On the 28th of January 2008, we were delighted to host a presentation by Mr Paul Teulon, the Schools and Colleges Liaison Manager for the Colleges Admissions Office of Oxford University. The morning concentrated on life at Oxford, the application process and how to prepare for the much feared interviews.

Mr Johnson welcomed the audience, which consisted of around 100 outstanding Year 11 and 12 students from not only King's College, but also the International School of Madrid, Hastings School, the British Council School, International College Spain and the American School of Madrid. Additionally, parents of some of the prospective candidates were in attendance, and found the sessions to be just as useful and interesting as their daughters and sons did.

The event, which was once again organised by Ms Baines and Mr McNally, followed on from a similar evening talk in May, 2007, which has already helped several people who attended it to receive offers from Oxbridge. Yet again, Mr Teulon proved to be a fascinating and entertaining speaker who covered all of the information necessary in detail and with great clarity, dispelling a lot of the myths about Oxford entrance along the way. Mr Gray, Mr O'Connor, Mr Nourry and Mr Parkinson also attended and have been impressed by the effect it had on the dozens of King's pupils who were present.

As is now customary, the kitchen staff provided refreshments and snacks for all participants, which added to the success of the day.

Via this event we have now launched the preparation for the next two years' worth of Oxbridge applicants, and our pupils who are interested in studying at the world's top universities now know they must convey a passion for their chosen degree subjects, as well as doing the constant, detailed background reading required to compete for places on the programmes. Furthermore, Mr Teulon emphasised the independent and mature outlook necessary to be selected. The Higher Education Advice Team will be working with the pupils to guarantee his comments are heeded in the months and years ahead.

On behalf of all concerned, we should like to thank Mr Teulon for his generosity in coming to Madrid again to provide such first class encouragement and advice to our students.