It has been another successful year for those studying in CHS’s Sixth Form with 9 students receiving offers from University of Oxford or University of Cambridge.
Of 16 candidates currently in the Sixth Form, 13 were invited for interview and of these 6 secured offers from their Oxbridge choice. 3 students from the Class of 2017 also received offers after deferring a year following their A Levels.
Maria McCusker-Garcia, who is pursuing her ambition to create films/documentaries as a director, has received an offer to study Psychology at Oxford from Sept 2019 and says she is delighted; “I had to read the letter several times in order to make sure that I had not misread it! Now I’m looking forward to having stimulating conversations with some of the best minds in Britain.”
It has been an especially good year for Languages with 4 CHS students opting to study Spanish, French and German.
Frankie Stott, offered a place to study French and Spanish at Oxford’s Trinity College said: “Oxford is recognised as one of the best Universities in the world so the idea of having a chance to study there was amazing to me. Also, it is not uncommon that you are taught by those who have written the books you are studying- you quite literally learn from the experts.”
Amy Dunning is now deciding between her Oxbridge choice and University of Edinburgh after she was surprised to have received the offer to study Spanish at Lincoln, Oxford. She said: “It’s honestly very surreal – I genuinely believed the only feasible outcome was rejection! It has really left me with some interesting decisions to make!”
Genevieve Jeffcoate is excited about what the future holds for her now she has been offered the opportunity to study French and German at Oxford’s Queens College. “I was thrilled and couldn’t believe it. The course for languages at Oxford has lots of literature which I’m excited about because I’ve always loved reading,” she said.
From the current year group, History was also a strong choice for CHS applicants. Bound for Cambridge after applying to study History/History and Politics at Magdalene College, James Walker says: “I’ve always found exploring history creatively fascinating, from building dioramas to writing books. I’d love to go on to do something challenging both physically and mentally – possibly with the police.”
Hildie Leyser is looking forward to the opportunity to study History at Hertford, Oxford: “I found that History really helped me to understand the world better; how civilisations developed and the narratives that we tell ourselves as cultures about this process is so significant to our perspective, and history offers one the chance to unpack this enigma.”
Additionally 3 students from the class of 2017 applied and have received offers. Alex Benton will be studying Engineering after receiving an offer from Queen’s College, Cambridge following a work placement in the city.
Matthew Brint, offered a place to study Physics St Anne’s College, Oxford says most of all, he’s looking forward to living in a college. Advising others in a similar position, he said; “Spend a lot of time revising any Oxbridge entrance exam you are going to sit. Revise for the test and the interview. I did past PAT test papers which were available online.”
Class of 2017’s Alice Mee took a Gap year working as an au pair in Tenerife and France before applying to Queen’s College, Cambridge to study Modern Languages. She said: “I’m not sure what I ultimately would like to do yet, but I’d like to work abroad so I can use my languages, preferably somewhere warm and sunny! Perseverance is key! I took a gap year and reapplied, as I knew it was what I really wanted, it paid off in the end!”
CHS Oxbridge Co-ordinator, Mrs Lisa Barfoot said: “I am delighted for the students. For each of them, this achievement represents the culmination of many years’ hard work and dedication to their subject both inside and outside the classroom.”
“To secure 9 offers at Oxford and Cambridge is a fantastic achievement both for the individual students and for the school as a whole. My thanks go to all those who have been involved with these students in whatever capacity – not just during Sixth Form but throughout their time at CHS – be it teaching, pastoral support, co-curricular provision, trips or just general help and support. Particular thanks must go to the Oxbridge coaches who give so willingly of their time and expertise each year.”
