天美传媒

A1 Pathways

The XL Academy directs students in their first year to elect a support pathway to tailor an individual package of guidance and opportunities, that offers them rewarding experiences to achieve their goals. These pathways are:

• Medicine, Dentistry and Vet (MDV) - For students interested in studying and pursuing a career in these highly specialised areas
• STEM - For students interested in studying any aspect of Science, Technology, Engineering or Maths
• Arts - For students who have a passion for predominantly 鈥榚ssay-based鈥� subjects ranging from Geography to Sociology
• Creatives - For students who wish to pursue a career or degree in subjects ranging from Art to Theatre Studies

Each pathway has their own half termly assembly, visiting speaker and event relevant to their pathway.

In addition, The XL Academy offers unrivalled opportunities for XL students to enhance their skills and experience such as the Nuffield Foundation placements, Sutton Trust Summer Schools and university Access visits.

A2 Pathways

In the second year XL students can elect to specialise in making a university application (XL Academic) or embark on seeking employment or an apprenticeship (XL Professionals).Throughout the year, students are given intensive help and support in making the most competitive applications and are also given access to some first class opportunities such as:

• XL Academic - open day events, personal statement support, university admission support, mock interviews, student finance help, university preparation classes such as budgeting, banking and learning to live independently.听
• XL Professionals 鈥� Employer led recruitment events, skills building, CV creation, preparation for interviews, mock assessment centre days.

Oxbridge

Underpinning each of the pathways is an Oxbridge route which offers specific support and guidance on the explicit application process of making a competitive Oxbridge application from initial interest, to entrance examinations and interviews.

The Oxbridge program has sent over 50 students to Oxford and Cambridge Universities in the last 10 years. In particular, the program offers:

• Trips and visits to Oxford and Cambridge to familiarise students with the unique academic community
• Visiting speakers and alumni to discuss the authentic experience of Oxbridge
• Specialist advice and guidance on creating a competitive application
• A dedicated tutorial group with other Oxbridge applicants
• Weekly one-to-ones throughout the application process
• Mock interview workshops in preparation for Oxbridge interviews
• An Oxbridge offer-holders support group

听OXBRIDGE SCHOLARS

The Oxbridge Scholars program is a initiative with a specific focus of increased support for applicants to Oxford and Cambridge universities.

Building on our successful track record of听 Oxbridge success (40 offers in the last six years alone), the program is tailored to offer high achieving students a chance to experience Oxbridge first hand and to gain an insight in to making a competitive application including:听

• Alumni visits
• Weekly wider reading
• One-to-one and small group tutorials
• Visits to Oxford and Cambridge
• Mock interviews
• Personal Statement Preparation
• Visit to Oxbridge conferences
• Oxbridge Entrance exam preparation

All XL Academy students get the opportunity to apply for the Oxbridge Scholars program at the start of the academic year which runs in conjunction with the other specific pathways.听

All Oxbridge Scholar staff have a rich educational background and collectively will support students and prepare them in every way for the rigorous听application and interview process at Oxbridge. This will include a tailored reading programme and subsequent tutorials, mirroring the system at Oxbridge, and also a deep immersion in the social and cultural aspects of Oxbridge.

Tutorial Programme

The XL Academy tutorial programme focusses on developing a supportive, challenging and forward-thinking community amongst our more able learners. Each week XL students have a bespoke tutorial program where they focus on the following:

• Focus on independent learning skills
• Encouraging critical thinking 鈥� the why? The what about?
• Helping you to find an academic voice and using it!
• Weekly pre-reading tasks to broaden experience of current intellectual debates, and express your own ideas in the group
• Promotion of XL trips, visits, courses and engagement with pre-university programmes
• Practical revision and study techniques
• Holistic 鈥榳hole student鈥� development 鈥� developing your awareness of wider world issues, personal/social/ emotional development, staying safe and healthy, British Values and being an adult citizen
• Trips, visits and speakers including attending the UCAS convention, Oxbridge trips and conferences, Realising Aspirations, Oxnet(and more), Unifrog, Apprenticeship week, alumni speakers, visiting university speakers
• Support with university applications and personal statements (XL Academic) or researching employment/competitive apprenticeship opportunities (XL Professionals)
• Specific Oxbridge / Medic / Dentist / Vet application support and mock interview preparation

What our students say

XL Academy students experience a听stimulating, fulfilling and challenging environment which is underpinned by an emphasis on the future. Every single one of our XL students is equipped to compete successfully in any field; law, medicine, science,听humanities, finance, politics, education and many more.

Progression to higher education is outstanding within The XL Academy, with consistently over 90% of students听progressing to university and over 70% progressing to Russell Group universities. The average grade achieved by an XL Academy student in their final A-level examinations is an A.

鈥淢y Nuffield placement was at the Henry Moseley X-ray Imaging Facility in the University of Manchester. I spent a lot of time researching how x-ray CT works and became familiar with the software they use to analyse 3D images. My work was part of the University鈥檚 Micrographia Revisited project with Manchester Museum.鈥澨�- Jack, A*A*A*A*

High School Outreach

The XL Academy is always keen to support more able learners and so we offer support sessions to school students in the local area. In particular we offer:

• Year 10 conferences 鈥� whole days where student come and experience different subjects and enjoy a keynote speaker in subjects such as Theology, STEM and English
• Year 11 masterclasses 鈥� the Head of the XL Academy will come and deliver specific study skill session on topics such as revision skills, independent learning, meta-cognition and going from grade A to A*
• Years 7 鈥� 9 taster sessions 鈥� high achieving students get to experience what it is like to be an XL student and gain valuable skills in the process.
• One off bespoke sessions 鈥� these can range from an introduction to The XL Academy to the university application process.

If you represent a school in the area then please get in touch to see how we can support you.

When you apply to 天美传媒 College we will take your predicted grades as a good indicator of your eligibility for The XL Academy.

Our entry requirements are:

• 7 GCSEs at grade 7
• Plus a grade 7 in English Language or Maths (with no lower than a 5 in the other)

We will identify if you are eligible for The XL Academy from your application to the college and you will then be invited to attend an XL Academy Guidance meeting with one of our XL Academy team.

On offering you a conditional place at the college you will be invited to attend specialist information sessions introducing you to The XL Academy. Once you have received your GCSE grades in August you will be invited to attend enrolment where the XL Academy team will offer specialist advice and guidance around subject choices and study programmes.

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