Students in Grimsby have been smashing stereotypes and national acceptance rates at Oxford and Cambridge – showing that the universities aren’t just for posh kids!
Latest figures show that 40% of students who apply from Franklin College have been accepted – beating the national average of 19%.
Last year four of the ten students who applied from the sixth form college were offered places – with two attending Oxford and another two at Cambridge. Their courses included highly competitive courses such as Medicine and Philosophy, Politics and Economics – the educational paths followed by many of the UK’s former Prime Ministers.
This year’s cohort of students applying to Oxford and Cambridge spoke to Gi Grimsby News while on a trip to visit the settings.
They outlined how inspirational teachers, myth-busting, and a carefully worked-out programme means students at Franklin College Sixth Form are entering to of
The most prestigious universities in the world.
Matthew, one of the students hoping to follow in their footsteps, said: “I think it’s teachers that bring it all together. The key to my interest in Oxford is really supportive teachers. The encouragement of one of my secondary teachers enabled me to connect with different ideas and made me feel I could exist in these spaces.”
Lilla added that visiting the university and meeting current students and staff had helped to “break down barriers.”
Ella, who also visited Oxford, echoed that sentiment, stating: “I stayed at Mansfield College for a study day. It’s a reminder that people who go to Oxford and Cambridge are completely normal. You get ‘impostor syndrome’, but when you’re there, you realise that it could be you in the future.”
The three students were among a group from Franklin invited to stay overnight at Oxford University before spending the following day exploring everything it has to offer.
Much of Franklin’s success lies in its dedicated Oxbridge support programme, led by careers officer Zofia Ciopcinski.
“The trip is at the end of a 10-month programme for high-flying students,” she explained. “They get one-to-one support. However, the Oxbridge successes are very much about teamwork. My colleagues Helen and Trevor sort the applications and prepare the students for interview. We all rally behind our students to get them where they want to be.”
Lilla added: “I never heard a word about Oxford and Cambridge until I came to Franklin. The high-flyers programme has made all the difference.”
This summer, Franklin’s collaborative approach has expanded further, involving local secondary schools, college staff, and the University of Oxford itself.
Zofia continued: “Local schools brought their most aspirational students to engage with someone from Oxford University, work with Franklin teachers and learn from students who have gained places at Oxbridge.”
Roy Horobin
Joined the Gi Grimsby News team in 2025.