Students at Loreto with aspirations to study at Oxford, Cambridge and other research intensive Russell Group universities, continue to make applications and receive firm offers in encouraging numbers. At present sixteen students have firm offers from Oxford or Cambridge and they are working extremely hard at their A level studies with a view to joining the forty four ex-Loreto students who are currently undergraduates at Oxford and Cambridge.

Oxbridge Programme

The college runs a programme for potential Oxbridge students. The programme develops students’ debating and thinking skills, whilst providing insight into, and knowledge of, the application process. It includes presentations from university staff, a competitive university conference and a number of practice interviews. Our in-house team of specialist teachers has years of experience in guiding applicants successfully. Academics from both universities regularly visit Loreto and deliver a range of sessions including subject specific classes and application seminars. They aim to make sure that the students are suited to the demands of Oxford and Cambridge and would thrive in the demanding academic environment.

Cambridge HE+

Loreto was chosen by Cambridge University to act as a North West hub for the Cambridge HE+ programme. The well-established Cambridge HE+ programme at Loreto engages potential applicants in Year 12, by offering stretch and challenge activities outside the specification to prepare them for study at elite universities. The programme includes extension classes at college and in other Cambridge HE+ centres; a Cambridge residential, which includes subject specific master classes from university staff and general presentations on applications, interviews and life at the university. Our students are encouraged to attend other residential courses, which take place in the Easter and summer holidays, with budding scientists, for example, taking full advantage of programmes run by the Nuffield Foundation and the Ogden Trust. Loreto students have continued success in achieving places on the Cambridge Shadowing Scheme, the Sutton Trust Summer Schools and Oxford University’s UNIQ summer schools.

Cambridge Music Hub

Loreto College is one of only two music hubs nationally. Cambridge University is working with Loreto College to provide support for high achieving Year 12 Music students so that they are better informed about the academic options open to them. The well regarded programme is delivered by Loreto staff with additional workshops from visiting Cambridge academics. A Cambridge residential allows students to experience the extensive musical resources of the university at first hand and meet undergraduates studying music.

The pleasing consequence of our programme of support is that in a typical year 40% of our supported applicants receive an offer, this set against a national rate of approximately 20%. This is a real credit to the students’ ability, allied to hard work, and to the dedicated support provided by the team at Loreto.

Emmanuel Oladokun, a former student of St Paul’s RC High School has an offer to study Engineering at St Peter’s College, Oxford

Sarah Spencer, a former student of Manchester High School for Girls has an offer to study Music at New College, Oxford. Sarah took part in the Cambridge Music Hub during her first year at Loreto.

Alicia Pasiecznik (left) achieved A* in History and Government and Politics and a grade A in Economics. She is now studying Human, Social and Political Science at St John’s College, Cambridge. Amy Smith (right) achieved A* in English Literature, Government and Politics, History and General Studies. Amy is now studying History at Selwyn College, Cambridge. Both Alicia and Amy both left Loreto in 2015 and are former students of St Philip Howard Catholic High School.

Jack Briggs, a former student of Priestnall High School has an offer to study Chemistry at St Hugh’s College Oxford