Dreaming Big: Oxbridge Aspirations

Dreaming Big: Year 11 Students Explore Oxbridge Aspirations at New College Pontefract

This week, a group of Year 11 students from Oulton Academy took a significant step toward their future academic careers by attending a dedicated Oxbridge Event at New College Pontefract. The morning was designed to demystify the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge and to provide students with the tools needed to build a competitive application.

The event featured a powerful "live" session with four former New College students who are currently studying at or have recently graduated from these world-leading institutions. In a truly inspiring full-circle moment, one of the guest speakers was a former Oulton Academy student. Three years ago, she sat in the same room as a Year 11 attendee; today, she is studying English at Cambridge University.

The session focused on several key areas of the Oxbridge application process:

• Aspiration Building: Encouraging students from all backgrounds to see themselves at elite universities.
• Personal Statement Support: Guidance on showcasing academic passion and super-curricular activities.
• Interview Insight: Hearing firsthand how to navigate the rigorous and intellectually stimulating interview stages.
• Achieving Aspirations: Highlighting the tailored support available through the Excel@NCP programme, which includes specialist mentoring and subject-specific preparation.

The message of the day was clear: every student in the room has the potential to succeed at the highest level. By connecting Year 11s with alumni who have successfully walked that path, the event helped transform distant dreams into achievable goals.