L-R: Libby O'Sullivan, Ellen Jones, Edan Reid
Six A Level students from Gower College Swansea have been offered places to study at Oxford or Cambridge University in 2021.
“After what has been a very challenging academic year for everybody, we are really pleased with these offers, especially as these students came to Gower College Swansea from five different secondary schools, and are going to six different Colleges to study six completely different subjects so there is a real variety here, which is always good to see,” says Principal Mark Jones.
"It’s especially pleasing as the introduction of centre assessed grades has meant this is an even more competitive year for students when it comes to securing places at these prestigious universities.”
The students are all following the Oxbridge Programme at the Gorseinon Campus, which aims to provide the best possible preparation for students aiming to progress to Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group universities.
|
Name |
Previous school |
Offered place at |
To study |
|
Bethany Baljak |
Pontarddulais |
Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge |
Linguistics |
|
Emily Griffiths |
Pontarddulais |
St Hilda’s College, Oxford |
Classical Archaeology and Ancient History |
|
Ellen Jones |
Bryngwyn |
St Anne’s College, Oxford |
Experimental Psychology |
|
Libby O’Sullivan |
Cwmtawe |
Churchill College, Cambridge |
Law |
|
Edan Reid |
Penyrheol |
Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge |
Veterinary Medicine |
|
Jack Spiller |
Olchfa |
Christchurch College, Oxford |
Engineering |
“When I had my offer, I couldn’t believe it,” says Libby O’Sullivan. “I had to get my Dad to read it as well, just to confirm that it was real! We both started jumping around and screaming with excitement. I’m really looking forward to meeting new people in Cambridge and of course, the punting! I just want to say a big thanks to Felicity Padley and Fiona Beresford from Gower College Swansea for their amazing help and support along the way.”
“From an extremely young age I had my heart set on veterinary medicine and having offers to study the course is fantastic - the fact that I have an offer from Cambridge to do this is a wonderful opportunity,” adds Edan. “I was ecstatic when I received the email but couldn’t believe my eyes. Hopefully I will be able to get the required grades and begin my journey towards my chosen career.”
“I was delighted to receive my offer from Oxford, it was a lovely surprise,” says Ellen. “I’m looking forward to exploring psychology in much more depth and furthering my passion for the subject. It is a discipline that is constantly changing and I hope to see that for myself as I further my studies. In the future, I hope to identify the specific area of psychology that I love and pursue this at a higher academic level by perhaps completing a Masters.”
The College’s Oxbridge Programme incorporates weekly tutorials, preparation interviews with Oxbridge alumni and local academic professionals, an aptitude test and assessment preparation for relevant subjects.
Gower College Swansea is – at the invitation of the University of Cambridge – the only FE College or state school in Wales to run a HE+ programme. Working alongside the Welsh Government’s Seren Programme, HE+ aims to develop academic skills and inspire students to aim as high as possible when making their university choices.