Eight students this year have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Eight students this year have been offered places at Oxford and Cambridge universities.

The successful students were:

• Clarissa Combe to read Japanese at Oxford

• Roxanne Corker to read English Literature at Cambridge

• Rosie-May Lyddon to read History and Politics at Oxford.

• Claire Mainwaring to read Chemistry at Oxford

• Nandini Mitra to read History at Cambridge

• Kate Plummer to read History at Oxford

• Yanna Raykov to read Natural sciences at Cambridge

• Hakkihan Tunbak to read Natural Sciences at Cambridge.

It is an extremely rigorous application process for both Oxford and Cambridge, and even with very strong predicted A Level grades you can still miss out, so the students should be very proud of themselves.

Woodhouse applicants to Oxbridge were supported this year by executives from locally based company Pentland, an international brand agency, who visited the college to give the students coaching, 1-1 advice and practice interviews.

It’s no easy task getting through the application process for the two top universities in the UK. Of those accepted to Cambridge last year over 97 percent achieved the equivalent of A*AA (380 UCAS points), counting only their three best A Levels.

Currently, nine Woodhouse students have received offers of places at medical schools with further interviews and offers still taking place.

Last year over 45% of Woodhouse students went to Russell Group universities, considered by some to be the top universities in the UK.

Clarissa, who has a conditional place reading Japanese at Oxford, said she feels “proud of myself and happy, yet terrified at the same time.” She doesn’t have any future plans for her career as yet, she’s just focusing on her studies to achieve her predicted A Level grades. Clarissa said: “Woodhouse provided me with mock interviews as well as information sessions which helped me feel prepared and know what to expect at interview for Oxford.”

Rosie May said she feels a mixture of ‘excitement’ and ‘terror’ after being offer a coveted formal offer from Oxford to study History and Politics. She is interested in a career in political journalism, and is already planning her next step after her undergraduate degree to do an MA in Women’s History. Rosie May said: “Our history teachers organised extra tuition where we discussed current issues in history and philosophy of history, which was really helpful. I had a mock interview before going to Oxford as well, which definitely helped.”

Kate, is also considering a career in political journalism, but is also planning to first do some English teaching as a foreign language in Spain before settling down to a career. On receiving her offer from Oxford to read History she said: “I didn’t think I had performed well at interview so it was a good shock. Woodhouse really helped by reading over my personal statement, organising mock interviews and running sessions to prepare for the interview.”

Roxanne is still in shock. She says “I am ecstatic, it’s surreal -I don’t even know why they chose me! Is this even my life?!” She is hoping ultimately to pursue a PhD in Literature and says of Woodhouse “The teachers are supportive, genuine people. If you’re struggling they help with so much”.