KORI visit to Oxford University: Expanding Horizons and Imagining Futures

KORI uses Educational Visits and Learning Experiences Grant to visit Magdalen College, Oxford.

On 18 February 2026, a group of ten young people from KORI visited Magdalen College, Oxford, as part of an educational visit designed to broaden academic horizons and build confidence in university spaces.

Using their Jack Petchey Foundation Educational Visit Grant, the group were able to subsidise travel and visit-related costs, supporting young people to experience one of the UK’s most historic university cities first-hand. For many, this was their first visit to Oxford.

During the trip, the group explored Oxford’s colleges and took part in meaningful conversations with current students, who shared honest insights into university life. These discussions provided the young people with relatable role models and helped demystify what studying at Oxford can look like, making higher education feel more tangible and achievable.

A group of young people seated around a long wooden table inside a historic hall, with portraits on the walls, eating and talking together under table lamps.

Young people from KORI sharing a meal together.

The visit also included a session at the Natural History Museum, where young people had the opportunity to handle real artefacts. This hands-on experience sparked curiosity, encouraged questions, and helped build confidence in navigating cultural and academic spaces.

A small group of young people gathered around a table, examining objects while an adult facilitator gestures and leads a discussion.

Young people from KORI taking part in a hands-on learning activity, exploring objects and discussion in a museum.

Together, these experiences helped young people expand their sense of possibility, encouraging them to imagine futures they may not have previously considered.

Asha (14) reflected: “At the beginning it was nice because the city is quite good – there were so many different people, it’s more multicultural than I thought! I learned about the history of Oxford and lots at the museum about animals and the history of the old colleges.”

Renisa (15) added: “At first I felt like it wasn’t going to be that fun, but during the time I was very energetic and I really liked it. The students told us a lot and it was really good information.”

Kenzo (14) said: “It was so cool going to another city – the buildings with a little bit of art in them, and that some of the places were so elegant. It’s amazing to think they are so very old.”

The Educational Visits and Learning Experiences Grant supports schools and youth organisations with the costs of providing enriching trips and learning experiences for young people aged 11–25. Eligible organisations participating in the Achievement Award Scheme can apply for two grants per calendar year, with a contribution of up to £20 per young person (to a maximum £1,200 grant value per application).

Learn more here.