UCAS Parent Guide 2024 can be found as an attachment at the bottom of this page.

 

In the Sixth Form we aim to give our students the best support and guidance as they start to make their decisions about their future. To this end we offer a variety of different activities and presentations throughout the year

• A career aspiration questionnaire is sent out to all Year 12 students in September so that we are aware of possible career interests/paths. This allows us to direct specific information to students about work experience/placements/training.
• Throughout their time with us students are offered the chance to apply to work experience/taster days/university open days.
• University Summer Schools are promoted and support given to Year 12 students who wish to apply.
• Year 12 students attend an Apprenticeship workshop where information is given about all levels of apprenticeship, including degree apprenticeships.
• Year 13 students attend a presentation by Investment 2020, which gives information about working in the financial industry.
• All year 12 students attend the UCAS Fair at the University of Essex, where they have the opportunity to meet over 200 universities and education providers.
• All students have access to a Connexions Adviser upon request, as well as day to day contact with our Post-18 Student Adviser.
• Year 12 parents and students are invited to an evening presentation on “Introduction to Post-18 Choices”.
• Year 13 students and parents are invited to an evening presentation on “Student Finance”.

Medicine/Veterinary/Dentist Applicants

These students are offered the opportunity to:

• attend a Careers Conference at Southend University Hospital;
• join the school-run Medic Society (supported by Medic Mentors);
• attend Med/Vet/Dent workshops where the whole application process is introduced;
• attend an interview preparation session run by a University;
• participate in an MMI practice session;
• receive a mock interview from the school before their university interview.

Oxbridge Applicants

These students are offered the opportunity to:

• attend a range of Oxbridge workshops where the application process is introduced;
• attend an Oxbridge conference;
• have mock interviews from the school before their Oxbridge interview;
• get advice and support regarding their application and personal statement.

Apprenticeship/School Leaver Scheme Applicants

These students are offered the opportunity to:

• get advice about the availability of these schemes;
• get support with the application process;
• attend a workshop run by the Apprenticeship Support & Knowledge for Schools project;
• attend a mock assessment centre run in school by Amazing Apprenticeships;
• get advice on CVs, covering letters and interview preparation (including online interviews and assessment centres);
• attend taster days with a variety of employers including  Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer (law) and Shroders (investment), organised by groups such as Career Ready and Investment 2020.

We also receive a number of opportunities from our large alumni (Old Southendians Association) whose members also offer invaluable advice and guidance in their fields of expertise.

Summer Development Programme

Once the Year 12 students have returned from taking their AS Level exams they undertake a 6-week development programme where the following is covered:

• visit to the UCAS Fair at the University of Essex;
• how to research/make your post-18 choices;
• how to research universities/employment opportunities;
• how to write a personal statement (including a session taken by Imperial College and a support session where ex-students come in to offer advice and guidance);
• an information morning delivered by several universities on subjects such as finance and budgeting, accommodation and how to make a competitive application.

For further information, you may wish to visit the websites below: