SIXTH-FORMERS at schools across the Tendring district will be invited to study specialist subjects at the University of Essex for the first time in its 50-year history.

The university is inviting teenagers studying A-level at four schools in Tendring to spend one day a week at the Wivenhoe Park campus.

The schools are Clacton County High School, Clacton Coastal Academy, Brightlingsea’s Colne Community College and Harwich and Dovercourt High School.

There will be spaces for about 200 pupils, with the first intake starting in September.

Students taking four A-levels will continue to study three subjects at their school sixth-form and the fourth at university, on Tuesdays.

Top grades will be needed to study subjects at the university.

Jeff Brindle, principal of Clacton County High School, and Clacton Coastal Academy head Tracey Hemming said: “We believe this is a unique opportunity for sixth-form students to be able to access the fantastic facilities available at the university and gain a real experience of what it is like to study on the campus.

“The partnership will allow our students to access the widest range of courses available and will enable us to offer the minority subjects of further maths, French, geography, history of art, law and economics across six schools in a stunning location.

“The students will also gain from working with the associated university departments, attend appropriate lectures, access all the resources and be taught by specialist teachers from the partner schools.”

They added: “It is hoped that the experience will also help to widen aspirations and encourage more students to continue their studies at university.

“The opportunity that has been provided by the University of Essex is incredibly exciting and will impact on all students in our sixth-form."