The Oxbridge Programme 1
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W H AT M A K E S O X B R I D G E S P E C I A L ?
The Collegiate System
Unlike many other universities where you are part of one large cohort, Oxbridge is broken down into Colleges. Think of them as small, semiautonomous communities with a distinctive personality and history where you live, eat, and socialise.
Tutorials and Supervisions
This is the crown jewel of the Oxbridge experience. While students elsewhere learn mainly in lecture halls, Oxbridge students also have Tutorials (Oxford) or Supervisions (Cambridge). Once or twice a week, you sit in a room with an academic and maybe one other student, and discuss an essay or problem set you’ve prepared. Your tutor will challenge you on your answers and how you reached them. It’s an intellectual “trial by fire” that builds incredible critical thinking skills.
Historical Pedigree
It’s hard to ignore the fact that you are walking the same halls as Isaac Newton, Oscar Wilde, and Stephen Hawking. Oxford and Cambridge are among the oldest universities in the world (founded in 1096 and 1209, respectively). Studying in a 500-yearold library creates a certain weight of intellectual responsibility.
The “Work Hard, Play Hard” Ethos
When students aren’t in the library, they are often engaged in social traditions that are just as intense as their studies. These include May Balls (Cambridge) and Commemoration Balls (Oxford), Junior Common Room bops, the ever popular tradition of rowing (“bumps”), eccentric secret societies, and elaborate garden parties.
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OUR TEAM
Sean McIntosh
Sean is the Head of Philosophy, the school’s Activities Manager, and co-director of the Bede’s Model UN Society. Sean read for the BPhil in Philosophy at Harris Manchester College, Oxford, and for his PGCE at Homerton College, Cambridge. Sean leads the Oxbridge Programme alongside Joe Curtis and mentors pupils in subjects including Philosophy, Theology, Law and HSPS.
Joe Curtis
Joe is the Head of Academic Scholars at Bede’s and teaches English. He read English at Downing College, Cambridge. Joe leads the Oxbridge Programme alongside Sean McIntosh and mentors pupils hoping to read English.
Nicholas Abrams
Nick is the Assistant Head: Academic and teaches Mathematics. He read Economics at the London School of Economics. Nick mentors Oxbridge applicants in Economics and related subjects.
Charlotte Sutton
Charlotte is the Director of the Foundation and has taught History and Government and Politics. She read Political Science at the University of Essex before completing an MSc in Russian and East European Studies at St Anthony’s College, Oxford and then her PGCE at Jesus College, Oxford.
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Suzanne Carville
Suzanne teaches Physics at Bede’s. She read for her BSc in Chemical Physics at Sussex, and completed her DPhil at Sussex in Theoretical Quantum Physics. Suzanne mentors Oxbridge applicants who hope to read Physical Sciences.
Emma Webster
Emma teaches History and Politics at Bede’s and is co-director of the Bede’s Model UN Society. Emma is also one of the school’s UCAS Coordinators, responsible for the day pupils’ UCAS applications. She read for her BA in History and French at the University of Sussex. Emma mentors Oxbridge applicants in subjects including History, Politics, International Relations and PPE.
Luke Davies
Luke teaches History, Politics and LE at Bede’s and is the Resident Tutor in Camberlot House. Luke is also one of the school’s UCAS Coordinators, responsible for the boarding pupils’ UCAS applications. He read for his BA in History at the University of Sussex.
Deborah Franks
Deborah is our Head of Careers and Employability. She read for a BSc in Environmental Science at Bristol and has over 25 years experience in Careers Education spanning both the private and public sector.
IS OXBRIDGE FOR YOU?
Are you subject obsessed?
Are you resilient?
Oxbridge isn’t for people who just want a degree to get a job; it’s for people who genuinely love their subject. You need to be someone who reads around your subject for fun: if you’re a historian, you’re reading EH Carr and Mary Beard on your weekends; if you’re a physicist, you’re watching online lectures on quantum mechanics because you actually want to know how it works.
Tutorials are an unparalleled opportunity for learning but they can be draining as well. You have to be comfortable with your work being questioned and criticised. A successful Oxbridge student is someone who enjoys the sparring match of an argument and can walk out of a tough session feeling energised rather than defeated.
Are you a self-starter? The eight week Oxbridge terms are a sprint. There is very little hand-holding. You need to have high levels of self-discipline: no one is going to check if you’ve done your reading until you show up to the tutorial. You need to be someone who can produce highquality work without a teacher hovering over your shoulder.
Are you just a box ticker? Some students are excellent at playing the game - they know exactly what to do to get a 100% on a test. Oxbridge tutors, however, are looking for something else…
The “Box-Ticking” Pupil
The Oxbridge Pupil
Focuses on the “right” answer.
Focuses on the process of getting there.
Memorises the textbook.
Questions why the textbook says what it does.
Prefers structured, predictable tasks.
Thrives in the “grey areas” of a complex debate.
Wants to be told what to learn.
Follows their own curiosity down rabbit holes.
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BEDE’S SUCCESS STORIES
Milly Gibson PPE, ORIEL COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD. Milly was our Head of School and an avid leader of numerous academic societies, charity drives and debating clubs. Among other things, she has been involved in the sporting life of Oriel and taken on the role of JCR Women’s Officer.
Fearghus Beauchamp ECONOMICS, ROBINSON COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. Feargus was an exceptional role model in his life at Bede’s, a Deputy Head of School who was actively involved in the academic and boarding communities and delivered memorable speeches at countless assemblies and parent events. He is the Senior Organ Scholar at Robinson.
Max Mason ENGLISH, ROBINSON COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. Max was a leading light in our Drama department, taking on numerous roles as well as writing and directing. He has gone on to pursue a career in the world of theatre.
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THE BEDE’S OXBRIDGE PROGRAMME
Oxbridge Application Seminars …with staff who went to Oxford or Cambridge
One-to-One Academic Mentoring … with a subject specialist
Mock entrance examinations … to give you feedback and confidence for the real thing
Academic challenge within your lessons …to help you secure the best grades
Academic challenge and opportunities beyond lessons …to make your application sparkle
Expert UCAS guidance …to guarantee a polished application
Trips to Oxford & Cambridge …to inspire you and give you a taste of what it’s really like 9
TIMELINE
September
Online Oxbridge information evening for pupils and their parents
October
Weekly Oxbridge application seminars begin
January
One-to-one academic mentoring begins
February
Work begins on essay competition entries Summer Oxbridge trip
June
Internal personal statement deadline Lower Sixth mock examinations Mock entrance examinations (first set)
July
Entrance examination registration deadline (for some subjects)
August
Entrance examination registration deadline (for some subjects)
September
Mock entrance examinations (second set)
October
November
December
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UCAS application deadline Entrance examinations Candidates are invited to interview Formal mock interviews take place in school
Interviews take place online or in person
If you’re thinking about applying to Oxford or Cambridge - or are simply curious about what the process involves - we’d love to help you explore your options. Please feel free to get in touch with Sean McIntosh or Joe Curtis for an informal chat; we’re here to offer guidance, answer your questions and support you every step of the way.
Experience the difference. sean.mcintosh@bedes.org | joe.curtis@bedes.org
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We are WHERE EVERY CHILD FINDS JOY IN THEIR PURSUIT OF BRILLIANCE.
Bede’s Senior School T 01323 843 252 Upper Dicker school.office@bedes.org East Sussex BN27 3QH bedes.org