Cherwell College Oxford
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Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College STUDENT HANDBOOK Reviewed February 2017 Next review September 2017 1 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College CONTENTS 1. Introduction 2. Aims and Philosophy 3. Tutoring 4. Accommodation 5. Locations 6. To arrange a visit 7. Oxbridge entrance 8. Short term study 9. A-level study 10. (I)GCSE study 11. Students’ life 12. Arrival at Cherwell College Oxford 13. Your working day 14. The system of academic progress reports and grades 15. General information 16. Leave 17. Your health 18. Important rules 19. Worries or complaint 20. Parents’ section 21. Contacts 2 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College 1. Introduction This handbook is designed to provide some details about Cherwell College Oxford. It is written for students (although there is a section that your parents or guardian should read) and should make life a little easier for you if you read it carefully. It contains information on how the academic day is organised, how the grading system works and how your parents will be able to obtain information on your studies. History Founded in 1972, Cherwell College Oxford is a leading Pre-University Tutorial College specialising in individual (one-to-one) and small group tuition (seminars with 4-5 students). Pre-University: the College focus lies in A-level and GCSE study but with an accent on preparation for life at university. Students are respected as young adults and respond through a responsible approach to academic studies and by a mature attitude to student life. Our students mainly choose traditional A-level subjects and through guidance, identify goals for university and beyond. Students choose their subjects from any of the Examination Boards: AQA, CIE, Edexcel, OCR, WJEC. Our tutors are high achieving academics from leading universities with the ability to communicate knowledge, thereby inspiring our students, making learning exciting and enjoyable. Our full-time students are often joined by students seeking part-time support, through our short-term programmes: Easter Revision (for May-June exams) at the University of Oxford; Christmas Revision; Preparation for Oxbridge entrance exams and interview preparation for entrance to study in Medicine or Law pre-A-level or pre-GCSE summer courses. Students can join Cherwell College Oxford at any point in the year Students (depending on their determination) can study over 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 academic terms We will help you to establish true direction for university and for life 3 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College 2. Aims and Philosophy Cherwell College Oxford has thrived through its reputation for putting students first and they are treated as an individual. We believe this will be the key to their success in life. Students at the College mainly study traditional A-level subjects, while a smaller number study for (I)GCSE examinations. Students board in our Cherwell House residence. The College also has day students. The College is proud to have pioneered Easter Revision courses: successful for more than twenty five years – a new concept in education in the 1980s and widely imitated ever since. Cherwell College Oxford has a long association with the University of Oxford, where students attending revision courses might live and study. Students from leading independent and state schools enrol on the programme and the dual inspiration of the University environment and Cherwell's teaching has taken many students to grades, which have surpassed their expectations. The College also offers an excellent programme of interview preparation for applicants to Oxford and Cambridge, studies in Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science, and most recently, a programme geared around the tests set by leading UK universities in Law, History and English. Cherwell College Oxford also prepares students for the 'Ivy League' universities in the USA. Cherwell College Oxford provides an IELTS study programme for International students to achieve a grade of 7.5 in all disciplines. Students also attend Cherwell College Oxford for short-term study throughout the year, at holidays, weekends, half-term and school exeats. How will I be treated at Cherwell College Oxford? As an individual young adult Cherwell College Oxford specialises in helping 15-19 year olds achieve the qualifications needed to take them to university and beyond. 4 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College Coming to the end of compulsory schooling can be liberating but can also be challenging - there are many choices to be made. We help you understand your options, decide on your direction and provide support to achieve your goals. With an absolute focus on you as an individual, we listen to you; learn about your interests, ambitions and concerns. We then design a course of study that best reflects all these aspects. If you have a clear goal we will ensure that you are working steadily towards it. If your goal remains unclear, we will ensure that you include subjects that will keep your options open for university and for a future career. Young adults need to be supported as they work, to understand the balance between the demands of study and the practicalities of everyday life. Our students are supported but are also encouraged to stand more and more on their own feet, to gain a foretaste of what a university will expect of them. Our aim is to send you on to university and to a career where you will be able to work independently for the benefit of yourself and those around you. 3. Tutoring Cherwell College Oxford’s strength lies in the system of one-to-one tuition by academic staff who combine academic flair with enthusiasm and creativity. Cherwell's tutors include academics, experienced teachers, engineers, physicists and scientists who are united by their passion for their field and desire to impart this knowledge to students. Our academic tutors are often Oxbridge graduates (PhD and Masters). The personalised nature of the tuition system at Cherwell College Oxford provides an insight into the degree of specialism and depth of knowledge required at leading universities. Cherwell College Oxford is different because the Pre-University approach offers one-to-one tuition with a focus on your needs as an individual to progress to university. Tutorial classes are attended daily and supported with seminar discussions, lectures and mock exams. The combination of tuition geared to the individual student, interactive seminar study, the development of a wide range of problem-solving abilities and an extension of writing skills in the mock exams is a perfect preparation for public examination. Weekly and monthly reports for each subject allow parents the opportunity to follow academic progress of their children and identify weaknesses and goals for the coming weeks and months – all of which will build towards success in the final examinations. Cherwell’s students’ progress to university with a mature and self–confident approach with a resourcefulness to take on higher challenges. We help students to articulate their academic interests and to work successfully towards their goals, through a mixture of support and increasing self-reliance. 4. Accommodation 5 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College Cherwell House is our purpose built student residential accommodation with single en-suite apartments, located within a short walking distance from Oxford city centre. The facilities include: professional caterers; daily cleaning; linen and towel service; high speed WI-FI throughout the campus; outside gardens; overnight security patrols; dining room; student common areas; Residential welfare officer and/or residential tutors. Guardianship is encouraged for all international students. 5. Locations Administration Office: St Georges Mansion, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AR Tutorial Rooms: St Georges Mansion, George Street, Oxford, OX1 2AR Frewin Court, Oxford OX1 3HZ; Art Studio: Cantay House, Park End Street, Oxford OX1 1JD Accommodation: Cherwell House, Osney Lane, Oxford OX1 1BZ 6. To arrange a visit Parents and prospective students who would like to visit the College can arrange to do so on any day of the year. We enrol new students year-round and are therefore able to offer interview appointments and visits at any time. Please contact the School Secretary by email: [email protected] or telephone: +44 (0) 1865 242670. 7. Oxbridge entrance Oxford and Cambridge universities still present their applicants with the most challenging entrance demands: 6 Cherwell College Oxford Pre-University Tutorial College early deadline for Oxbridge application (October 15th); an interview; Copies of written work to be sent to the selected college; subject-specific tests. Careful preparation, particularly for the interview, is therefore very important. Our Oxbridge Entrance Programme offers our current and visiting students full support throughout the application process. We provide advice on the choice of Oxbridge college and degree course, guidance to draft the personal statement section of the UCAS form and advice on selecting and developing written work for submission. Most importantly, we provide preparation for the interview stage, helping you to move beyond A2 level study and to approach your specialist subject from different angles and in more depth. We provide mock interviews with feedback, making clear which aspects were good and highlighting areas for improvement. In addition to the mock interviews,