply register on our website and we will make sure you are sent the link."

All talks will be delivered remotely via Zoom. Register online at https://www.thequeensschool.co.uk/sixth-form/collaborate-confidently/academic-lecture-programme

Upcoming lectures 2021

  • Tuesday, 26 January: 'The role of business in society: sustainability and purpose' (Dr Sarah Ivory, Lecturer in Climate Change and Business Strategy, University of Edinburgh Business School)
  • Tuesday, 2 February: 'The Psychology of Children's Humour Styles' (Dr Lucy James, Department of Psychology, Univeristy of Keele)
  • Tuesday, 9 February: ‘Sensing the World with Sound’ (Dr Art Gower, Lecturer in Dynamics, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Sheffield)
  • Tuesday, 23 February: Exploiting Chemical Ecology to Feed the World’ (Dr Joe Roberts, Lecturer in Entomology and Integrated Pest Management, Harper Adams University)
  • Tuesday, 2 March: 'Epidemics and Pandemics - from Cholera to Covid-19.' (Rebecca Baritt, Edge Hill University)
  • Tuesday, 20 April: (TBC) ‘Ultrasound in Phonetic Research’ (Dr Claire Nance, Senior Lecturer in Phonetics and Phonology, Lancaster University)