Year 13 Parent Engagement Group Getting on at A2 8 October 2014

1. Year 13 Parent Engagement GroupGetting on at A28 October 2014

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

3. UPGRADE: Year 13 • Support with retakes/timed work • Improve time management • Overcome barriers to learning

4. Post 18 Pathways • University • Employment • Apprenticeship • Gap year

5. UCAS • Decision time – apply for 2015/apply deferred entry 2016/ no application • We can help – but students HAVE to research and make their own decisions

6. Factors to Consider • 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

7. Dates • Completed applications to UCAS by Oct 15th for Oxford/Cambridge/Medicine/Vet/Dentistry • 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 15th– too late for competitive courses

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

9. Personal statements

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. 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

14. Get advice about your statement • Make a draft • Share with tutor • Redraft • Share with teachers/ parents • Agree final version

15. Completing your Application • Online application form • 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

16. Reference • 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!

17. What happens after we have sent your form off • 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

18. Offers/rejections • By end of March/ April 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

19. Results day • THURSDAY 13TH AUGUST • Please be in Bristol on this day • Results are not emailed or given out over the phone • Universities want to speak to students and will not speak to parents!

20. Be successful • 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

21. 20 key facts on university fees, loans & grants everyone should know • http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/family/student-loans-tuition-fees-changes

24. How to contact us… RGS Email: Post16@redlandgreen.bristol.sch.uk Phone: 0117 353 3433 www.NBP16c.org.uk Parent surgery: Every Wednesday 3.30 – 4.30 Appointment only COTHAM Email: Info@nbp16c.org.uk Phone: 0117 919 8100