Year 14 student Laura Moore has become the most recent addition to a long list of Wallace linguists who have aspired towards those “dreaming spires.” Laura has been offered a place at Saint Catherine’s College, Oxford having successfully navigated the rigours of the selection process.
Laura has an outstanding academic record and has been supported in the application process by a number of staff members. Mr Neal McKnight, Gifted and Talented Co-ordinator, is the initial contact for students who are considering applications to the most elite academic institutions in the United Kingdom (and even beyond!) but the challenge of Oxbridge application requires a range of “critical friends.” Former pupils who are current Oxbridge students or graduates are warmly supportive and Wallace’s Principal, Mrs Deborah O’Hare, personally interviews potential candidates in addition to organising stringent interview practice with distinguished academic friends of Wallace.
Central to the process is the academic preparation by individual departments and the Modern Languages Department has enjoyed an outstanding record of success over the past fifteen years. Senior Teacher, Miss Pam Brown, assumes responsibility for the preparation of the students and can offer a wealth of experience which has been enhanced by contact with Oxbridge tutors.
Autumn 2019 saw three “Wallace women” commence their studies at Oxford and Cambridge and two of them (Kirsty Dawson and Julie Yeow) attended our Senior Prize Day in December. Both girls are relishing the challenges and opportunities offered by their courses and colleges and are immensely grateful for the contribution made by Wallace to their success.
Regarding her first term Kirsty commented:
“…the teaching of the staff in Wallace prepared me for what Cambridge had in store. The work ethic that I had gained at Wallace definitely helped me cope with the intense eight week term with six teaching days a week.”
We wish Laura every success for the remainder of this academic year and look forward to recording her name with pride on our Oxford entrants’ board!
Last modified: February 4, 2020
