This week, Homerton College’s dedicated Admissions and Outreach Team welcomed 150 students from across the UK for an action-packed student conference exploring themes of sustainability, with some students even travelling as far as Edinburgh and Glasgow to attend.
All students who were invited to attend had been Highly Commended for their submission to either the Essay or Design Programmes as part of the nationwide competition launched by Homerton College in April.
Design Programme Participants enjoyed Homerton’s famed Science Escape Game, whilst Essay Programme Participants took part in a World Climate Simulation Game.
Sabrina Bergin, Schools Liaison Officer, said "It was an absolute pleasure to host so many brilliant young people from all across the UK for our 2025 Student Sustainability Conference at Homerton College. This event was really a chance to celebrate them for their amazing and erudite work, and we hope that many of them will consider applying to Cambridge in October!"
Following a sustainability-themed lunch, students were then treated to Jack’s Gelato Ice Cream and had the option to take part in activities such as a biodiversity tour of Homerton’s grounds, a game of “Solving the Climate Mystery: An Eco-Treasure Nurture”, and student-led tours of Homerton College.
In the afternoon, students were invited to a panel discussion of experts titled “Building a Sustainable World whilst maintaining the Health and Wellbeing of global citizens”, chaired by Homerton Principal Lord Simon Woolley.
The day concluded with a Homerton College Essay Programme and Design Programme Prizegiving Ceremony, where trophies were awarded for students to take home. There were 14 prizes up for grabs in both the Essay and Design Programmes, this included runner up and best essay for each of the individual 6 essay questions, whilst design prize categories ranged from 'Most impactful design' and 'Most creative design' to 'Best video submission' and 'Best written submission'. Runners up and winners each received a certificate and a wood-cut trophy, personally engraved by Dr Paul Elliot.
Additionally, in an extra surprising and exciting turn of events, Homerton's Principal, Lord Simon Woolley, ended the panel discussion in the afternoon with an announcement that he would be inviting 3 of the Year 12 student attendees for afternoon tea to the House of Lords in the Autumn as a prize for submitting the most impressive and considered questions to the panel!
