More high achieving City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College students have received offers from top universities than ever before. 

The college has revealed its latest successes which show that the number of students being offered places at world-leading universities has more than doubled in the last 12 months. 

The successes follow the launch of the colleges High Achievers Programme two years ago, designed to equip students with the skills needed to make their mark. The programme supports talented students in fulfilling their potential by delivering specialist preparation for competitive university courses, including mock interviews, masterclasses and university visits. 

The programme enables students aspiring to study at top UK and international universities to receive individual mentoring, guidance and support towards university admissions processes and tests. 

Edward Swann, Director of STEM and Co-Head of the High Achievers Programme at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sixth Form College expressed his pride in seeing yet another group of students become one step closer to reaching their ambition: 

“It’s a major accomplishment for each of our students and once again validates the success of the College’s High Achievers Programme.

 “Having students continuously receive offers from top universities in the country is outstanding, historically, the city has seen particularly low numbers of applicants to world renowned institutions and we are dedicated to change this. Each year we successfully help students secure offers as a result of student hard-work and the combined efforts of Sixth Form staff, trustees, and local employers.

“We are seeing more top students than ever choose to study at the Sixth Form College, and each year we support them in getting into superb destinations. As such, we have recruited a further three staff to coordinate the High Achievers Programme at the Sixth Form College, this represents a real investment in the areas top-achieving students.”

Homam Naser Al Din first joined the College three years ago having arrived from Syria with no GCSEs. He joined the College’s Level Three Foundation Programme and immediately excelled, gaining 8-9 in Science and a 7 in Maths. Now Homam is part of the College’s dedicated Medical, Dentistry & Veterinary (MDV) Programme that sees students study across a three day week and have two days off timetable to engage in work experience. Having received multiple university offers to study Medicine, Homam commented;

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at the Sixth Form College, being a member of the Medical, Dentistry and Veterinary (MDV) Programme and having a compressed timetable has helped me to secure enough work experience to impress the universities that I have applied for.

“I’m delighted that I now have a choice of universities having received offers to study Medicine at both Keele University and Hull/York Medical School. I’d recommend studying at the Sixth Form College if you aspire to study at top destinations. 

The programme which supports academically gifted students, assists with on-going preparations for admission to prestigious institutions including hosting mock entry exams and interviews. It also specialises in student applications to study subjects including Humanities, Social Sciences, Law, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science.

Former Clayton Hall Academy Student, Tyler Berks received an offer to study Economics from Girton College, The University of Cambridge and is for A*AA.

Having always expressed a keen interest in economics and the global impacts of government actions. The High Achievers Programme has enabled Tyler to research the best universities that can take his studies to the next level. 

Tyler commented: “I cannot thank staff at the Sixth Form College enough for believing in me and encouraging me to pursue this path. I was so pleased to receive an offer from the University of Cambridge. It had always been a dream to study at such a prestigious institution, but I never thought it was possible until I joined the High Achievers Programme at the Sixth Form College, I am still in disbelief, but incredibly proud of my achievements.” 

The initiative also provides expert support to students progressing into the creative arts and sports sectors. Each year students at the Sixth Form College gain places onto top Performing Arts institutions and Dance Conservatoires throughout the UK. Likewise, with the help of the College’s bespoke Talented Athlete and Junior Elite Scholarship Programme, gifted students regularly progress onto the best sporting institutions nationally.

Amy Lees, received an offer of AAB from Loughborough University to study Sport & Exercise Science, she commented on her offer,

“Having been selected for the Junior Elite Scholarship Programme for tennis, I have been able to enhance my performance skills through ongoing training, free gym access and nutritional support and advice. I have accessed bespoke workshops tailored to my sport all alongside my studies.

“Programmes like these help you to develop your skills equally, I have been able to excel both academically and in a sporting environment thanks to the Sixth Form College.”

Receiving an offer from these institutions is an impressive achievement that is a result of students hard work and continuous commitment, hand in hand with the College’s dedication to supporting high aspirations through initiatives such as the High Achievers Programme.