a levels

Churchill College Cambridge recently welcomed almost 80 Year 12 students from South Wales for a three-day residential organised as part of the Swansea HE+ project.

HE+ aims to encourage and prepare talented students to apply for places at top universities.

The Swansea HE+ consortium, which is made up of Gower College Swansea and the City and County’s seven maintained schools with sixth forms, launched in October 2012. 

This was the consortium’s first visit to Cambridge and students enjoyed college tours, museum visits, subject talks and free time in Churchill and Fitzwilliam Colleges.

“The chance to talk to the Directors of Studies was great”, said Ysgol Gyfun Gŵyr student Nia Thomas, who hopes to study Chemistry.  “It’s been good to get an experience of what a Cambridge supervision would be like.”

Gowerton Comprehensive School student Elaine Tucker, who is considering Anthropology as one of her university options, enjoyed the insight into student life and the chance to check out the facilities available to Cambridge students. “It feels friendly here,” she commented.

For English Literature hopeful Joseph Lumber, currently studying at Ysgol Gyfun Gymraeg Bryn Tawe, highlights of the visit included exploring the university’s libraries and museums.  “We’ve walked our feet off exploring Cambridge,” he said. “I’ve seen countless libraries and the Quentin Blake exhibition at the Fitzwilliam Museum. It’s been good to find out what the place is like.”

History enthusiast Katie Barrowman, currently studying at Gower College Swansea, found inspiration in the college libraries and in Cambridge’s 800-year heritage. “Parts of some colleges are 14th, 15th century. This would be a really great place to study History,” she said.

There’s more to HE+ than a visit to Cambridge. Cambridge academics also travel to consortia around the UK to help deliver extension activities and masterclasses in the different subject streams.

“It was really good when the lecturers came to us,” Katie said. “We looked at History in a different way, comparing the original sources to the articles historians write and thinking about the reasons why they were different.”

Olchfa Comprehensive School student Will Parry finds that the HE+ extension classes are helping him prepare for his AS exams. He’s aiming to study Computer Science at university.  “The HE+ classes have shown me ways to think differently, to think in a more logical way,” he said. “In school, you’re learning for the exam. In HE+, you’re learning because you love the subject.”

Joseph also enjoys the way in which HE+ classes go beyond the core curriculum. “In school we’re reading 19th century literature, like Wuthering Heights or Austen. In HE+ we’ve looked at Chaucer, Shakespeare and The Mabinogion.”

Students start on the HE+ programme at the beginning of Year 12 to give them a head start in thinking about university options and developing subject skills. “It’s good to have this extra help and feedback about applying," explained Elaine.

Student teacher Owen Philips leads some of the Chemistry extension classes at Gower College Swansea. “As a new teacher it’s been helpful for me to find out more about what Cambridge expects, the application process and about how important Chemistry is within the Natural Sciences syllabus.  I’ll be able to take this back to my students,” he said.

Sam Cooper tutors English Literature to HE+ students and came to help with the residential. “HE+ provides a really important opportunity for students to get together with others of like minds, creating a community of people who can help each other to achieve their aspirations,” she said.

“The residential visit is great because students can stand in a college and really picture themselves here. It’s really important to be physically present.”

Felicity Padley, Oxbridge Coordinator at Gower College Swansea, added: “This residential has been an important intervention at an important time.  We hope it's inspired all the participants to believe they can apply to a top university, whether Cambridge or otherwise, and that they'll now drive forward to do really well in their AS Level exams.”

Ten Gower College Swansea students are celebrating after successful applications to Oxbridge universities this year. They are:

• Rachel Anderson (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Medicine at Jesus College, Cambridge;
• Ceinwen Bowen (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study History at Pembroke College, Oxford;
• Tom Chess (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Natural Sciences at Christ’s College, Cambridge;
• Tom Grove (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge;
• Alex Gutai (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Natural Sciences at Jesus College, Cambridge;
• Rhodri Hughes (formerly Ysgol Gyfun y Strade) who will study Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic Studies at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge;
• Cameron Jenkins (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Medicine at Churchill College, Cambridge;
• Rose Azad Khan (formerly Bishopston Comprehensive) who will study Psychology and Linguistics at Jesus College, Oxford;
• Laurens McDonald (formerly Cefn Saeson Comprehensive) who will study Politics, Philosophy and Economics at St Hugh’s College, Oxford;
• Sophie Parry (formerly Dwr y Felin Comprehensive) who will study Music and Education at Christ’s College, Cambridge.                                                                                                    

“Over 1000 Gower College Swansea students have made applications to university this year,” says Principal Nick Bennett. “As well as this group of Oxbridge candidates, we also have 363 students who have received offers from top Russell Group and 1994 Group universities. In fact, applications have been submitted to, and offers received from, all the Russell and 1994 universities in the UK this year. This is a tremendous achievement for our A Level cohort.”

A group of A Level Economics students from Gower College Swansea are through to the British semi finals of a prestigious national competition.

Target Two Point Zero - The Bank of England and The Times Interest Rate Challenge gives teams of students aged 16-18 the chance to take on the role of the Bank of England's Monetary Policy Committee, assess economic conditions and the outlook for inflation and tell panels of judges what monetary policy they would set to achieve the Government's inflation target of 2.0%

Dayna Morgan, Olivia Church, Anila Rayani, Christopher Griffiths and Scott Rees, all based at the Gorseinon campus, recently won the Welsh heat in Cardiff.

The team recommended an interest rate of 0.5% and a total of £375bn of asset purchases under the Asset Purchase Facility.

“To win the regional heat is a fantastic achievement for these students,” says Bruce Fellowes, Curriculum Leader for A Level Economics. “They worked really hard to prepare, carrying out research about the UK and world economies. We are now looking forward to February 2013 when we can hopefully continue our success at the semi finals and beyond!”

The Target Two Point Zero – Bank of England and The Times Interest Rate Challenge is now in its thirteenth year and involves 295 teams from across the UK competing for the Challenge Trophy and £10,000 for their school or college.

Photo shows (back row) Scott Rees with (front row, left to right) Olivia Church, Christopher Griffiths, Anila Rayani and Dayna Morgan

Gower College Swansea is set to launch a new project called HE+ in collaboration with sixth form providers in the City and County of Swansea and the University of Cambridge.

HE+, which aims to encourage and prepare talented academic students to compete for places at top universities, has been developed by the University of Cambridge and is being piloted in several areas of the UK.

It is part of the university’s commitment to seek out the brightest and the best students from all backgrounds and encourage them to apply to whichever HE institution suits them best, whether at Cambridge or elsewhere.

In each HE+ consortium, a group of schools and colleges commit to working together, supported by one of the Cambridge colleges, to stretch and support their most academic pupils with a carefully-planned programme of activities.

HE+ will see Gower College Swansea link up with Churchill College, Cambridge, to act as a ‘hub’ for A and AS Level students from the college and schools in the City and County of Swansea. The students will take part in extension sessions that stretch their knowledge and skills beyond standard syllabi, as well as receiving help with applications to top universities such as those in the Russell and 1994 Groups.

Because the scheme involves young people from local schools as well as college students, Gower College Swansea will offer extra provision in the evenings, weekends and during holidays.

"There are several successful pilot schemes for the programme already running in England but we are the first to have the privilege of running it in Wales,” says the college’s Oxbridge tutor Felicity Padley. “We’re delighted to take part in HE+ and are looking forward to the launch on 23 October which will be the first opportunity for the university, college and participating schools to get together.”

“As the college in Cambridge which is responsible for outreach to South Wales, Churchill is delighted in have a role in the HE+ consortium which is about to launch in Swansea,” adds Jonathan Padley, Widening Participation Officer at Churchill College. “It will be an excellent opportunity to collaborate with colleagues at Gower College Swansea and the seven partner schools in the consortium to develop a really exciting programme of support for Swansea’s aspiring academics.”

HE+ will be launched at the Gorseinon campus on 23 October between 4.30pm and 6.30pm.

About HE+
HE+ is a new collaborative project being piloted by the University of Cambridge in several regions of the UK.

The goal of the project is to help schools and colleges to share best practice in supporting and challenging their brightest students with extension activities and materials and to create an atmosphere in which a large group of students challenge and support each other in raising their academic attainment and aspirations.

Each consortium benefits from focussed input from the Cambridge College linked with that area, in the form of subject masterclasses, application support and visits to Cambridge.

It is hoped that HE+ will lead to an increased number of well-prepared students making more focussed applications to highly selective higher education institutions, including the University of Cambridge.

About Area Links
The University of Cambridge Area Links Scheme was established in 2000 to enable the Cambridge colleges to build effective, coherent relationships with state schools and colleges right across the country. Every area of the UK is now linked with a college to enable teachers in the state sector to develop better relationships with the University. 

The Area Links Scheme enables the colleges of Cambridge to get to know specific regions better and gives schools and colleges a more personal and direct way of staying in touch with the University. Each college participates in a range of activities and events either based in Cambridge or organised in their link region

Gower College Swansea is celebrating an overall 98% pass rate at A Level, with 1687 separate exam entries.

Of these passes, 80% were at the higher grades of A*-C and 58% were at grades A*-B, both increases on the results of 2011.

The overall pass rate at AS level was 87%, with 60% of those passes being grades A-C and 41% being grades A or B.

There were 2572 separate exam entries for AS in total.

Individual success stories include:

• Isabelle Abdou – French (A), English Literature (A*), Spanish (A), heading to University College London to study Russian and Spanish
   
• Angharad Davies – English Literature (A*), English Language (A*), Pure Maths (A), taking a gap year before studying English at university
   
• Leah Dudley – History (A), Law (A), English Language and Literature (A*), heading to Cambridge University to study Law
   
• Ashley Endicott – Geography (A*), Psychology (B), World Development (A), heading to Northumbria University to study Geography and Environmental Management
   
• Sammy He – Chemistry (A), Physics (A*), Maths (A*) and Fine Art (A*), heading to Imperial College London to study Mechanical Engineering
   
• Aimee Hesketh – Biology (A*), Chemistry (A*), Maths (A*), heading to Cambridge University to study Veterinary Medicine
   
• Vicki Jones – English Language (B), Psychology (A), Sociology (A), heading to Swansea University to study English with TEFL
   
• Eleanor Rose Matthews –Maths (A*), Further Maths (A*), Ancient History (A*), heading to Bath University to study Maths
   
• Sara Sardar –Law (A), Sociology (A), Psychology (A), heading to Swansea University to study Law
   
• Rosie Sheehy – Maths (A), Chemistry (A), Biology (A*), Drama and Theatre Studies (A*), heading to London to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts
   
• Dominic Thomas – English Language (A*), English Literature (A*), Philosophy (B), heading to Oxbridge
   
• Jeni Warren – Psychology (A*), Law (A*) and Spanish (B), heading to Sussex University to study Psychology

“Once again our students have worked exceptionally hard to produce A Level results which will set them in good stead for university and employment,” says Principal Nick Bennett. “I'm particularly pleased that, in pass rates at the higher grades of A* - B, Gower College Swansea is ahead of the Welsh and UK figures."

"My congratulations and best wishes go to them all. I must also pay tribute to the dedicated members of staff who have supported these students throughout the year and whose contribution to today’s success stories is significant."

Photographs by A Frame Photography

Super fit students at Gower College Swansea have been presented with certificates after successfully completing a 40-mile walk for charity.

The walk, through the beautiful Cannock Chase in Staffordshire, was undertaken to raise money for several good causes, including the college’s own Kenya Project.

“Not only did the students have a great experience but they also worked really hard to raise as much sponsorship across college as possible,” says lecturer Ian Peabody.

The students were congratulated at the Gorseinon campus by Principal Nick Bennett.

From September 2012, there will be several important changes to the provision of curriculum for new students at Gower College Swansea.

There are several reasons for making these changes - primarily, to focus resources and provision for learners, thus improving the overall learner experience.

These changes are set out below:

A Levels
AS/A level provision offered at Tycoch will move to Gorseinon (with the exception of evening provision which will remain at Tycoch.)

Creative Arts
Full time Performing Arts courses will be offered at Gorseinon only. The Level 3 vocational Art and Design course will move from Gorseinon to Llwyn y Bryn. Access to Art and Design will move from Llwyn y Bryn to the Canolfan Centre in Gorseinon.

Transport
For curriculum moving to Gorseinon:
Students will be able to access the Gorseinon bus service (there are over 20 routes.)

For curriculum moving to Tycoch, Llwyn y Bryn and the Canolfan Centre:
Students will be able to purchase a First Cymru bus pass.

The costs are the same.

Student Services
Students at all sites have access to a range of student services including: funding advice; academic learning resources; additional learner support including dyslexia support; counselling and welfare support.

Pastoral Support
All students at all sites are allocated a tutor on enrolment at the college to provide support and guidance to achieve their course. The tutor role will be the same across all sites.

There will also be some changes to our part time curriculum as follows:

P.G.C.E
This course will be offered at our Tycoch site only

Adult Basic Education
This will be offered at the Kingsway Centre and the Canolfan Centre.

Gower College Swansea A Level student Will Shackley recently attended the Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair at the Birmingham NEC, where he rubbed shoulders with some of the biggest names in UK industry.

Will was there to promote his project, the Twin Hulled Personal Water Transport. This is a unique design consisting of a narrow catamaran equivalent in purpose to a kayak or canoe. The design utilises the increased stability of a twin hull principle to allow a more reassuring platform than single hull designs. This is believed to be the world’s first catamaran kayak to be built using the “stitch-and-glue” method of construction that has become so popular with builders of modern watercraft.

Attending the event gave Will the opportunity to discuss his project with top engineers from companies such as Rolls Royce and Airbus, and he was given some excellent feedback and positive careers advice.

As a finalist in the National Science & Engineering Competition, Will can count himself among the top young engineers in the UK and his project was highly commended by judges.

The National Science & Engineering Competition is open to all 11 -18 year olds living in the UK and in full time education. It rewards students who have achieved excellence in a science, technology, engineering or maths project.

The Big Bang: UK Young Scientists and Engineers Fair is the largest celebration of science, engineering, technology and maths in the UK and aims to inspire and engage 7 -19 year olds through interactive workshops, theatre shows and activity stands.

“It was an amazing experience to be part of such a prestigious event,” says Will.

WJEC is celebrating the achievements of its A Level and Welsh Baccalaureate candidates by awarding cash prizes and certificates to the highest achievers - including two Gower College Swansea students.

Richard Parker and Shona Sutherland gained the highest marks of all the candidates who sat the WJEC A Level in Pure Maths and English Language respectively.

Both received a certificate and cash prize from Liz Hughes, the Principal Examiner of English, together with a personal letter from Gareth Pierce, WJEC's Chief Executive, congratulating them on their success. 

Richard, a former pupil of Llangatwg School, is now studying Medicine at Sheffield University. Shona Sutherland, a part time student and lecturer at the college, is now studying towards a qualification in delivering basic skills to adult learners.

**

WJEC is making awards to the winner of all 44 A Level subjects and to the Student of the Year.

Awards for subject winners are based on the highest UMS (Uniform Mark Scale) marks achieved in each individual subject.

Subject winners will all receive £50 each, plus a letter and certificate.

The WJEC Student of the Year, who will be the student achieving the highest marks in three or more subjects, will receive £250 plus a letter and certificate.

Gower College Swansea student Laura Morgan has been presented with a £100 cheque from the Royal Society of Chemistry after obtaining the highest marks in the 2011 GCE A Level exam.

In addition to the cheque, Laura was also given a certificate and chemistry book by the Society's Local Section Secretary.

"This is an excellent result for Laura and we wish her well in her future studies," says Principal Nick Bennett.

Photo Simon James