Ashton Sixth Form College which prides itself on its prestigious XL Academy for high achievers has received an amazing 8 confirmed offers to Oxford and Cambridge Universities, making them the college with the highest number of offers in Tameside.

Ashton Sixth Form College’s XL Academy is a well-established programme, with over 12 years’ experience in producing excellent outcomes for the college’s highest performing students. The programme ensures students can meet and surpass the demanding entry requirements of Oxbridge, Russell Group Universities and premium degree apprenticeships.

In keeping with the College’s long-standing history in the borough, The XL Academy (formerly known as the XL Programme) was established in 2011 with the aim of giving high achieving students a space to express themselves, share their thoughts and discuss their ambitions openly.

With 100 students in the very first cohort, the academy now enrols over 500 students each year, a testament to the specialist expertise of staff at the college.

Students with high prior attainment need specific support to enable them to stand out in the often highly competitive fields they wish to progress onto, whether this is university or a degree apprenticeship. With the number of students in the XL cohort expanding significantly over the last 4 years, the college want to do even more for them, which is why the provision has elevated from the XL tutorial programme to the full XL Academy.

One student who has received an offer to study at Oxford is Katy Hallas, who shared her feelings on the amazing achievement "Studying Medicine at Oxford has been an ambition of mine since GCSEs, and I was in shock after receiving an offer. After hours of dedication and consistent revision, this has been my proudest achievement. I'm hoping to pursue a career in academic medicine alongside practicing medicine and want to give a huge thanks to Ashton Sixth Form College for their support."

Centre Principal, Lisa Richards said:

"I am thrilled to see another year of excellent Oxbridge success across a range of courses. To stand out in such a competitive arena is very impressive indeed, so a massive congratulations from me to these eight students who now go on to join the 30 ex-ASFC students currently studying at Oxford or Cambridge. University and apprenticeship offers are also flooding in for hundreds of other students across college, so an exciting time all-round and I am very proud of our students' achievements. A big well done to them, and to our fantastic staff and wonderful families who are supporting them in taking these next steps."

Head of The XL Academy, Damian Windle commented:

"The 2023-34 academic year has already been a special year with the launch of The XL Academy and these eight Oxbridge offers represent a fantastic achievement and showcase the excellence that goes on. The subjects are for both the Arts and the Sciences underlining the depth and breadth of expertise that we have here at Ashton Sixth Form College. I am thrilled for these students as they have worked so hard and am so pleased for all the members of staff who have supported them on the way in helping gain a place at some of the best universities in the world."

Oxford University

Teo Balmus, from Middleton Technology School, studies Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Ethics & Religions and the EPQ. Teo has received an offer to study Theology and Philosophy at the University of Oxford. (Pembroke College)

Teo also participated in the Oxnet Access Scheme during their A1 year. Ashton Sixth Form College has been a host of The Goldsmiths' Sutherland Centre for Philosophy and World Religions in partnership with Pembroke College for over ten years. The long standing partnership provides incredible opportunities for student, including the Oxnet Access Programme.

 

Frank Duffy, from St Damians Roman Catholic Science College, studies English Literature, History, Politics and the EPQ. Frank has received an offer to study History and Politics at the University of Oxford. (St Peters)

 

Katy Hallas, from All Saints Catholic College, studies Biology, Physics, Chemistry and the EPQ. Katy has received an offer to study Medicine at the University of Oxford. (Queens)

 

Diya Mistry, from Drolysden Academy, studies Chemistry, Biology, Mathematics and the EPQ. Diya has received an offer to study Biology at the University of Oxford. (Brasenose)

 

Shahed Abrik, from Fairfield High School for Girls, studies Biology, Chemistry, History and Mathematics. Shahed has received an offer to study Medicine at the University of Oxford. (St Annes)

 

Cambridge University.

Arlo Turner, from Glossopdale High School, studies Computer Science, Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. Arlo has received an offer to study Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. (St John's)

 

Tamsin Daly, from Mossley Hollins High School, studies Biology, Chemistry, Geography and the EPQ. Tamsin has received an offer to study Geography at the University of Cambridge. (Homerton)

James Mcdonald, from Glossopdale High School, studies Physics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. James has received an offer to study Mathematics at the University of Cambridge. (Pembroke College)