Tonbridge School’s Oxbridge Success: Inside Our Support Process
Today’s ‘Oxbridge Taster Day’ at Benenden School marks the start of the Oxbridge preparation for the Lower Sixth.
Tonbridge School’s track record of success in applications to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge is down to our students hard work, commitment and passion for their subjects, underpinned by our comprehensive preparation programme overseen by Dr Jonathan Dixon who has a PhD from the University of Cambridge in Medieval and Early Modern History.
Support provided by our Universities and Careers team begins from a student’s first year at Tonbridge in the Novi (Year 9), continuing with seminars in Year 10 to advise students about super-curricular activities which are crucial to Oxbridge applications. In Year 11 students complete Morrisby profiles which inform subsequent discussions as well as an introduction to the Oxbridge process, giving students ample time to consider their options. In the subsequent Michaelmas Term of Lower Sixth, interested students formally put themselves forward, after which our structured support commences. View the process in full here
The real strength of Tonbridge is our Oxbridge Panel Mentoring programme that structures time for each student with a subject-specialist teacher to guide them in a rigorous programme of admissions test guidance, carefully curated reading lists, interview preparation and undergraduate-level seminars that mirror the teaching style they will encounter at Oxford and Cambridge. This personalised approach ensures each boy receives expert guidance tailored to their specific subject area and academic interests.
Personal statement guidance commences with a thorough two-day workshop at the end of Lower Sixth, followed by individual drafting over the summer holidays. Each statement receives detailed feedback from each boy’s Oxbridge Panel Mentor, Housemasters, Dr Dixon and Mrs Ruth Davis (Head of Universities and Careers), ensuring applications showcase students’ academic passions effectively. In addition, Mrs Davis conducts one-to-one sessions with every Sixth Former to provide support throughout the applications process, including written work submissions. Our University Application Preparation Day, run in conjunction with Benenden and other local schools, provides additional insights and perspectives.
Our interview preparation is particularly thorough, with students typically experiencing six practice interviews before their December university interviews. In mid-November applicants attend an Interview Preparation Day, which involves sessions with external Oxbridge graduates as interviewers. Additionally, we organise exchanges with teachers from other schools, giving the students the opportunity to practice with someone unfamiliar to them. This careful preparation helps our boys navigate even the most challenging interview scenarios with critical-thinking and intellectual agility.
This year, we are enhancing our approach by launching an additional mentoring programme pairing current applicants with Old Tonbridgian Oxbridge graduates. This creates valuable connections and provides insights from those who have recently undertaken the process successfully.
As Dr Dixon advises potential applicants: “If you love learning for pleasure, Oxbridge could be for you ‚ they’re looking for students who live and breathe their subject.”
The Universities and Careers Department extends its meticulous approach to applications for universities, with specialised guidance tailored to each institution’s unique requirements and culture. The department works closely with students to identify universities that best match their academic strengths and career aspirations, providing the same level of personalised support regardless of destination, with our Universities and Careers Department also supporting those pursuing opportunities overseas, particularly in the United States, Canada and Hong Kong.
Student feedback:
“My teacher, Mr Yu, was such an inspiration. He’s the reason why I took Chinese for A-level and have now been accepted to Pembroke College, Oxford to study it next year. Beyond my academic studies, I may not have been the best at sport, but I enjoyed getting stuck in and particularly enjoyed the camaraderie of being part of the House chess team. The House spirit at Tonbridge is incredible!”
Nick Laidlaw (WH 19-24)
Chinese, Pembroke College, Oxford
“Tonbridge helped me immensely in preparing to apply to Cambridge. I was lucky to have Dr Dixon as my History teacher who knew the process very well, so was able to direct me to extra reading and source work. The History Department ran mock interviews as well as primary source analysis sessions to get us comfortable voicing our opinions confidently and critically.”
Freddie Ogilvie (HS 18-23)
History, St Catharine’s College, Cambridge
