On Monday 15 June, 35 of our more able students took part in an engaging and intellectually challenging masterclass on Animal Psychology, delivered by former Gateway Academy student Abiaz Afzal, who is currently in his fifth year studying Medicine at the University of Cambridge.

The session provided students with a fascinating insight into an area of study far beyond the scope of the secondary school curriculum. Drawing upon concepts typically encountered at university level, Abiaz introduced students to key theories and research surrounding animal behaviour, cognition and decision-making, encouraging them to think critically about how animals perceive and interact with the world around them.

Throughout the masterclass, students explored complex psychological concepts, examined real-world research studies and discussed the implications of animal intelligence and behaviour. The session challenged students to develop their analytical thinking skills and demonstrated how scientific research can be applied to answer important questions about the natural world.

As a former Gateway student, Abiaz was also able to share his own academic journey, offering valuable insight into studying at one of the world's leading universities and inspiring students to aim high in their own educational aspirations.

The masterclass forms part of Gateway’s commitment to providing enriching opportunities for our more able learners, exposing them to university-level thinking and broadening their understanding beyond the classroom curriculum.

We would like to thank Abiaz for giving his time to support our students and for delivering such an informative and thought-provoking