Over 50 Year 12 students from the local area attended a four-day residential summer school at Keele University’s School of Medicine recently.

The summer school was one of four held across the country and offered students from under-represented backgrounds the opportunity to experience what it is like to be a medical student. Students also found out about careers in medicine, pharmacy, physiotherapy and biomedical science.

During the week, students took part in a variety of activities including lectures, lab activities, problem-based learning tutorials, careers talks, workshops and hands-on simulations. Attendees also met GPs, psychiatrists and emergency doctors as well as current medical students and medical school staff.

A number of events were held in the evening for delegates including games, quizzes, a disco in the Keele Students’ Union and a number of activities in the Sports Centre.

The summer school programme was organised by the Medical Schools Council Selection Alliance and funded by Health Education England.

Gordon Dent, Director of Admissions (Undergraduate Medicine), said: “I think this is a great opportunity for students who otherwise don't get much chance to engage with medical schools or talk to doctors about their careers.

“I'm grateful to Health Education England for providing the funding to allow us to host a summer school for students in the West Midlands and Staffordshire, who can really benefit from four days of experiencing the life of a medical student. Apart from being useful, it's also been terrific fun. We were sad to say goodbye to the students at the end of the week, and we hope to see some of them back at Keele in a year or two's time.”