Anyone know anyone at Worcester college Oxford?

[KateMuff]

DS has an offer and hasn't seen the college. We are in Oxford today and tried to visit but it's shut to non residents. Residents can take a visitor in. Does anyone know anyone who would do this today? We're a working class northern family and DS is v unsure about going. Even less so after having our heads bitten off by the woman on the gate when we asked if we could see the garden.
Let me know. I'd be v grateful
I know it's v unlikely
Thank you

The admissions tutor is Laura Ashe and I know she is incredibly motivated about diversifying the intake. I bet she'd be upset to think you weren't made to feel more welcome (even if they can't let you in).

You could tweet her? She's Laura Ashe on twitter, pretty easy to find.

FWIW, Worcester has very, very beautiful gardens. I genuinely do think it's a lovely college and they were one of the first, last year, to put out a really helpful response to the whole kerfuffle about grades and covid (sorry, you probably know that, but in case not!).

Could you phone? If SarahandQuack is right, a phone call to the admissions tutor might help - and might be quicker/more surefire than tweeting.

I wouldn't phone. Most people are working from home.

I know twitter is a bit scattergun, but it's informal, rather than making a demand on someone's time.

What the others said. It’s a very attractive college internally, and the gardens are gorgeous, though I once got co-opted by some swan rescue person to help wrestle an angry injured swan into a transportation harness off the Worcester lake, which was a bit hair-raising.

Did you tell the woman who stopped you that your DD had an offer and wanted to look around for that reason?

Also if it helps you probably already know that Worcester has the best states for state school/deprived area so DS should be absolutely fine;

www.worc.ox.ac.uk/applying/access-and-outreach/reports-access-and-admissions/keeping-access-fair-admissions-2021

• stats not states

Thanks so much everyone
Yes, we politely told her our situation but she was very abrupt and rude and clearly furious we'd come to Oxford at all. We're allowed to travel thou, and to me it seems extraordinary to take a place at a uni you've never seen!
I don't have Twitter but will call and see what they say

Good luck and unfortunately the only person recently there graduated last year. Hope you can find someone.

I was there mumblety years ago but I'm not in Oxford anymore, so can't help.

That's really poor from the porter. If it's any reassurance, the staff on the doors ('porters') were often known for being a bit grumpy - it's no reflection of how welcoming any of the students or tutors are, and the porters usually warm up to the actual students after a bit.

@Morred

I was there mumblety years ago but I'm not in Oxford anymore, so can't help.

That's really poor from the porter. If it's any reassurance, the staff on the doors ('porters') were often known for being a bit grumpy - it's no reflection of how welcoming any of the students or tutors are, and the porters usually warm up to the actual students after a bit.

Absolutely this, although I think it’s worse — or used to be when I was there — at more touristy colleges, like mine. I think I was there a term before I stopped skulking apologetically past.

That's absolutely awful that they were so rude.

@KateMuff I don't know anyone at Worcester I don't think but I'm at Merton (from a northern state school) and more than happy to come and say hi/ be friendly if your son is up for that? I'm off swimming at 2 but dm me if before/ after that would work

One of the nicest girls I have ever known from my ds school went there . Totally down to earth , unassuming and lovely . She has now graduated, had a lovely time and is still incredibly kind and grounded even though she is super clever and about to start a Phd. She also had to defer a year for health reasons and Worcester were, I understand, very supportive.

If they absolutely refuse you entry it might be worth walking around the perimeter to see if there are any other access points - eg from the river or the street on the south side. I have only ever gone in through the main entrance though. I am glad to here it’s more inclusive now - it used to have the opposite reputation 30 years ago - I was involved in designing a student accommodation block.

My Twitter account is a bit too identifiable, but could someone tweet this thread to the college? It might be a quick way of getting some action.

He's just had a wonderful conversation with a very elderly lady (I'd guess she was over 90- very impressive woman indeed) in Blackwell boo shop who overheard us talking. She said that Oxford was full of stuck up snobs but also the best of place in the world to attend University. She's done a degree, 2 masters and a phd so should know what she was taking about. She was absolutely charming and we're back on track now I think. I don't think a lot of people can understand the culture clash 😂😂😂

I'm so glad to hear that! I've dm'd you

Hi - I'm a current student at Worcester!!! This is so strange to see on my homepage (aware I'm a bit young for Mumsnet hahah). If your son fancies a wander around we could show him today?

@JasonDerulo

Hi - I'm a current student at Worcester!!! This is so strange to see on my homepage (aware I'm a bit young for Mumsnet hahah). If your son fancies a wander around we could show him today?

Yay! @KateMuff

Hooray for @JasonDerulo!

I was going to say that I wasn’t at Worcester but a college nearby, and I’m not posh. Had a great time.

Meant to say: Oxford is full of all sorts and it’s totally possible to make friends with “normal people”

Waahhhh that's amazing
We're supposed to be leaving quite soon and I don't know how to access the inbox on the app
I'm desperately trying to figure it out

@JasonDerulo could we meet you now? Any time soon? I totally understand if not, so so kind

[quote KateMuff]@JasonDerulo could we meet you now? Any time soon? I totally understand if not, so so kind [/quote]
Of course! Will try to DM you!

DS is meeting @JasonDerulo for a look round. What an absolutely amazing young woman Jason is. Outstanding
Thanks Mumsnet 😊