Five Strode College A-Level students are excited to have been offered places to study at the University of Oxford and Cambridge next year.

All were members of Strode College Aspire Programme, which is designed to give the most academically able students opportunities that will help them achieve their ambitions and secure places on competitive courses.

Former Crispin School student Roxi Rusu has been offered a place to read Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) at St. Anne's College, Oxford. She has been in touch with former Strode student Ruby Austen, who is currently in her first year at St. Anne's and is enjoying her studies and Oxford life. Roxi is studying A Level Economics, Maths and Geography.

Freddie Longly has also received an offer to study PPE at Oxford. Before joining Strode College to study Economics, Maths and History, Freddie attended Huish Episcopi Academy in Langport. He was excited to hear the good news about securing a St. Peter's College place.

Conor Boakes is thrilled about his conditional offer for a four-year Master's Degree in Biology (MBiol) at St. Hugh's College, Oxford. Conor attended Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet prior to joining Strode. Conor's Extended Project Qualification on 'Orchid Pollination Strategies' gave him plenty to discuss when an orchid specialist interviewed him! He studies Biology, Maths and Economics at Strode.

Annabel Gilmour joined Strode from Crispin School in Street. She gained an A* in Maths during her first year at Strode and currently studies Chemistry, Physics and Further Maths. She has received an offer for a four-year Master's course in Chemistry (MChem) at Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford. Annabel was the 'Gold Award' winner in the 2022 Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, a yearly competition that aims to stretch Year 12 chemistry students taking them significantly beyond the syllabus and encouraging them to think about science in the way they would at university.

Amy Thomas was in the exam hall taking her History mock exam when the Cambridge offers were released, but was delighted to discover that she had secured a place to read History at Sidney Sussex College. Amy joined Strode from The Kings of Wessex Academy in Cheddar and is studying Geography, History and Politics.

Rosie Storey, Strode Aspire Programme co-ordinator, said: "It has been a pleasure working with this wonderful group of students and their peers through the Aspire Programme. We wish them the best of luck with meeting their offer grades and their future studies."