Strathearn School Belfast

1. Strathearn SchoolBelfast L6 Information Evening 2014 1

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

3. 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 3

4. 4

5. The differences 5

11. The differences 11

12. 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) PASTORAL – MRS MYERS 12

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

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 14

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

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

17. CurriculumMrs Connery 17

18. AS and A Level Courses 18

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)

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

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

22. www.ccea.og.uk 22

23. Results AS and A2 Thursday 13 August 2015

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

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

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

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

29. U6 LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2014 girls, of which • girls Higher Education • girls Oxbridge • girls Russell Groupuniversities • girls Other universities • girls NI universities • girl Republic of Ireland • girls USA Universities (Texas and New York)

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

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

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

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

37. Mock Interview Evening Current U6 Monday 24 November 2014

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