Sharp rise in Oxbridge offers

The number of QE boys who have secured offers of places at Oxford and Cambridge has risen to a near-record 37 – a 28 per cent rise on last year’s figure of 29 offers.

“This is an outstanding total and one that we can all, collectively, be very proud of, especially in the context of an increasingly competitive climate,” said the Headmaster, Neil Enright.

The offers cover an eclectic range of subjects, from Architecture to Philosophy, including Medicine, Law, Mathematics, PPE and Engineering. Thirty boys have been offered places by Cambridge, with seven offers coming from Oxford. The offers were made by a broad range of colleges, with the biggest groups – four boys in each case – going to Downing, Fitzwilliam and King’s, all at Cambridge.

Research by the Sutton Trust has previously found that QE sends more pupils to Oxbridge than any other state school in England.

Assistant Head David Ryan said: “I know that the successful candidates and their parents are very grateful for the attention to detail that we put in at QE from the time the boys arrive in Year 7 and then throughout their time at the School.

“I must also thank those who have given a great deal of time in the run-up to the submission of applications and subsequent interviews. This includes those involved in the setting-up of extra classes and mock interviews. These, together with attendance at external events, are vital when it comes to the final decisions that colleges make in selecting the very best candidates.”