ANDOVER College’s English department shared their expertise with some of the town’s secondary school gifted and talented English students.

The partnerships have been developed in order to enthuse, stretch and challenge Andover’s most able and to demonstrate the difference of studying the subject at A-level.

The lecturers have been kept busy and so far have worked with Year 10 and Year 11 students from John Hanson, Winton Academy and this month will be adding Test Valley School in Stockbridge to the list.

Carys Overfield, English literature lecturer at Andover College, said: “The outreach programme is working really well.

“Not only are these students being exposed to texts they wouldn’t normally encounter, but they are also getting a sense of the study opportunities on offer once they have left school.”

Gifted Year 10 students from Winton Academy spend one hour a week with Carys looking at literary analysis in order to develop their skills.

One of the students said: “My sessions at Andover College have been going well. My work in school has improved and has been moved forward by the things I’ve learned.

“I’ve been using everything I’ve learned to try and improve my grades.

“By coming to college I really feel that I have widened my knowledge in English and have developed my skills.

“It has been a great experience so far and my understanding of how to analyse something has increased incredibly.

“I have been challenged and my love of English has come back.”

Having stepped their studies up with Carys, the Winton students have taken on the ambitious challenge of an Extended Project Qualification.

Normally the preserve of 18- year-old college students, the Extended Project is the equivalent of an A-level and is recognised by UCAS.

The students have been given special dispensation by the examining board AQA to complete the project in two rather than one year and will be fully supported by Carys and the team during this time.