The Oxbridge Programme

A successful Oxbridge programme has been developed for able students with aspirations to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. The programme begins early in Year 12 and continues until the application process is completed in Year 13 This bespoke programme provides individual advice, guidance and support for potential Oxbridge applicants. The programme includes assessment test practice, interview skills and specialist UCAS mentoring. Debating sessions are run to support the interview process and students also have the opportunity to attend Christ Church Horizons, a super-curricular programme run by our link college at Oxford that aims to support Year 12 students considering application to Oxford or Cambridge.

Oxbridge Group Meetings

Starting early in Year 12, potential Oxbridge applicants meet on a regular basis to prepare a strong application. From the Spring Term in Year 12, students attend regular sessions to improve confidence and the ability to relate current affairs to their subject areas.

Types of sessions in the Programme include:

• Making a competitive application
• Socratic/fishbowl debate
• Speakers
• Lecture + discussion
• Critical Thinking
• BYOP – Bring Your Own Project
• Assessment testing
• Mock Interviews

Making a Competitive Application

Sessions will be run on how to complete the application process unique to Oxford and Cambridge. This will include explanations on assessment testing, interviews and any additional materials required by universities. Most of these sessions will be led by Mrs Lawrence who has years’ of experience in this process. Other sessions will be led by our link at Oxford University, Dr Ana Hastoy.

Socratic/Fishbowl Debate

Students will need to be aware of and able to discuss and debate a range of topics ‘in the news’. To foster an environment of active engagement, students are asked to prepare for each of these sessions with pre-reading a range of materials. Either a Socratic method (posing questions and looking for answers) or a Fishbowl method (listening, adding, reflecting) will be used so that all members of the Programme have time to speak, be challenged and respond on their views of the topic.

Speakers

As part of the programme we have a range of speakers who come in to run sessions. Ashmole Alumni who are studying in their first year at Oxford of Cambridge visit to speak about their experience both on the programme and at University. We also ask Year 13 students who have been offered a place at Oxbridge to speak to our Year 12 cohort to explain the process of application and what they learned along the way.

Lecture & Discussion

A member of staff at Ashmole will give a lecture on a topic. These have been on subjects such as the 6 wives of Henry VIII and the movie Jaws. The lecturer will give a set of questions for smaller break out groups to discuss.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an important aspect of being successful, particularly at interview for Oxbridge. Students will be given critical thinking question and expected to discuss their answers with a small group or in pairs. The aim is to encourage students to ‘think out loud’ and enjoy the process of not looking for an immediate right answer, but focus on the multiple ways to find the most appropriate answer.

BYOP – Bring Your Own Project

As part of the Ashmolean Scholarship Programme, scholars carry out and present their research on a particular topic of their choosing. Those on The Oxbridge Programme are expected to undertake this. Topics of research carried about by previous students on the programme have included Women in Greek mythology, building a rocket to launch into space, and French cinema. At least one of our sessions will be dedicated to students on the programme sharing their projects with one another.

Assessment Testing

Most courses at Oxford or Cambridge require an assessment test to be completed. Students on the programme will be offered a mock test before the real test. They are assigned a subject specialist at the school who will mark and give feedback on their mock test.

Mock Interviews

Students on the programme are offered two mock interviews in preparation for a real interview required by Oxford and Cambridge. One of these is with an external interviewer, one with a member of the Senior Leadership Team at Ashmole and subject teacher. Both of these interviews will provide experience of the types of questions and discussions candidates can expect at their real interview and immediate feedback from those conducting the mock interviews.

 Student Testimonies

I applied for Maths through the Oxbridge programme. This specialist programme guided me through the complex application, ensuring I knew the key information at the right time. Furthermore, critical thinking and debate sessions, despite not being directly linked to my course, helped me to develop my skills in expressing what I am thinking, essential for any interview. Even if not completely sold on Oxbridge, the programme is a great way to prepare for university.

                                                                                                                                                                                               Matthew, Year 13

The Oxbridge programme has allowed me grow and enhance my skills in critical thinking, debating and organisation in order to make me the best possible candidate when applying to the most competitive universities in the UK. The extra support surrounding how to write and edit our personal statements has been especially helpful when sending my application off to UCAS!

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Ellie, Year 13

The Oxbridge program has been a really supportive and enlightening programme. It has meant I’ve come across materials and opinions that I’ve never encountered before; which has allowed me to further develop my critical thinking and debating skills. The sessions were never overly intense or hard to grasp, they were accessible and allowed me to take my own knowledge and opinions and build on my own or other people’s arguments. The topics we discussed were always interesting and relevant so I found it a good way to engage with the news around me in a structured discussion. All the staff involved have been incredibly supportive and willing to help or discuss things you are unsure of, and this has meant I could stay on track and keep up with my work load and UCAS application.

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Lily, Year 13