Higher Education

Years 7-11

We introduce the concept of Higher Education in Key stages 3 and 4, so that all students are aware of the type of opportunities that exist for them. We arrange visits to local universities (prior to the Covid pandemic, these included Year 9 trips to the University of Birmingham and the University of Gloucestershire and Year 10/11 trips to Oxford University.)

Our ‘Aspire’ programme includes sessions on Higher Education, where Year 13 Oxbridge offer-holders and past Cotswold School students now studying at university speak with our Key Stage 3 and 4 students, answering their questions about their experiences of applying for and studying at university.

Year 12

Detailed sessions on higher education include:

The benefits and possible drawbacks of Higher Education
How to research universities, colleges and courses
The UCAS application process
How to write a Personal Statement
How to make a competitive application
Gap Years, student finance and student life.

We have lots of resources available, including university prospectuses; reference books (such as Brian Heap’s “University degree course offers”); Pure Potential’s “Apply” magazine; links to the most useful H.E. websites; Unifrog (arguably the most useful of all the web portals for finding information about a wide range of Higher Education institutions and degree courses).

Students are also encouraged to attend University Open Days (face-to-face or virtual) to find out more about specific places and courses that interest them.

Each February, we host a Higher Education Information Evening for Year 12 students and their parents/guardians. Here, we explain the systems we use at The Cotswold School and the support we give all our students.

Then in June of Year 12, we hold two (off-timetable) days with a programme of guest speakers and practical sessions. This really kick-starts the application and personal statement writing process.

Add to your experiences

All Year 12 students are encouraged to do something different, useful and unique outside school and during their long summer holidays, which they can usefully refer to when it comes to writing their personal statements. This might include: EPQ research; National Citizen Service; residential summer schools at universities; work experience or internships.

Year 13

Students receive one-to-one support to finalise their personal statement and discuss their UCAS reference with their tutor and a member of the Sixth Form Leadership Team. Once they have submitted their application, those who may be interviewed for their university place receive coaching in interview skills followed by one or more practice interviews. We are fortunate to have a wide network of supportive alumni and local people who conduct these practice interviews, resulting in excellent outcomes.

Academic societies

Throughout Year 12 and 13, academic societies meet regularly to help prepare our students for particular degree subjects:

‘Interested in Oxbridge’ group – led by Mr White, Head of Sixth Form
Medicine Society – led Dr Gina Hadley, who is a governor of The Cotswold School, a lecturer at Oxford University and doctor at John Radcliffe Hospital
Science Journal Club
Debating Society
History & Politics Society
Environment & Sustainability Group

Helping our students prepare for Higher Education has proven highly effective over the past 10 years, with our students consistently setting their sights on and winning places in their chosen fields of study. Each year, approx. 80% of our Year 13 leavers go on to University or Art Foundation Degrees. Around 50% of these go to Russell Group universities. This includes 31 students from 2015 to 2022 who have gone to study at Oxford or Cambridge Universities, in a wide range of subjects from Science to Languages and from Medicine to the Humanities.

If you would like any further information about our Higher Education programme, please contact the Head of Sixth Form, Mr Philip White, via sixthform@thecotswoldschool.co.uk.