Another year of Oxbridge success for Ashton Sixth Form College
We are delighted to celebrate the success of Ashton Sixth Form College, part of Stamford Park Trust, after eight of its students received offers to study at the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge this year. This is an outstanding achievement for the college and the Trust.
All eight students are members of The XL Academy Programme, an initiative designed to challenge, support and stretch high-achieving learners. Through dedicated tutor groups, opportunities for wider academic study, specialist trips and regular guest speakers, students receive tailored guidance to help them achieve their ambitions.
Students also benefit from the Oxbridge Scholars Programme, launched in 2024 as part of The XL Academy. This programme connects students with expert mentors, offering invaluable insight and focused preparation for the highly competitive Oxbridge application and interview process.
The courses students have secured offers for this year reflect a wide range of interests, from History, English and Law to more specialist subjects such as Materials Science and Anglo-Saxon, Norse and Celtic.
One of this year’s Geography offer-holders is Hanna Jadzinska, who previously studied at our Trust secondary school, Fairfield High School. As the first person in her family to attend university and a first-generation immigrant, Hanna’s achievement is particularly inspiring. She credits The XL Academy with playing a crucial role in preparing her for the Oxbridge application and interview process.
Hanna 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 over ten years. This long-standing 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, commented:
“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.”
As students prepare for their next steps, they will continue to receive support from The XL Academy to ensure they are fully equipped for the transition to university life. Their achievements stand as a testament to their talent, resilience and determination, while reinforcing Ashton Sixth Form College’s reputation for nurturing academic excellence.
Centre Principal, Lisa Richards also praised the students’ offers:
“A huge well done to all of 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 8 students who have received offers; they are set to join over 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.”
Alongside these eight outstanding Oxbridge offers, a record number of Ashton Sixth Form College students have submitted university applications this year. A total of 52 students have already received offers from Russell Group universities nationwide, with more offers continuing to come in. Many students have also secured apprenticeship offers across a wide range of sectors.
Stamford Park Trust is proud of the support our academies provide to these students as they take the next steps in their academic journeys, and we look forward to seeing all that they will achieve. This is a powerful reflection of the dedication and ambition that we strive to uphold across the Trust.