Oxford teachers’ conference goes behind the scenes of Oxford admissions
21 June 2012
Teachers from ten schools in the greater Manchester area are among those taking part in a special teachers’ day at an Oxford college as part of a push to get more students from the Manchester area applying.
Oxford’s Corpus Christi College is holding a one-day teachers’ conference for state school teachers that will include a mock interview for Oxford’s famous PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) course.
The teachers will also be given the opportunity to talk to admissions tutors to ask questions and find out exactly what they are looking for in those they select for places at Oxford, as well as a briefing on student finance and funding and a tour of the college from current students.
The conference is a yearly event funded by the educational charity the Sutton Trust, and is designed to give teachers the opportunity to find out more about Oxford's undergraduate courses and admissions procedures. Importantly, it is also meant to help Oxford tutors learn more about the perceptions and needs of teachers who are preparing students for university.
Jeni Clack, Admissions and Access Officer at Corpus Christi College, says: “We are keen to encourage students from the greater Manchester area to aim high and consider applying to Oxford. We recognise the important role that teachers play in helping students to fulfil their potential and are delighted that we’re able to work together at our annual Teachers’ Conference.
“We want to demystify the Oxford admissions process by showing teachers from within the maintained sector how it really works so they have the information to better support their students. It’s important to give teachers the information they need to support their students, but it’s also important for them to see that Corpus Christi, like all Oxford colleges, genuinely wants bright students from all over the country – no matter what school they’re in or where they come from.”
Blessing Inyang is a first-year undergraduate studying PPE at Corpus Christi and will be helping out at the event. She says: “Applying to Oxford can seem daunting at first, but it is made much easier if you have teachers who are willing to support you through your application, and who know what is involved in the process. Without support from your school, it can be easy to fall prey to the many misconceptions about the application process, what Oxford tutors are looking for, and the types of people you'll meet once you get there.
“My teachers reiterated that Oxford was only interested in my academic potential and enthusiasm for the subject I was applying for, and that kind of reassurance was invaluable. It’s great to know that if you're willing and able to learn, then no matter where you're from, or what your circumstances, Oxford is willing to give you a shot.”
The programme for the day includes sessions on applying to Oxford and mock interviews in science and arts subjects (Materials Science and PPE). With the changes to student funding and finance there will also be a session on finance for students. Throughout the day there will be opportunities for teachers to talk to admissions tutors (through presentations and Q&A sessions) about the best way to prepare students for the Oxford admissions process.
For more information, please contact Julia Paolitto in the Press Office, Oxford University on 01865 280 531 or press.office@admin.ox.ac.uk
For more information on the 2012 Teachers’ Conference at Corpus Christi, see:
http://www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/teachers-conference/
In 2009-10, 1,244 students from the greater Manchester area got three A grades or better at A level (around 10.7% of all those in Manchester taking A levels). That year 382 students from Manchester applied to Oxford.
(*NB AAA at A level was the minimum required to make a competitive application to Oxford)
The one-day Teachers’ Conference at Corpus Christi College, Oxford, is open to all teachers and higher education careers guidance staff in the state sector who support pupils applying to university.
32 teachers will be attending, among them teachers from ten schools in the greater Manchester area: Xaverian College; Loreto College; King David High School; Parrs Wood High Schooll; Altrincham Grammar School for Girls; Urmston Grammar; Ashton Under Lyme Sixth Form College; New Charter Academy; Cheadle Hulme High School; and The Radclyffe School.
As part of the University of Oxford’s ongoing commitment to engage with schools, each Oxford college is linked to a Local Authority to ensure that each school has a first point of contact within the University. The Teachers’ Conference is especially aimed at aimed at schools and colleges in Corpus Christi’s regional outreach areas and beyond. They are: Derby and Derbyshire, Manchester and Trafford, Oldham, Salford, Stockport, and Tameside.
For more on these regional links see:
http://www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/Regional-Outreach/
For more information on the regional contacts between local authorities and colleges see: