1 Jan 2012
It's Oxford 3 Cambridge 2 for Paston Quintet

Five students from Paston Sixth Form College have just received very special New Year's presents, they have won places at the country's two "ancient universities" - Oxford and Cambridge - for September 2012. 
 
The five had to demonstrate outstanding academic ability in their GCSE and AS results and in their predicted A-level grades. These, together with their personal statements and College references, got them an interview. Winning a place was down to their own performance in the highly competitive interviews. They clearly were successful in convincing interviewers of their academic credentials and potential. The five students are: 
 
Katy Day aged 18 from Norwich, at St Hilda's College, Oxford, to read German. Katy was at Norwich High School for Girls. 
 
Alice Fox aged 17 from Wroxham at St Peter's College, Oxford to read Chemistry She is a former pupil of Broadland High School. 
 
Alistair Green aged 17 from North Walsham at St Anne's College Oxford to read Law. Alistair is a former student at North Walsham High School and is Paston's Student Vice President. 
 
Michael Stringer aged 17 from Dilham, at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Mathematics. He is a former pupil of Stalham High School. 
 
Ryan Wilson aged 17 from Lingwood, at Trinity College, Cambridge, to read Mathematics. He is a former pupil of Acle High School. 
 
"I am Immensely proud of their achievement in winning places at Oxford and Cambridge and on courses which are so highly competitive," said Peter Mayne. "It is great to see students aiming high and achieving success. Our five in 2012 is one up on our four Oxbridge successes in 2011."  
 
Paston runs a specialist Paston Oxbridge Preparation Programme [POPP] for gifted and talented young people who do very well in their GCSEs - the first step to applying to top universities. An evening for year 11 high school students and parents considering applying to Oxbridge and joining the POPP scheme was held at the College in November. It was led by a former student, Dr James Keeler, who is now a senior admissions tutor in Cambridge. The evening attracted 180 people.  
 
"We were delighted to see this level of interest" said Mr Mayne "and the successes of our 2012 quintet can only inspire more interest and ambition."  
 
Photo:  
Katy Day, Ryan Wilson, Alice Fox, Alistair Green and Michael Stringer in the College's Nelson Room.

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