Page 14 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

PROGRESSION FROM THE SIXTH FORM:

INFORMATION, ADVICE AND GUIDANCE

Because the vast majority of our students move on to higher education, we offer a very detailed
and comprehensive programme of support for the UCAS process. More general preparation for
applications is given through the Form Heads, Mrs Avery (Careers), the Heads of Year and the
Head of Sixth Form directly. Through this we also fully support students who wish to apply to
study for a higher or degree apprenticeship or to seek further training or employment, pathways
that are becoming increasingly popular.

Keswick School Sixth Form maintains its own website and Twitter account. These endeavour to
provide the latest information relating to current opportunities specifically aimed at Year 12 and
Year 13 students, such as open days, summer schools, work experience opportunities and
apprenticeships. They are also a source of information for key dates and school documentation
which students and parents can access independently from any mobile device. We encourage and
direct students to these to research courses and career opportunities.

At the start of the summer term we organise higher education mornings: students receive
guidance and information about university applications, and also about other pathways such as
apprenticeships. A similar presentation is also provided for parents on a separate evening. We
cover topics such as applications, course choices, student finance, student life and employment
opportunities beyond. University applications are made using the UCAS ‘Apply’ service; students
are given guidance to support them throughout this process, and have the opportunity to take
part in a practice interview with school governors, parents with specific expertise or professionals
associated with the school. We also send some of our applicants to a neighbouring school where
they can have practice interviews with specialist teachers with whom they are not familiar.

We have a long tradition and much experience in supporting students who wish to apply to the
Universities of Oxford or Cambridge or who hope to study medicine, dentistry or veterinary
medicine. We take interested students to the Oxford and Cambridge Student Conference in
Newcastle, and organise residential trips to the Oxford and Cambridge Universities’ summer open
events. Every student in Year 12 is invited to participate in our day visit to the summer open day
run by the Universities of Newcastle and Northumbria, in order to get an insight into the courses
on offer and a feel of what it is like to work and live in a university environment.

We also host representatives from various universities to talk about what their institutions have to
offer. For example, representatives from Scottish universities such as Strathclyde and Edinburgh
Napier have come into Keswick School to promote applications to Scottish institutions. We have
partnership arrangements with the Universities of Newcastle and Durham, and as a result our
students have often received preferential offers onto their courses.

If students would prefer to take a gap year before embarking on their chosen pathway, we offer
advice, guidance and talks on this subject. Topics include studying, travelling and volunteering
overseas. We also have a good relationship with providers such as Gen2 for those students who
wish to pursue a higher or degree apprenticeship or employment with such organisations.

Work experience opportunities are encouraged and promoted, particularly to gain practical
experience in support of applications. Students should aim to undertake work experience during
the holidays to avoid disruption to their courses, or utilise study periods for weekly commitments.
We have a dedicated work experience week allocated for the spring term.