Oxbridge
We are very proud of the way in which we prepare our students for entry to the most competitive universities. We send more students to study at Oxford and Cambridge than any other state-funded non-selective school or sixth form college. Every year, around 50 of our students gain Oxbridge places. This has been the case for over two decades.
Oxbridge specialist advice and guidance
All PSC students are invited to take advantage of a wide range of enrichment activities. From the beginning of L6, interested students have access to an online Oxbridge classroom where a wide range of internal and external opportunities are advertised.
The Oxbridge Tutor runs a series of support sessions ensuring that students have access to the advice and guidance that is most relevant to their subject area.
- Lower Sixth (Spring Term)
Working towards Oxbridge: advice on extension activities and developing relevant skills, opportunity to meet U6 offer holders; - Lower Sixth (Summer Term)
The UCAS application: advice on personal statements, entrance tests and choosing a college; - Upper Sixth (Autumn Term)
Personal statement workshops, preparing for entrance tests and written work submissions, practice interviews
Subject area expertise
Many of our staff hold postgraduate qualifications in their subject. Some attended Oxbridge themselves. We are able to offer an extensive programme of subject-specific workshops and activities to our students. From the beginning of L6, students can choose to join societies and clubs where they can explore areas of their subject not covered on the A level specifications. In the summer of L6 and autumn of U6, students preparing for entrance tests can attend subject specialist workshops for advice and support. Furthermore, subject websites give suggestions for wider reading and information about external extension opportunities.
Interview preparation
A large team of people volunteer to give practice interviews in the latter half of the autumn term. They include our governors, our experienced team of subject specialist staff and a range of external experts. The aim is to familiarise students with the type of question asked and with the experience of being interviewed. Oxbridge interview skills sessions include advice on staying calm under pressure and clear communication.