University, Apprenticeship & Career Preparation
We understand that young people require guidance when deciding whether to apply for universities, apprenticeships or employment at the end of Year 13. Our bespoke careers programme supports students to make aspirational and informed choices about their next steps.
Please use the expandable sections below to find out more:
We have a dedicated in-school Careers Advisor who encourages and supports our students to reflect upon their interests and consider the different post-18 pathways available to them. Members of the Sixth Form Team, including our specialist UCAS and Apprenticeship Advisor and UCAS Administrator, are highly experienced in providing students with appropriate guidance. Year 12 students who take part in our Work Experience Programme are able to gain further insight into possible future careers. During the academic year, we also invite external speakers from a range of vocations and organisations to share their experiences of the world of work and their career progression with our students.
Students are provided with careers information and guidance about universities, apprenticeships and employment from the start of Year 12. This information is delivered through morning registrations, assemblies, PSHE lessons and in 1-2-1 meetings with our UCAS and Apprenticeship specialists. Parents/carers are invited to attend our Year 12 Progression Evening, which takes place in the Summer Term, where further information is provided about the range of progression options available to students and application deadlines.
All students have access to Unifrog; a platform which helps them to compare every university, apprenticeship, and Higher Education course, and apply successfully. Students also use Unifrog to engage with super curricular activities linked to their interests, such as wider reading, podcasts and documentaries. Our experienced Sixth Form Tutors help our students to navigate Unifrog during morning registrations. They also support students with personal statements and CV writing. Parents/Carers have access to Unifrog and are encouraged to actively support their son/daughter to research their next steps.
A Year 12 and Year 13 visit to Skills London at the ExCeL Centre usually takes place at the end of the Autumn term, for students interested in applying for Apprenticeships. University visits are also arranged at the end of the Summer term for Year 12, to help students to experience a university setting if they wish to pursue Higher Education. Many of the university visits provide our students with the opportunity to take part in a taster lecture, tour around the campus and speak to undergraduate students. These trips are highly valued and play an important role in students’ decision making.
On average, we have two or three successful applications to Oxford or Cambridge University every year, with five successful applications in 2024. When preparing for Oxbridge applications and interviews, students are provided with specialist guidance and support from our highly experienced Oxbridge Coordinator, who also oversees the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) programme. Further information about the Oxbridge Pathway can be found here.
It is important that students receive a reference which reflects their personal character, interests and achievements. The Sixth Form Team and Form Tutors work closely with students to build trusting relationships, and to ensure that their references are as personalised as possible. By the end of Year 12, all students will have had at least one 1-2-1 interview about their university choices and future aspirations, with an experienced member of staff. We understand that a number of students may experience extenuating circumstances during their time with us at Sixth Form, which may cause uncertainty surrounding their next steps. Our aim is to remove any barriers which young people may face, to enable them to achieve the best possible outcomes and progress to their chosen post-18 pathways.
