Ex Franklin student Nicola Burkitt has recently been up to her knees in the muddy waters of the salt marsh in Cleethorpes just south of the Leisure Centre.

Nicola is in the final year of a joint degree in Physical Geography and French at Aberystwyth University and to help her to produce her dissertation she has been looking at the factors affecting the growth of the salt marsh in Cleethorpes. The recent controversy about the whether the salt marsh should be allowed to extend into the heart of the resort was the trigger that brought Nicola home to complete her studies.

Geography and French may seem an odd combination, but Nicola thinks it may give her an advantage over students with ‘normal’ degrees when she leaves University later this year to begin the search for a job. She hopes to combine the two aspects of her degree to get a job with a French or English company involved in environmental issues who may also need her language skills.

As part of her degree Nicola spent a year abroad at Sedan, in the Champagne region of northern France, teaching English to students of sixth form age. As well as enjoying the experience she feels that it was a real help in improving her confidence in the use of the language and her basic conversational skills in French.
Nicola has loved her time at Aberystwyth University, but stresses that students thinking about going to University should consider the location of their choices as she has found the distances and time involved in travelling to and from Aberystwyth quite trying.

Despite this Nicola will take with her pleasant memories of the University, the facilities, the town and the people she has met. Her advice to students about to leave North East Lincolnshire and begin their studies at University is “...Think serious about where the University is and the distances involved, consider the modules that are available not just in year one but later on in the course; be open minded, enjoy meeting new people and making new friends and join at least one club or society.”

Nicola took her own advice and joined a club she wouldn’t have considered before going to University. She joined the ‘Cheerleader ‘ Society associated with the University American Football team!  She has surprised herself by enjoying the fun, friendship, trips and competitions.
 

These exciting new courses are starting during February, book your place now as spaces are limited!!!

First Aid

Tuesday 9 February

6-9pm

This is one session only

British Sign Language (Intensive Level 1)

Starting Wednesday 22 February for 20 weeks

6-9pm

Mental Health Awareness

Starting Tuesday 21 February for 8 weeks

6-9pm

Call 01472 875011, or visit the Adult Learning office for more infomation.

This year, three second year Franklin College students have been given offers to study at the prestigious Oxford and Cambridge Universities.  Each of the three applicants has gone through a rigorous process of application and each had to partake in interviews to prove their worth at the respective colleges.  When speaking to the students, they gave some insightful reasons for their choices.
 
Daniel Khan, 18, is currently studying History, English Literature, Government and Politics.  He did AS French last year.  In his AS exams he achieved 3A’s and a B in French.  He joined us with 5A*s, 5As and 2Bs from Humberston Academy.  His offer is from Oxford Somerville College to read History. 

Why have you decided to study History in particular?
I decided to study history because of my natural curiosity for this subject.  I have a bit of an obsession for how we forged society.  The British Empire is my favourite period – late 19th Century to the 50’s specifically. Franklin has fostered my interest in history and the department have gone the extra mile in helping me with my application.  I have done plenty of mock interviews with them and the principal.

Why did you choose to apply to Oxford?
Well my brother studied at Somerville College too so there was definitely a little sibling rivalry fueling me on.  (James Khan, 24, graduated from Oxford after studying at Humberston School and then Franklin College.)  But more than that, Oxford has one of the biggest libraries, it has real prestige and also their system of study is amazing.  To have one to one time with a real historian that I have read would be just brilliant.

Did you expect to get your offer?
Well my Interview went well but it was much more difficult than I expected, very intellectually challenging. But no I didn’t expect the offer.  Oxford University really is another world so it is hard to second guess them. 

What advice would you have for anyone else hoping to apply to Oxford in the future?
Get involved in as much as you can at college.  Franklin College has been a really great environment for me.  I am part of the Debating Team and have taken part in the Model UN event (National Sixth Form College event) These things have given me lots of confidence and the ability to talk in public. These wider college activities have definitely added to my application and allowed me to become a well rounded learner.  Support from my peers has been really great.  Their genuine interest has fuelled me on.  An Oxford education is not just about passing exams, you have to put yourself out there.  Franklin is great at helping you do that.


Tom Latimer, 17, has been given an offer to study Mathematics at Cambridge University.  He achieved all As studying Maths, Business Studies and Physics last year and has gone on to study Further Maths, Maths and Physics.  His offer is to achieve A*, A, A in order to attend the University in September. 

Why have you decided to study Maths in particular?
Well I’ve always been pretty good at it and it is my favourite subject.  I really want to know more about it so studying it beyond A Level was a pretty obvious decision.  I’ve never been too sure what kind of career I want in the future.  I know I don’t want to do any kind of banking; I’d be much keener on engineering or research within Maths.  I’m sure it’ll all come to me in time.

Why did you choose to apply to Cambridge?
I’ve always aimed for the best and so Cambridge had to be in my options.  The prestige of study somewhere like Cambridge would really set me up for a successful future.  And the academics there are some of the best in the world so to be taught by them would really be outstanding. 

How did you feel when you received your offer?
I just wandered round the kitchen in a bit of a daze really.  Happy is such an understatement!  I gave my mum a hug of course!  It is a really good feeling to know you are good enough.  It is not over yet though.  I still have to get an A* and 2As and pass the entrance exams in June.  I’m certainly going to give it my best shot to get in though.

What advice would you have for anyone else hoping to apply to Oxford in the future?
I joined Franklin late, I started on the IB at Tollbar but realised it wasn’t right for me so made the switch to Franklin.  It was the best thing I could have done.  Franklin has really prepared me for the next steps.  I have been part of the Further Maths Team who takes part in Maths competitions across the country. This along with being in a real college environment has built my confidence in applying to somewhere like Cambridge and Franklin have supported me every step of the way. 


Connor Seaton-Mooney, 17, have been given an offer to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge.  He has studied Maths, Further Maths, Chemistry and Physics during his time at Franklin College. Achieving 3 As in his first year here has put him on good stead for his future.

Why have you decided to study Natural Sciences in particular?
I chose this particular course because when looking into it, it is very flexible and diverse.  I have a real passion for physics and chemistry so this course allows me to continue with both these options.  For the first and second year I will read both chemistry and physics and in my third year I will specialise into one of these areas.  At the moment, I am leaning towards physics, but I’ll see how it goes. 

Why did you choose to apply to Cambridge?
Cambridge is prestigious for science and maths so to study at one of the best places in the country would be phenomenal.  I’m hoping to be able to continue beyond my BSc and eventually gain a PhD in Physics.  My ideal job would be to be an academic at a University and to continue with research within the field of physics. 

How did you feel when you received your offer?
When I was given my offer I was really happy for about 20 seconds. Then I saw the grades.  They want an A* and 2As but have requested that the A* has to be in Chemistry.  I find chemistry tougher than further maths and physics, but to know I have the opportunity to study along the top set of students in the country will make the hard work needed all worthwhile.

What advice would you have for anyone else hoping to apply to Oxford in the future?
Like Tom, I also joined Franklin late after starting on the IB at Tollbar.  I’m really happy that I made the move because Franklin have supported me throughout my two years here.  I think that someone looking to apply to Oxford should stay focused on the goal they want to achieve. 

College Principal, Trevor Wray,is thrilled for the students, saying
“These students have demonstrated the most exceptional talents in their studies.  Franklin College is an open access sixth form college, and to get three students into Oxbridge is a major achievement for us and one which many highly selective school sixth forms would have been justifiably proud. These young people have succeeded in gaining places at two of the best universities in the world. We are absolutely thrilled with their achievements, and hope that their endeavours will inspire other young people and show that hard work does pay off.”