Bede's Oxbridge Programme

ASPIRING TO OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME

INTRODUCTION

B

ede’s is a school which adopts a tailored approach to each pupil. For some this may involve playing cricket at a national level, for others they may live and breathe the stage and for many, they love learning and wish to push & stretch themselves academically.

However, and it is a big however, many students don't know what they will choose and where they will go. Is an application to Oxbridge right for them? How do they balance it with their other passions such as Sport or Drama? Will there be too much pressure? All questions that have been asked countless times before, in answer to them, I would say this.

Firstly, whatever you do, and wherever your interests lie, you should push yourself. Reach for something that looks just a bit too far away and you might suprise yourself.

Secondly, the journey is often more important than the destination. The things that you will learn along the way and the experiences you will have are more important.

Thirdly, Oxbridge candidates aren't just about the Academics. Think of the Boat Race, Cambridge Footlights, The Oxford Debating Union - Oxbridge candidates grasp every opportunity made available to them with their academic successes being only the beginning of the story.

Bede's has a tailored programme to ensure that we offer support & encouragement to pupils who are applying to Oxbridge. With interview and entrance test preparation, subject masterclasses, personal statement workshops, academic mentors and a whole range of different resources and guidance on offer.

Our Oxbridge Team includes experienced senior teachers, our dedicated Universities advisor, and the former Access, Outreach and Admissions Coordinator at St Edmund Hall, one of the Colleges of the University of Oxford.

We work with one of the leading Oxbridge Application Consultancy companies, Oxbridge Applications, which help hundreds of pupils every year make a successful application to Oxbridge. For over 20 years, they have been the unequivocal leader in preparing students to apply to Oxford and Cambridge.

If you're reading this booklet then you (or maybe your parents) might be considering an Oxbridge Application. Fantastic! This could be the start of an incredible journey.

Nicholas Abrams

Assistant Head: Teaching & Learning

GETTING STARTED, READY AND IN YEAR 11 Getting Started

YEAR 13 Getting In

Pupils in Year 11 will be invited to attend either the Oxford and Cambridge Open Days. At the open day they will hear more about life at the University and gain information about possible A-Level choices and routes they might take.

When pupils return in September, they will be enrolled in an Oxbridge Entrance Exam preparation course. This takes place over four weeks to ensure that they are ready & confident taking the exam in early November.

The main aim for Year 11 students is to ensure

Any remaining details with their applications & personal statements will be resolved in early September and all applications will be sent off by early October.

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They achieve as many 8/9 grades as possible at GCSE

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They consider their A-Level choices carefully and are given advice and support towards these

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They are inspired and encouraged to consider an Oxbridge Application

YEAR 12 Getting Ready Once Year 12 begins individual subjects will assess pupils during the first term. In early November, any pupil who is interested in making an Oxbridge Application is invited to our 'Aspiring to Oxbridge' talk.

Following this talk pupils will be given support and encouragement throughout the year.

Pupils will be given a broad range of material and invited, along with their families, to private consultations to discuss which route they are considering for their Oxbridge application.

We generally advise that all pupils make their course choice

by February half-term .

Following February half-term, the hard work begins, with regular subject extension sessions.

Towards the end of the year, pupils will start preparing for the Oxbridge entrance exams which take place in November of Year 13.

Entrance exams take place in early November at the school.

Following the entrance exams, pupils will enrol on the Interview Practice Course. This takes place both at Bede's and in London on a day-long course with Oxbridge Applications Pupils will, hopefully, be called for interview in early-to-mid December.

Decisions on offers are announced in mid-January. For pupils studying for the STEP exams, further support will be given beyond this date to help prepare for the exams.

The pupil’s tutor and the Sixth Form Team will work with pupils and parents to ensure that they are on track to achieve the grades for their offer.

OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS 2022/23

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

May

Jun

Jul-Aug

Sep

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Aspiring to Oxbridge talk Individual pupil interviews Pupils complete information form

Parents & pupils have one-on-one consultation with a Director from Oxbridge applications

Personal statement workshop Lower 6th trip to Oxford & Cambridge Universities

Oct • •

Intensive four week pre-interview assessment course Applications due by 15 October

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Pupils assigned academic mentors Fortnightly tutorials start Pupils’ discuss course/university choices

University & Course selected Preparation for pre-interview assessments started

Individual visits to Oxbridge Colleges as needed Pupils prepare for pre-interview assessments

Nov-Dec • •

Pre-interview assessments Interviews held in first two weeks of December

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Fortnightly tutorials continue Pupils create short-list course/university choices

Mock assessment I Feedback from mock assessments reviewed with pupil

Mock assessment II Fortnightly tutorials continue Personal statements due Academic mentors draft references

Jan •

Offers made in mid January

ACADEMIC MENTORS & TUTORIALS WHO ARE ACADEMIC MENTORS? Every potential Oxbridge applicant is assigned an academic mentor. Each academic mentor will have approximately 2-4 pupils to mentor and will meet with them on a regular basis.

Academic mentors guide students through the process, helping them to investigate universities, courses and colleges. They have experience of the Oxbridge entrance programme and should be the students’ first port of call for advice.

TUTORIALS Academic mentors meet with their students once a fortnight in a tutorial. These are designed to be similar to the Oxbridge tutorials and will usually be based on work set the previous tutorial. A Mathematics tutorial may feature high level questioning which asks pupils to exp lain their answers and their methodology. A Psychology tutorial may focus on research which a pupil has read through and together with their mentor they will review this These tutorials will continue throughout the year and help provide students with appropriate extension work, interview practice and a greater understanding of the Oxbridge teaching methods

GUIDANCE & ADVICE It can be challenging to decide on courses & colleges, and Academic mentors are the first port of call to help with these decisions. They can either provide experienced advice, or put students in touch with the right person. There are also experienced Aspiring to Oxbridge programme organisers who are on hand to advise.

In addition, parents & pupils will be invited to a one- on-one

consultation with Oxbridge Applications in early February to discuss course and college choices.

LECTURES, COMPETITIONS & FURTHER READING ‘In preparation for an Oxbridge application, Academic mentors will provide information on lectures, competitions and reading materials that we encourage students to get involved with. Not only do these provide information for personal statements and references, they also help students discover more about their chosen subjects.

PERSONAL STATEMENTS Personal statement workshops take place in June of the Lower 6th. For Oxbridge applicants, there is a specifically designed workshop by Oxbridge Applications.

Academic mentors will help students to create the first drafts of their personal statement by September. Following these first drafts, personal statement one-on-one sessions are held with members of the Oxbridge team every Tuesday afternoon.

This is the perfect opportunity to ensure a pupil’s personal statement is as good as it can possibly be through one to one advice.

Following the final draft of personal statements being completed, these are then reviewed by a member of Bede's Oxbridge team in preparation for submission to UCAS.

REFERENCES Academic mentors are responsible for writing references.

These accompany the student’s UCAS application and will be written in a positive light highlighting all of the pupil’s knowledge and skills They accompany the predicted grades.

OUR STUDENTS FRANCESCA PLASKETT

RACHEL CANEPA-ANSON

MAX MASON

Psychology, Oxford, 2019

Prospective History Student, Cambridge, 2022

English, Cambridge, 2021

I was never the person who dreamt of getting into Oxford.

But come time to apply to universities, I wanted to prove something to myself. It was never about taking the offer in the unlikely event that I got in, it was about the challenge and not looking back and wondering what if.

Bede’s helped me choose my course as a 16 year old very confused about my future, that hasn’t changed much though!

I’m very grateful for all the help that the teachers gave and the support they offered me, not just academically but the belief they had that I could get in, even when I didn’t think I would.

And come the day I was offered a place, their kindness meant so much, especially that they were unconcerned about if I wanted to go (at this point, I was still unsure!) but they were just pleased for me and the achievement that getting into Oxford is.”

The unmatched support started right at the beginning of year twelve, the mentor program first assisted me with solidifying my course choice, helping me explore every possible option that I brought up.

Setting clear timelines helped break down the initial overwhelming appearance of the process, helping me understand and manage it. The support really came into its own with personal statements, with my mentor clearly explaining Oxbridge’s expectations and managing the ever elusive task to be type of student they are looking for.

Overall the admission support has helped me think deeper into my subject, improve my critical thinking and enhance the skills needed for interview.

Whilst the demands of all university admissions departments have become increasingly steep, the process of applying to Oxbridge poses a series of distinct challenges.

Fortunately, I was given expert support from start to finish.

It’s true to say Matt Oliver gets the process -- whether that be advising on personal statements, offering structured feedback about admissions tests, or role-playing interviews. Matt understands that -- though the notion of an ‘ideal’ Oxbridge candidate is misleading -- it’s possible to prepare yourself for whatever an admissions test, or tricky interview question, might throw at you.

Matt gave me the space to interrogate all kinds of academic consensus, ask important questions, and learn to discuss issues and ideas with nuance and maturity -- which, for an Oxbridge interviewer, are invaluable skills.

ASPIRING TO OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME Autumn Term: Lower 6th Aspiring to Oxbridge Talk

Pupils & parents are invited to our 'Aspiring to Oxbridge Event' which is a one hour presentation given online or in-person.

The Oxbridge team will provide an overview of the process, discuss mentors, opportunities available for pupils and what support an Oxbridge candidate can expect to receive in the coming years.

Pupils and parents will also hear from one of the Directors of Oxbridge Applications who will explore what the process of what applying to Oxbridge involves as well as how to be strategic throughout the process. It is also a perfect opportunity for students and parents to ask questions directly to our team. This talk aims to inspire students to see themselves as Oxbridge applicants or to see the additional, holistic value of aiming for Oxbridge alongside other, top Russell Group universities.

Oxbridge Interview Pupils who are interested in an Oxbridge Application are invited to a one-on-one meeting with one of the Oxbridge team. This is both an opportunity for pupils to gain more information on Oxbridge, and for the Oxbridge team to find out more about each pupil.

Finding out more Following the 'Aspiring to Oxbridge Event', the Oxbridge team at Bede's will hold a series of weekly sessions aimed at helping pupils discover more about subjects that might interest them. Talks from Bede’s alumni currently studying at Oxbridge will give further information about course selection,colleges, entrance exams, academic life and extra

curricular activities. These talks continue into January & February to provide pupils with a broad range of information about Oxbridge and give them some ideas of possible options that might interest them.

Easter Term: Lower 6th Oxbridge Academic Mentor

Pupils who have decided to pursue an Oxbridge application will be given a dedicated Oxbridge tutor who will meet with them every morning and at tutor times. The tutor will be responsible for ensuring that their application is on track, whilst at the same time supporting them pastorally.

Private Consultations Pupils and Parents are invited to a Private Consultation with one of the Senior Consultants at Oxbridge Applications, all of whom have been advising families privately with Oxbridge Applications for over six years.

Families can meet either in-person or online to discuss the courses that pupils are considering. The private consultation would cover: •

The steps involved in applying for courses

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How the Oxford & Cambridge courses differ

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The application statistics for the courses

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How the different pre-tests work for the courses being considered

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Work to identify strengths and help pupils to decide which pathway may suit them best

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Advise how this would then shape the other four university choices for UCAS

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Reading suggestions for the courses and the additional resources of Oxbridge Applications course reports and an Oxbridge book to take home.

We recommend these consultations take place before the February half term so that students feel confident in their firm subject choice by this point.

Subject Mentoring Following February half term, pupils join a specialist subject class with a dedicated academic mentor. Groups of students who are applying for similar subjects will be brought together for these regular subject classes.

These extension mentoring sessions last one hour a week and are designed to push students beyond their A Level syllabus.

They cover topics and reading that is undergraduate level and are a small-group environment, allowing students to develop and express their own individual interests.

As the Summer term draws on, students will work with this mentor on their personal statements, bringing drafts and ideas along to these sessions. They can use their Oxbridge group mentor as a source of on-going expert advice, specific to their subject area.

Summer Term: Lower 6th Mock Examinations

For subjects which feature a pre-interview assessment, we hold two rounds of mock examinations. The first is held in May of the Lower 6th with the second held in September of the Upper 6th.

Personal Statement Workshop

The course also includes all of the hard-copy materials relevant for that particular entrance exam.

Applicants will be invited to a personal statement workshop to start work on their own personal statements. This workshop is designed to explain to pupils what makes a strong Oxbridge personal statement and starts the process to ensure their personal statement is the very best it can be.

Interview Preparation

Oxford & Cambridge Trips At the end of June, all pupils applying for Oxford or Cambridge are invited to an overnight trip to visit both universities. This is a perfect opportunity to meet current students, tour the colleges, meet admissions tutors and experience life in these university towns. There is a small charge for this trip.

Autumn Term: Upper 6th

Personal Statement & SAQ Sessions Personal statement sessions take place every Tuesday activities where a member of Bede's Oxbridge team is on hand to help refine personal statements (and the Cambridge Supplementary Application Questionnaire). These sessions are also available for any last minute queries or help required.

Admissions Test Course Early in the Autumn Term, Pupils are entered for a four-week course run by Oxbridge Applications to help prepare for the entrance exams.

This would include four after-school classes (one hour each) on test strategy and content as well as include all four of our specially designed mock-papers and full marking. Pupils sit mock-papers in between each class and track scores over the four weeks, ensuring they improve and feel confident for the test in early November.

Interview practice will be arranged both in-house (by academic mentors) and with Oxbridge Applications. In-house interviews will be run by members of staff, former pupils or invited external interviews.

In late November, the Oxbridge Applicants are be invited to participate in the Interview Preparation day led by Oxbridge Applications. Details of these sessions are as follows: Morning Session “Tackling Questions” tutorials: an opportunity to work in small groups to discuss example interview questions and how to approach them at interview. Students will be grouped according to their academic subject and led by Oxbridge graduates in that subject field.

Afternoon Sessions During this time, students will be scheduled for two half-hour interview sessions with two of Oxbridge Applications highly trained Oxbridge-graduate tutors, to mimic the real Oxbridge interview environment. Students will have the chance to discuss their feedback and will also receive written notes following the session.

Whilst not in their mock interview, students will watch two talks. The first led by a former Oxbridge admissions tutor, who discusses what the universities are looking for in their candidates. The second, with a Consultancy Director, on effective communication skills for an interview setting.

OXBRIDGE PRE INTERVIEW ASSESSMENT PREPARATION Our approach to Oxbridge Entrance Test Preparation is superb and over 90% of pupils who sit the Oxbridge entrance test are called for interview.

Assessment Mock Exam I

Academic mentors at Bede's work with pupils during the Lower 6th to ensure that pupils have covered the syllabus and are well prepared.

Students sit a mock assessment. This provides useful feedback and information about work and topics that need to be covered over the summer months in preparation for a successful application.

At the start of the Upper 6th, pupils are enrolled on the Oxbridge Applications Entrance Test Course. A four week course that provides pupils with an extra edge to ensure that they are confident going into the entrance exams.

There are books and course materials on how to navigate theses tests (such as “Think you can think: the ultimate guide to cracking the Thinking Skills Assessment”) as well as a suite of custom tailored practice papers to help pupils understand the questions that they will be facing.

Our teachers, along with Oxbridge Applications, are all passionate about teaching young people to feel confident looking ahead to the tests and work with them over several weeks to improve their scores.

Assessment Preparation Lower 6th: February- June Once students have chosen their subject, Academic mentors will begin preparing students for any pre-interview assessments in those subjects.

Lower 6th: May

Assessment Mock Exam II Upper 6th: September Upon returning to school in the Upper 6th, students sit a second mock examination to evaluate progress over the summer and further areas that need refining over the next two months.

Admissions Test Workshop Upper 6th: October A four week intensive course by Oxbridge Applications comprising of 60-minute workshops focused on admissions tests skills in small, focused groups. Each course is tailored so that can be adjusted each week to fit the students’ needs.

Admissions Exam Upper 6th: November The pre-interview admissions tests are administered at Bede's (with the exception of the LNAT for Law) usually in the first week of November. Pupils are permitted their usual access arrangements.

INTERVIEW PREPARATION Admissions tutors use this final part of the admissions process, as well as any admission tests and a pupil’s personal statement, to gain a full picture of what kind of student they are and whether pupils will suit the style of teaching and learning at that university.

Pupils will be informed as to whether or not they have been asked to interview by mid-November. Undergraduate admissions interviews then normally take place in December.

One of the unique aspects of studying at Oxbridge is the collegiate system. You will be interviewed by tutors in your chosen course from the college you have either applied to or been allocated to.

During the later part of Autumn term we hold Interview Preparation Days. These sessions are the final chance for students to test their subject knowledge and grow their confidence in interview techniques and style. These involve several Academic mentors alongside Oxbridge tutors who are skilled in delivering mock interviews with questions based around a student’s personal statement and unseen material typical for their chosen subject.

Each practice interview has built in time for feedback. The interviewer will discuss the student’s performance, highlighting areas for improvement.

Together students and interviewers will create an action plan for final elements of your preparation, including a plan for the day of their real interviews.

Interview Practice Academic mentors will arrange a series of interviews during November of the Upper 6th year. Interviewers will include teachers at the school, teachers from partner schools, former students and Oxbridge graduates.

These are 'warm-up' interviews designed to get pupils familiar with an interview setting, and solving problems/questions at interviews.

Following each interview, pupils will be given feedback to help prepare for the next interview.

Interview Preparation Day One Day course (in-person or online) Pupils are enrolled on an Interview Preparation Course with Oxbridge Applications. This takes place in London, or online as appropriate, and allows students from different educational backgrounds and abilities to come together and practise interview techniques and confidence.

The interview preparation day is a full day intensive course on interview practice, subject knowledge tutorials, talks from Former Oxford Admissions Tutors.

During the day each pupil will get four Mock Interviews and written feedback following the interviews to help ensure that they are ready for the real thing.

Interviews Interviews for the last two years were conducted online however we expect the Universities to return to in-person interviews.

These interviews take pace in early December.

OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS AND BEDE’S INTRODUCTION

Admissions Tutors – the largest network of Oxbridge graduates outside of the alumni networks.

Bede's works with Oxbridge Applications to help ensure that pupils at the school receive world-leading support in their Oxbridge Application. A combination of the passionate academic team at Bede's, along with the expert insight from the Oxbridge Applications team, ensures that we prepare pupils to ensure they can do the very best they can.

TRACK RECORD

ABOUT OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS

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Students on their Admissions Test Courses improved their scores by 20% following the course.

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Long-term school clients of Oxbridge Applications have doubled the number of their students that gain entry to Oxbridge over the last five years.

Established in 1999, Oxbridge Applications is the global leader in supporting applications to Oxbridge. They provide expert guidance and support for students at every stage of their application to Oxford and Cambridge, as well as those applying to top UK medical and law schools. Over the last 21 years, they have supported 70,000 students in over 120 countries and annually work closely with a global network of over 400 schools.

WHY OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS? Oxbridge Applications is dedicated to supporting applicants to Oxford and Cambridge and other top UK universities, particularly for Law and Medicine. Their specialised focus for the past 21 years has given them an unrivalled insight into how best applicants can prepare – an insight which informs their work with schools. They pride themselves in developing long-term relationships with their client schools.

As the market-leading, largest and longest running Oxbridge consultancy globally, they have historical knowledge and a current, research-led understanding of the admissions process. They gain their knowledge from the universities directly, as well as their network of more than 2,500 Oxbridge-graduate tutors and former Oxbridge

Oxbridge Applications have, in the past twenty years, helped students and teachers navigate the process successfully.

TELL ME ABOUT A BANANA 'So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana...' is Oxbridge Applications best-selling book that provides you with up-to-date information, interview questions, answers and advice to help you answer all these questions and more.

Analysing each stage of the application process, from writing a personal statement for Oxford and Cambridge to receiving an offer letter, Oxbridge-graduates give you research-led insights into the often mystifying admissions process.

This book is a great starting point for considering your application as a whole, and the steps you will need to take in the coming months to put forward a really strong application.

All pupils starting the Oxbridge process will be given a copy of this book.

Bede’s Senior School Upper Dicker East Sussex BN27 3QH

T 01323 843252 school.office@bedes.org bedes.org