Events for Years 9-11

We recognise that it is crucially important to raise awareness of the benefits of a university education amongst promising students at a younger age.  We offer activities aimed at Gifted and Talented cohorts in years 9 – 11 in non-selective maintained sector schools.  These events are designed to dispel stereotypes about Oxford at the same time as inform and inspire, so that younger students are (we hope!) encouraged to work hard in preparation for the next stages of their education.

Pathways Programme: Taster Days (Year 10)

'Oxford Taster Days' are specifically for maintained sector schools across the UK.  These days allow a small group of year 10 students to visit Oxford for a taste of what it would be like to study here.  The programme includes interactive sessions with current students, lunch served in the college dining hall, and participation in an academic activity.

Places are allocated to schools based on the following criteria:

1. Schools with a lower than national average proportion of students achieving 5 A*-C GCSE rate and a higher than national average proportion of students in receipt of free school meals (FSM)

2a. Schools with just a lower than national average 5 A*-C GCSE rate
2b. Schools with just a higher than national average proportion of students in receipt of FSM

Please contact pathways@admin.ox.ac.uk for further information.

Pathways Programme: Investigating Options (Year 11)

These one-day 'Investigating Options Day' events provide year 11 students in non-selective maintained sector schools with advice on their post-16 options.  The events will include two small-group academic taster sessions, and talks on post-university career options and A-level choice.  A parallel session will be run for the accompanying teachers with detailed information on the Oxford application process, A-level subject choice and how to prepare students for research-intensive university entry.  Schools may send up to ten year 11 students and two members of staff to the event.  All non-selective maintained schools are welcome to apply for places, but in the case of oversubscription priority will be given to schools based on the following criteria:

1. Schools with a lower than national average proportion of students achieving 5 A*-C GCSE rate and a higher than national average proportion of students in receipt of free school meals (FSM)

2a. Schools with just a lower than national average 5 A*-C GCSE rate
2b. Schools with just a higher than national average proportion of students in receipt of FSM

The number of applications from schools to Oxford may also be taken into account.

Please contact pathways@admin.ox.ac.uk for further information.

Aspiration Raising Talk in Schools

These interactive sessions provide students (and, in the case of evening sessions, their parents), with information on aspects of academic and social life, course choices, student finance, and what it is like to be a student at Oxford.  The talks can be tailored to students in years 9, 10 or 11, and can be combined with additional sessions for sixth form groups or teachers and advisors.