Principal:
Sally Powell BA PGCE MPhil DPhil
Address:
90/92 Queen’s Gate
London
SW7 5AB
College contact: +44 (0)20 7835 1355 · Ask the college a question · Go to the college website · Get the college prospectus
A welcome from Sally Powell, Principal of MPW
MPW is an amazing place to study and work. Founded in 1973, we are one of the country’s best known providers of bespoke fifth- and sixth-form education, offering GCSEs and A-levels in over 40 subjects. We welcome students who are seeking a socially relaxed yet academically disciplined college to help them achieve their goals.
What makes MPW so special?
We are distinctive in many ways, not least in our small classes of fewer than 10 students, our focus on exam preparation, and also in outstanding personal support for students through our Director of Studies system. We do not patronise students by allowing low expectations of behaviour or attainment and we help all students to raise their aspirations and give them the confidence to achieve their ambitions.
“I really enjoy MPW because although the atmosphere is relaxed, you are still expected to work hard and you are pushed to achieve what you are capable of. A large part of the stress of exams and school work is taken away by the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that pupils are treated like adults.” – Oliver, A*A*A*AAAAA at GCSE
Our staff
Every teacher has a clear objective of helping students to succeed. All are very well qualified and often public examiners or textbook authors. Each aims to fulfil the MPW mantra of going the extra mile to help students. We set lots of tests and lots of homework, knowing that this is the most effective way to ensure that students achieve their best possible grades. Our classes are unashamedly exam oriented and designed to stretch and challenge the most able, but support and nurture those who struggle. Running through our pastoral and academic support is an important aim – to prepare students for higher education at a university of their choice. A full team of staff offer specialist university entrance guidance, supported by expert published literature written by MPW tutors and over 70% of leavers each year progress to top-tier institutions.
“The teachers here have really helped ignite my passion for the subjects I am studying by teaching things outside of the syllabus, which has also helped with my personal statement.” – Adam, A*A*A, Chemical Engineering, University College London
Our students
We believe that if the rapport between staff and students is strong then the learning in class will be good as well. Our students are respectful, well motivated and keen to learn. We set firm boundaries of behaviour, which we clearly outline to all students and routinely enforce. Our students rise to the challenge of our adult atmosphere.
“Throughout the year you make such substantial progress. Each lesson has a purpose and all of the students are so driven. MPW felt more like a university than a school for me.” – Hector, A*A*A, Philosophy and Mathematics, University of Edinburgh
Our results
We are exceptionally proud of our students, who perform incredibly well year after year. MPW is a non-selective school and in spite of this our most common A-level grade over the past three years has been A/A* and over 70% of leavers each year progress to top tier universities. We are exceptionally successful in terms of ‘value-added’ which measures the considerable progress made by our A level students relative to where they were at GCSE.
“The teaching is great and the lessons are really high quality. I’ve realised so much more of my potential, the teachers saw I could do more and challenged me some more. If you’ve got a clear goal, MPW is definitely the school to come to because there are so many highly qualified people who can help you achieve it.” – Katrina. A*A*A, Medicine, Queen’s University Belfast
Our location and facilities
We have a superb nineteenth century building which has been completely refurbished to an exceptional standard. There are five state-of-the-art laboratories as well as fully equipped media studies and computing rooms, an art studio, a ceramics studio, a darkroom and a digital photography suite. Our three libraries have also had significant investment in the past couple of years. The college is populated throughout with up-to-date computers, projectors, interactive whiteboards, and audio-visual facilities.
“MPW has been excellent. The small class sizes are great and the teachers are happy to help whenever you need anything. I also found the way the teachers taught was very useful for the Medical School interview process – particularly at Cambridge – as I was used to being stretched and challenged by topics I was unfamiliar with.” – Max, A*A*, Medicine, St Edmund’s College, Cambridge
Our comprehensive extra-curricular programme
We offer a range of sports: football and rugby are the most popular and our teams are very successful at both. In addition to this, students can work towards their Duke of Edinburgh Award at MPW. For those who would prefer to focus on the academic, we offer the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) as well as modern languages beginner classes, debating and journalism. MPW is located in South Kensington allowing easy access to a wide range of galleries and museums. Eminent speakers visit the college throughout the year to speak on a wide range of topiics and school trips are frequent, to London theatres for English/Drama students and further afield for others, such as the Isle of Wight (Geography) and Florence (History of Art).
Our Open Days
We are always happy to meet prospective parents and students and have Open afternoons every term, when all of our Head of Departments and Directors of Studies are available and will be happy to meet with visitors to discuss student’s academic programmes and answer questions about the college. Current students also conduct tours of the building. Open Days are informal occasions and provide the perfect opportunity to see what MPW offers. Open Day dates are available here . If an Open Day is not convenient, our Admissions Officer will be happy to arrange a private appointment at a time to suit you.
cife Scholarships
Each year MPW London awards a number of Academic Scholarships to help fund the fees of gifted and talented students. Academic Scholarships are awarded entirely on academic merit and students sit the college’s Scholarship Exam following a formal application process.
Our budget for academic awards is based on anticipated fee income for each academic year, with the value of scholarships ranging between 10% to 50% of tuition fees.
Please visit our website for more information: https://www.mpw.ac.uk/locations/london/admissions/scholarships/