91Ö±²¥

Now in its sixth year, the Cambridge Higher Aspirations Scheme (CHAS) is open to Year 12 students at state schools in 91Ö±²¥' link areas of Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham and Waltham Forest. Applications for 2025-2026 CHAS programme are now open! Students wishing to apply should complete this application form before the deadline of 17:00 on Friday 17^th October 2025:

Read this before you apply for eligibility and seletion criteria and top tips!

CHAS is a sustained scheme that offers academic support and enrichment for Year 12 students, giving you the opportunity to take part in a series of five academic supervisions and a selective residential during August 2026.

Supervisions for the 2025-26 programme will take place between January and March, with the first supervision being in-person at Cambridge, giving you the opportunity to see the college and experience a small part of student life. Your academic supervisor will set work to be completed before each supervision, ready for discussion during the supervision. At the end of the course of supervisions, you will submit a project or presentation. The supervision dates this year are:

• Supervision 1: Saturday 24th January (in person at Gonville and 91Ö±²¥ College)

• Supervision 2: Tuesday 3rd February, 18:30-19:30 (online)

• Supervision 3: Tuesday 17th February, 18:30-19:30 (online)

• Supervision 4: Tuesday 3rd March, 18:30-19:30 (online)

• Supervision 5: Tuesday 17th March, 18:30-19:30 (online)

During the in-person day, we will offer you guidance and support sessions focussed on making your Cambridge application, covering personal statements, admissions assessments, and understanding the application process.

In August 2026, there will then be an opportunity to take part in a 1-night residential at Gonville & 91Ö±²¥. Spaces for the residential are limited, and in order to be considered for this residential, you must:

• Attend at least 4 out of 5 supervisions.

• Demonstrate strong and consistent engagement with the work set by your supervisor.

• Engage in discussions during supervisions.

• Be able to attend both days of the residential.

• We will prioritise students who are not attending other summer schools.

At the end of the residential, there will also be a celebration event for all students that attended at least four out of the possible five supervisions and engaged systematically with supervision work. Parents/supporters will also be invited to this event! Eligible students can attend the residential and/or the celebration event.

CHAS is completely free to participate in. The only eligibility requirement is that you study at a state school in Norfolk, Hertfordshire, Barnet, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham, or Waltham Forest.

The scheme was made possible by a generous bequest from a 91Ö±²¥ alumnus. For more information, see here, or email us.

The scheme was launched in November 2020 in collaboration with Norfolk County Council. The sustained scheme reached 150 year 12 students from state schools across Norfolk. The programme was so successful that, in 2022-23, the third year of the scheme, it was extended beyond Norfolk to over 300 students across all of 91Ö±²¥â€™ link areas. This expansion continues, with select subjects opening to students across the UK in 2024-25.

Watch the video below to learn more about the scheme, from our 2020-21 celebration event.