Support for early applicants

Each year, students from Springwood Sixth Form head off to take up their places at presitigious universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, to study subjects such as Law, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Engineering, Literature and Maths.  This year alone, over thirty of our students have been called for interview at elite universities.

However, none of this happens by accident. Soon after joining Springwood Sixth Form, students are identified to join our programme for early applicants.

Year 12

In the autumn term, we identify students to take part in our early applicant support programme. Students may be identified on the basis of their GCSE profile. Alternatively, they may be recommended by a member of staff, or declare an interest themselves.  

Members of the early applicant support programme meet regularly throughout the year: they are encouraged to engage in super-curricular work in order to develop their knowledge of their subject beyond the classroom and provided with a forum to discuss their new learning. They are directed to relevant talks, lectures, essay competitions and university open days. All students are provided with a mentor who will guide them through the challenging application process.  Medics are provided with support in their preparation for UCAT and BMAT tests.

Autumn Term Year 13

On their return to sixth form, every student interested in applying has a one to one interview with the early applicant co-ordinator to discuss their application and provide support with their personal statements.

Once students have submitted an application, they work with the early applicant co-ordinator or a subject mentor to help them prepare for any admissions tests. They will also take part in workshops designed to help them develop their interview technique. Students attending these support sessions are encouraged to consider their chosen subjects deeply and differently and are challenged to think quickly and respond to problems and situations that may put them out of their comfort zone.

All students called for interview have a mock interview with an academic or professional with relevant experience, followed by feedback.