1. Welcome to Birchwood High School’s
Sixth Form Parent Engagement Evening
Wednesday 7th October 2015

2. From here…

3. to here…

4. to here…

5. to here...

6. What next…? We have a large and successful Sixth Form
Around 70% of our Sixth Form apply to UCAS
81% obtained a place in their first or second choice universities
23% obtained places in Russell Group Universities
16% went onto direct employment
15% went onto higher apprenticeships or FE college
1% took a Gap Year
All students leave us with chosen destinations

7. Getting the balance right...
AS is a massive jump from GCSEs
There is pressure and a lot of independent work required
Exams come quickly…
At the same time, we provide excellent pastoral support Encourage leadership Develop a sense of responsibility Create talented well-rounded young adults

8. Why are you here? To support your child To find out:-
what they are doing
what they should be doing
what they will be doing

9. What are they doing?  Academically Most 4 AS Levels Some 3 AS Levels
Some a mixture of BTEC and AS Levels 
Enrichment
Pastoral sessions
Enrichment sessions – some student led
Opportunity to do EPQ later in the year
Leadership and prefect roles
Regular extra-curricular opportunities

10. What should they be doing?
Attending every day, all day
Attending all timetabled lessons
Attending support sessions if requested Completing and submitting all home learning on time
Approx. 3 hours HL per subject per week
Can vary according to weighting and type of subject
Getting involved
Keeping us informed of any issues

11. What will they be doing? Getting ready to go out into the world
University?
Apprenticeship?
Other training?
Work?
Exams – some starting in May

12. What will they be doing?
Work experience – June 2016 (after study leave)
be pro-active in finding their placements
placement request form deadline Thurs 24 March 2016
“Work experience is key to bridging the gap between education and the world of work. At its broadest and best, work experience can open young people’s eyes to jobs they have never thought of, help inform career decisions, offer a chance to prove themselves to an employer and help instil the attitudes and behaviours expected at work”
“Making Work Experience Work for You” June 2013 Department for Education and UK Commission for Employment and Skills
Placement request forms no later than 24 March to enable H+S checks and concentration on exams, starting May.
Two already received – they don’t need to wait until the deadline to hand them in.

13. Higher Education
Autumn 2017 entry

14. Continue with all subjects?
Academic matters
Which subjects to continue to A2?
Consider options and ‘leaving doors open’
Any U grades at AS will not be continued
Continue with all subjects?
Drop one, but which one?

15. Choosing a university
Russell Group
Birmingham
Bristol
Cambridge
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Exeter
Glasgow
Imperial College
King's College
Leeds
Liverpool
LSE
Manchester
Newcastle
Nottingham
Oxford
Queen's, Belfast
Sheffield
Southampton
University College
Warwick
Yorks
Range of sources of information e.g. League Tables
Russell Group universities
Be realistic about required grades
Predicted grades

16. Choosing a university Geographic area Campus or city Big or small
Old or new
Non-academic factors
Accommodation
Financial considerations – cost of living
Visiting universities is one of the best ways to make a decision! Utilise holidays for this, too – ring in advance

17. Choosing courses Five choices on UCAS form
Follow interests and instincts
Check subject requirements
Course type e.g. Sandwich
Research content
Choose a spread of entry criteria
N.B. Required grades often reflect the popularity of the course

18. UCAS points tariff
Some universities offer based on grades (e.g. A*AA, AAB, BBB . . .)
Other universities offer based on points (e.g. 360, 300, based on current pointing values)
Make sure that your child is looking at the most appropriate type of offers – e.g. BTEC students are best advised to look at pointing offers.

19. UCAS points tariff Exam grades attract different UCAS points
They are changing for 2017 entry! Details in student planners.
A Level
AS Level
BTEC Diploma A* 56
D*D*
112
D*D
104 A 48 20 DD 96 B 40 16 DM 80 C 32 12 MM 64 D 24 10 MP E 6 PP
Points also awarded for other qualifications (e.g. Music Theory Grade 6 distinction = 6)

20. Completing UCAS forms www.ucas.com All done online
Can be completed in stages and saved
Tutorials will be given on how to complete the form
Personal statement – key section, so start early collating evidence to be included
Reference – completed last
Finally submitted by Mrs Feather Levey

21. (University of Bristol, History Entry Profile)
“We look to see that the personal statement has evidence of high levels of interest in, and commitment to, the study of history, and check that your interest in history extends beyond the syllabus (if you are currently studying history), and that you have read widely within the subject of history and that you have critically engaged with that reading. We are also interested to hear about any relevant experience of the practise of history, e.g., museum work, or an independent research project. We want to see that your personal statement demonstrates coherent, analytical and critical thinking. Credit is given for well-constructed and accurately expressed argument. We may also take into account competence in a foreign language or an understanding of how other relevant disciplines can inform the study of History.
(University of Bristol, History Entry Profile)

22. Interviews and admissions tests
Interviews for Oxbridge, medics, lawyers, teachers, dentists, vets, physiotherapists & some nurses
Oxbridge interviews – mock interviews
Admission tests needed for some courses – students MUST check if their chosen course requires this e.g. Oxbridge, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Law & Maths
Non-traditional and traditional interviews

23. Gap years MUST be well organised and funded
Attitude to Gap Years will vary from institution to institution and from subject to subject – do check!
Deferred entry vs. post results entry

24. Oxbridge
Strong GCSE profile – all A*s and As (5A* minimum recommended)
Strong AS profile – approx 90% in each subject
Passionate commitment to the subject
Of those accepted in to Cambridge in 2015, 97.3% achieved equivalent of A*AA or better

25. Foreign universities
Advantages – different culture, broader education, costs in Europe (varies, but generally cheaper)
Disadvantages –costs in US ( approx. $36,500 fees and living expenses, $1,050 books and than add in insurance and flights)
Admissions tests and sometimes fees
Further information at:
ec.europa.eu
Costs in US are annual

26. Finance Tuition Fees up to £9,000 No-one pays upfront
Tuition fee goes straight to university
Living Costs (approx. £4,500 - £9,500)
Student Finance England

27. Finance
Maintenance loan £4,565 - £8,009 depending on income / location (35% means tested)
Grants available up to £3,387 if family income is below £42,620 – not repayable!
Other grants available, such as disability
Check course details for scholarships and bursaries

28. Repaying
No debt collectors will ever come calling. If you are earning it is collected automatically, like tax.
Only pay back 9% of what you earn over £21,000 (E.g. if earning £22,000, monthly payments are £7.50)
Only fully repay if starting salary is around £45,000
Any debt left to pay after 30 years is cancelled
Can pay back all or some of your loan at any time without incurring an early repayment charge

29. What happens now? Higher Education Convention June/July 2016
Course research
Personal statement writing
Parent Guides and dedicated parent section on UCAS website

30. Year 13
Oxbridge, Medicine & Vet applications to be submitted by 26 September 2016
All other applications to be submitted no later than the end of the first half term
Offers made between October and March
Reply when all responses received
One firm, one insurance (lower than firm)
‘UCAS Extra’

31. Results day Getting results Confirming place
Missing a grade – worth ringing
‘Clearing’ – bring lists, mobile phone and UCAS number. Be prepared to travel!

32. Any questions?