Gifted and Talented Evening Wednesday 25th September 2013

Graham Taylor - Principal

graham.taylor@newcollege.ac.uk

Agenda for the evening

• Overview of New College – Graham Taylor, Principal

• Oxbridge and top university support– David Stephenson, Oxbridge Co-ordinator

• The Oxbridge Process from a student perspective• High Flyers Scheme

– Mick Dams, Section Leader, Maths

• Villiers Park scheme from a student perspective• Questions & Answers

An overview of New College

• Over 3000 16-18 students• Queen’s Drive Campus opened Jan 2003• New £10 million Annexe open Sept 2011• Great facilities include:-

– 2 x dance, recording, art & design, photography studios; beauty & body treatments area

– Library, Open Learning Centre, VLE, 1600+ PC/Macbooks and BYOD scheme

• All areas graded as “Outstanding” or “Good” in OFSTED inspection 2009

Providing the best academic quality

• 98.2% pass rate for A Levels in Summer 2013• 100% pass rate in 39 subjects• 41% A* - B rate on A Levels• Highest percentage of students achieve 3 or

more A Levels/equivalences in Swindon or Cirencester*

(*Source:DfES 2012 School Performance tables KS5)

Progression after New College

• 500+ students went to universities/HEIs this autumn

• Universities included: Oxford, Cambridge, Bristol, Warwick, Southampton, Nottingham, Birmingham, Exeter, Bath

• For those going straight to jobs– Great links with Intel, Nationwide, Barclays– Employability offer: Job Club, Job Shop,

mentoring/placements

A few of our High Flyers...

• Samra Yasin (Churchfields) A* in Biology; As in Chemistry and Maths

Medicine at University

• Charlotte Brett (Nova Hreod) Distinction in BTEC Health and Social Care

As in English Language & Literature; Communication

& Culture

University of Reading – English Language & Literature

• (Commonweal)

A few of our High Flyers...

• .

• Maxime Perrott (The Ridgeway)A*s in History and Sociology; B in Politics

University of Southampton: History

• Daniel Simpson (Dorcan)As in Sociology, Politics; B in Law; C in Psychology

University of Birmingham: Law

• (Commonweal)

Recent Student/Alumni Success

• Student Star Awards – monthly and termly• Leaver’s Ceremony Summer 2013: 93 awards• 68 Y11s/current students involved in NCS summer

programme• Laura Halford became British Rhythmic Gymnastic

Champion• Jahmene Douglas - No.1 debut album; nominated for

Best Newcomer at the MOBOs• Four Olympians since 1984 and 1 Paralympian in 2012

A few Y11 initiatives

• Open Day, Saturday October 12th, 10am-2pm– Meet subject tutors, take a tour of the campus– Find out about “life support” systems

• A Levels Open Evening, Wednesday Jan 29th, 5-7pm

• Vocational Courses Open Evening, Tuesday March 25th, 5-7pm

• NCS summer programme– 4 week programme starting July 21st 2014

Why choose New College?

• Unrivalled choice of programmes• High quality teaching and learning• Great student results and achievements• Outstanding support for students• Fantastic all-round student experience• Bridge between school and university/work

Oxbridge and top university support

David Stephenson

Maths Lecturer and

Oxbridge Co-ordinator

Why Oxbridge?

• Can be a fantastic opportunity• Different in many ways• Not necessarily the best courses for you

Oxbridge Coordinator

• Subject teachers and personal tutors provide guidance– Most of the help is the same for other

top universities

• May not have applicants on a regular basis

• Collect and disseminate information

What they are looking for

• ACADEMIC POTENTIAL• Good GCSE results

– In context (CSAS /national contextual data)

• Outstanding A level performance• Academic interest• (Outside interests may be relevant)

How we can help

• No barrier• Encourage

– Have a go– Don’t worry: many superb students

don’t get in• Point in right direction• Subject support

– Preparation for tests– Preparation for Interviews

Websites

• Used to be lots of special information• Now it’s all online• No longer special forms

– though Cambridge sends a questionnaire after students apply

• Early application still required• Tests: BMAT, TSA, ELAT, LNAT,

STEP, HAT, PAT, ...• Some of these are used by other

universities

Two of our 2013 successful Oxbridge applicants...

• .

• Rhys Clyne (Commonweal) A* in Biology; As in History, Maths, Politics &

English Literature

History at Merton College at Oxford

• Sabah Afzal (The Ridgeway) A* grades in Maths, Biology & Chemistry;

A in Physics

Medicine at New College, University of Oxford

• (Commonweal)

Series of Meetings

• February of 1st year introduction– Anyone interested– Invitations to those with best GCSE results

• April: application process and how to prepare (outside speaker)

• June: open days, summer schools, choosing and starting application

• Sept: Applying, everything on track• Nov: interview workshop (outside speaker)• Individual help and advice

Example emails from students David,

This isn't specifically about Oxbridge but any information would be useful.

With universities that offer conditional offers in a range, i.e. A*AA-AAB, what is the logic of which offer you are given? Is it the stronger the candidate, the lower the offer, as the university desire the student more? So say a stronger candidate would receive the AAB offer and a candidate that looks less may get A*AA? Or is it the other way around?

Many thanks.

Hi,

I am seeing my subject teachers on Monday to check my personal statement, and was wondering if I could come see you after Tuesday to give it a final check, as aiming on sending it early next week.

Sorry to keep hassling you! Thank you.

David,I am sorry for not coming to see you yesterday - after attending the open day at Lady Margaret's Hall on Friday, as well as speaking with tutors, I have come to the conclusion that Oxford University isn't for me, and I have chosen not to apply. Thank you for your earlier information, and I apologise for not getting back to you sooner.Thanks.

The Oxbridge process from a Student’s Perspective

Alistair Senior

5 A* grades in Maths, Further Maths, Physics, Electronics & Chemistry.

Engineering, University of Cambridge

High Flyers Scheme

Mick Dams

Section Leader - Maths

Your question...

• “I am a Year 11 with lots of academic potential……. How can I best achieve it?”

Our answer…..

• Choose a relevant but challenging academic programme

• Enrich your CV with something to help you stand out

What support and opportunities can I expect from New College?

• Widest range of A levels in the county• Maths AS link• A variety of other academic courses• Many enrichment opportunities• Financial benefits• Programme of presentations and initiatives

Am I a High Flyer?

• Minimum of 4 A grades at GCSE• Being identified at interview• Apply for the High Flyers Scholarship• Maximise your potential

Two of our new High Flyer students...

• .

• Benjamin White (Lydiard Park Academy)• Fine Art; EPQ; Maths; Physics; Physics Dynamics

• Rachel Caron (Isambard)• Graphic Design & Illustration; Eng Lit & Lang;

Maths; Chemistry; Physics; Physics Dynamics

• (Commonweal)

Academic options

• Vast range of AS and A Levels• Opportunity for 5 AS in Year One• 30+ Express A Levels• AQA Baccalaureate

AQA Baccalaureate

• Supplements a programme of AS/A levels• Broadens the range of Study• Focus on particular relevant enrichment activities• Level 3 extended project

Enrichments that can make a difference!

• Villiers Park scholars programme• Medical Package• Voluntary service programme• Debating matters• Sports teams/ gym• Tutorial support

Courses to give you an edge

• Courses that universities look for - AQA Baccalaureate; Extended Project

- Critical Thinking; General Studies

• Maximising your potential programmes- Short quals to enhance your life and PSE skills

- Includes: Personal Finance, Employability, Volunteering, Internet Safety

• Extras: optional activities and courses- College Production; Football Academy; Debating Matters; Choral

Group

Financial benefits

• High Flyer Scholarships • Villiers Park Scholars Programme …

(continued and new)• Access to Villiers Park courses/ Oxfizz

Villiers Park from a Student’s Perspective

Harry Jones, current New College student

High Flyers Evening Wednesday 25th September 2013

Any questions?