Mr C Dodd – Staff Editor
**NEW** Newsbank Newspapers
GSAL subscribes to Newsbank Newspapers, a database of over 250 local, regional and national newspapers to research and track issues and events. Newsbank allows us to have access to: Customisable, map-based interface to enhance selection and search of key titles or regions; Multiple search options to help users find relevant information quickly and easily. The access is via IP address authentication in school—follow InfoWeb Newsbank—and via a password for access from outside school.
**NEW** University of Leicester Essay Writing Guide
This Study Guide addresses the topic of essay writing. The essay is used as a form of assessment in many academic disciplines, and is used in both coursework and exams. It is the most common focus for study consultations among students using Learning Development.
Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs)
Future Learn—choose from hundreds of online courses from top universities and specialist organisations. You could start with Critical Thinking at University: An Introduction, provided by the University of Leeds.
EdX—a leader in its field, edX offers hundreds of online courses, many of which are free, from some of the leading universities in the world, including MIT, Harvard, Berkeley.
Oxplore
Oxplore is an innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford. As the ‘Home of Big Questions’ it aims to engage those from 11 to 18 years with debates and ideas that go beyond what is covered in the classroom. Big questions tackle complex ideas across a wide range of subjects and draw on the latest research undertaken at Oxford. Oxplore aims to realise aspirations, promote broader thinking and stimulate intellectual curiosity.
Underground Mathematics
These resources from Cambridge help students build firm foundations for mathematical understanding by connecting ideas and developing techniques. https://undergroundmathematics.org/
Free online STEP support
Developed by the Cambridge Faculty of Mathematics and NRICH, a new online STEP Support Programme has been designed to help potential university applicants develop their advanced problem-solving skills and prepare for sitting STEP. For more information see here.
Oxford & Cambridge Outreach
The Universities of Oxford and Cambridge have collaborated to create an online resource for students (and teachers), including a video of an Oxford and Cambridge Explained talk.
Medical Schools’ Council
Studying medicine at any university is extremely challenging but highly rewarding. The competition for paces on medical degree courses is fierce so it definitely helps to be prepared early. The MSC provides a wealth of information about applying to study medicine at university.
Think Cambridge Law
Thinking about Law at University? We explore admissions, student experiences, events, career possibilities, and opportunities for future Law students at the Cambridge University Faculty of Law. Click here to find out more.
Applying to Oxbridge
Find out more about the interview process required as part of applications to Oxford and Cambridge.
Royal Geographical Society & Geographical Association
Both the RGS and GA offer student memberships. The RGS has a lot of information on their website about courses, employment and wider geography issues which would be useful for those considering geography-related opportunities.
Art, Architecture and Design
Keep an eye out for enrichment events advertised through year group bulletins, or speak to Mrs Young.
The Economist
Student subscriptions to The Economist are available through school for around £30 per year—a significant reduction on the normal student rate. Speak to Mr Law (Economics) for more information.
The Financial Times (Economics, Finance, Politics)
Free access to online resources—visit FT.com from within the GSAL network. You will need to log in using your school email address as your username in order to re-authenticate your account and reinstate your complimentary access. If you have forgotten your password, you can reset it here. New students can also sign up for complimentary access using this link: https://join.ft.com/0e3f93e4-d09e-4fa1-aa1e-a110061286fe. You must sign up while connected to the school’s computer network and should use your school email address as your username.
Student Hut
This is a useful student review website designed to help prospective university students explore and compare rankings and reviews on multiple aspects of university life.
The GSAL Journal 