Guidance on Choosing A-Levels for Future Success

1. Year 12 Options Evening 2018 ‘Making your choices at 16’

2. A G E N D A • Introduction Ms Sharon Mallett • Principal • Choices and Careers Mrs Lisa Hunter • Head of Careers • Higher level Apprenticeship Niamh Wilson • Deloitte • IT Opportunities and Joanne Sweeney • the World of Work Sentinus • Thornhill College Sixth Mr Declan McCay • Form Entry Criteria Head of Senior School • Closing remarks and Ms Sharon Mallett • Questions

3. Key Stage 4 – Careers Support 18 lessons in Term 1 of Year 12 8 lessons in Term 2 of Year 12 To help students make an informed choice Talk from Ulster University Special Careers Day Careers Service Advisors - Interview Subject Teacher Advice New A-Level Subjects Talk STEM Event

4. https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/options-after-year-12

5. https://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/help-and-support/parents-and-carershttps://www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/help-and-support/parents-and-carers

6. https://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5272/informedchoices-print.pdfhttps://www.russellgroup.ac.uk/media/5272/informedchoices-print.pdf

7. 4 A levels? • Right work ethic • Cope with the demands • Academic potential • Hunger to succeed • Want to keep options open • Intend to apply for high demand courses

8. Which 3 or 4 A-levels should you choose? 1. Choose subjects you are good at and enjoy 2. Taking certain 'facilitating' subjects at A-level will open up more university course options 3. Some courses and unis have lists of subjects they don’t accept 4. Many unis and courses will consider you whatever you choose 5. Certain uni courses will look for specific A-levels

9. Which 3 or 4 A-levels should you choose?: University Course Specific Requirements Look at university course specific requirements – remember that most universities make offers based on 3 A-levels PHARMACY - usually - Chemistry and at least one subject from Biology, Mathematics and Physics (AS Biol preferred) ENGINEERING - including Mathematics, and another science depending on the type of Engineering PHYSIOTHERAPY – Sometimes two Sciences are asked for ACTUARIAL SCIENCE – Maths required.

10. Specific GCSE Requirements at Queens University • Business Subjects - Maths Grade B • Nursing: - Maths & Science Grade C • Midwifery – Maths & Science Grade B • High Demand Courses –offers based around outstanding GCSE results

11. Applied Health & Social Care (Single Award and Double Award) • Life and Health Sciences (Double Award) • Art and Design • Biology • BTEC Engineering* • Business Studies • Chemistry • Digital Technology • Drama and Theatre Studies • English Literature • French • Geography • Government and Politics • History • Irish • Mathematics • Music • Physical Education • Physics • Psychology • Religious Education • Software Systems Development* • Spanish • Statistics • Technology and Design*

12. Double Award Subjects • Health and Social Care (Single Award and Double Award) • A-Level Life and Health Sciences (Double Award) • Two thirds of the marks for Health and Social Care are awarded through portfolio units – coursework. One third of the marks are awarded through examined units – tests. • 50% of the marks for Life and Health Sciences are awarded through portfolio units. • Applied Subjects could be worth either: One A-Level = Single Award or Two A-Levels = Double Award

13. Life and Health Sciences Physiotherapy Dietetics Primary Teaching Food Technology Nursing Marine Biology Early Childhood Studies Life and Health Sciences Youth Work Building Surveying Architecture Art Occupational Therapy Environmental Science Music Irish Forensic Science

14. Applied Health and Social Care Speech Therapy Psychology Primary Teaching Social Policy Midwifery Multi Media Early Childhood Studies Applied Health and Social Care Youth Work Geography Teaching Criminology Human Resources Business IT Social Work Nursing Irish Counselling

15. Options at the end of A-levels: • University • Higher level Apprenticeships • Further Education • Employment

16. https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/ni-skills-barometer-2017-infographic.pdfhttps://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/sites/default/files/publications/economy/ni-skills-barometer-2017-infographic.pdf

18. Job opportunities expected to expand – (STEM areas) • Green Economy • IT • Food • Healthcare

19. Green Economy • Efficient Energy Use and Management • Renewable Energies • Water and Waste – Water Treatment • Waste Management, Recovery & Recycling • Environmental Consultancy • Green ICT Applications/Software

20. IT • Financial Services • Communications • Creative Industries • All Sectors

21. Food Sector • Shortages within the Sector • Marketing • Production • Distribution

22. WHICH DEGREE SUBJECTS DO EMPLOYERS PREFER?

23. Miles Cowdry, Director, Global Corporate Development, Rolls Royce until 2016: “We are looking for graduates who can be our future leaders and can demonstrate qualities of courage, judgement and breadth; typically linguists or arts graduates fare better in this regard.”

24. How can parents help?

25. ENTRY TO HIGH DEMAND COURSES MAY INVOLVE:* Good GCSE profile* Additional tests– eg.BMAT, UKCAT & LNAT, HPAT. * A* grades (GCSE) or impressive module results (AS)* Work Experience* Evidence of engagement outside A level specification

26. Brains are not enough! • What the selectors are looking for: • Transferable Skills • Personal Qualities • Motivation • Enthusiasm • Depth of knowledge of course

27. Get involved in extra-curricular activities ……

28. Stand Out from the Crowd • Awards and Achievements • Work / Voluntary Experience • Extra-Curricular Activities • Positions of Responsibility • Ability to work on your own • Teamwork

29. Thank you for your time.

30. BrightStarts Scheme NI School Leaver Programme

31. My Journey Started Thornhill September 2010 – August 2017 Completed my GCSEs June 2015 Completed my A Levels June 2017 Joined Deloitte September 2017 - Present

32. BrightStart Programme Overview

33. Belfast BrightStarts 5 Year Programme Ulster University Degree Bsc (Hons) Business Technology Available in- BSc Business TechnologyBSc Accounting and Management BSc Software Engineering (University of Hertfordshire) Salary Market leading salary Competitive Salary On the Job Training Our BrightStarts work on global projects fulfilling roles from – Testing AnalystData Migration SupportPMOBusiness Process Mapping Learning and Development Professional Qualification These range from-British Computer SocietyPrince 2 Management FoundationCIMAHM Greenbook Professional Qualifications

34. An Introduction to Deloitte What we do DELOITTE LLP TAX CONSULTING AUDIT CORPORATE FINANCE Strategy & Operations Technology Human Capital

35. BrightStarts Programme Academic Requirements • GCSE Levels • A-C English Language • A-B Maths • Achieved in the first sitting • A-Level Requirements • Any subject • BCC or 104 UCAS points (new tariff System) from 3 A-levels • Achieved in first sitting

36. BrightStart Programme – Level 6 Higher Apprenticeship Growing our talent BrightStart Application Process Consultant Promotion 5 Year Programme Additional Service Specific Training Onboarding 16 week Training Programme Application Form Online App Assessment Day Interview 01 02 03 05 06 07 08 04

39. Your perceptions of a career in IT “When someone says they work in IT, what do you thinkthey actually do?”

40. Amazon Echo Challenge

41. Why consider a career in IT? Salaries are higher. There are lots of jobs available and this is continuing to grow. Thrive as part of a team. Relaxed and informal working environment. Opportunity to work in many different industries. Many different career paths. Enjoy the opportunities to keep learning. Explore your creative side.

42. What can you expect to earn in the IT sector? NI Average Salary £24,601 IT Professional £40,519 Average Starting Salary for Graduate with degree in Software Engineering On average 61% more per year Growth 86% in the next 8 years £20,000-£30,000

43. IT sector employers IT sector employers

44. How can you get into the industry?

45. “The Knowledge Economy is fundamental to the sustainable success of Northern Ireland. Not just heading towards 2030, but far beyond. It’s an area that we can excel in – we already do – and an ambition we can readily envisage.” 2017 Knowledge Economy Report Catalyst Inc, Ulster University, PWC

46. Year 12 Options Evening 2018 ‘Making your choices at 16’