Supporting Every Student’s Journey — From Classroom to Campus

At Oxford Online School, we understand that true education is not just about academic success — it’s about preparing students to thrive in the real world. Our University Preparation Programme (UPP) is a dedicated framework for students in Years 10 to 13 that ensures they are equipped with the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to pursue further education or future careers with clarity and purpose.Fully integrated into our International GCSE and A-Level programmes, the UPP supports students at every stage of their senior school journey.

What is the UPP?

The UPP is more than a support programme — it is an academic and personal development pathway designed to:

• Develop independent learners ready for university or vocational study
• Provide consistent mentoring and guidance
• Build critical 21st-century skills such as self-reflection, research, digital fluency, and global awareness
• Create confident communicators, thinkers, and planners

Every student enrolled in Year 10 and above at Oxford Online School is automatically part of the UPP, and benefits from a holistic programme that complements their academic subjects.

 1. Academic Mentoring

From Year 10 onwards, each student is assigned a dedicated Academic Mentor who provides:

• 1:1 support meetings every term
• Personalised academic progress tracking
• Help in identifying goals and managing time
• Guidance with subject selection, workloads, and wellbeing

Our mentors act as both advisors and advocates, helping each student stay on track and feel supported throughout their learning journey.

2. Guided Independent Learning

UPP encourages students to take ownership of their learning by developing key habits:

• Weekly study routines with structured assignments
• Resources tailored to each student’s path (e.g., past papers, readings, and model answers)
• Feedback-based learning cycles
• Flipped classroom techniques for deeper understanding

These practices help students learn how to manage deadlines, study strategically, and reflect on their own academic growth — essential skills for university life.

3. Enrichment & Critical Thinking Modules

Our bespoke enrichment sessions help students build the broader skills that universities and employers value. Every student in Years 10–13 attends two weekly modules:

• Cosmopolitan Futures: A global issues, leadership, and cultural fluency module
• AI & Society: A modern citizenship module exploring technology, ethics, and innovation

These modules enhance personal development and nurture skills such as debate, creative thinking, problem solving, and intercultural awareness.

4. Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)

In Sixth Form, all A-Level students complete the EPQ — a standalone qualification that showcases their research and academic writing ability.

Students:

• Choose a topic of deep personal or academic interest
• Develop a long-form essay or creative project
• Learn to cite, reference, and evaluate sources
• Present their findings and reflect on their research process

This not only boosts UCAS applications but also helps students experience a taste of university-style study in a supportive setting.

Where It Leads: Outcomes & University Guidance

The goal of the UPP is clear: to open doors to the future. At Oxford Online School, we support students in progressing to:

• UK and international universities
• Creative and performance academies
• STEM programmes and apprenticeships
• Entrepreneurial ventures or alternative post-16 pathways

Our university guidance includes:

• Full UCAS application support (Oxford Online School is a registered UCAS centre)
• Personal statement mentoring and writing support
• Interview coaching (including Oxbridge, medicine, and law)

Subject-specific advice and pathway planning from Year 11 onwards