As part of our ongoing commitment to providing excellent progression opportunities, we were delighted to host Shelby Holmes, Senior Outreach Officer at New College, Oxford, who introduced our Year 12 students to the Step-Up programme. Over 60 students from our Year 12 cohort attended this inspiring session.
The Step-Up programme is specifically designed to motivate and support students in making competitive applications to Oxford. It is a sustained-contact scheme that offers regular interaction with New College’s Outreach team over two years. This ongoing support guides students through every stage of the university application process, making the prospect of attending Oxford approachable and achievable.
We have identified over 100 students within our Year 12 cohort who possess the potential to progress to Oxford, many of whom have already engaged with this comprehensive five-step programme.
The programme includes the following stages:
Step 1: An introductory session that challenges existing perceptions of the University of Oxford and explores the academic and personal qualities needed to succeed.
Step 2: A visit to New College, where students tour the historic campus, meet current students and academics, and discuss their current and future options.
Step 3: An in-depth session about the application process, offering insights into what Oxford looks for in successful candidates.
Step 4: Assistance with crafting personal statements. Students analyse exemplar statements to understand what works well, identify areas for improvement, and consider activities that can strengthen their application.
Step 5: An introduction to Oxford interviews, including preparation tips and techniques to help students build confidence and perform at their best.
We are proud to be the only Sixth Form College in the North East participating in this impactful programme. We look forward to working closely with New College, Oxford, over the next two years to support and inspire our students on their journey towards Oxford University.