A record nine Blackpool Sixth students are celebrating the offer of places from two of the world’s top ranked universities, Oxford and Cambridge.

After an extremely demanding selection process involving additional entrance exams and interviews, the students have all received the exciting news that an Oxbridge place awaits them if they achieve the grades required.

Three former Millfield Science and Performing Arts College students, Levi Hayes, Sam Heap and Sian Morris have all been offered places to study at Oxford University; Levi to read history and politics, Sam to read chemistry and Sian to read archaeology and anthropology.  Sian commented, “The support we have received in the process of applying to Oxford has been phenomenal. There has been so much put in place, at every stage of the application, in order to ensure that we can be the best versions of ourselves.”

Former Lytham St Annes High School students Dani Whipp and James Farrow have also received offers from Oxford; Dani to read biochemistry and James to read history and French. Luke Skelton, formerly of St. Bede’s Catholic High School, has an offer from Oxford to read chemistry.

Holly Brookfield and Nathan Land, who both attended St. George’s School before progressing to Blackpool Sixth, have also had offers from Oxford; Holly to read classics and Nathan to read ancient history. Nathan completed his A levels last year and has been taking a gap year.

Abby Baxter, a former Hodgson Academy student, has received an offer from Cambridge University to read archaeology.

The students have benefitted from very extensive support to prepare them for their applications to Oxbridge and other top universities in Britain and abroad.  In particular, the college’s Excellence Programme provides an integrated programme of coaching, academic challenge and extra-curricular opportunities, all designed to ensure that students are in the strongest position possible to gain success in applications to highly selective universities and courses.  Students on the programme also usually take an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) alongside their main A level studies to help strengthen their research skills and build additional depth to their subject knowledge. Sam Heap said, “The Excellence Programme has given me the skills to succeed in my application to Oxford University and the confidence to know I can achieve.”

Excellence Programme Co-ordinator, Peter Wright, added, “We are thrilled for our students as these offers really do reflect their hard-work, passion and commitment throughout the selection process. The Excellence Programme provides a fantastic platform for our students to make strong applications to the world’s most competitive universities and courses.”