Schools | Sport

11 Nov 09

A group of Essex sixth form pupils from a former failing comprehensive school have spent a day at Oxford University being coached and toured around by members of the University Rugby Club.

Twenty-two boys had a tour of University College last week, before receiving a training session from Steve Hill, Oxford’s Head of Rugby, and watching the Oxford Blues in action at a training session. The day left many of the boys inspired to apply to Oxford.

One pupil, Charlie Allen, said: 'I learnt a lot about how to fit in my studies with my rugby and I’ve been inspired to get home and get on with my coursework so I can get into somewhere like Oxford.'

Robert Clack School, is based in the middle of a housing estate in Dagenham. Just over a decade ago, only 16 per cent of pupils achieved five GCSEs at A* to C but now 82 per cent of pupils achieve five A* to C grades at GCSE and A-level students win places at Oxbridge.

A change of head teacher turned the school around and last year the school started its own rugby academy in sixth form for boys good enough to do it seriously after they finish school. The boys have to do three A-Levels but are given slightly less study time and more time on rugby.

Dave Maudsley, the school’s academy manager, said: 'It shows the boys they have a choice. They’re from a poor area but their day at Oxford has shown them that even if they have a different background, these boys are young men just like them. We want them to realise they can come to places like Oxford to study.

'Rugby has influenced them positively – the school has turned around and two years ago we were voted the best state school for sport. The boys thought it might be boring to visit Oxford but it’s been aspirational and some have even asked how they get application forms.'

Steve Hill said it was ‘fantastic’ to have the boys from Robert Clack working with the Rugby Club. He said: 'Hopefully they will go away with a much more detailed understanding of the life of a rugby playing Oxford University student. The important message is that it is very possible to combine tough academic study with elite sport and the skills gained in doing this will be helpful in many other areas of life. 

'By bringing boys from a Dagenham Comprehensive school here we are hopefully breaking down some of the perceived barriers that exist when people think about applying to Oxford University. By having me and some of the Blues' players coach the lads they can see the high standards required if you are to play in the Varsity Match.’

Charlie Allen added: 'Our visit was educational, much better than I expected.'

Another pupil, Scott Turner, agreed and said: 'I’ve looked at a few universities but I was very surprised by the sense of history at Oxford and how knowledgeable all the rugby players were about their colleges. The University was much bigger than I’d thought, I didn’t realise there were lots of different colleges.'

The squad from Robert Clack will be going to Twickenham to support Oxford in the Varsity game on December 10.