Cambridge Beckons For Super Sam

Eddie Redmayne. Sir Isaac Newton. Prince Charles. Samuel Killcross…?

Cambridge University’s Trinity College has had many a famous name pass through its hallowed gates, and now one of The Sixth Form College’s students could join that illustrious list.

Sam Killcross has been offered a place to read History at Trinity College, the largest college at Cambridge, in September after an outstanding performance in his studies with us.

With offers from other prestigious universities on the table, Sam has no shortage of options but has set his sights firmly on getting the grades he needs in his A Levels this year.

Along with History, Sam studies English Literature and Religious Studies at The Sixth Form College, having already completed an AS in Politics. He believes that the specialist A Level environment and the nature of teaching and support at the college have been major factors in his success.

Sam, who joined us from South Wirral High School, said: “I chose the Sixth Form College because I felt that being in a learning environment that gave me more independence would be more conducive to me fulfilling my potential in my A Levels.

“The teaching at the college has been hugely encouraging and there’s a great sense of optimism that no benchmark is too high and no aspiration is unachievable.”

Sam, 17, explained that the college helps bridge the gap between high school and university, saying: “The culture of independent learning in the college where students are given more personal study time is definitely good preparation for university life.”

Sam says his choices of courses to study at A Level were complementary to his chosen area of History as they all ‘require critical thinking and encourage you to go beyond what you would normally do.

Although he has not firmly decided what he wants to do as a career, Bromborough-based Sam has targeted studying overseas at an Ivy League school at some point, and said: “Getting the grades to get into Cambridge would bring that goal this much closer. I’d be disappointed not to get the grades to get into Cambridge. And that’s not out of university snobbery but it’s out of the fact that I’ve been given an opportunity that thousands of people would want, so I don’t want to pass it up.  

As for Sam’s parents, he said that they were very happy, if still a little speechless, but that his teachers at college and friends alike had always believed in him: “They knew I could do it, I just wanted to prove them right. My History teacher, Dave Simpkin, made me stand up in class and got everyone to give me a round of applause. I’ve never been so embarrassed in my life.”