The academic profile of able students may lead them to consider Oxford or Cambridge. Emanuel is very well-equipped to support students who choose to undertake an Oxbridge application. There is an established programme of support in place and we have a track record of success in securing places.
Students can attend a series of assemblies, Life Education sessions and admissions events (such as the annual Oxbridge Student Conference) to help them decide whether to apply. Those who choose to apply are guided in their applications by Ms Johnson, Assistant Head: Teaching and Learning. They are offered one-to-one appointments to discuss their options, and we are proud of our dedicated two-day UCAS programme in the summer term of Lower Sixth during which every aspect of the process, from personal statements to interviews, is explored in detail, with first-hand advice from college representatives and OEs currently studying at Oxbridge.
Students are encouraged to discuss their proposed application with the head of department for the subject they wish to study, and work closely with their subject teachers to gain advice on extra reading and super-curricular involvement. Emanuel’s extensive programme of talks and societies provides a huge number of opportunities for students to extend themselves beyond the classroom. Applicants receive weekly mentoring from a subject specialist as well as practice for admissions tests and mock interviews in the terms prior to their application.
The average GCSE score for a successful applicant is just over eight A*/9/8 grades. If a student succeeds at interview, a standard offer for A level results from Oxford is AAA for humanities and language subjects, and A*AA or A*A*A for sciences. Cambridge offers are likely to be A*AA for humanities and languages (though in some instances they can be higher), and A*A*A for science subjects.
Both the Oxford and Cambridge websites give extremely comprehensive information about their undergraduate courses, which prospective students are encouraged to consult carefully when making the decision about where and whether to apply.