15 Nov 2022
Meet the Head: Principal Carmen Dare
Carmen Dare, Principal at Greene’s College Oxford reflects on why her A level students continue to achieve above the national average
I am thrilled to provide some brief highlights of what makes us exceptional…
Students at Greene’s College Oxford continue to achieve above the national average in A* and A grades. Last year 41 per cent of grades at Greene’s were A* or A grades, an incredible achievement and testament to our student’s hard work and commitment.
Greene’s Educational Philosophy
Our educational philosophy is based on a simple assumption. If students’ courses are individually designed to suit their unique qualities and needs, they are much more likely to succeed. We have a similar approach to anyone deciding to retake examinations. With the right amount of support and guidance, our retake results prove (and our students consistently testify) that our approach is highly effective in achieving the best outcomes.
More importantly, tutors are carefully selected to breathe new life into the students learning experience. Our 2021 Independent Schools’ Inspectorate report states: “Teachers have excellent subject knowledge and are skilful in developing students’ confidence, analytical and independent learning skills. External examination results are excellent.”
A personalised learning experience
We blend small group and individual tutorials (with immediate feedback) with one-to-one weekly personal tutoring sessions to ensure all students have personalised guidance. Our wider curriculum includes regular Leadership sessions to prepare students for their future careers, alongside a wide variety of student-led societies.
The personalisation of tuition is an area of expertise within Greene’s, and it has proved to be a real determining factor for students’ university applications. In the last three years, Greene’s has helped students secure places at eleven Russell Group universities, with over 70 per cent of Greene’s students admitted to G5 and Russell Group universities.
Flexibility: online & face-to-face
The exciting expansion of Greene’s College in Oxford to Estoril in Portugal means that students now have the unique opportunity to study for their A levels both in Oxford’s beautiful city centre and in Estoril, a seaside town near Cascais, on the Portuguese Riviera. They also have the opportunity to study their courses completely online – learning at Greene’s has no boundaries.
Miguel Gama, principal at Greene’s in Estoril, added: “We welcome back students from their reading week and we also welcome all our new students starting their Greene’s journey and being introduced to the learning power of the tutorial method. There will be fun too, with our first barbecue in the Portuguese sunshine planned for later in the month.”
CARMEN DARE
B.A. (Exon), M. St. (Oxon) – College Principal
Carmen is the College Principal and is based in 45 Pembroke Street. Carmen has overall responsibility for College’s students. Having read Modern Languages at Exeter University (which included a year at Bologna University’s Specialised School for Interpreters and Translators), Carmen graduated with an M.A. in Mediaeval and Modern Languages from Brasenose College, Oxford. She also acquired a CELTA qualification in 2009. Prior to joining Greene’s, Carmen was the Head of Studies at the Institut Auf Dem Rosenberg in Switzerland.
Watch Carmen’s introduction to Greene’s here.
