University Outreach Programme

Local state school pupils are invited to join us for an Oxbridge Information Evening, which is jointly presented by representatives from Oxford and Cambridge Universities. This is followed by a Practice Interview weekend where, together with our own girls, local school pupils participate in an intensive programme of interviews conducted by a wide range of experienced Oxford and Cambridge graduates, organised by external company, Oxbridge Interviews.  As well as Oxbridge candidates, Medicine and Veterinary Science applicants are also provided with interview practice.

Local school candidates are invited to attend workshops for Oxford Aptitude/Admission Tests. These are hosted by Merton College, Oxford’s Schools Liaison and Access Officer and are divided into two sessions: Humanities and Social Sciences, followed by Science and Mathematics. Overall, St Mary’s Calne helps to support approximately 50 pupils from six local schools from the Chippenham, Corsham, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett areas.

Aims

The Aims of the University Outreach Programme are to offer local state school pupils the same opportunities as our own pupils with regards to Oxbridge, Medicine and Veterinary university applications.

The immediate beneficiaries are the pupils who attend these workshops and practice interviews.

Background

The company who runs the practice interview programme (Oxbridge Interviews) offered a free interview to local school candidates for every interview session paid for by one of our pupils. From this, the programme grew to include an Oxbridge Information Evening at St Mary's Calne and the Admissions Workshops, also run at the school.

Resources

The programme uses our school facilities - including the Chapel, classrooms, reception areas and meeting rooms.  Both teaching and non-teaching staff participate in hosting the programme.  For our main co-ordinator, it involves at least a week of her time for both administration and to manage the logistics for these annual events. There is no financial contribution made by the attending state school pupils.

Impact

The outcomes from this programme are hugely beneficial for the attendees - this is reflected by the continued participation by the state schools involved every year.

Pupil Involvement

The pupils are aged 16-18, both male and female. There are approximately 50 participating local school pupils each year.

Frequency

This is an ongoing programme.