Newham’s high flyers receive warm welcome at Cambridge University

London Academy of Excellence students Yvonne Uzoka, Fatima Hussain, Pinar Adile Yagmur and Thasmiah Khanom enjoyed their two -day stay at the University of Cambridge (Image: Archant)

Students from the London Academy of Excellence and St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre enjoyed a two-day stay as guests of Murray Edwards College, part of Cambridge University.

Yvonne Uzoka, Fatima Hussain, Pinar Adile Yagmur and Thasmiah Khanom from the London Academy of Excellence in Stratford and Laura Cullen, Debbie Yeboah, Bazlah Sultan and Katrina Feklistova from St Angela’s and St Bonaventure’s Sixth Form Centre in Forest Gate were among just 100 young women invited from schools across the UK to attend “Pathways to Success 2014.”

“Pathways to Success” is a two-day conference, organised and hosted by Murray Edwards College and aims to help the girls to focus on the opportunities and choices ahead of them in an inspiring and supportive atmosphere.

During the conference, the students shared their ideas about what success means, took part in workshops and met other academically-successful young women from many different backgrounds and parts of the UK.

The girls also enjoyed a celebration dinner hosted by Murray Edwards, in recognition of the successes which they have already achieved.

Fatima Hussain said: “It was really good listening to the students. The visit has given us a really good overview.”

Bazlah Sultan, said: “It’s been inspiring and has motivated us to do well especially the really interesting speakers who have achieved such cool things.”

Dr Hilarie Bateman, Admissions Tutor at Murray Edwards College and organiser of the conference, said: “It is a great pleasure to us to welcome such bright and talented young women to the College.

“The mix of backgrounds, experiences and aspirations leads to lively discussion about what matters to them and how to make it happen.