In Year 11, Heads of Department identify those students in their subject who demonstrate ‘Oxbridge potential’ and the Head of Year 11, Head of Sixth Form and UCAS Co-ordinator are informed.
When students have made their provisional A-Level option choices in Lent Term, the relevant Heads of Department issue reading lists to the relevant students and a member of staff is appointed to act as an Oxbridge Mentor. Potential students of subjects that aren’t offered within the School are assigned to an appropriate volunteer colleague by the Head of Sixth Form and UCAS Co-ordinator.
Those not initially identified may be added to the programme on discussion with their teachers and Head of Sixth Form.
The Mentor and the student agree a regular schedule to meet and discuss their wider reading, set goals and suggest investigations or projects as appropriate to the subject and the Student’s interests. These meetings should continue for the rest of Year 11 and Lower Sixth, as long as the student is planning to apply to Oxford or Cambridge or similar high-tariff university courses.
This is in addition to the Advanced Tutorial Group for Medics, Veterinarians and Dentists, which start mid-way through the Lower Sixth, continuing until Christmas of the Upper Sixth.
In Lower Sixth, all students taking part in the Oxbridge mentoring system will attend the Oxford and Cambridge Student Applications Conference, arranged by the UCAS Co-ordinator. Those still interested in applying will attend the Oxford and Cambridge Open Days in June/July, arranged by UCAS Co-ordinator.
Practice interviews and mock entrance exams take place in September to November of Year 13.