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
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
• .
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
• .
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
• .
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?