Securing a university place at Oxbridge is no mean feat, but six Year 13 students at an independent Catholic girls’ school in East Sussex have been offered places to study at Cambridge University from September – one of whom is just 16 years old. Not only that, but many of the places are for subjects which many would – mistakenly – consider to be traditional boys’ subjects such as science and engineering. The successful students from St Leonards-Mayfield School were amongst a record 16,500 applicants* for the hotly contested places at the prestigious university this year, with around five students chasing each place at Oxbridge institutions.
The six St Leonards-Mayfield School students accepted for Cambridge are:
- Mojisola Agboola, who is just 16 years old – offer to read Engineering at Peterhouse College
- Ellie Cox – offer to read Medicine at Emmanuel College
- Hannah Gilliland – offer to read Human, Social and Political Science at Newnham College
- Julia Laskowska – offer to read Economics at Sidney Sussex College
- Jenny Shepherd – offer to read Engineering at Emmanuel College
- Ella Strudley – offer to read Natural Sciences at Clare College
The students are currently studying for their A Levels at St Leonards-Mayfield’s new state-of-the-art sixth form centre, which was officially opened in November 2013 by the Apostolic Nuncio, the Most Reverend Antonio Mennini, who unveiled a plaque and blessed the centre and students at the opening ceremony. The new facility, which provides sixth formers at Mayfield with their own dedicated building, features state of the art technology installed in the centre’s lecture rooms, digital learning suite, teaching and study rooms, with light, bright social areas including a common room and kitchen and outstanding views.
Students’ learning is enriched by the use of the touch-screen display boards, iPads, smart televisions and high-speed broadband for independent research to support their studies, while the internet-enabled lecture room allows students access to university outreach programmes and guest lecturers. The centre is a winning combination of cutting edge technology and dedicated seminar and lecture areas which provide the best possible preparation for university, situated in the most historic part of the school adjacent to the Chapel.
Headmistress, Miss Antonia Beary, said: “We are all delighted, of course, that six of our girls have received offers to study at Cambridge University. It is to their credit, and their teachers’, that they have achieved such success. As a Cambridge graduate myself, I have no doubts as to how much these girls will enjoy and benefit from their time there; not only studying, but also in making the most of all the opportunities undergraduate life offers. I know that their education at Mayfield has helped prepare them, not only for undergraduate life but for the challenges and successes that will follow.”
Mayfield also had reason to celebrate in 2013 after gaining record A-Level results. Not a highly selective school, nevertheless, 56 per cent of students achieved A* and A grades, with one student achieving seven A Levels at A and A* grade.