ASHTON Sixth Form College is celebrating after eight of its students received offers to study at Oxford or Cambridge University.
The members of the Darnton Road establishment’s XL Academy Programme, an initiative designed to challenge, support and stretch high-achieving learners, have made the grade.
And they are not just proficient in one subject, with places secured in Materials Science and Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic as well as History, English and Law.
Hanna Jadzinska, who studied at Droylsden’s Fairfield High School, is one of two students to receive an offer in Geography this year.
She is the first person in her family to go to university and revealed the sacrifices her parents made.
Hanna said, while crediting The XL Academy’s vital role in preparing her for the Oxbridge application and interview process.
She said: “The XL Academy staged mock interviews, which were very helpful.
“I had no clue how I’d react under that sort of pressure, so getting a trial run eased my nerves
“I’m the first in my family to go to university and a first-generation immigrant, so I didn’t really have anyone outside college to ask for support.
“My parents moved here so that my brothers and I could have better opportunities than they had and the college has been very supportive in this process.
“The Oxbridge Scholars scheme has been extremely supportive and some of the concepts we learned there I was asked to apply in my interview.”
Ashton Sixth Form College has also hosted The Goldsmiths’ Sutherland Centre for Philosophy and World Religions, in partnership with Pembroke College, University of Oxford, for more than 10 years.
That collaboration provides students with exceptional enrichment opportunities, including participation in the OxNet Access Programme, further enhancing their academic development.
Robert Murray-Green, head of The XL Academy, added: “Our eight offer-holders for Oxford and Cambridge have demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience and ambition throughout their academic journeys.
“Their success reflects consistent hard work, intellectual curiosity and a commitment to pushing beyond expectations.
“Each student has balanced demanding study with wider academic enrichment, showing maturity and discipline of the highest level.
“We are immensely proud of everything they have achieved and the example they set for our college community.”
Centre principal Lisa Richards also praised the students’ offers, commenting: “A huge well done to all our students who have been through the rigorous Oxbridge admissions process – they did themselves and the college very proud!
“I am so pleased for our eight students who have received offers; they are set to join more than 30 ex-ASFC students already studying at Oxford and Cambridge and I know they will thrive on their respective courses.
“Across college, hundreds of offers are flooding in for our A2 students from universities the length and breadth of the country, as well as some fantastic apprenticeships being secured at this early stage.
“Whatever their ambitions, our students are paving their way and standing out in competitive environments.
“Well done to all – we are very proud of you.”