1. 11 Strathearn School Belfast L6 Information Evening 2014

2. 22 PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING Introduction Mr Manning Pastoral Mrs Myers (Head of 6 th Form) CurriculumMrs Connery (VP) Careers Mrs Hearst (Careers Adviser) Conclusion Mr Manning

3. 33 AIMS OF L6 INFORMATION EVENING  To give parents an understanding of the 6th form experience  To help parents offer practical support to their daughters  To strengthen the home school partnership

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5. 55 The differences Forms 4 & 5Form 6 9 GCSEs All timetabled Directed study Homework 4 / 3 AS Levels & 3 A2 Careers & IT classes 75% timetabled Independent Study –Supervised Study –Homework Privileges –Common room –Lunch time

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11. 11 The differences Forms 4 & 5Form 6 9 GCSEs All timetabled Directed study Homework 4 / 3 AS Levels & 3 A2 Careers & IT classes 75% timetabled Independent Study –Supervised Study –Homework Privileges –Common room –Lunch time

12. 12 PASTORAL – MRS MYERS Support for Girls:  Form tutor  Head of sixth form:  essentially a supportive role  pastoral and academic  Learning support – Mrs Atkinson  Personal study support – Ms Stevenson  Careers staff  Vice Principal (Pastoral)

13. 13 BEING IN SIXTH FORM Privileges and opportunities:  Volunteering opportunities  ‘Study’ periods  lunchtime flexibility  Leadership opportunities  Relationship with teachers  Common room

14. 14 Responsibilities  Attendance and punctuality (monitored and reported)  Use of personal study time in school (crucial for success!)  Management of deadlines  Role models for younger girls  The Sixth form Agreement  Positive Behaviour Policy  The Common Room

15. 15 HOW TO SUCCEED  Good attendance and punctuality  Personal discipline and good organisation  Proactive approach  Watch for early warning signs

16. 16 EARLY WARNING SIGNS  ‘Coasting’  Missed deadlines  Disappointing marks  Loss of control

17. 17 Curriculum Mrs Connery

18. 18 AS and A Level Courses TimingName of exam Number of exams Qualification May/June of L6 (2015) AS (1 st half of full A-level) 2/3 modules per subject AS Level A May/June of U6 (2016) A2 (2 nd half of full A-level) 2/3 modules per subject level

19. AS / A2 Results AS Examination – June 2015 Module 1 Score = 89 (a) Module 2 Score = 79 (b) TOTAL – 89 + 79 = 168 Overall AS Grade = A (August 2015) A2 Examination – June 2016 AS Score = 168 (A) Module 3 Score = 85 (a) Module 4 Score = 72 (b) TOTAL - 168 +85 +72= 325 Overall A2 Grade – A (August 2016) 19

20. Grade Boundaries AS /A2 4 Unit Specification Maximum Mark possible AS = 200 marks Maximum Mark possible A2 = 200 marks Maximum Overall A Level score = 400 marks 20 ASA2 A*n/a320 overall (total of 180 across the A2 units) A160320 B140280 C120240 D100200 E80160

21. 21 Coursework Guides For pupilsFor parents 21 Authenticating coursework www.ccea.org.uk Coursework - A guide for parents www.jcq.org.uk

22. 22 www.ccea.og.uk

23. 23 Results AS and A2 Thursday 13 August 2015

24. 24 Useful Curriculum Contacts www.ccea.org.uk www.jcq.org.uk

25. 25 SIXTH FORM CAREERS PROGRAMME 2014-15 MRS HEARST Careers Adviser

26. 26 CAREERS CLASSES IN 6 TH FORM  1 period per week over almost 4 terms ▪ Careers teacher allocated to each Form Class

27. 27 PREPARATION FOR WORLD OF WORK  Job advertisements  CV preparation  Completing an application form  Introduction to interview skills  Appropriate behaviour in the workplace  Work experience (12-16 Jan 2015) (including debriefing & evaluation)

28. 28 OPTIONS AT 18+  Further education  Direct employment  Gap year  Higher education

29. 29 U6 LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2014 girls, of which  girlsHigher Education  girlsOxbridge  girlsRussell Group universities  girlsOther universities  girlsNI universities  girlRepublic of Ireland  girlsUSA Universities (Texas and New York)

30. 30 HIGHER EDUCATION PREPARATION  Guest Speakers  Talks and courses by professional organisations  Databases on school computers

31. 31 CHOOSING UNIVERSITIES Pupils are encouraged to make use of: Open Days visits to local universities Visits to other Open/Information days (attendance on an individual basis) H E Convention (March 2015)  Prospectuses,  DVDs, CD Roms  Websites especially www.ucas.com www.russellgroup.ac.uk  Careers Library  University speakers

32. 32 AIMS FOR SEPT 2014 - AUG 2015 DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS Pupils should:  Discuss options with parents.  Visit universities where courses of interest to them offered BY THE END OF L6 Each pupil should have:  A list of 6 – 10 possible courses  A Personal Statement (first draft)

33. 33 U6 TIMETABLE  UCAS U6 Information Evening  Individual interview with careers teacher – list of choices finalised  QUB Open Day (early Sept)  MCB Options XXII Careers Convention (early Sept)  Strathearn deadline for early applicants (16 Sept) [Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, vet sci / med]  Strathearn deadline for other UCAS applicants (15 Oct)  UCAS deadline: early applicants (10 Oct)  Girls confirm firm and insurance offers  Student finance presentation

34. 34 Checklist for choosing Universities  Does the subject material in the degree match your daughter’s strengths?  Is the degree structure and content interesting to your daughter?  Is the degree of a high quality? QAA – Quality Assurance Agency / Times Good Uni Guide / Guardian / HESA – Higher Education Statistics Agency / Complete University guide  How any hours teaching does she receive ? (Ring Uni department and ask)

35. 35 Checklist for choosing Universities cont’d  Are the academics teaching on the programme engaged in high quality teaching and research? (as previous slide)  Are the students studying the degree satisfied with the course ? Unistats  Are the students employable and in rewarding careers? See all websites already mentioned and Prospects  What financial support is available?  Home / Away / Campus / City  (All websites are listed on Careers Section of Strathearn School Website- Studying at Strathearn, Careers, Useful Careers websites)

36. 36 APPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES in Republic of Ireland through CAO [Central Applications Office] Applications dealt with separately. Have much later deadline than UCAS

37. 37 Mock Interview Evening Current U6 Monday 24 November 2014

38. 38 WORK EXPERIENCE  Initial contact (by students and parents) by mid Oct.  Existing databank to assist  Personal contacts more successful  Some exceptions – e.g. medical placements (coordinated centrally through Charter).  Formal correspondence - insurance forms etc  Help with placements? - contact Mrs Hearst

39. 39 CONCLUSION  Each girl is different  Strong peer pressure  Maintain the work-relaxation balance