A group of Oakbank School pupils has been experiencing what life could be like as a member of the world’s university elite. Ten year 12 students with top GCSE results visited Cambridge University to encourage them to apply to study for a degree there next year.

The trip was part of the institution’s “widening participation” scheme to encourage young people from state schools to apply for course places.

After a day taking in the city’s sites and touring the college buildings, pupils were set against other visiting schools in a quiz to prove their intellectual worth.

The questions covered subjects ranging from maths and linguistics to geography and science. Year 12 English teacher Helen Angell said: “Our students worked really well together, pooling their different strengths. We couldn’t believe it when we were announced as the winners with 28 out of 32!”

Afterwards the Oakbankers celebrated their victory by having dinner in the hall of Fitzwilliam College.