All Set for Oxbridge Success!

100% of our Oxbridge applicants for September 2024 university entry have achieved interviews! The seven hopefuls are pleased to have been selected for the next stage of the admissions process and with the support of the School, are getting ready for their interviews.

Head, Matthew L S Judd, commented, “We value the achievements of all our students but are particularly impressed by 100% of our Oxbridge applicants making it through to interview this year. From Linguistics, Engineering (x2), Music, Maths, Philosophy and History, we wish them every success. Well done to our fabulous Careers Department and Aspiring High Team for providing these students with such excellent support.”

Head Boy, Alex (Upper Sixth) who has his sights set on Philosophy at Cambridge, is enthusiastic about his future plans: “When I found out I had an interview, I remember actually leaping around Field Sixth Form Centre with my friends – I was overjoyed. What attracted me to Cambridge was a combination of two things; being able to study in such a historic institution and the actual rigour of the course – studying with world-leading researchers in the topics I’m interested in. For me, the most important thing has been that Leighton Park fosters both an education of morals and values as well as academics.”

Sally Saunders, Head of Careers as well as the School’s Assistant Head for Pupil Personal Development has plenty of her own high aspirations. A Fulbright Scholar, Sally has taken her careers across the Atlantic and taught in three American states before assuming significant school management responsibilities at a much younger age than most. In supporting our seven Oxbridge applicants Sally has a robust programme to ensure they are prepared for their upcoming interviews. She explained: “Students receive support through our Aspiring High group and throughout the Sixth Form in PSHE and tutor time. We host a Higher Education Evening for students and parents and attend the UCAS Fair in March of the Lower Sixth. Students receive one to one support from me, as I hold a Level 6 Careers Guidance qualification, and they undertake mock interviews with Old Leightonians who are leaders in their fields and a further opportunity with Lord Wandsworth School through an interview exchange to prepare them for their early entry deadline.

All seven of the candidates have spent an hour a week since January with the Aspiring High co-curricular club led by Jenny Powlesland, our Head of Teaching and Learning, who earnt a double first at Oxford herself. Jenny has taken the group through sessions on critical thinking, public speaking, debate, psychological preparation and presentation skills covering discussions on contentious topics in readiness for university and careers interviews. More recently the conversations have extended beyond the club to involve Old Leightonians already at Oxford, Cambridge or studying Medicine, and some on the career ladder who kindly gave their time to provide online interview experiences for our Sixth Formers. Our annual online interview exchange programme with Lord Wandsworth has also been a valuable source of further practice for interview. Jenny is delighted that their efforts have paid off, saying: “It is wonderful to see that our students’ passion and flair for their subjects has been recognised with the invitation to interview at Cambridge and Oxford – their diligent preparation has been impressive and we wish them all the best over the next few weeks.”

Head of Sixth Form, Helen Taylor, concluded, “I am extremely proud of all our Upper Sixth students. It is very exciting that all our Oxbridge candidates have been called for interview. They are a strong group of applicants and we wish them every success.”