The Bishop's Stortford High School has an excellent record in helping its students to attain their well-deserved places in Higher Education. Our results are clearly of the high standard required. Most students apply to and obtain places at the university of their choice. The total number of our former students at universities (including Oxford and Cambridge) is over four hundred and fifty.
The Sixth Form Management Team organises an extensive programme to help you in your choice of institution (see the Post 18 section under Student Guidance/Upper School on this website for more help). The application process starts at the beginning of the Lower Sixth when the whole year visits Cambridge for the day. The Annual University/College Day at the School enables you to meet our former students who are now at university and to grill them about courses and undergraduate life. The Sixth Form Management Team arranges talks for the whole Lower Sixth by university admissions tutors, who can deal with specific questions about applications. Departments can also provide help regarding studying their subject at degree level.
Staff also provide individual counselling, especially important when taking the first steps in deciding what you want to study and where; the initial choice is so wide that it can be bewildering. They give you expert advice in filing in your UCAS form, particularly the personal statement, where you have to market your strengths. Those of you who want to apply to Oxford and Cambridge are of course encouraged and helped in your application. Requirements from universities are higher now than ever before. Competition for places is fierce. The most important part of our Higher Education programme is on results day in the summer holiday at the end of your Upper Sixth. This is especially true if you do not achieve the grades required by your preferred universities. On the day when you receive your results, the Head of Sixth Form, Head of Year and other members of staff will be in school to offer congratulations to most, advice to some, coffee to all, and, where necessary, to make endless telephone calls on your behalf to help you to secure your place.
Students who wish to begin their working life at the end of the Sixth Form are given support and advice in making their choices. The school makes full use of Hertfordshire Connexions (careers service) and arranges interviews on a weekly basis for students. In addition, specific information can be obtained from the Sixth Form's designated Careers Officer.