Former student profiles
Having lived at home my whole life, coming to CCSS, away from my family, friends, and familiar environment, was a huge step. However, all insecurities and fears underlying that decision were quickly swept away soon after I arrived. All my teachers were amazing and absolutely dedicated to teaching and helping us through any problems. The staff were so supportive and ready to provide its students with everything they needed to develop. I met many wonderful and interesting people from all over the world and made friends for life. It is still hard to believe that these two years ended so fast.
Semiramis Popova
Graduated 2010
CCSS gave me the opportunity to re-sit various modules in Economics and Geography as well as study the Politics course within a year. The college provided me with a great deal of help and encouragement to tackle what was a demanding year. I chose CCSS because I felt they were most sincere with their promises of support and I am very grateful for it.
At CCSS I was given the opportunity to go to Parliament as well as lots of guidance on UCAS applications and getting in to university. The study facilities were really good and particularly now with Benet Place. I enjoyed life as a day student being afforded the luxury of determining what I do with my time but still had places to study and teacher support when I needed it.
After CCSS I attained a place at Newcastle University and I am enjoying it hugely. The town is fantastic and the course is very interesting. I hugely appreciate all the efforts and encouragement by the teachers to help me reach higher education. CCSS is a fantastic place to study and I would recommend to anybody without hesitation.
George Sandeman
Graduated 2010
My experience at CCSS started last year when I decided to take A-levels in order to apply to a UK university, and those days are still unforgettable.
I was studying Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics in one year and the support I got from teachers, tutor and staff was unique. In fact they followed me through all the steps of the application process to Veterinary Medicine, stimulating me and helping me cope with the pressure and competition that this course involves. I have to thank them as currently I am a first year student at the University of Bristol.
However what I cannot forget, and what is really going to be part of my memories, is my time spent at CCSS as a boarder. The months before moving to Cambridge were troubled and full of worries of how the environment would have been, but as soon as the term started I met fantastic people that eventually became my friends for life. I think that CCSS represents one of the best experience in my life.
Giorgia Brambilla
Graduated 2010
I was a boarder during my time at CCSS, and I took A-levels in Spanish, English, History and Law. While there, I must admit that I had an amazing experience during both years – there is nothing like the combination of excellent teachers, friendly faces and great pastoral care to make you feel settled from almost the first day.
When I started studying at CCSS, I had come a long way from Barbados and had just switched schools from Spain, so I started the term a few weeks late. Needless to say I was missing my friends and family back home, because I had only known life in my island for the previous 16 years. But studying at CCSS was worth the initial ‘trauma’, and I am proud to say that this college definitely helped me strive for success and happiness. I am lucky to have attended, and to have made so many good friends there!
I have now moved on from CCSS, and am presently studying at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. I feel like CCSS prepared me for the university life, because of the independent way of living that I experienced during my A-level years. I found it far easier to settle into the way of life here than many who were used to the traditional school setting. I would recommend CCSS to anyone, as I know one hundred percent that it would be a very good choice!
Fay Robinson
Graduated 2008
Coming to CCSS was one of the best decisions I ever made. When I first started my AS courses, I had just come out of a very negative educational environment where students were largely ignored and discouraged. Because of this, my self esteem was fairly low. CCSS gave me the right tools to nurture my self esteem, and enabled me to grow on both a personal and interpersonal level. The learning environment is extremely supportive and focused around the individual needs of every student, which is hard to find in today's education market.
In my time at CCSS, I studied English Literature, Sociology and Psychology at both AS and A-level. The material that was covered in those subjects is still fresh in my mind to this day, and I know it is going to stay with me for the rest of my life. I especially enjoyed the weekly one-to-one tutorials, which are yet another aspect of the unique character of CCSS. Because the courses cover such a broad range of topics relevant to each subject area, the things I learned are still helpful in my university degree. This makes my studies easier on many levels. I really do feel that CCSS has prepared me for my academic future in the best possible way. I am currently undertaking a Bachelor's degree of Applied Social Science, with a specialization in counseling. I am studying in Australia, but because of the courses I studied at CCSS, I was able to receive some advanced credit for a number of my introductory university courses.
I often think about my time at CCSS, and remember it fondly. The friends I made are still part of my life today, and sometimes, we wish we could go back and re-live some of those unforgettable moments together. The memories we have are just beautiful, and yet another aspect of my CCSS years that will stay with me forever!
Life has its ups and downs. It does not always go according to the plan straight away. With that said, I know that it is because of my time at CCSS I am now living my dreams - despite the downs that are sure to confront everyone at some point of their journey. I would not be the resilient, persevering person I am today if it had not been for the amazing preparation I received in my two years at CCSS. I could not think of a better spring board to a successful and fulfilling future!
Malvina Landen
Graduated 2007
I attended CCSS as an A-level student from 2005 to 2007. I studied Photography, English, Media Studies and Psychology.
Originally I was very nervous about joining, I was not a boarder and all my friends from secondary school were attending local sixth form colleges together, whereas I did not know anyone else. However it was the best decision I could have made.
CCSS gave me the confidence to strive for the best. I do not think I would have got the same grades if I had attended a larger college. For me it was beneficial to have smaller class rooms and teachers who were willing to help you and treated you as equals.
I am now studying Photography and Journalism at Roehampton University in London. Looking back CCSS played a key part in preparing me for life at a University. I would recommend the college to anyone.
Rebecca Clifford
Graduated 2007
Daisy is Economics Editor of ITV News, having been promoted from Chief Political Correspondent in June 2008. She is ITV News’ most senior female reporter.
Since joining in 2005 – as well as reporting for ITV News – she has also presented ITV’s Lunchtime and Weekend News and ITV’s Moral of the Story.
Before joining ITV she presented (as Daisy Sampson) the BBC’s Daily Politics and was BBC Breakfast News’ political correspondent. She also had her own drive time show on LBC Radio and has presented Channel 4’s Powerhouse, the BBC's Heaven and Earth Show and BBC Weekend News.
Before moving into broadcasting in 2001 she spent a decade working in Westminster, starting off as a researcher before writing for many newspapers from the Press Gallery, profiling MPs in The House Magazine – which she ultimately edited – as well as working for Lib Dem leader Charles Kennedy as his Press Secretary. She was a consultant on the BBC’s A–Z of Politics and edited The Politics Companion, published by Chrysalis books.
“I adored my time at CCSS. It was the first time I realised teachers were human beings who simply wanted to help me be the best I could, rather than representatives of evil put on the planet to make my life a misery - the way I had previously viewed teachers before CCSS!
“I did English, Politics and History of Art.
“I went to the LSE having got good A-levels, but in fact got really bored after two terms and went to work in the House of Commons as a researcher. I think CCSS had given me such an amazing university-like time that LSE did not seem that special and I was eager to get cracking in the world of work!”
Daisy McAndrew
Graduated 2000
I had missed several years of school due to illness and, in order to keep up with my age group, needed to take my A-levels in a year. I visited several schools where I could do this but as soon as I walked into CCSS I knew this was the place I wanted to be. The school itself felt so friendly and homely (important as I had never been to a boarding school before) and I immediately loved the teachers, who talked to me as an individual, not just another student with some extra needs.
I arrived in September 1995 to study English, History of Art and French A-levels and can honestly say it was one of the happiest experiences I ever had.
I lived in a house with about 10 other students, all from very different backgrounds and with different reasons for being there, but we immediately connected under the watchful eye of our lovely house mistress. But it was really the teachers that I loved. Each of my teachers took such care with all of us, somehow catering for the very wide variety of capabilities in the class. I still remember so much of my various A-level syllabuses, which just proves how great the teaching is there. Best of all, it really felt like the teachers cared about us individually. It really was thanks to my teachers that I got all A-grades in my exams and then went on to study English at Oxford University.
When I arrived at CCSS I was extremely nervous and unsure of my abilities, mainly because I had been out of the school system for three years. But they all encouraged me and gave me the necessary confidence to apply to Oxford University. I have been working as a features writer at the Guardian newspaper and a staff writer at Vogue for eight years now, both of which are truly dream jobs for me. I know I would never have got here if it had not been for CCSS.
Hadley Clare Freeman
Graduated 1996