Transcript Oxford and Cambridge Agenda
Competitive Universities and Degree Courses Information Evening
Introducing 6 th Form ‘More Able’ programme What are competitive universities and degree courses?
What are the institutions looking for?
How do they select?
The Bullers Wood support programme
Bullers Wood Sixth Form ‘More Able’ Programme Philosophy
• Identify suitable students • Raise awareness of opportunities for high achievers • Encourage students to be aspirational and aim high • Challenge misconceptions about Oxford and Cambridge • Provide assistance to allow students to maximise their potential in terms of their Higher Education future • Ensure there are enrichment opportunities • Provide as much individual attention as possible
Bullers Wood KS5 ‘More Able’ Philosophy
“……I just wanted to say thank you for everything; for your support with Oxbridge - I never thought two years ago this would be my future, I hadn't even considered Oxford when I started Bullers. I'd just like to say, thank you so much for opening doors for me.”
(Stephanie Back, Bullers Wood alumnus, currently reading Spanish at St Anne’s College, Oxford)
Key School Focal points
• Mr Weeks
Co-ordinator for Competitive University Applications Head of Year 12
• Ms Bellis
Director 6 th Form Assistant Head Teacher (i/c ‘More Able’)
Bullers Wood Oxbridge & Russell / 1994 Group History
• • • • • • • Oxbridge 2008: 2 offers 2009: 1 offer 2010: 2 offers 2011: 0 offers 2012: 3 offers 2013: 2 offers 2014: 1 offer (but all were interviewed) Medicine Every year, 1 or 2 students gain places on Medicine (and related) degree courses • • • Other Top Institutions 2012: 56 offers for Russell /1994 Group 2013: 60 offers for Russell / 1994 Group 2014: 46 offers for Russell / ex 1994 Group (but fewer students applied to university) (and students often attend top institutions after Art Foundation)
What are Russell Group universities?
“The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.”
What was the 1994 group?
Best in the country for Creative Writing, and more….
Established in 1994, the Group brings together twelve internationally renowned, research intensive universities. The Group provides a central vehicle to help members promote their common interests in higher education, respond efficiently to key policy issues, and share best methods and practice.
.
A Level Advice – make right choice!
Medicine related courses
• Medicine • Veterinary Science • Dentistry
What are ‘Top Universities’ seeking?
Cambridge (Murray Edwards College) Admissions Tutor:
“Students need to be excited by intellectual complexity and uncertainty. This is key and arguably more important than exam results”
• • • Advice to students: Academic ability and potential Motivation and independence of mind Enthusiasm and commitment
What are ‘Top Universities’ seeking?
Oxford Admissions department:
“your subject becomes your hobby”
Suitability for tutorial system: – Ability in and passion for their subject – Enquiring / questioning mindset – – – Analytical / logical thinking style Proven track record at GCSE Self motivated & reads outside the classroom (Not about personality type / confidence and not looking for ‘all-rounders’)
Selection process
1.
– GCSE Average applicant to Oxford has 6.2 A*s (Classics 7.81 to Computer science 4.43)
“if GCSEs poor, but AS results show promise…..” ,
“c
ontinual improvement”
2.
3.
Selection process
– AS level grades And the Cambridge ‘supplementary application questionnaire’ (inc. UMS scores) A2 predicted grades
Selection process
4.
– – – – – UCAS Personal statement Super-curricular activities (Extra-curricular activities) Work experience Associated skills ENTHUSIASM 5.
UCAS reference 6.
Aptitude / assessment tests 7.
Written work 8.
Interviews (minimum 2)
Oxbridge Interviews
• Cambridge and Oxford interviews similar • Other Russell Group universities also conduct interviews.
• Approx 3 candidates per place interviewed at Oxford (more at Cam) • Structured but informal based upon tutorial / supervision approach • Questions become more challenging (but not ‘trick questions’) • Questions based on resource prompt and involve problem solving • In interviews students must demonstrate: – enthusiasm, genuine interest, clarity of thought, analytical ability, intellectual flexibility, evidence of wider reading
•
A2 Entrance Requirements for ‘Top Universities’
Oxford – AAA for some Humanities or Social Science courses – A*AA for most Science based subjects – A*A*A for most Mathematics courses • Cambridge – Standard Offer of A*AA for Arts and A*A*A for Sciences / Maths – “Some flexibility” • Russell Group – Depends on institution / course but can be A*A*A • Medicine – Minimum AAA (Often A*AA)
Identification of ‘Potential’
Here, students identified and tracked on basis of: – – – – Analysis of GCSE results, Bullers Wood A Level targets Dialogue with Heads of Department and subject teachers (November of Year 12) Self selection and subsequent discussion with teachers Evidence of INDEPENDENT LEARNERS (eg EPQ/MOOC) The group of students is fluid. Students opt out and others opt in (September in Year 13) due to student review of their future or unexpected AS results.
Raise Awareness at Bullers Wood
• Assemblies / presentations / meetings • Alumnus talk • Higher Education evening at Bullers Wood • Oxbridge information evening at ‘linked’ local school • Regular one to one discussions regarding College and course choice with 6 th form team • Participation in events provided by external agencies……
Raise Awareness
• Annual Oxford and Cambridge conference (Epsom) • Mansfield College Awareness and Interview workshop • Summer Schools (Sutton Trust and UNIQ) • London University Taster Days and University Access schemes (eg K+) • Oxford University BME Access event • Academy Conferences – Gifted and Talented Study Day • Adhoc events PiXL conferences • Subject specific study days at either Oxford or Cambridge (eg Cambridge Genetics Master Class)
Written Application preparation
• External advice: – – – – – – PiXL Conference Epsom conference Mansfield College workshop Summer schools Imperial College workshops Personal statement workshop provided by the “Life Skills Company” • Internal UCAS supervision: – – – Initial draft with Form Tutors Regular meetings with Mr Weeks to ‘perfect’ the personal statement Support from SLT (Head and Deputy Head Teachers)
Assessment Test Advice
• Experienced teachers assist • Practice Tests provided • Specialist BMAT / UKCAT assistance • Booked through school (eg LNAT) or taken at time of interview
•
Interview Preparation
Discussion workshops – Developing the confidence to impress academically via verbal communication • Provide advice – Demonstrate ability to think critically – Demonstrate deep understanding beyond AS level (students should ensure that AS material is revised well) • Practice: – Training given by Mansfield College Admissions Co-ordinator – Training / Mock interviews with Admissions Tutor from Imperial College – – – – ‘Swaps’ with Townley Grammar Senior Leadership interviews at Bullers Wood Subject specific interviews at Bullers Wood Pay for extra language tuition – Parental assistance…..
Medicine preparation
• Specialist subject teacher assistance – – – – Application advice Statement advice Interview advice BMAT and UKCAT advice • External speakers arranged by Science and 6 th Form – – – – – – Visit to St Thomas’ Hospital Women’s Health Unit, hosted by Professor Poston (Head of Women’s Health at King’s College) UCL Head of Neurology Work experience guidance BMAT and UKCAT advice Talks from current Medicine students Medicine Discussion Groups (fortnightly) • Bullers Wood
‘Medsoc’
Academic Enrichment at Bullers Wood
• • • • • • • • EPQ MOOCs (online courses) – (Bullers Wood is the only state school to be a Beacon school for MOOC) Debating Society Dissection Activity Medicine discussion workshops Book club and literature talks (eg Homer) External speakers, for example: – Sir Stephen Laws (most senior civil service lawyer in UK) – – Professor of Neurology (UCL) Professor of Chemical Engineering (UCL) Academic Journals in SA1
Others suggested by students….
Year 12
Bullers Wood Sixth Form competitive university support programme 2014-16
(Approximate timeline for the programme for the current Year 12, as illustration)
Nov: Feb: - Identification of potential - Increase awareness (Alumnus talk, Oxbridge conference) - Summer school applications March: - Higher Education and Careers evening at Bullers Wood July: - External conferences (eg Oxford BME Access Conference 2014, Pathways to Success Conference at Murray Edwards, Cambridge, in 2011,2012) - “Discussion workshops” - Departments and college open days - UCAS personal statement workshop, Discussion about summer preparation
Year 13
Sep: Oct: Nov: Dec: - Interview assistance from Imperial College Admissions Manager - UCAS personal statement assistance - Subject specific preparation led by subject teachers - General interview preparation given by Bullers Wood - Mock interviews (SLT, Imperial College Tutor, subject specialists) - Assessments, Submission of written work for Oxbridge, Mock interviews - Oxbridge interviews, Collation of feedback about the interview and student preparation
How can parents help?
• • • • Encourage completion of “super-curricular” activities Listen to talks about academic issues Conduct practice interviews Offer mock interviews for other students (Act as
chauffeur
for open days etc)
Preparation for my Geography Application
• Subscription to Journal of Meteorology, Journal of Climatology, National Geographic • Independent visits to Oxford University • Membership of Royal Geographical Society • Extra reading and essays on meteorology • Arranged mock interviews with family friends • WORKED HARD (No Assessment prior to interview or at interview, in my day….)
Students’ Advice to Students
Katie Avis – hoping to read Biomedical Sciences Katie Howell – hoping to read Modern Foreign Languages
What should students be doing NOW!!
• • • • Year 10: Participate in any additional school activities Arrange trips to university cities. Is it for you?
Work hard for your linear GCSEs Participate in MOOCs • • • • Year 11: Maximise your GCSE results in core subjects (EBACC) through hard work Choose the appropriate A Level choices Seriously consider your degree / institution choice (but not fixed!!) Participate in MOOCs • • • • • Year 12:
Do the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) – February Investigate some MOOCs (online courses) – after AS exams
Decide on your degree / institution choice(s) Do the extra reading, join societies, complete extra work Attend various Access schemes, Taster Courses, Summer schools, conferences etc
SHOW PASSION FOR YOUR SUBJECT