Supporting our learners and helping them fulfil their potential is at the heart of what we do at the A-Level Centre at Coleg y Cymoedd. Whilst this is reflected across our whole curriculum and in our approach to all learners, we are also proud of our success supporting our most able learners through their applications to Oxbridge and Russell Group/‘Sutton 30’ universities, with our past learners moving on to study at Cambridge, Oxford, Durham, King’s College London, Bristol, London School of Economics (LSE), Imperial College London, Bath, and a range of other top UK universities.

Our More Able and Talented programme works in collaboration with the Rhondda Cynon Taf MAT scheme and:
• prepares learners for the UCAS application process, aptitude tests and interviews
• provides strong links to the Oxford UNIQ and the Sutton Trust Summer School Programmes

The success of our More Able and Talented programme has been recognised by the Welsh Government which has invited us to host the RCT and Merthyr Seren Hub. Seren works closely with the Welsh Government and staff from Oxbridge and Cambridge Universities to provide a specific programme of scholarly activities aimed at enhancing learners’ academic experiences in preparation for an application to a competitive university/degree course.

Being a member of the More Able and Talented Group has several advantages. You will be offered the choice of following 4 AS subjects without the Welsh Baccalaureate OR 3 AS subjects with the Welsh Baccalaureate programme, according to your interests, needs and aspirations. In addition, we will aim to develop your academic skills and encourage you to aim high when making your university choices.

In addition, if you achieve 3 or more A*s at GCSE alongside a predominantly A Grade profile, you will be invited to join the RCT/Merthyr Seren Hub, for which Coleg y Cymoedd Nantgarw continues to be the host Centre. You will attend monthly subject-specific ‘masterclass’ extension sessions delivered to the 120 academically most able Year 12 students in RCT and Merthyr.

Highlights:
• one-to-one support and advice with your UCAS application, including how to write an effective personal statement when applying to a competitive university
• aptitude test and interview preparation with academic professionals
• an opportunity to participate in the Brilliant Club scheme, which gives learners experience of undergraduate-style tutorials and research, and which includes visits to Russell Group universities
• the opportunity to join the Medi Prep course run by Aneurin Bevan University Health Board for those considering a career in Medicine, Dentistry or Biomedical Sciences
• support to apply for Nuffield placements for those studying STEM subjects
• attendance at the annual Oxbridge conference at the Liberty Stadium, Swansea
• individual support to apply for Summer School programmes and/or shadowing schemes at Oxbridge and other leading Russell Group universities
• advice and support on how to accumulate worthwhile work experience in relevant fields
• encouragement to enter relevant essay competitions in your chosen field of study

We will support you in developing independent research and critical thinking skills which will help equip you for degree-level study at a leading university; for your part, you will need to be prepared to put in additional work over and above what’s required for your A-Level subject choices and to think for yourself in order to achieve your full potential. The onus will be on you to develop good higher-level study habits and the ability to think for yourself, so that you become a confident, autonomous learner. We will fully support you in this.