Two Sixth Form students at Burnham's Ormiston Rivers Academy have each been awarded a place on a prestigious Oxbridge scholars programme.  

Siobhan McQuillan and Ellen Moore earned the positions following their remarkable GCSE results and a rigorous application process, which involved demonstrating strong evidence of their subject knowledge, their passion for learning, and motivation for high academic achievement.

They will receive tailored personal statement presentations from the Oxbridge Applications team, which outlines the application process and provides a comprehensive and detailed exercise on writing the best possible personal statement.

An interactive 'Admissions Test Day' will teach them how to succeed in the rigorous admissions process, through mock papers and group workshops with Oxbridge-graduate tutors.  

The programme is run by the Ormiston Academies Trust in partnership with Oxbridge Applications, an educational consultancy company. It aims to provide students with bespoke mentoring, training, and support throughout their application to two of the world's top universities, Oxford and Cambridge.

Joanne Williams, Principal at Ormiston Rivers Academy said: "Siobhan and Ellen are excellent students, and they truly deserve their hard-earned place on the OAT Oxbridge Scholars Programme. They have an incredibly bright future ahead of them and we can't wait to see what they will achieve. 

"At Rivers Academy, we always prioritise supporting our students in as many ways possible, encouraging them to develop personally and academically. OAT's partnership with Oxbridge Applications is a great example of this, and it is such a wonderful opportunity for our students." 

The demanding Oxbridge preparation will also include an 'Interview Preparation Day', designed to help the students gain confidence in their interview skills and develop their subject-specific knowledge.

Students will also be invited to attend an open day at either of the iconic campuses to experience academic life, talk to Oxbridge students, and explore the amazing facilities and resources available at these world-class institutions.  

Nick Hudson, CEO at Ormiston Academies Trust said: "We set this programme up to provide the best possible support for students who want to attend an aspirational university.

"It is specifically designed to give them the self-confidence, skills, and guidance from experts to help them achieve their highest potential." 

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