The Reach Higher Programme
Our Reach Higher programme is unique. Our insight and experience help raise aspirations within partner schools and encourage success with university applications through a fully integrated summer school and mentoring programme. We create a supportive, personalised environment to stretch students intellectually, build their social confidence and inspire them to succeed and fulfil their academic potential.
Research has identified three key areas which the Reach Higher programme develops in our students:
Breadth – Beyond their subjects, the Reach Higher programme prepares students for an interdisciplinary world beyond university where much of the most innovative research, and businesses, work across traditional subject boundaries.
Depth – The Reach Higher programme provides opportunities for students to delve deeper than their A-Level studies in small groups, led by subject experts. Students develop an understanding of the foundations of their subjects, with time given to exploration and discussion without limitation.
Communication – Today, the quality of your ideas means nothing without the means to communicate them. The Reach Higher programme develops students’ communication skills in a wide variety of ways to prepare students to thrive at university and in the modern workplace.
the 2026 programme
This year, we are planning an exciting new programme which will be a hybrid of both online events and residential teaching including:-
- May -Reach Higher Welcome Event, University of Leeds
- June – Day Visit to Durham University
- June – Visit to University of Oxford (Magdalen and Mansfield Colleges)
- July – Big Ideas Hybrid Summer School
- August – WEIL Law Internship, Weil London offices
- August – Stepping Stones Residential Summer School, St John’s College, University of Cambridge
- Late August – Early-entry students matched with their Phone-a-Friend tutors
- September – November – ‘Refine to Shine’ Online Programme
- October and November –Non-early entry students matched with their Phone-a-Friend tutors
Feedback from previous Reach Higher students
The Big Ideas residential was truly fantastic. I cannot express in so few words the immense gratitude I have for giving me the opportunity, the encouragement and the self-belief I needed.
Spending the week with other candidates was something that made the residential so special. It was both enlightening and heartwarming to be surrounded by incredibly academic people who were humble, kindhearted and who I shared many interests with; they were just like me.
The Big Ideas residential was truly fantastic. I cannot express in so few words the immense gratitude I have for giving me the opportunity, the encouragement and the self-belief I needed.
Spending the week with other candidates was something that made the residential so special. It was both enlightening and heart-warming to be surrounded by incredibly academic people who were humble, kind-hearted and who I shared many interests with; they were just like me.
The teaching was demanding and thorough and incredibly taxing academically, but it was also incredibly enjoyable and thought provoking. No matter who the person we met to speak with and no matter their background, we were always encouraged by them to be the best we can be and to never stop thinking, and as such this message was instilled as a motto for the whole Institute.
I found the residential to again be another fantastic week. The teaching sessions were extremely challenging and tough but were done in a way that made me feel as though I was able to keep up with the pace. The interview practice has not only given me a greater confidence for the Cambridge admissions assessments but has also given me targeted feedback on how to improve for the actual interviews. The residential has made it seem to me as though studying at Cambridge is within my grasp rather than simply an idea that is more or less unachievable.
I can honestly say that Linacre has been the best experience of my life and it continues to support me long after the summer. The ongoing tutor system has been the most supportive part. In my AS results I scraped a C in Physics. Then I was introduced to my tutor – she is my Physics guardian angel! With her guidance and help my confidence has grown exponentially. I’m proud to say I’m now consistently getting As.
Linacre Partner Schools
Linacre offers Partner Schools the opportunity to work with a team of first-class in-house experts to drive ambition and excellence for capable sixth-formers.
The experience and expertise that we have developed since we first started in 2014, provides a unique approach to help students, from disadvantaged backgrounds, to reach the most competitive and selective universities in the country.
Our work is often recognised as being ‘beyond outstanding’ and we have a track record of success as demonstrated by several Partner Schools that have posted record results, both in terms of student performance and university destinations.
Find out the benefits of becoming a Partner School.
Wales High School saw the percentage of their sixth-formers reaching highly selective (Sutton Trust 30) universities almost double in their first year of working with us.
Hall Cross in Doncaster have called our support “transformational both in terms of the attitude and attainment of our most able students, including grade outcomes as well as destinations”
Student Stories
Without Linacre, I don’t think I would’ve even considered applying to Cambridge, never mind getting in for Natural Sciences and continuing to love it in my second year.
