The XL Academy

Welcome

Welcome to Ashton Sixth Form College’s XL Academy. I am delighted that you are considering joining us and benefitting from the wide range of opportunities offered within the Academy, from guest speakers to academic workshops, exciting trips and visits to specialist next steps guidance. The college has run a bespoke and highly successful XL programme for the past 12 years now, but as our numbers of XL students have increased and with a continual need to ensure that our students are ahead of the game in an increasingly competitive world, we have strengthened and broadened our provision even more. Our intention is to ensure that our most able students finish their time at ASFC not only with the excellent grades they are capable of, but with the skills and confidence to progress onto (and thrive in) the most prestigious universities or competitive degree apprenticeship programmes. I hope that our XL Academy prospectus whets your appetite to find out more and we look forward to seeing you in college where you can get a real flavour of how it would feel to be an XL Academy student.

Welcome to The XL Academy. I’m excited to offer you the opportunity to be part of one of the most inventive and cutting edge most able programmes in the country. This is a place where innovation is encouraged, diversity is the norm and excellence is consistently achieved. Through the distinct pathways available, The XL Academy will help you ‘find your tribe’ - whether you are an aspiring doctor, lawyer or creative individual, The XL Academy will be with you every step of the way, through bespoke seminars, inspiring lectures and unparalleled support. In addition, The XL Academy is founded upon academic research and tried and tested approaches with a team that has enormous experience in helping most able students be their best self. This brochure offers a glimpse of what is available but why not come along to one of our many open events and taster sessions? - I am confident that it could be one of the best decisions you ever make!

Lisa Richards Centre Principal

Damian Windle Head of The XL Academy

The XL Academy

Our XL Academy is well established and over 12 years old and has evolved to produce excellent outcomes for our XL students. The XL Academy allows able and highly achieving students to express themselves, share their thoughts and discuss their ambitions openly.

The Academy seeks to enhance and stimulate most able students with an exclusive and unparalleled range of support and enrichment activities. It is an aspirational culture, forged by research professionals, that offers specialist advice and guidance and bespoke support so that our XL students can meet and surpass the demanding entry requirements of Oxbridge, Russell Group Universities and premium degree apprenticeships.

The XL Academy is about

Giving students the edge

Giving students confidence

Putting students in touch with opportunities

Breaking down barriers

Making elite universities accessible

Helping students to be the best they possibly can be – and for that to be recognised

What

does The XL Academy offer

Advice, guidance and support for prospective XL Academy students from when you apply through to enrolling at the College

A specialist XL Academy tutor group

A bespoke XL Academy tutor programme

A dedicated ‘pathway’ on starting college to support you in your ambitions and next step after college

An exclusive range of enrichment/ preparatory activities

Stretch, challenge and support

A stimulating, fulfilling and challenging experience which is underpinned by an emphasis on the future

Every single one of our XL Academy students is equipped to compete successfully in any field; law, medicine, science, humanities, finance, politics, education and many more

The XL Academy pathways

The XL Academy directs students in their first year to elect a support pathway to tailor an individual package of guidance and opportunities, that offers them rewarding experiences to achieve their goals. These pathways are:

Medicine, Dentistry and Vet (MDV)

For students interested in studying and pursuing a career in these highly specialised areas

STEM

For students interested in studying any aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths

Arts

For students who have a passion for predominantly ‘essay-based’ subjects ranging from Geography to Sociology

Creatives

For students who wish to pursue a career or degree in subjects ranging from Art to Theatre Studies

Underpinning each of these routes is our Oxbridge pathway which offers specific support and guidance on the explicit application process of making a competitive Oxbridge application from initial interest, to entrance examinations and interviews.

Each pathway has their own half termly assembly, visiting speaker and event relevant to their pathway. In addition, The XL Academy offers unrivalled opportunities for XL students to enhance their skills and experience such as The Cambridge Shadowing Scheme, Sutton Trust Summer Schools and university Access visits.

In the second year XL students can elect to specialise in making a university application (XL Academic) or embark on seeking employment or an apprenticeship (XL Professionals). Throughout the year, students are given intensive help and support in making the most competitive applications and are also given access to some first class opportunities such as open day events, mock interviews or employer led recruitment events.

Specialist tutorial programme

The XL Academy tutorial programme focusses on developing a supportive, challenging and forward-thinking community amongst our more able learners.

The XL Academy tutorial programme includes:

Focus on independent learning skills

Encouraging critical thinking – the why? The what about?

Helping you to find an academic voice and using it!

Weekly pre-reading tasks to broaden experience of current intellectual debates, and express your own ideas in the group

Promotion of XL trips, visits, courses and engagement with pre-university programmes

Practical revision and study techniques

Holistic ‘whole student’ development – developing your awareness of wider world issues, personal/ social/ emotional development, staying safe and healthy, British Values and being an adult citizen

Trips, visits and speakers including attending the UCAS convention, Oxbridge trips and conferences, Realising Aspirations, Oxnet (and more), Unifrog, Apprenticeship week, alumni speakers, visiting university speakers

Support with university applications and personal statements (XL Academic) or researching employment/competitive apprenticeship opportunities (XL Professionals)

Specific Oxbridge / Medic / Dentist / Vet application support and mock interview preparation

Extended Project Qualification

We encourage students in The XL Academy to take the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) alongside their study programme.

The EPQ is an A-level standard standalone qualification designed to extend and develop your ability beyond the A-level syllabus and prepare for university or your future career.

• It is taken as an extension of your chosen A Levels or mixed study programme

• It is worth half an A-level (28 UCAS points)

• It is recognised by universities and employers

• Many universities make lower A-level offers to students undertaking an EPQ

The EPQ allows students to lead their own projects. Students get to plan and carry out research on a topic of their choice. They can take inspiration from something touched on in class or something personal and unrelated to their studies. They then use this research to produce a written report and, in the case of practical projects, an artifact or a production.

Some of this years topics included:

What barriers have women faced in making a career in politics, and have these barriers been broken down?

The mental health of serial killers and how it impacted their behaviours

To what extent can humour be classed as a coping mechanism

The impact of neuroparasites on human behaviour

How have black ethnic groups been represented between 1920 and 2020 in film

Celebrity worship syndrome

Women in STEM

An exploration into playwriting presented through a one-woman show

Is prison rehabilitative?

What legacy have the classical Greeks left us?

Racism in policing in the past 40 years

Should the death penalty be abolished in the US?

How has the role and status of nursing changed since the inception of the NHS?

What has space exploration added to scientific knowledge and what is its future?

Why do humans sleep?

How is gene therapy being used to seek a cure for cystic fibrosis?

How serious is the ‘antibiotics crisis’ and what can be done to overcome this?

The development of hybrid fuel technologies – what does the future hold?

Outstanding outcomes for XL Academy students

Progression from our XL Academy to Higher Education is outstanding with 90% of students progressing to university each year, and 70%+ progressing to Russell Group universities

Average grade achieved by XL Academy students = A

XL Academy students successfully progress on to some of the most competitive Russell Group and research intensive universities across the UK and beyond. We have a successful track record of students progressing to The University of Oxford and The University of Cambridge each year.

88% of our XL Academy cohort achieve grades A*-B

Many XL students combine their A Level studies with additional programmes, such as Core Maths (A1), Realising Aspirations (A1) and EPQ (A2)

We have been a host of The Goldsmiths’ Sutherland Centre for Philosophy and World Religions in partnership with Pembroke College, University of Oxford for over ten years. The long standing partnership provides incredible opportunities for students, including the Oxnet Access Programme

The vast majority of XL students targeted to achieve A/B grades have at least one A* in their mix

Joining The XL Academy

When you apply to Ashton Sixth Form College we will take your predicted grades as a good indicator of your eligibility for The XL Academy.

Our entry requirements are:

7 GCSEs at grade 7

Plus a grade 7 in English Language or Maths (with no lower than a 5 in the other)

We will identify if you are eligible for The XL Academy from your application to the college and you will then be invited to attend an XL Academy Guidance meeting with one of our XL Academy team.

On offering you a conditional place at the college you will be invited to attend specialist information sessions introducing you to The XL Academy. Once you have received your GCSE grades in August you will be invited to attend enrolment where The XL Academy team will offer specialist advice and guidance around subject choices and study programmes.

Our XL Alumni

At Ashton Sixth Form College, you will have every opportunity to develop and reach your full potential. Our success is born out of a drive to maintain the highest standards of teaching and experience for our students. The result is outstanding achievement and excellent progression for our students on to the next step.

Lucas Habgood

Glossopdale School

Computer Science, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and Physics

A*A*AA

Physics at the University of Oxford (Hertford)

Ruby Whiteside

Hyde High School

Geography, Sociology and Spanish

A*A*A

Spanish at the University of Oxford (Magdalen)

India Hazelwood

Glossopdale School

Economics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and the EPQ

A*A*A*A*

Economics at the University of Oxford (St Peter’s)

Vernon Allott

Alder Community High School

Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and the EPQ

A*A*A*AA

Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge (Jesus)

Ashlea O’Grady

Denton Community College

Psychology, Chemistry, Biology, Core Maths and EPQ

A*AAAA

Medicine at the University of Liverpool

Harin Vyas

West Hill School

History, Mathematics, Computer Science and EPQ

A*A*A*A

Philosophy, Politics and Economics at the London School of Economics and Political Science

Hannah McCormick

All Saints Catholic College

Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, EPQ

A*A*A*A

Mathematics at the University of Durham

Nikhil Sebastian

St Damian’s Roman Catholic Science College

Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, EPQ

A*A*A*A

Medicine and Surgery at Newcastle University

Bobby Doherty

All Saints Catholic College

Computer Science, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Physics and EPQ

A*A*A*A*A

Physics at the University of Oxford

Hannah Benson

St Thomas More Roman Catholic College

English Language, Law, History

A*A*A

Law at the University of Oxford

James Poff

St Thomas More Roman Catholic College

Geography, Mathematics, Physics, EPQ

A*AAA

Geography at the University of Cambridge

Melissa Lee

West Hill School

Psychology, Sociology, Law, Core Maths, EPQ

A*A*AAB

Psychological and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Cambridge

Oliver Gaskell

West Hill School Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Computer Science, EPQ

A*A*A*A*A

Computer Science at the University of Cambridge

Sam Seaborn

St Thomas More Roman Catholic College

Geography, Business, Economics, Core Maths, EPQ

A*A*A*AA

Geography at the University of Oxford

Wafia Sadik

Rayner Stephens High School

Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, EPQ

A*A*A*A*

Medicine at the University of Manchester

Bijay Mistry

Audenshaw School

Biology, Chemistry, Maths

A*AA

Dentistry at Queen Mary, University of London

Winston Ado-Kofie

Trinity Christian School

Computer Science, Maths, Further Maths, EPQ

A*A*A*A

Computer Science at the University of Warwick

Rikin Mistry

Oldham Hulme Grammar

Accounting, Economics, Mathematics

A*AB

Business Accounting sponsored degree with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Manchester Metropolitan University

Robbie Evans

Longdendale High School

History, Law, Politics, EPQ

A*A*A*A

Law at the University of Nottingham

Harrison Roberts

Alder Community High School

Politics, Law, History, EPQ

A*AAA

Law at Durham University

Jack Williams

Audenshaw School

Biology, Chemistry, Maths

AAA

Chemistry at The University of Warwick

Kirsty Bishop

Fairfield High School for Girls

English Language &

Literature, Sociology, Philosophy, Ethics & Religion

A*A*A

English Language & Literature at Edinburgh University

Sophie Derbyshire

Fairfield High School for Girls

History, Sociology and English Literature

A*A*A

Sociology at Durham University