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A truly distinctive and successful sixth form
d’Overbroeck’s College, Oxford specialises in preparing students for A-level examinations and consequently for the best universities in the UK. d’Overbroeck’s is a co-educational college that represents much of what is best about British education: highly effective teaching by subject experts, excellent results and the ability to generate a genuine enthusiasm for study. The College has been ranked number one in England for value added between GCSE and A-level (as published by the BBC) in recent years, and last year 27% of our students’ A-level entries achieved the highest grade of A*, more than three times the national average. The environment at the College is friendly and inclusive, making it easy for students to settle in. It is a place of energy, laughter and academic success. About 60% of our students are from the UK.
Small classes (an average of seven, maximum of ten students) and interactive teaching provide students with a high level of individual attention and support. There are nearly 40 A-level subjects on offer, so students can choose a programme that matches their strengths. Specialist EAL support is available for international students if needed.
In addition to their academic studies, students benefit from a vibrant extracurricular activities programme, with nearly 30 activities on offer each week. The College works closely with partner organisations in Oxford such as Oxford Brookes University to provide excellent sports facilities and coaching.

Entry to top universities
Around one-third of our students last year went to Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL or Bristol University. Students also go on to study at leading medical, law and veterinary schools in the UK, as well as art and music colleges. There are specialist programmes for medical applications, and Oxford and Cambridge University entrance, designed by teachers many of
whom are themselves graduates of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. Typically, around 10% of upper-sixth students gain places at Oxbridge. In addition to their A-levels, students can also study the AQA Baccalaureate, a programme that includes independent research, enrichment activities and critical thinking skills to strengthen their university application.

Accommodation
Around 50% of the College’s students are boarders, and stay in one of three boarding houses, which offer single or double bedroom. At d’Overbroeck’s, you will find staff always ready to listen, a strong commitment to academic success, and a very positive and happy environment. accommodation with en-suite or shared bathrooms. There is also a variety of host family accommodation.

International Study Centre (ISC)
The College’s International Study Centre offers a one-year GCSE programme for international students aged 15–17 – this is an excellent preparation for an A-level programme or the International Baccalaureate.

Location
The College is located in the centre of Oxford, a friendly, safe and welcoming city for students with a worldwide reputation for academic excellence. London and major airports are only an hour away by bus or train.

Summer English courses
d’Overbroeck’s College’s two- to six-week summer courses are a unique mixture of interactive lessons, workshops, discussions with professionals (eg journalists, actors and fashion designers) and trips (the Shakespeare Globe Theatre in London, the National Space Centre in Leicester, the BBC Television Centre in Cardiff, etc). Every week has a different topic (media,science, music and performing arts, history, etc), allowing students frommany different countries to explore subjects from interesting perspectives.The courses include a full sport and leisure programme.

D’OVERBROECK’S COLLEGE A PREPARATION FOR LIFE

Forget any preconceptions you may have about independent education. With outstanding academic results in 2010 placing d’Overbroeck’s as the number one school in the country for ‘value added’, combined with the pioneering of the AQA Baccalaureate, Sami Cohen, Principal, has a unique and innovative vision for his school, as Erica Conlan found out.

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Scholarships
The College offers a number of academic scholarships to Sixth Formers. These are awarded to students who show outstanding academic achievement and potential, as well as the willingness to make a lively contribution to the life of the College and its student community.

Scholarships are awarded on the basis of a special written examination, an interview and a reference from the student’s previous school. Awards are also conditional on a strong performance at GCSE. The written exam comprises three papers: two are subject specific and last one hour each; the third is a general paper lasting 45 minutes. The two subject specific papers are usually chosen from subjects the student is studying at GCSE and is thinking of studying in the Sixth Form.

Name: Joao Barbosa
Nationality: Portuguese
Age: 18
Education at d’Overbroecks: OPAL Programme followed by A Levels
Grades: GCSE: A*AAAC, A LEVELS: AAAB
IELTS Score: 7.5

“I started at d’Overbroecks on a one year preparation programme to improve my English and then joined the Sixth Form to study A Levels in Business Studies, Economics, Maths and Further Maths. Studying here in the UK is very different from at home. Here, teachers want you to really understand their subject – they don’t just want you to memorise information. A Levels are such hard work but the teachers have really helped me a lot. When you have a problem or are finding things difficult, you can always talk to your Director of Studies.

Sporting activities have been the highlight of my time at d’Overbroecks. I played football every week and competed against other British schools. When you go to a football match, there is always a great atmosphere and all the students sing on the bus and go out together! I’ve done lots of other sports too like tennis, badminton, go-karting and squash. There is a very friendly atmosphere amongst the students and it is easy to make friends. You have every type of person here and its nice to come together and learn about other countries. I am now going to study Economics at University College London and am really looking forward to it. I think my time here has really prepared me well for this!”

Name: Vera Raduygina
Age: 18
Nationality: Russian
Education at d’Overbroecks: 6 week summer course followed by A Levels
IELTS Score: 8.0

“The summer English course at d’Overbroeck’s was a great way for me to prepare before studying full-time in the UK. The atmosphere in our lessons was fantastic and the teachers were helpful and friendly. We did a theatre workshop where we staged some scenes from ‘Romeo and Juliet’ and also recorded our own rap songs in a music studio. These activities were really exciting because I have never done these things before and they helped me learn lots of new words. The learning was fun as I learnt by doing things like singing, performing a play and even sports. I think that this summer course helped me to overcome my nervousness about living in a foreign country and helped me to understand British people better. The course really made me speak English because all the students were from different countries and so this was the only way to communicate!

I am now studying A Levels in French, Economics, Business Studies and Maths and I hope to go to Oxford University next year to study Economics and Management. I really enjoy studying in the UK as I feel that the system here makes the most of your abilities and you have the chance to do so many different things aside from your studies. I have taken part in the College Young Enterprise Scheme, have joined the College Oxbridge Programme and I also do lots of sports.

At first I was a bit shy when I arrived the college but British students were very friendly to me and I became more confident. That is the major aspect of education in the UK: it teaches you to socialise and improve your social interaction with people. There is lots of discussion in lessons and you are engaged in many activities. Soon you understand everything that people say, you laugh with English people about English jokes and you know what happens in UK culture. Thanks to my education here, I am now more independent and able to make my own decisions. I understand more about the world and have my own opinions about things like Politics.”