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University offers celebrated by students in the Upper Sixth


University offers celebrated by students in the Upper Sixth

In recent weeks, our Upper Sixth students have continued to receive offers from leading UK universities, including six offers from Oxford and Cambridge.

An impressive number of our Upper Sixth Form have already received offers from all of their chosen universities and are now in a position to make their final firm and insurance choices, supported by their UCAS Advisers and the SGS Sixth Form team.

This includes aspiring medics Jessica Horsford and Isobel Gardner, who both hold offers from the University of Cambridge. Head Girl and 1st XI hockey player Jessica has an offer from Robinson College and Eco-Schools Senior Prefect Isobel has an offer to join St John’s.

It has been another successful year so far for our future medics, vets and dentists, who all have the opportunity to extend their interest in their chosen field through the Medical Society which meets weekly. Head Boy and 1st XV rugby player Harry Brown was interviewed by all four medical schools that he applied to and has already received an offer from the University of Glasgow.

Talented mathematicians Yicheng Xia and Nicholas Othen both received offers to read Mathematics at Oxford, at St Anne’s and Wadham Colleges respectively. In the arts, humanities and social sciences, Lauren Hedley has an offer to study Economics at St Catherine’s College, Cambridge and 2021 leaver Zoe Shah has an offer to study English at University College, Oxford. In addition to excelling academically, both pupils make valued contributions to the musical life of the School through their participation in choirs and orchestral groups. This strength in musicianship is reflected in the success of one of our musicians, Daniel Vincent, who has secured an offer to study Music with a specialism in percussion at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM).

Sixth Form tutor, UCAS Adviser and Extension Coordinator Ms Carrie Stevenson said “The process of applying for Oxford and Cambridge is challenging, if not a little daunting, with applicants expected to show genuine and sustained academic engagement that goes beyond the A Level specifications. I would, therefore, like to commend all of the SGS pupils who submitted applications this year for their positive and resilient attitudes. I would also like to thank the countless staff who give of their time to run academic extension sessions, arrange mock interviews and offer valuable subject-specific advice to the applicants.”

Head of Sixth Form Mr David Stone said: “As this term continues, our Senior pupils continue to hear positive news from their chosen universities, as they make progress with their preparations for life beyond SGS. Their organisation and determination, supported by their UCAS Advisers, ensured that almost all of our pupils had submitted their applications well before Christmas; even with the later January UCAS deadline. As they prepare for the summer A Level examinations, the first formal public examinations they will have sat, there is plenty for each individual to be excited about and to work towards.”

Pupils receive thorough support and advice regarding their future study and career options and this begins as early as the Third Year of Senior School when pupils are invited to talks about Higher Education and applications to the world’s leading universities. Cross-curricular extension activities and the development of critical thinking skills start in Lower School, preparing pupils to explore the wider academic world.

The pupils benefit from a dedicated UCAS Adviser who personally oversees their application, as well as specific support for those applying to the most competitive universities. This also extends to preparation for tests, feedback and advice on submitted work, practice interviews and workshops.

Extra preparation is given for admissions tests such as UCAT and LNAT, which are some of the tests required for Medical, Dental and Law degrees. As the recruitment process for Medical, Veterinary Science and Dentistry is particularly rigorous, the school prepares candidates in several ways including practical sessions, ethical debates, role-playing and presentation skills.

In June 2021, we were pleased to be able to hold our Higher Education Conference in person and welcome Jonny Parks from Lancaster University to encourage the pupils to think about ways to enhance their employability. Our UCAS Advisers are skilled and experienced in supporting those pupils who choose to further their studies overseas. Those with Oxbridge ambitions receive additional guidance and support from our Extension Co-ordinators. Pupils who hope to apply for places on Higher and Degree Apprenticeship programmes receive the bespoke support and guidance that they need to be confident of success.

Co-curricular activities such as Spotlight On… talks, Model United Nations, Young Enterprise and Debating Society help to equip the students with vital skills and knowledge required for the next stage of their academic life. Teaching staff offer extension sessions and mock interviews, bringing in professionals such as academics, medics and lawyers to provide invaluable expertise.

Mr Stone added: “It is a real privilege for us to work with the students in this most important aspect of their lives in school. One of the central purposes of any school is to prepare each pupil for life beyond it. Our work with the pupils ensures that every Sixth Former has the opportunity to fulfil their academic potential in their final two years in the school. Equally, the breadth of opportunities and support on offer to all, particularly in their preparations for their next steps – be it university, apprenticeships or routes directly into the workplace, ensures that they are able to approach these decisions about life beyond SGS with confidence, wise counsel, support and curiosity.”