Oxford for South West

Schools Access Programme

Most years, we visit a large number of state schools and deliver sessions to different year groups on a range of topics. Some sessions are about university in general, whilst others focus on the University of Oxford, for example:

For Year 12 and 13

• Making a Competitive Application to University, Oxford and the Application Process
• Personal Statement Workshop
• Admissions Test Workshop
• Interview Workshop (suitable for Oxbridge applicants)
• Support for Oxford Offer Holders

For Years 9, 10 and 11

• University and Future Choices: GCSEs, A Levels and how they link to university courses
• Why University? Why Oxford? The purpose of university, myth-busting, the cost and a brief introduction to the Russell Group and the University of Oxford

For Years 7, 8, 9 and 10

• Higher Education Explained: Exploring university and what it might be like to study there
• Oxplore workshops

Whilst the majority of our outreach is directed at older students, we are also able to provide some sessions for primary aged pupils to help them understand university education.

Oxford for South West can also share information on other topics related to widening access and Oxford admissions during access visits. If you have any particular interests that you would like us to address, please do get in touch either with your link college or via our contact form.

Once Covid restrictions are lifted we plan to visit selected schools in the following areas. In the meantime we will continue to provide outreach virtually. 

• Exeter College support schools across Cornwall, Devon, North Somerset , Plymouth, Somerset, Torbay
• Lady Margaret Hall is linked with Gloucestershire and South Gloucestershire
• Merton College supports schools across Bath and North East Somerset, Bournemouth, Dorset , Poole, Swindon, Wiltshire
• All three colleges will be working together with students and schools from Bristol. 

Many of these events are open to students from different local schools to attend. Please contact the college listed for your region for details of school visits your students can join this year and to discuss hosting similar events for students in the future. 

Contact:
Exeter College
Lady Margaret Hall
Merton College

If you are a school from Bristol, please email: [email protected] 

Open Day Accommodation

It is possible to book free overnight accommodation for Open Days. Accompanied groups can receive one night of accommodation, plus dinner and breakfast in college.  During their stay, teachers will be given the opportunity to ask staff and current undergraduates questions about applying to Oxford and the Oxford university experience.

School groups must be escorted by a teacher/s who will remain responsible for all safeguarding arrangements. All accommodation bookings are made in advance by teachers. 

For more information and to find out if we are able to offer this, please contact the colleges directly using the links listed above on this page.

Teacher Summer Schools

Oxford’s CPD accredited Teacher Summer School is a free two-day residential conference for teachers from state schools and colleges in the UK. During the summer school, teachers receive detailed support and guidance about the Oxford admissions process, experience taster sessions for different academic subjects, and learn from mock interviews. It aims to support teachers to stretch and challenge their most able students, and equip them with the best possible advice and guidance on selective university admissions.

Inspirational Teachers Award

Since 2010, the University of Oxford has run a scheme to recognise inspirational teachers from UK state schools and colleges. This award scheme recognises the crucial role teachers play in encouraging talented students in their schools or colleges. Each year, current first-year Oxford undergraduates from UK state schools or colleges with a limited history of sending students to Oxford are asked if they would like to nominate an inspirational teacher.

For details of University of Oxford’s webpages for teachers, Ignite - Oxford’s free careers education programme for schools and Teachers newsletters see our Online Resources.