Last week, Hazel Grove Sixth Form was delighted to host a special Cambridge University event, welcoming Dr Jonathan Padley, Admissions Tutor at St John’s College, University of Cambridge, to speak with our students about Oxbridge entry.
The event brought together Year 12 students from Hazel Grove Sixth Form, Didsbury Sixth Form and Laurus Ryecroft Sixth Form, who travelled to attend the session and benefit from this valuable opportunity to hear directly from a leading admissions expert.
Dr Padley delivered an engaging and insightful talk covering the Cambridge admissions process, what it is really like to study at Cambridge, and what it is like to live and study as a student at Cambridge. He also shared valuable tips on preparing for the interview process, helping students to better understand how to approach this important stage with confidence and authenticity. Alongside this, he offered thoughtful guidance on choosing the right degree subject and selecting a university that best suits each individual — whether that be Cambridge or another destination.
A particularly powerful aspect of the talk was Dr Padley’s focus on widening access. By sharing compelling statistics about the high proportion of offers made to students from state schools, he reinforced the message that prestigious universities are accessible to talented students from all backgrounds. His passion for opportunity and academic ambition strongly resonated with students across the Trust.
The session concluded with a Q&A, where students eagerly took the opportunity to ask questions about applications, interviews and student life. The response was fantastic, with many students keen to engage and make the most of the opportunity to speak directly with a Cambridge admissions tutor.
Students spoke very positively about the experience, with one commenting that it was “so helpful to hear first-hand from someone at a university and be able to ask questions, rather than searching through pages of websites.” Another shared how inspired and motivated they felt following the talk.
We are incredibly grateful to Dr Padley for visiting and for providing such valuable insight. Opportunities like this play an important role in raising aspirations, broadening horizons and ensuring our students feel informed and empowered as they consider their future pathways.