Future destinations

We aim to raise our students’ awareness of the many educational, vocational and training opportunities available to them, while providing the guidance and support to help them realise their full potential.

University Entrance

98% of our Sixth Form proceed to Higher Education, and we begin preparing students for this move in the Lower Sixth.  We aim to help our students make informed and assured decisions through an extensive programme of seminars, conventions, organised trips and individual consultations.

Students are supported throughout the UCAS application process, and have the option of undergoing mock interviews to increase their confidence.  Guidance is always available, and students are welcome to consult the Director of Studies or seek advice from their Tutors, Housemasters or Housemistresses and the Careers Department.

Pupils applying to Oxford and Cambridge can also opt for further training involving supplementary lessons, reading and interview preparation

Upper Sixth leavers 2009

There were eighty eight Upper Sixth form leavers in June 2009. Of these, 63 applied for university courses via UCAS (16 for deferred entry). Six students applied directly to Art or Drama courses outside of the UCAS process and 16 students decided to apply post A levels. We were fortunate in that with our best ever results at A level, all but one pupil achieved either their conditional firm or conditional insurance offer. The one pupil who was initially unsuccessful, did eventually find an acceptable course for study

Our leavers’ destinations were as diverse as ever, but I am pleased to say that with the ever increasing pressure on places at the top universities, our leavers continue to be remarkably successful in gaining (and subsequently achieving) offers from these institutions.

Durham University continues to be the most popular university with our Upper Sixth, and five of our leavers were successful in their applications to Durham. Newcastle and Leeds Universities attracted four leavers, Imperial College three and two each for Cambridge, Warwick, Edinburgh, Cardiff, Exeter and the LSE.

The diversity of courses our leavers will follow at university continues to amaze. Eleven leavers are following courses broadly related to the Sciences and Engineering, ten leavers are following courses in the Business / Economics / Management / Accountancy / Finance areas. Fine Art / Art Foundation / Graphics and Design courses attracted seven leavers, English / Philosophy courses attracted six leavers and History attracted four leavers.

Gap years do appear to be diminishing in popularity and student finance issues continue to dominate the thoughts of many potential students. However, virtually all of our leavers recognise the value of spending three or four years in higher education where, besides the obvious gaining of academic qualifications there is the added benefit of increased independence, maturity and self belief, all of which outweigh the very considerable debt that all students now incur.