Teaching

Our teaching is focused on examination success.

We do not overload students with unnecessary information; we teach them the detail they need to pass their examinations.  Our own course notes support our teaching, enabling students to concentrate on understanding the subject matter rather than taking notes.

Students have frequent practice at applying facts, concepts and techniques to past paper questions.  Detailed feedback allows them to gain a clear perspective on the answer the examiner expects and the ways in which their answers could be improved.

With our small class sizes, each student participates fully in each lesson.  Our tutors ask questions of students in each lesson and students in turn are expected to ask their own questions and address difficulties as they arise.

Testing

Weekly testing is carried out to facilitate gradual acquisition of understanding, to encourage students to commit facts to memory and to help develop effective examination technique.

Students also sit Stage Tests which examine material covered since the start of the course.  These tests are constructed from past examination paper questions and marked according to examination boards' criteria.  All papers are marked and returned to students with feedback within 48 hours of completion and results are posted to parents.

Prior to public examinations, students sit a full set of Mock Examinations which comprise complete past examination papers.  The papers are marked and returned with feedback and additional comments.  With such frequent practice of past papers under full examination conditions, students rapidly lose their fear of examinations, resulting in a significant improvement in their confidence and preparedness.

Supporting Tutorials

Subject tutors monitor the progress of each student very closely through their performance in Stage Tests, homework and example classes.  Heads of Departments follow the progress of all of the students in their departments and hold regular meetings with their tutors and senior staff to consider the needs of each student.

Pastoral Tutorials

The College operates a pastoral care system in which each student is allocated a personal tutor to provide support and guidance during their time in Cambridge.  Parents are encouraged to maintain frequent contact with the College.

University applications

Almost all of our students move on to undergraduate studies at prestigious British universities.  We provide support throughout the application process.  The support includes advice on the preparation of personal statements and the choice of institution and course.

Oxbridge applications

Each year we have 25 - 30 students applying to the Oxford and Cambridge colleges.

We offer a specialist programme to support these students in their endeavour.  The support includes preparation for the Oxbridge colleges' entrance tests and interviews.

Applications to read Medicine and Dentistry

Each year we have 10 - 15 students who wish to study medicine or dentistry.  We offer a specialist programme to support these students in their endeavour.  The support includes advice on the additional admissions tests set by the medical schools as well as preparation for the medical and dental school interviews.

Applications to read Law

In most years we have 1 - 3 students who wish to read Law.  We offer a specialist programme to support these students in their endeavour.  The support includes advice on the additional admissions test set by the faculties of law as well as preparation for law interviews.

Applications to read Veterinary Medicine and Veterinary Science

In some years we have students who wish to read Veterinary Medicine or Veterinary Science.  We offer a specialist programme to support these students in their endeavour.  The support includes advice on the additional admissions test set by the veterinary schools as well as preparation for veterinary interviews.

Applications to study at overseas universities

We offer a programme of support to students who seek entry to overseas universities.  Over the past 5 years we have helped students gain entry to universities in the following countries:

Australia
Belgium
Canada
Czech Republic
Ireland
The Netherlands
United States of America

Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)

Almost all students who enrol at Abbey College Cambridge do so as the first step towards their application for one or other of the most competitive degree courses at a British university.  We give the UCAS application procedure the same importance as all other aspects of teaching and preparation for examinations.  For students undertaking the two-year or 18-months A-level programmes, preparation for their UCAS application begins in the Lower 6^th with seminars, dedicated UCAS weeks and visits to university open days.

For all students making an application we offer:

• Individual discussion of chosen courses and academic institution
• A full explanation of the process from UCAS application to university acceptance
• Detailed advice concerning the completion of the UCAS form
• Supervision throughout the UCAS Apply process
• Advice on university Open Days
• Specialist advice on applications to the Oxford and Cambridge colleges
• Specialist advice on Medical, Dental, Veterinary and Law school applications
• Help with the organisation of internships and work placements in both industry and academia
• Help with the organisation of voluntary work and work-shadowing placements
• Supervision throughout the UCAS Extra and UCAS Clearing processes

Oxbridge Preparation

We encourage our most able and dedicated students to apply for admission to either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

We recognise the difficulty in making such an application, not least because many more A-grade students make an Oxbridge application than there are places available.  Therefore, in addition to our standard UCAS programme we invite Oxbridge applicants to participate in a programme of further discussion and preparation.

The Oxbridge programme includes:

• Selection of college: identification of the most appropriate college in terms of course choice, personality and chance of success.
• Technical guidance: ensuring that applicants have an outstanding awareness of current issues in their chosen discipline that extends beyond the A-level curriculum.
• Interview technique: advice and practice concerning effective ways to deal with the demands of the admissions interview at an Oxbridge college.
• Extra tuition: Guidance and teaching dedicated to the extended Oxbridge application requirements.
• The programme include preparation for Advanced Extension Award and Sixth Term Examination Papers in Mathematics, the Thinking Skills Assessment test and the other admissions tests the applicants will meet at their interviews.