This term has seen the culmination of an intensive programme of preparation for our talented Oxbridge candidates across the Sciences and Humanities, week-in-week-out readying them for interviews, entrance exams and wider élite university success.
During the Lower Sixth carefully calibrated long-term preparation was given for applications to Oxford and Cambridge, attendance at Oxbridge masterclasses was encouraged, and across departments subject-specific Oxbridge entrance demands were targeted. Individual independent intellectual interests were fostered far beyond the curriculum, nurturing the super-curricular depth and range sought at Oxbridge and élite level. The College Lower Sixth Heresy Project provided an early catalyst for inspiring well-researched independence of thought and argument in the Advent Term. This was then followed by significant student success in Oxbridge and international essay prizes, for example in the fiercely competitive Libra and John Locke Institute essay prizes. Equally, in Maths and Science Olympiads and the Crest Engineering Award with Ricardo Lancing’s aspiring candidates developed and showed their academic mettle. Students were also able to finesse their super-curricular edge at a Scholars’ Symposium at Roedean in the Summer Term, giving papers and defending their ideas under close questioning.
Now in the Upper Sixth, this term has seen weekly meetings to help refine candidates’ skill at interview and intensive individual tutoring in support of applications. This has complemented departmental work to hone subject specific skills in preparation for interviews and exams. There has been a joint Scholars’ Supper at Roedean, with a talk on Oxbridge entrance, to help further candidate readiness. It also introduced our candidates to a wider network of peers applying to Oxbridge to help support them through the application process and beyond. Above all, there has been a series of intensive online interview practices with subject specialists from Roedean, Christ’s Hospital and Eastbourne College to help in the final sharpening of interview skills. This is another very talented cohort of Lancing students who now look set to make a significant mark as undergraduates at élite university level.
Dr Damian Kerney – Head of History and Sixth Form Enrichment