Year 13 Parent Engagement Group Getting on at A2 7 October 2015 Cotham Learning Community

Our Results North Bristol Post 16 A2 Results National Averages A* 9% A* 8.2% A* - A 28%A*- A 25.9% A*- B 58%A* - B 55.5% A* - E 99.2%A* - E 98.1%

45% of university places are at Russell Group institutions 87% of UCAS applicants got their first choice place 5 students are going to Oxford or Cambridge 7 successful applications for medicine A significant uptake in apprenticeships and internships. 1 in 10 leavers are entering a firm, non- HE pathway into the arts. Where Did They Go?

Talk to subject staff and agree any retake AS modules and when they are going to take them (Deadline 30 th January) Plan the year ahead Sort out regular work slots using their free time effectively Read around class topics – be ahead of the game! Extended Project completion. Positive Start

Upgrade Support with retakes Access to computers and desk space. Compulsory for some Drop in offer Teacher and/or self referral Organisation and time management Revision tips Research skills Proof reading strategies Supervised study area. Academic Mentors are on hand to help students with work.

Employment University Apprenticeship s Post 18 Pathways Gap Year

UCAS Decision time – apply for 2016/apply deferred entry 2017/ no application We can help – but students HAVE to research and make their own decisions

Which University? Which subject? Which course? Entrance requirements and how competitive Funding Be realistic! Although practical considerations can make a big difference to your university years, you’re going away to study, and ultimately the content of the course should be your guiding principle, no matter how long the bar at Manchester is! Unistats.com Factors to Consider

Completed applications to UCAS by Oct 15 th for Oxford / Cambridge / Medicine / Vet / Dentistry (We need it earlier!) Post 16 centre would like all other UCAS applications to be completed and sent to tutors for references and checking by October half term. Submission by 1 December guarantees we will hit 15th Jan deadline UCAS deadline is Jan 15 th – too late for competitive courses Key Dates

Early Autumn term Apply for 5 realistic choices of university/course Students will have their UCAS predicted grades as well as their AS grades Late Autumn/Spring term Conditional offers Interview (some) Rejection Early Summer term Decision to keep 2 offers – a contractual obligation Firm Acceptance Insurance Acceptance The UCAS Process

1. Why this course? Use the first section of your statement to say: - Why you want to do this course - What you think the course is about - What options within it interest you Personal Statement

2. Relevant experience in this field IF you have done anything directly relevant discuss it next: architecture, engineering, medicine, nursing, teaching explain what you gained from this experience and how it has strengthened your view that this is the right field for you give specific examples of what you did and what you learned from your experience Personal Statement

3. Why I’m academically suited to this course - If you already do the subject – what you have enjoyed so far and why - If it’s new to you, which of your current subjects have helped you develop the necessary SKILLS - If it’s an arts/humanities subject – what have you read that’s relevant, beyond the A level spec? - If it’s maths/science/engineering/business – what recent articles have you read? What controversies/news article have interested you? Personal Statement

4. The rest of your life… By now you will only have about ¼ of your statement space left Start with your achievements Describe leadership and team working experiences – talk about YOUR role Say what skills you have developed in your part time employment Mention your interests/hobbies Personal Statement

Make a draft Share with tutor Redraft Share with teachers/ parents Agree final version Getting Advice

Online application form Apply via school (buzzword required) Students work with tutors to complete application and finalise personal statement Make sure the fee code is 02,… Bristol*. Make sure AS subjects are separate from A2 Make sure resits are entered as pending Payment is by card only - £23 (2 – 5 choices); £12 (1 choice) Submit form * Unless NHS funded Completing the Application

Tutor compiles the reference, using subject staff comments and predicted grades. They will start the reference with an explanation of North Bristol Post 16 Centre and previous school. The end of the reference will include some comments about time at the centre and activities students have been involved in. Student should inform tutor if there is something important that they wish to be included in your reference. Attendance and punctuality! References

Student will get confirmation that UCAS has received their form and will be sending it off to your university choices. Keep ID number safe. Get a folder/file together to keep all paperwork from UCAS and Universities Record tracker details After it is Sent

By end of March student will have received either offers or rejections At this point students will be asked to select one firm offer as a first choice and a second (lower offer) as an insurance offer Offers / Rejections

THURSDAY 18 TH AUGUST (provisional) Please be in Bristol on this day Results are not ed or given out over the phone Universities want to speak to students and will not speak to parents! Results Day

Work hard Plan time effectively / job/ social life/ school work Plan future Apply to UCAS Gap year – plan If they don’t want to apply to uni, work on an excellent CV for future job opportunities Some apprenticeship schemes have deadlines Use tutor, post 16 team, teachers, parents Careers advice Be Successful

20 key facts on university fees, loans & grants everyone should know!

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