Purple Route

Harris Experience (Years 9-11)

Harris Experience exposes students to a wealth of high-end academic and cultural experiences, ranging from world class art auctioneering with Christie’s Auctioneers to a trip to the Royal Opera House; from a day of Science in Action at Imperial College London to a bespoke day of lectures at Oxford University. Our Harris Experience students are taught to think independently, to express themselves effectively and to embrace learning for its own sake as well as to start the process of understanding their individual academic pathways.  

Harris Experience Advanced (Years 12-13)

Harris Experience Advanced is a Russell Group application programme providing expert guidance and individually-tailored academic opportunities for our most able sixth formers who are in receipt of either Free School Meals or the 16+ Bursary. The programme is aimed at students who have achieved outstanding grades at GCSE or who prove themselves to be making outstanding academic progress early in Year 12 and maintain this throughout their two years in sixth form. This programme is run by the Harris Federation for disadvantaged students.

Purple Route Plus (Years 12-13)

Purple Route Plus is our flagship academic pathway, offered to Harris Academy Falconwood Sixth Form students who meet the highest academic criteria. This elite programme is designed to prepare students for successful applications to Oxford and Cambridge, Russell Group universities, and highly competitive degree apprenticeships. 

Our aims:

• Increase the number of Harris Academy Falconwood students gaining places at Oxford and Cambridge
• Boost successful applications to Russell Group universities
• Support and prepare students for high-level degree apprenticeships
• Raise aspirations and unlock the full potential of our most academically able students

We are committed to ensuring that our students aim high and have access to the best post-18 opportunities available, whether that be a world-class university or a prestigious degree apprenticeship programme.

Research and experience show that early, focused preparation is key to success in competitive university and apprenticeship applications. Through Purple Route Plus, we offer structured support tailored to meet the expectations of top-tier institutions.

Oxbridge and Competitive University Requirements

To be successful, applicants to Oxford, Cambridge, and other top universities typically demonstrate:

• Outstanding academic ability and potential
• Strong performance in relevant GCSEs and A Levels
• Genuine passion and motivation for their subject, shown through super-curricular activities
• Excellent admissions test and interview performance
• Thoughtful, well-written UCAS personal statements and strong teacher references
• Relevant contextual factors are also considered (school, area, background)

We embed preparation for all of these areas within the Purple Route Plus offer.

Not Just Oxbridge

We recognise that not all students will choose Oxbridge. Some may find their perfect course or career pathway elsewhere. That’s why Purple Route Plus is equally focused on supporting students who aspire to attend Russell Group universities or pursue degree apprenticeships with leading employers in industries such as finance, engineering, law, digital technologies, and more.

What We Offer

Students on the Purple Route Plus will benefit from a wide-ranging and targeted programme that includes:

• Application to Oxbridge: Students will apply as part of their development
• University visits: A residential trip to Oxford and a day trip to Cambridge, are offered to experience university life first-hand
• Lectures and workshops: Subject-specific sessions led by experts
• Dedicated curriculum time: Regular sessions built into the timetable for application support, interview preparation, and academic enrichment
• Super-curricular and societies: Join societies such as Law and Politics to deepen subject knowledge
• University and apprenticeship preparation workshops: Including mock interviews and personal statement clinics
• Guest speakers: Hear directly from past or current Oxbridge students, Russell Group graduates, and degree apprenticeship participants
• Subject-specialist mentoring: Guidance and support from our experienced teaching staff

Entry Criteria and Application

Admission to Purple Route Plus is selective and based on academic performance, potential, and commitment.

Entry Requirements:

• GCSE grade average of 7.0 or higher (placing students within the top 15% nationally)
• Written application or personal statement
• Attendance at a Sixth Form Open Evening
• Interview with Mr Pearce, Mr Hayes, or Mrs Dare-Williams
• Conditional offer, based on final GCSE results

Purple Route Plus students will be reviewed regularly to ensure continued high performance and engagement.

Ready to Aspire Higher?

Whether you dream of studying at Oxford or Cambridge, joining a leading Russell Group university, or securing a prestigious degree apprenticeship with a top employer, Purple Route Plus is your pathway to success.

View the Purple Route presentation