The GCSE years are where our Most Able and Talented (MAT) provision starts to dovetail with our University entrance and Careers provision. Our MAT provision is not limited to just the academic subjects either, taking in also Sport and the Arts. By seeking excellence in all areas, the provision at New Hall provides inspiring opportunities for all to develop their skills, uncover their talents and raise their attainment.

Opportunities include Public Speaking and Debating clubs & competitions, academic clubs and societies, and subject-specific enrichment courses and foster sessions. In addition, extra subjects, such as Trinity or DELF, provide enrichment, and the Level 2 Higher Projects provide an outlet for students to present and develop their ideas and interests. Together these opportunities allow students to develop as young academics, building their skills of analysis and argument and exploring their interests beyond the curriculum. We have also recently lauched a bespoke Politics course, aimed at students in Year 10.

In addition to these opportunities, the Oxbridge coordinator and the Head of Careers & Alumni Association arrange talks and meetings to allow our Years 10 and 11 MAT students to begin exploring their options and preparing for competitive university entrance. Additionally, elite development programmes in Sport and the Arts enable our most talented performers to hone their skills for high-level success.

Enrichment within the Curriculum
MAT students are provided with work that challenges them and pushes them beyond the standard curriculum. We seek to enable students to develop a growth mindset and to build their abilities as higher level thinkers.

Co-Curricular Enrichment

New Hall offers a range of academic and cultural opportunities for KS4 students to extend and enrich their education outside of lessons. Specific co-curricular opportunities include:

• Departmental programmes of trips, lectures and regional/national competitions
• Representative opportunities to develop performance in Sport and the Arts
• Accredited courses, e.g. The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, Trinity Drama & Communications
• Academic clubs and societies, offering also the chance to build leadership skills
• Links with academic institutions, local businesses and the broader community

Oxbridge

New Hall encourages academically able students to apply for Oxford or Cambridge universities. The school has a good track record of students being accepted to study at an Oxbridge Institution in a wide range of subjects, including arts, sciences, humanities and languages.

The Oxbridge programme, OMEGA, fits with the school’s Most Able and Talented provision. In Year 10, students are given the opportunity to visit Emmanuel College, Cambridge. This is followed in Year 11 with an opportunity to visit Hertford College, Oxford. During these visits, students participate in a tutorial, meet undergraduates and attend an admissions talk.

Each year, students and their families are invited to attend talks about applications to Oxbridge. At these talks, students and their families are given advice regarding the range of courses available, entry requirements and ways in which to make their applications as attractive as possible to Admissions Tutors. An emphasis is placed on meeting the academic requirements demanded by Oxbridge Colleges so that students achieve the excellent grades needed at GCSE level. Oxbridge preparation and provision continues as students move into the Sixth Form.