We have very high aspirations for our students at HGSS, and every year several students apply for places at Oxford or Cambridge University (Oxbridge) in a range of different subject areas.  

We work closely with Homerton College, Cambridge University, which is our linked area college. Each year, selected students in years 10 and 12 attend an access visit to Cambridge where they tour the college, the city, and receive support in making strong applications.  

Through our work with the Brilliant Club, groups of students in years 7, 9 and 12 receive tutoring from a university professor, write a dissertation, and 'graduate' from Oxford University, which is a very special experience for those students.  

It is important to plan early if you would like to apply to Oxbridge as GCSE results are very important: the average applicant to an Oxbridge college has an Average Points Score of 8 (average grade 8 across all of their GCSE subjects.  

Our in-school careers lead, Miss Matthews, supports students through careers interviews and Mrs Smith, our UCAS Coordinator, supports students in writing the strongest possible applications. We have good links with other local schools and give students the opportunity to interview in front of their staff to give them the experience of being interviewed by somebody unfamiliar to them.  

If you would like more information about the Oxbridge process, please contact Mrs Matthews in Careers matthewsk@holmer.org.uk and if you are in Sixth Form and making a UCAS application, Mrs Smith at smithc@holmer.org.uk