10:54am Friday 5th June 2009
By Leigh Marles
A presentation of their "dreams and aspirations" won students from Oldershaw School in Wallasey a visit to Amsterdam University.
The trip was part of a scheme co-ordinated by Liverpool University, which is designed to inspire youngsters to consider entering higher education.
To gain a place, the young people had to give presentations in front of an audience of nearly 100 about their "Dreams and Aspirations." The winners were decided by a panel of judges.
The Wallasey group joined fellow pupils from across Merseyside as part of the Year 10 "Aimhigher Champions Project."
The project works with young people who are capable of high achievement but are currently unlikely to progress to higher education.
The first day of the visit included an inspirational visit to Anne Frank's House.
Richard Finch of the Aimhigher project said: "Seeing the hiding place of Anne Frank and hearing about the persecution of Jewish people during the second world war was very emotional and humbling for the young people who said they felt ‘moved and lucky for what they had.'"
Students also visited the University of Amsterdam Faculty of Science and went on to explore the NEMO Centre, which is the biggest science centre in the Netherlands.
Deonne Hill from the University of Liverpool said: “The aim of the trip was to raise aspirations of higher education and increase cultural awareness by giving the young people the opportunity of international travel and the chance to see the University of Amsterdam as well as its great city.”
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