Welcome to Mander Portman Woodward (MPW), one of the UK’s leading names in fifth and sixth-form education.
Founded in 1973, our three colleges are strategically located in close proximity to leading universities in London, Birmingham and Cambridge. We offer a distinctive alternative to traditional schools, with an approach defined by an outstanding level of individual support. Our classes are taught in small, Oxbridge-style groups, with a maximum of nine students in A level classes.
We place a strong focus on exam preparation and extensive support throughout the university application process. You can choose from a broad curriculum with A levels offered in over 40 subjects, GCSEs and prestigious university foundation programmes, including our new UAL endorsed Foundation Diploma in Art and Design.
Consistently outstanding results mean that our students progress to some of the best universities in the UK – over the past three years, two-thirds of UK university placements were at Russell Group, University of London or specialist universities.
A diverse, friendly community, with a majority of British students, provides an ideal learning environment for you to establish the vital language and cultural skills needed to succeed at university and beyond. Outside of the classroom, we offer a range of desirable accommodation options, including full boarding in London at the newly refurbished Queen’s Gate House.
Courses
A level
A level
Choose from over 40 A level subjects, offered one year, 18-month or two years, with no restrictions on subject combination or course length. Here are the courses structures we offer:
- Two-year A level courses (September start)
- 18-month A level courses (January start)
- One-year A level courses
- One-term (September to December) or Two-term (January – June only) A level courses
Two year courses
Two-year courses are designed for students who are continuing at MPW after GCSE; students from other schools seeking a specialist A level college after GCSEs; year 13 transfer students who have changed plans after an unsatisfactory first year of A level at another school.
One year courses
One-year courses are designed for transfer students from other schools who continue into Year 13 or take one year intensive; retake students whose previous grade in the subject is too weak to risk a short course or a course involving only a limited selection of units; retake students taking a brand new subject; mature students – especially those converting to Medicine following an Arts-based first degree.
GCSE & IGCSE
GCSE & IGCSE
We offer one- or two-year GCSE and IGCSE courses and two -year GCSE courses in over 30 subjects at our colleges in London, Birmingham and Cambridge, with full-time courses over two years for students joining in Year 10, one year programmes for students transferring to us at Year 11, and programmes for students retaking GCSEs.
Students coming to MPW for GCSE courses enjoy very small classes in a co-education setting – there is an average of six students per class and absolute guarantee of fewer than 10. We also have an outstanding pastoral support system, providing our students with personalised attention at every stage of their GCSE journey.
As a GCSE pupil at MPW, you’ll feel that we’re less like a school than your old school, and we don’t have school uniform in our Colleges. Your programme will be structured for success – for example, if you’re under 16 at the beginning of the school year, we provide a much closer level of supervision in between lessons and you will have timetabled library sessions during which you can complete some of your homework. Within our wide enrichment programme, there is one compulsory and one optional Sport session per week and a compulsory study skills and PSHE programme.
University Foundation Programmes
University Foundation Programmes
We offer a range of programmes including:
UAL Foundation Diploma in Art & Design: Your route to studying Art and Design at the UK’s best universities, endorsed by UAL.
NCUK: A unique foundation programme with guaranteed university progression, with pathways in business, humanities, engineering and science.
The NCUK International Foundation Year (IFY) is designed with NCUK university partners to prepare international students for first year entry to undergraduate degree courses. Its purpose is to help bridge the gap between a student’s local qualification and starting a university degree.
Students who successfully complete the IFY gain guaranteed access to thousands of degree courses at NCUK universities. No one else can offer this guarantee.
MPW University Foundation Programme: the ideal route to studying a degree at leading universities across the UK and internationally.
"I first came to Cambridge with no friends and acquaintances, but the friendly and welcoming atmosphere of MPW immediately made me feel at home. Over the two years of my studies, I received tremendous support and care from both my teachers and my classmates."
Grades achieved at MPW: A*A*A*A* Progressed to: UCL (Economics)
"My one-year A level course at MPW was fruitful to say the least. The college did a remarkable job of creating an enjoyable yet intense and culturally diverse learning environment. Diminutive class sizes accompanied by field-leading tutors allowed for a more student-focused academic milieu. For me personally, it made the development of everlasting personal and professional relationships seem almost effortless. I was able to meet and acquire knowledge from individuals that stem from different walks of life, which I believe massively augmented my skillset and overall versatility. "
Grades achieved at MPW: A*A*A* Progressed to: Warwick University (Philosophy, Politics and Economics)
"My teachers and Personal Tutor were an immense support and rapidly diminished my feelings of doubt. They didn’t set boundaries as to how much I was likely to achieve, believed in me when I didn’t believe in myself and, as a result helped me achieve my full potential"
Grades achieved at MPW: A*A* (Improved from grades CC) Progressed to: Durham University (Psychology)
"With the help of friendly, supportive and professional staff in MPW, I enhanced my academic skills and got offers from the most prestigious universities. I want to thank my Personal Tutor, an incredible person who helped me throughout my journey.” Ulan achieved A*A*A in Economics, Mathematics and Further Mathematics. He is now reading Accounting and Finance at Warwick University."
Grades achieved at MPW: A*A*A* Progressed to: Warwick University (Accounting & Finance)