Transcript Oxbridge-programme-28.06.12

Oxford, Cambridge and Medicine –
Bullers Wood support programme
What are the institutions looking for?
The Oxbridge selection process
The Bullers Wood support programme
Bullers Wood Sixth Form
Gifted and
Talented Philosophy
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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
• Provide as much individual attention as possible
Bullers Wood KS5 Gifted and
Talented Philosophy
“……I just wanted to say thank you for everything;
for your support with Oxbridge - I never thought two
years ago this would be (let's not tempt fate too
much) potentially 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, 2010-12, offered a conditional place to
read Spanish at St Anne’s College, Oxford)
Key School Focal points
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Mr Weeks
Oxbridge and Medicine Co-ordinator
Head of Year 12
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Mr Leonard
Key Stage 5 Academic Progress Co-ordinator
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Ms Bellis
Director 6th Form
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Ms Van Teutem
Assistant Head Teacher (i/c Gifted and Talented)
Bullers Wood Oxbridge
History
• 2008:
– 2 offers
• 2009:
– 1 offer
• 2010:
– 2 offers
• 2011:
– O offers
• 2012:
– 3 offers
Every year 1 or 2 students gain paces on Medicine (or
related) courses
What are Cambridge after?
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 Oxford after?
Oxford Admissions department:
“your subject becomes your hobby”
Suitability for tutorial system:
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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’)
Oxbridge 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…..” , “continual
improvement”
Oxbridge Selection process
2. AS level grades
– The Cambridge ‘supplementary application questionnaire’ (inc.
UMS scores)
3. A2 predicted grades
Oxbridge Selection process
4. UCAS Personal statement
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Super-curricular activities
(Extra-curricular activities)
Work experience
Associated skills
ENTHUSIASM
UCAS reference
Aptitude / assessment tests for most subjects
Written work
Interviews (minimum 2)
(On average 4 hours time spent per candidate
with no interview. 8 hours if interview)
Interviews
• Cambridge and Oxford interviews similar
• 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 must demonstrate:
– enthusiasm, genuine interest, clarity of thought, analytical
ability, intellectual flexibility
– Wider reading
A2 Entrance Requirements
• Oxford
– AAA for most Humanities or Social Science courses
(unlikely that this will change to A* over next couple of years)
– A*AA for most Science based subjects
– A*A*A for most Mathematics courses
• Cambridge
– Standard Offer of A*AA
– “Some flexibility”
• Medicine
– Minimum AAA (Often A*AA)
Identification of ‘Potential’
Here, students identified and tracked on basis of:
• Analysis of GCSE results, ALIS targets and AS first
modules (if applicable)
• Analysis of the Key stage 3 / 4 gifted and talented
tracking
• Dialogue with Heads of Department and subject
teachers (November of Year 12)
• Self selection and subsequent discussion with teachers
• Evidence of INDEPENDENT LEARNERS
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
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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 6th form team
• Participation in events provided by external
agencies……
Raise Awareness
Annual
• Oxford and Cambridge conference (Epsom, 2012)
• Summer Schools
• London University Taster Days
• Pathways to Success Conference
Adhoc events
• PiXL conference
• Subject specific study days at either Oxford or
Cambridge
Written Application preparation
• External advice:
– PiXL Conference
– Epsom conference
– Summer schools
– 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
Assessment Test Advice
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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:
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Training given by Mansfield College Admissions Co-ordinator
Mock interviews with Admissions Tutor from Imperial College
‘Swaps’ with Townley Grammar
Senior Leadership interviews at Bullers Wood
Subject specific interviews at Bullers Wood
Parental assistance…..
Medicine preparation
• Same as Oxbridge assistance
• Specialise subject teacher assistance
• External speakers
– Work experience guidance
– BMAT and UKCAT advice
• Work experience advice (internally)
Bullers Wood Sixth Form Gifted and Talented
support programme 2011-13
(Approximate timeline for the programme for the current Year 12, as illustration)
Year 12
Nov:
- Identification of potential
Feb:
- Increase awareness (Alumnus talk, Oxbridge conference)
- Summer school applications
March: - Higher Education and Careers evening at Bullers Wood
April:
- Oxbridge evening at local school
July:
- Pathways to Success Conference (Murray Edwards, Cambridge)
- Discussion workshops
- UCAS personal statement workshop
- Departments and college open days
- Discussion meeting about preparation over the summer
Year 13
Sep:
- Interview assistance from Mansfield College Admissions Co-ordinator
- UCAS personal statement assistance
- Subject specific preparation led by subject teachers
Oct:
- General interview preparation given by Bullers Wood
- Mock interviews (SLT, Imperial College Tutor, subject specialists)
Dec:
- 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)
ANY QUESTIONS?