St Thomas Aquinas, one of the most influential theologians of all time, is patron of universities and of students. Inspired by his example, our Aquinas Programme challenges and supports participants to develop a deeper insight into their subjects – taking them well beyond the confines of the curriculum. It equips students not only with exceptional academic knowledge, but also with the cultural awareness, soft skills and intellectual curiosity demanded by the world’s most competitive universities and courses.

The programme has proved particularly successful for students aspiring to study at leading institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and other Russell Group universities, as well as for those pursuing highly selective courses including medicine, dentistry and veterinary science. These pathways demand more than top grades alone: they require confident, articulate candidates who can demonstrate genuine passion, critical thinking and experiences that extend far beyond exam board specifications. The Aquinas Programme is designed to provide exactly that.

Participants benefit from a wide range of exclusive opportunities. This year, our Aquinas Scholars:

• Welcomed exceptional business leaders and innovators including Tracy De Groose (CEO of William Reed Group Ltd), John Edwards (UK Head of Data Protection) and Sir William Sargent (Oscar-winning founder of Framestore).
  
   
• Debated and developed soft skills through enrichment activities and visits, including trips to the British Museum.
  
   
• Engaged with leading universities and companies, such as Switchshop, the University of Cambridge, and Royal Holloway.
  
   
• Visited prestigious institutions, including Homerton College, Cambridge and Imperial College London, gaining first-hand insight into university life.
  
   
• Attended talks and workshops led by former students, who shared their pathways into top universities and future careers.
  
   
• Took part in a series of targeted talks, seminars and activities designed to strengthen their applications to elite universities.
  
   

Alongside this, Aquinas Scholars receive expert tuition and personalised support from colleagues at world-class universities, including Somerville College Oxford, Pembroke College Cambridge, the London School of Economics, Imperial, King’s College London and UCL.

The impact of the programme is clear: it enables Gunnersbury’s most able young men and women to thrive, empowering them to be confident, articulate, questioning and passionate about their studies. By developing these qualities, students are exceptionally well-prepared to secure places on the most competitive courses and to flourish in their chosen fields.