Oxbridge

A place at Oxford or Cambridge is the objective of some of our brightest pupils. A number arrive at Cranleigh already with Oxbridge ambitions, others emerge as possible candidates during their time here. Those applying are encouraged to undertake their own personal research and reading in order to deepen their understanding and appreciation of their subject. They are allocated a mentor from the relevant department who guides them through the application process and provides a structured programme of individual meetings and small-group discussions, to consider additional reading and discuss relevant academic issues. These give the candidates the opportunity to articulate their ideas, to challenge points of view and beliefs, to defend and justify their opinions and to widen their knowledge and understanding of their chosen subject. This “stretching” process is aimed at preparing the pupils for the demands of the Oxbridge interview. 

 Interview practice is provided: we link up with other schools and invite academics from outside the school to help with this. We keep closely in touch with colleges and with Old Cranleighans in residence there and members of the LVIth visit colleges and university departments. Competition for places at Oxbridge is increasingly competitive, but last year 12 of 26 of our applicants were successful in securing places.