Mr Daniel Dipper, ex-student of Sir Harry Smith Community College and current Vice Chair of the Oxford Union, the world’s foremost debating society, returned to Whittlesey to speak to sixth form students.

Daniel, who currently is studying Politics and History at Oxford University, gave current sixth formers at Sir Harry Smith Community College guidance on applying to top universities, like Oxford and Cambridge.

When asked by students for advice, from his time in sixth form, Daniel reminisced how his A-Levels had given him a good grounding in geopolitics, world events and economics, and given him the skills to research and investigate, which he now puts to good use at Oxford. He added that hard work and effort can be rewarded with places at the highest centres of learning.

Students, many of whom are part of the Sir Harry Smith Debating Society, a sixth form group that runs as part of the student enrichment activities at the College, were also informed about Daniel’s role as Vice Chair of the Oxford Union, and how he helps organise visiting speakers, along with giving students top tips on public speaking and debating.

Mr Tim Smith, head of the sixth form at Sir Harry Smith Community College stated

“our extensive network of alumni who still support our college and sixth form, like Daniel, enables us to give excellent support and advice to our students. This is reflected in the high numbers we have that go on to higher education, including top universities like Oxford, and I would like to thank Daniel, and all those others who return year after year, to help our students achieve their full potential”.