winstanley college

Passport to the best universities

Winstanley Road Billinge Wigan WN5 7XF • 01695-633244 • www.winstanley.ac.uk

At Winstanley, we are keen to make sure that you reach your full potential and achieve the best possible academic results. And that includes a dedicated programme to help you gain a place at a top university.

For all of our students, including those with the highest GCSE grades, we have the expertise, facilities and experience in supporting applications to the country’s top universities, including Oxbridge and Russell Group Universities. More than 400 students progress each year to the most sought after universities, more than any other college in the North West.

A ‘prestigious university’ will have a global footprint. It will have extensive international research networks bringing together the very best scholars from around the world, a record of producing ground breaking research and diverse campuses and plenty of resources. Degrees gained from such a university will re�ect this high status.

24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience, and links with business and the public sector.

We’re very lucky in the North West to have some of the country’s best performing colleges with the most able students but even in this exalted company, Winstanley tops the table.

winstanley collegeWinstanley - passport to the best universities

Source: The Guardian August 2014 and colleges’ own websites

Which are the best universities?

The Russell Group:

Position College %A/A*

1 Winstanley College 33%2 Runshaw 32%3 Cardinal Newman 31%4 Carmel College 26%5 Holy Cross 21%

Many Winstanley students have a strong desire to stretch themselves beyond the demands of A-level.

Winstanley creates an environment in which students are encouraged to challenge themselves and to pursue areas of personal interest beyond the taught curriculum. The nurturing of independent thought and the ability to think analytically was incredibly valuable when at interview.

Teachers at Winstanley actively encouraged me to read around the subjects and to challenge myself academically. This really helps develop independent study skills.

A-level results at a glance 2014Remember: the top universities are looking for your top grades and in the facilitating subjects.

Best in North West - 35.7% A/A* across all subjects (not just a few)Best in North West - A*AB 65% Best in North West - 71.5% A*-B in facilitating subjectsBest in North West - 1023.6 points per student

Extended project 98.4% A* - B–highly regarded by prestigious universitiesMore than 400 students progress each year to the most sought after universities11.2% A*98.9% A-E171 students achieved 3 grade As or better50 students studying at OxbridgeOver 70 students studying LawOver 30 students placed in medicine/dentistry/veterinary science each year

Notes • At Winstanley you can do any combination of A-levels • You will not be turned away once you arrive because an A-level course is full

winstanley collegeA passion for learning

What the students say

for Oxbridge applicants which starts in the January of Year 12. There are workshops on top universities, advice on applications and personal statements

and outside experts from the public and private sector. Trips are organised to regional conferences and residential visits to Oxford and Cambridge. Students are encouraged to apply successfully to prestigious summer schools and master class open days. At departmental and subject level there is comprehensive academic support for such applicants and any external tests applications demand such as the Politics, Law and Sociology Department’s LNAT programme and rigorous preparation in English and History for ELAT and HAT

on your feet’ tutorials with subject specialists.

Cambridge and the HE+ Initiative

Winstanley is delighted to have been chosen by Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge as the hub college for widening access for students from state schools for places at top universities. HE+ is designed to encourage and prepare the brightest and most enthusiastic students to compete for places at top universities, including the University of Cambridge.

Winstanley students have the opportunity to take part in extension classes, master classes and workshops, at the College and at Sidney Sussex College Cambridge.

Winstanley student , who is thinking of studying History at university, said: “I’m looking forward to the extension classes as a taster of what it might be like to study at

about what studying at university is really like so the chance to visit Sidney Sussex College is a big plus.”

Outstanding students deserve outstanding support

“Currently, there are over 45 students from Winstanley College studying at Oxbridge”

A comprehensive Oxbridge Programme

winstanley college

We work hard to ensure that the most ‘gifted and talented’ students make a success of their time with us.

The EPQ gives you the chance to study a topic of your choice in some depth - excellent for those who want to stretch themselves and enjoy being challenged. You will be mentored by a tutor who guides you in your choice of project and the skills needed to complete it.

The Extended Project will not only develop the ability to work independently but provide you with vital skills to help with your applications to universities. Such skills include obtaining and selecting information from a variety of sources, analysing data, taking critical decisions and

AS-level, it presents a fantastic opportunity.

Stretch and Challenge

Katherine MulroyA-levels: Philosophy and Religion, Government and Politics & Modern History

My Extended Project is on assisted suicide and whether it should be legalized in the UK. I have really enjoyed learning about what assisted suicide involves and the views from religious groups, pressure groups and people in my own class.

and would recommend it to anyone who is considering going to university.

winstanley college

Extended Project Qualification

www.facebook.com/WinstanleyCollege • twitter.com/winstanleycoll • www.youtube.com/user/WinstanleyCollegeTV

A wealth of opportunity and advice

• Visits to the local Crown and Magistrates Courts• Mock Trial competition for any budding barristers• Mooting competition and Model United Nations Conference to boost public speaking confidence• Visits to Paris, Brussels, Washington and New York, a local prison and the Houses of Parliament• Careful advice about the options of doing either a law degree or another undergraduate degree followed by the CPE conversion course• Former Winstanley students from Oxford, Cambridge and other Russell Group Universities who act as mentors to our students• We also have students who have been awarded bursaries to study law from the top 10 law firms in the UK, who also act as coaches and mentors.

winstanley collegeToel KoyitharaLaw at Oxford, Trinity CollegeSt Peter’s High SchoolA-levels: Politics, Psychology, History, Philosophy & Religion

Joe Ga�neyLaw at Cambridge,

King’s CollegeSt Peter’s High School

A-levels: Economics, Law, Politics,

Medieval History

Phoebe McGibbonLaw at Oxford, Trinity CollegeStandish High SchoolA-levels: English Language, History, French

“Debating sessions were fantastic in helping me to develop reasoning skills, and to present arguments. LNAT preparation sessions and mock interviews really helped me to practise my skills and perform to my best.”

Budding barristers Joe Hilton and Zainab Gulamhussein had a chance to play the role of barrister by donning the wig and gown. The visit by barristers Jacqui Thomas and Liz Shaw provided a wealth of valuable information and advice about of the law profession.

Physicist of the Year Robyn Finch, one of 4 Winstanley students awarded prizes at the Physicist of the Year event organised by The Ogden Trust. The idea of the Trust is to open pathways for careers in science and particularly physics.

Winstanley Engineers Problem SolvingWinstanley students recently spent 3 days working with professional Engineers from Sella�eld and Nuclear

Engineering Science (NES) to �nd anengineering solution to a problem they were set. Dr Leah Ridgeway, Head of Engineering at Liverpool University, was so impressed by one of the solutions, that she had the team explaining it to her 1st year undergraduates.

Crest AwardA team of Winstanley students has been awardeda CREST medal for “enthusiasm and understanding of issues in a world context” for their work on their low cost biodigester for use in developing countries. The low cost, portable Biodigester can be used to generate energy in developing countries and a prototype was manufactured at a workshop at Liverpool University.

Centre of excellence for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths)

Law students get in barrister role

Winstanley -preparing you for Law

New Course!

Winstanley has a fantastic record of helping students gain a place at university to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary science. In all subjects, there are opportunities for students to challenge themselves by doing something extra.

Medical Professions AwardSmoothing your path to a career in medicine and dentistry

The award has been developed with sta� from the local Primary Care Trust, Bridgewater Community Healthcare Trust and Liverpool University Medical School.

 The award will include high level academic work and reviews, extensive voluntary work, a comprehensive taught programme, peer collaboration, personal research, presentation skills and pairing with a current university medicine/dental school student to act as mentor. The Award can be included on the UCAS form and an individual reference will be provided.

Medics, dentists and vets

Superb help and advice for potential MDV studentsWhat the students say:-

“Winstanley sta� o�ered a wealth of experience and advice in every aspect of my medicine application, o�ering one to one support.”

“Weekly meetings were held for prospective MDV applicants. These covered all aspects of the admissions process including: writing a personal statement, applying early through UCAS and taking the BMAT and UKCAT entry exams.”

“Mock interviews were arranged for students and were a good representation of the real thing, helping me to feel at ease and to reach my potential at interview.”

winstanley college

www.facebook.com/WinstanleyCollege • twitter.com/winstanleycoll • www.youtube.com/user/WinstanleyCollegeTV

www.facebook.com/WinstanleyCollege • twitter.com/winstanleycoll • www.youtube.com/user/WinstanleyCollegeTV