HEREFORD Sixth Form College is celebrating a record number of successful applications to Oxford and Cambridge (Oxbridge) universities.

Thirty-one students, 42 per cent of those who applied, received offers, compared with the national average of fewer than 20 per cent.

It is among the highest figures in the country for either state or independent schools.

Stephanie DuToit, who has been offered a place at St Hugh’s College, Oxford, to study Psychology, said: “Hereford Sixth Form College has provided me with so much support and has helped me gain both the academic knowledge and confidence to get this far.

"The Reach programme has helped push me further academically.”

The sciences have been a particular success. Three students have been offered places to study Chemistry at Oxford, and three to study Natural Sciences at Cambridge.

Elite athlete Harriet Castle had her Oxford interview for Japanese while in Venice competing in Karate for Wales!

Students have been offered places on a variety of courses such as Maths, PPE, Classics, English, Modern Languages and two for Medicine: one Oxford, one Cambridge.

One student has gained a place on the Opportunity Oxford scheme, which supports students from under-represented backgrounds.

Students who are considering applying for Oxbridge have access to the college’s flagship Reach programme, which creates a community of the most able.

Weekly sessions support 200 of the most academic students with teaching and guidance.

Hereford Sixth Form College is also the regional hub for Cambridge’s HE+ programme, working with partner state schools in Herefordshire and beyond, providing masterclass sessions to stimulate academic interest beyond the confines of A-level study.

Dr Mark King, of Christ’s College in Cambridge, said: “Hereford Sixth Form College has an excellent support system in place for students who want to apply to selective universities. 

"The Reach and HE+ programmes, which the University of Cambridge supports, are helping more students to make competitive applications to top universities and to achieve their full academic potential.”

Hereford Sixth Form College's close links with Christ’s College, Cambridge, and Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, provide regular support for students.

Students also have opportunities to apply for learning opportunities only open to the maintained sector, such as UNIQ, Villiers Park, and the Sutton Trust summer schools.

Peter Cooper, principal of Hereford Sixth Form College, is proud of the students’ record breaking success.

He said: “I want to congratulate all the students, the wonderful staff who teach them, and our brilliant Reach team for their fantastic efforts.

"It gives me great pride that Hereford and its surrounding areas punch so far above their weight at a national level. Most public schools will be envious of what our college community has achieved”.

Pictured are Bethan Howls (former Croesyceiliog School student), Bevis Drury (former Bishop of Hereford's Bluecoat School student), Buck Blake (former Builth Wells High School student), Catie Sheridan (home educated), Charlie Baxter (former Whitecross High School student), Columbus Layton (former St Mary’s RC High School student), Dora Grasby (former Hereford Cathedral School student), Dylan Taylor-Bloodworth (former Wigmore High School student), Elias Formaggia (former King Henry VIII School student), Elizabeth Steel (former St Mary’s RC High School student), Ellie Williams (former John Beddoes School student, Emma Robinson (former John Kyrle High School student), Erica Morgan (former Christ College student), Georgia King (former Tenbury High School student), Harriet Castle (former St Mary’s RC High School student), Harvey Cross (former Weobley High School student), Harvey Sayani (former Croesyceiliog School student), Imee Marriot (former Malvern College student), Isobel Holland (former King Henry VIII School student), Liberty Vincent (former The Chase student), Lottie Oliver (former Lady Hawkins’ School student), Martha Wherry (former Chantry School student), Matthew Harris (former Whitecross High School student), Max Gunther (former Tenbury High School student), Oliver Elliot-Williams (former Dyson-Perrins Church of England Academy student), Rob Lyon (former Earl Mortimer College student), Rory Inglis (former St Mary’s RC High School student), Ruby Davies (former St Mary’s RC High School student), Sophie Campbell (former St Mary’s RC High School student), and Stephanie DuToit (former Haberdasher’s Monmouth School for Girls student). Callum Berry (former St Mary’s RC High School student) is not pictured.