New College - Excellence Academy Brochure

Gifted & Able

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New College Pontefract

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contents

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3 WELCOME

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SUPER-CURRICULAR INTERESTS

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EXCELLENCE ACADEMY

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OXBRIDGE ALUMINI

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OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME

wELCOME

StillGifted Undecided? & Able

We are delighted you have applied to New College Pontefract. If you are reading this booklet it is likely your predicted GCSE results suggest you have the academic ability to be part of our highly regarded Excellence Academy. Additionally, some of you may also be interested in being part of our distinguished Oxbridge group if you have a particular ambition to progress to either Oxford or Cambridge university in 2 years’ time. This short booklet has been designed to provide you with more information about what New College has to offer for Gifted and Able students.

Richard Fletcher Principal

Let’s start by meeting the team

Chelsea Branson-Webster – Vice Principal

Diane Amesbury – Progress Tutor and Excellence Academy Tutor

Helen Lonsdale – Senior Progress Tutor Excellence Academy Tutor

Ella Miller – Senior Progress Tutor and Excellence Academy Tutor

Jo Holden – Assistant Principal Achievement & Support

Emma Chappel-Davies – Progress Tutor, Careers and Excellence Academy Tutor

New College Pontefract

EXCELLENCE ACADEMY The Excellence Academy is a dedicated tutorial system for Gifted and Able students who typically achieve levels 7, 8 and 9 across their GCSE subjects.

Led by specialist tutors, the Excellence Academy is specifically designed to develop, engage and support students in their applications to the UK’s elite universities, as well as outstanding support for those students applying to degree apprenticeships.

You’ll have access to: n Support with your UCAS application and personal statement n Work experience opportunities n The Extended Project Qualification (see next page) n Talks from former Excellence Academy students n Talks from Russell Group universities n Opportunity to apply for summer schools with Elite universities How will the Excellence Academy Help me?

Entry to the best universities can be highly competitive and students need the correct advice and support when it comes to preparing applications to them. Obviously, exam results are vitally important, but they are only one of several factors which top universities will take into account when they consider student applications. Here is what the Excellence Academy will help you with:

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Wider Reading n What to read in your chosen subject n How to make the most out of your additional reading Communication Skills n Develop confidence in public speaking n Discussions on current affairs Extra-Curricular Activities n Work Experience n Extra courses (summer schools, Extended Project Qualification, MOOCs) Oxbridge Programme n Residential visits to Oxford and Cambridge n Interview advice and practice n Admission test information (BMAT, TSA and Law Test) Medic, Dentist and Vet Group n Aptitude test information (BMAT&UKCAT) n Support with interview preparation through mock Multiple Mini Interviews (MMIs) n Attend talks from Ex-New College students and other medical professionals n Support with arranging work experience/voluntary work required for university applications

Why New Gifted College? & Able

RUSSELL GROUP

n University of Birmingham n University of Bristol The Russell Group represents 24 n University of Cambridge leading universities who are at the n Cardiff University cutting edge of academic research and n Durham University provide an outstanding teaching and learning experience for their students. n University of Edinburgh Many of our students go on to attend n University of Exeter Russell Group universities, studying n University of Glasgow subjects such as English, History and n Imperial College London Maths, or Dentistry, Medicine and Veterinary Science. Russell Group n Kings College London universities, like Oxford, Cambridge, n University of Leeds Leeds, Manchester and York are the n University of Liverpool most competitive HE institutions in the country. The Russell Group have high n London School of Economics and expectations of their undergraduates, Political Science particularly focussing on academic n University of Manchester achievement. n Newcastle University Our careers team have helped n University of Nottingham thousands of students get places on n University of Oxford degree courses at these universities and n Queen Mary University of London along with the support from Progress Tutors and subject staff, are well placed n Queens University Belfast to maximise your chances of success. n University of Sheffield Here are the list of The Russell Group n University of Southampton universities: n University College London n University of Warwick n University of York Other elite universities outside of the Russell Group which offer a similar experience include: n University of Bath n Lancaster University n University of Leicester n Loughborough University n University of Reading n University of St Andrews n University of Hull (our Primary university partner)

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New College Pontefract

Oxbridge Programme As part of our support for top performing students, we run an increasingly successful Oxbridge programme based around regular tutorials designed to extend your interests beyond the A-Level curriculum. You will be encouraged to read more widely, and to discuss and debate academic issues. We will help you to develop your super-curricular interests. These activities help greatly when it comes to writing the Personal Statement as part of your university application.

Our Oxbridge link colleges are Selwyn (Cambridge) and Worcester (Oxford).

During Year 12 we organise trips to both universities, including an overnight stay in one of the colleges. In addition we invite speakers into to New College to explain the benefits of applying and organise trips to Oxbridge conferences run in the North of England.

These events are a fantastic opportunity to meet academics and students, and to get a feel for whether Oxford or Cambridge would be the right choice for you. In addition, you will also be encouraged to apply for summer schools and subject specialist events as well as receiving guidance on admission tests.

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In year 13 you will receive Oxbridge Tutorial support in addition to your Progress Tutor, to help guide you through the application and interview process.

Brian Coughlan

Oxbridge Co-ordinator

Gifted & Able

SuperCurricular interests You’ve probably heard of ‘extracurricular activities’. The ‘extra’ refers to an activity being outside of your regular curriculum, e.g. doing a sport or enrolling in D of E. Super-curricular activities are those that take your regular curriculum further.

They take the subjects you study in the classroom beyond what you have learnt. For example, you may go into more depth on something you picked up in the classroom, or learn about a new topic altogether. These activities are normally in the form of extra reading but they can take many other forms, like watching videos online, downloading lectures and MOOCs, visiting museums or entering academic essay competitions.

Extended Project Qualification - EPQ One of the ways that you can demonstrate a wider interest in your subject is by taking an EPQ. This research-based additional qualification is worth one AS, but its real value is in sending a signal to competitive universities that you are a strong, independent minded, academicallyorientated student.

The EPQ requires students to complete a research task on any topic of their choice, as long as it is not covered by one of their A-Level courses. Students have to keep a log of their progress, and are required to create either a 6,000 word essay or an artefact. They then have to present their research to an audience.

The EPQ develops exactly the kind of skills undergraduates need to thrive at university: research, self-sufficiency, initiative and academic independence.

It is a really good way to develop supercurricular interests.

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New College students Oxbridge offers 2018 Tommy Bancroft (Sherburn High School)

– Magdalen College, Oxford – Chemistry I was inspired to develop an interest around and outside the curriculum of my subject.

Caleb Batley (Kettlethorpe High School)

– Worcester College, Oxford – Biochemistry The help and guidance given concerning the personal statement and interview were of key importance in securing an offer.

Elisha Bagg (The King’s School) – Selwyn College, Cambridge – Medicine Even if you do not reach the GCSE criteria, the Excellence Academy gives you a lot of confidence.

Alice Hathaway (Sherburn High School) – Clare College, Cambridge – Natural Science Weekly meetings to discuss new ideas in other fields that I previously wouldn’t have thought about.

Matthew Leech-Gerrard (Carlton, Barnsley)

– Corpus Christi College, Oxford – History The Oxbridge programme helped develop me by constantly encouraging me to think beyond what I thought I knew.

Tom Mission (Carleton Community High School)

– Cambridge – Natural Science Brian’s help and feedback on the personal statement was excellent.

Joshua Priestley (Kings) – Cambridge – Engineering Various trips and residentials to Cambridge and Oxford motivated me and helped me choose which universities to apply for.

Alice Vodden (Wakefield Independent)

– Summerville College, Oxford – History The Excellence Academy provides you with the tools to succeed if you are driven and have a passion for your subject.

Emelia Wood (Campsmount) – Murray Edwards College, Cambridge – Medicine The Excellence Academy prepared me especially for my interview at Cambridge. I can honestly say that I do not think I would have been offered a place without the practice and help I received.