YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS INFORMATION …stmarysmagherafelt.com/downloads/Yr_13_into_Y14_Parent...Year 13 Parent Information Booklet St Mary’s Grammar School Page 1 INTRODUCTION Year

YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS

INFORMATION BOOKLET

June 2016

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

PROFILE OF APPLICATIONS .................................................................................... 2

APTITUDE TESTS ........................................................................................................ 3

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE................................................................. 4

THE OFFER SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 5

UCAS TARIFF POINTS – GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL .............................. 6

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT ............................................................................... 8

CAO CHANGE TO A LEVEL POINTS SYSTEM .................................................... 10

TRINITY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS: .................................................................... 12

USEFUL WEBSITES.................................................................................................. 13

THE UCAS PROCESS FOR YEAR 13 INTO YEAR 14 ........................................... 14

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT .. 17

YEAR 13 WEEKLY CAREERS BULLETIN ............................................................. 19

Year 13 Parent Information Booklet

St Mary’s Grammar School Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Year 14 is a key time during which pupils make important decisions about their future. For many parents it is about making a major financial investment in their son/daughter’s future. It is most important that both students and parents think carefully about these decisions. Places on courses at universities in Northern Ireland continue to become more competitive every year. We continue to see entry requirements being increased and larger numbers of students are being required to sit selection tests and attend for interview. Pupils are encouraged to carefully consider their performances at AS level and class tests before making their final UCAS choices. They are encouraged to apply to courses with a range of grades. There is a wealth of choice at Third Level Education. In St. Mary’s pupils are guided in all aspects of the decision-making process. Ultimately, however, performance in A Level examinations (and in some cases, Aptitude Tests and interview) will determine the path which most of our students will follow. It is most important that pupils also engage with all the advice and guidance offered during both their careers classes and at guidance interviews where they have the opportunity to discuss their career plans in great detail. The content of this booklet will clarify some of the issues and decisions which lie ahead for our Year 14 students during the next academic year.



PROFILE OF APPLICATIONS

All students in Year 14 have the opportunity to consider making applications to the full cross section of institutions and organisations offering courses at Third Level Education.

1. UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions System) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges of higher education in the UK. Students make an application to 5 courses in this system (they do not declare an order of preference).

Deadline dates:

Phase 1 Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Science/Oxford/Cambridge Wednesday 14 September 2016

Phase 2 All other applications Wednesday 12 October 2016

2. St Mary’s University College, Belfast Students may also apply to courses at St Mary’s University College Belfast – this is a separate application and not part of the UCAS system. Applicants must declare a subject preference. Students may apply for a maximum of 3 BEd courses and 3 BA Liberal Arts courses. The order of subject preference is very important as this will be the preference which will determine a place in August, if successful.

Deadline date:

Friday 18th November 2016.

3. CAO (Central Applications Office) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges in the South of Ireland. Students select 10 courses in order of preference. Pupils are encouraged to consider a range of Universities & Institutes of Technology within this system.

Deadline date:

Wednesday 14th Dec 2016.

4. Northern Ireland Colleges of Further and Higher Education These colleges offer a wide range of courses including Foundation Diplomas/Foundation Degrees, HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) and a small number of degree courses. The courses can offer very useful additional options for students who may be concerned about their ‘A2’ performance. Pupils can progress onto Degree Courses on successful completion of Foundation Diplomas / Foundation Degrees/ HND. (Belfast Metropolitan College has been a popular option).

5. European Universities Pupils may consider making an additional application to Universities across Europe in particular Netherlands and Germany. Students are advised to use www.studyineurope.eu and will be able to use links to all European Universities.

6. Higher Apprenticeships Many top firms are offering school leavers the chance to join them as an employee and they will help with Higher Education fees. A Higher Apprenticeship works on the principle of ‘earn while you learn’.

http://www.studyineurope.eu/



APTITUDE TESTS

Introduction Aptitude tests have become an increasing aspect of the selection process, and performance in these can determine if a pupil is invited for interview or given an offer. (Full details of each of the tests referred to below are available on the appropriate website – see Page 13).

1. BMAT – Biomedical Aptitude Test (£45) For those applying for Medicine / Veterinary Science at Cambridge / Oxford / UCL / Imperial College London/Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Lancaster/ Leeds (Medicine & Dentistry).

Date of test is 2 November 2016 - pupils sit this written test in St Mary’s. Results out on 25 November 2016.

2. UKCAT- UK Clinical Aptitude Test (Test £65)

For those applying for Medicine/Dentistry at all universities pupils must have completed the test by 8th September to allow time to finalise selection of their universities, based on their UK CAT results. This is an online exam taken at a Pearson’s Test Centre. Early booking is advised.

3. HPAT-ULSTER (£105) For those applying to University of Ulster for degree courses in Dietetics/Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy/Podiatry/Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging / Radiography & Oncology / Speech and Language Therapy. 7 January 2017 is the deadline for registering online for this exam. This is a 3 hour written exam which will take place at the end of January 2017 at Jordanstown, Coleraine or Magee Campuses.

4. HPAT – IRELAND(€TBC) For those applying for some AHP courses and Medicine at NUI, Galway; RCSI; TCD; UCC and UCD through the CAO system. Applicants must register on-line by 5.15pm date TBC and must have their CAO number. The exam date TBC. The test is a 2½ hour paper based on problem solving and non-verbal reasoning (similar to HPAT-ULSTER). Test centres will be located in Cork, Dublin, Galway, the North-West and the South-East - details are to be confirmed (see www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au).

5. LNAT (£50)

For those applying to Law at a number of Universities including Oxford, Durham, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Kings College London, Nottingham and UCL (not QUB or UU) two deadline dates exist - for Oxford applicants it is 20 October 2016 (TBC) and for all other Universities it is c19 January 2017 (TBC). Cambridge applicants must sit Cambridge’s own law exam.

6. Cambridge or Oxford

If applying to Oxford or Cambridge you may be asked to complete a subject specific test through the Admission Testing Service.



HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE



THE OFFER SYSTEM

Universities take into account a number of factors when considering which students to make an offer to. These can include all or some of the following depending on the course:

1) GCSE profile of results. 2) AS performance. 3) The quality / content of the Personal Statement. 4) The school reference which will include predicted ‘A2’ grades. 5) Selection / aptitude test results. 6) Essays 7) Interview / presentation.

Offers will be issued to pupils anytime between November and May.

The offer received can be based on ‘A’ Level grades or UCAS points [UCAS tariff information is included].

It would be hoped that the pupils would receive offers for all FIVE of their courses but with competition for places increasing this may not always be the case particularly in highly competitive courses i.e. Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science/ Sports & Exercise Science/ Midwifery / Nursing / Allied Health Professions / Education / Social Work.

Students can hold all offers until early May when they select the TWO courses which they wish to keep, these are referred to as their FIRM and INSURANCE choices.

On obtaining their ‘A2’ results in August if they match or exceed the grades for their FIRM choice they will automatically be placed there. If they miss these grades but obtain grades for their INSURANCE they will be placed there.

Students who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on either their FIRM or INSURANCE courses will be eligible to enter the “Clearing System”.

Students who do better than expected are eligible to enter “Adjustment” where they may negotiate with Universities to be considered alternative courses with there higher grades (This is very rarely successful).



UCAS TARIFF POINTS – GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL

UCAS Tariff points are used by some universities and colleges to set their entry requirements and to make offers. Currently, one third of courses in the UCAS search tool have a Tariff entry requirement. Instead of asking for grades, a university might express the offer as a number of points. To help understand how many points a qualification is worth, UCAS has a Tariff calculator that you can use. For courses starting from September 2017, a new Tariff will be in place. The new Tariff provides a fair and more transparent process of allocating Tariff points across a wider range of qualifications. What the new points mean to you

The new UCAS Tariff points should not have any impact on your decisions about qualification choices at school or college, or your preparation for or application to a higher education course.

You'll still need to achieve the same A level, Scottish Advanced Highers, Scottish Highers, or BTEC grades (or grades in any other qualification you're taking) to meet the higher education course entry requirements.

All qualifications that are currently on the UCAS Tariff will continue to be allocated points under the new system.

The new Tariff is based on a different approach, using a qualification’s size and grades to calculate total Tariff points.

The numbers are much lower, for example an A level grade A* gets 56 points under the new Tariff, in comparison to 140 under the current Tariff.

2017 entry courses advertised in the UCAS search tool from May 2016 will refer to the new UCAS Tariff points only. Approximately one third of courses on UCAS search currently refer to Tariff points. It is anticipated a number of courses will refer to the new Tariff from September 2017 onwards.



This table shows the new Tariff points for A Level qualifications. AS level

A level

New Tariff points

A* 56

A 48

B 40

C 32

28

D 24

A 20

B E 16

C 12

D 10

8

E 6

Other qualifications, such as practical music or speech and drama exams like LAMDA and ESB, also have a tariff value: GRADE GRADE 6 GRADE7 GRADE8

PASS 6 10 18 MERIT 10 12 24 DISTINCTION 12 16 30

You can use the tariff calculator on the UCAS website to work out what other qualifications are worth and there is also a helpful video which explains the tariff system in more detail. Entry requirements and offers that state tariff points may also require a minimum level of achievement in a specified subject, for example '128 points from a minimum of three A levels to include grade A in A level Chemistry', i.e. an A in Chemistry (48) and B grades in two other A levels (40+40) If you have any questions about the new Tariff, call UCAS’ Customer Experience Centre on 0371 468 0 468 (+44 330 3330 230 if you’re calling from outside the UK), or find more detailed information at www.ucas.com/new-tariff.



UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT

START EARLY!!!

Personal statements are so important; make sure your son or daughter includes:

academic achievements, past and present

interests in the chosen subject area

knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

what they enjoy about studying

details of their independent study skills. The questions Universities and Colleges will ask:

Have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?

Do they have a range of interests?

Does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject?

Have they studied independently?

Are they motivated and committed?

Do they process good numeracy and literacy skills?

Ask your son/daughter to follow the UCAS Personal Statement guidance provided in the Y13 Careers Showbie Folder.





CAO CHANGE TO A LEVEL POINTS SYSTEM

The seven universities in the Republic are set to introduce new admissions procedures that

will make it easier for school-leavers from Northern Ireland to gain entry.

Under the plan, which will apply to college applicants from September 2016, the Central

Applications Office (CAO) points awarded for an A* grade in the A-Level exams will rise

from 160 to 180.

The points for an A will go up from 135 to 160, while other A-Level grades will be adjusted

by five-10 points.

The initiative is expected to boost the number of students coming to the Republic from

England, where universities fees are capped at £9,000, but it is due to have a bigger

impact on school-leavers in the North, who tend to take just three A-Levels at secondary

school rather than four.

Only about 16 per cent of the North’s school leavers sit four A-level subjects, which was

identified by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) as a barrier to travelling south.

Under the current marking system, three A* grades would yield 450 points – well below the

500-points marker required for prestigious university courses in law, business or science.

CAO applicants

These initiatives led to a 27 per cent jump in the number of students from Northern Ireland

applying to colleges in the Republic in this year’s CAO.

However, the 1,383 Northern applicants for 2015 still represent less than 2 per cent of CAO

applicants.

The new points system was designed by a task group for the IUA.

For the first three A-Levels, the points equivalent for an A* grade rises from 160 to 180; A

from 135 to 160; B from 120 to 130; C stays at 100; D drops from 75 to 65 and E rises from

40 to 45. If a fourth A-Level is taken it will be marked on a lower scale of 16-60 points,

while an AS (or partial A-Level) will be marked on a scale of 10-30 points.

The task force said the current points model means “those A-Level applicants who are not

sitting four A-Levels cannot realistically compete” for prestigious courses in the Republic.

As a result Irish universities were turning away students who would “regularly be offered

places in the most competitive UK universities and courses”.

The North’s two universities, Queen’s and Ulster University, charge lower fees for Northern

students than their British counterparts: the cap is set at £3,985 for 2015-2016.

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Irish%20Universities%20Association&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=CAO&article=true



A Level CAO Points Value new model

Grade A-Levels 1st-3rd 4th A-Level AS

A 160 50 30

A* 180 60 null

B 130 45 25

C 100 35 20

D 65 20 16

E 45 16 10

2015 THE IRISH TIMES Mon, Mar 30, 2015, 09:03

TO CALCULATE CAO POINTS IN TERMS OF A LEVEL GRADES GO TO: https://myucd.ucd.ie/admission/alevel_cal.ezc

A-Level Scoring System (Trinity College, Dublin) A new A-Level scoring scheme has been introduced for students applying for entry in 2016, as it is recognised that a large majority of A-Level students sit only three A-Levels. Therefore, points are now weighted in favour of the first three A-Levels, with additional points awarded for a fourth A-Level or for a fourth AS-Level subject. „ Bonus points for Mathematics All students presenting Grade E or above in one of A-Level Mathematics, Further Mathematics or Pure Mathematics will have 25 points added to their score for that subject. The bonus points will only be relevant where that subject is scored as one of a student’s four best subjects for points purposes. An applicant’s score from 2016 onwards will be calculated on the basis of either of the following: 1 their best 4 GCE Advanced level (A2) subjects from one academic year OR 2 their best 3 GCE Advanced level (A2) subjects from one academic year plus one Advanced Subsidiary level (AS) in a different subject from the same or the preceding academic year only. Students may not combine grades achieved in different sittings of their GCE Advanced level (A2) examinations for the purpose of scoring. However, examinations taken in January and June of the same year are counted as a single sitting.

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/northern-ireland-students-set-to-benefit-from-revised-cao-points-system-1.2157917

https://myucd.ucd.ie/admission/alevel_cal.ezc



TRINITY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS: GCSE/Advanced GCE (A-Level) To be considered for admission to the University you must: Present six subjects at grade C or above on GCSE or Advanced Subsidiary GCE (AS) papers. Two of these subjects must be grade C or above on Advanced GCE (A-Level) papers. The six subjects above must include: A Pass in English And A Pass in mathematics and a Pass in a language other than English Or A Pass in Latin and a Pass in a subject other than a language.

Notes: 1 A pass means grade C or above on GCSE or Advanced Subsidiary GCE (AS) papers. 2 Students may combine grades achieved in different sittings of their Advanced GCE (A-level) examinations for the purpose of satisfying minimum entry and/or course requirements, but not for the purposes of scoring. This is not permitted for Medicine – see notes 3A and 3B on page 223. 3 Acceptable subjects: „ Applied A-level, Vocational Advanced Subsidiary, Vocational A-level, National Vocational and Key Skills qualifications are not accepted for minimum entry requirements or scoring purposes. „ GCSE/Advanced GCE (A-level) subjects set by recognised examination boards are, in principle, acceptable for consideration with the following exceptions: ‚ Physical Education, General Studies and Media Studies are not acceptable. „ Applicants who require advice about subject eligibility should contact the Academic Registry, see page 210. 4 Combinations of A-level subjects not permitted for minimum entry requirements or scoring purposes: „ Art may not be presented with History of Art. „ Biology may not be presented with Botany or Zoology. „ English Literature may not be presented with English Language. „ Environmental Science may not be presented with Biology or Geography. „ Science may not be presented with Chemistry, Physics or Biology. „ Not more than one specialised endorsed programme in art may be presented. 5 Art and Music may not be offered as the two Advanced GCE (A-level) grades for minimum entry requirements but both may be used for scoring purposes.



USEFUL WEBSITES

www.ucas.com University & Colleges Admissions

System

www. smucb.ac.uk St. Mary’s College, Belfast

www.qub.ac.uk Queen’s University, Belfast

www.ulster.ac.uk University of Ulster

www.cao.ie Central Applications Office

www.ucd.ie University College Dublin

www.tcd.ie Trinity College Dublin

www.bmet.ac.uk Belfast Metropolitan College

www.cafre.ac.uk CAFRE

www.nrc.ac.uk Northern Regional College

www.nwrc.ac.uk North West Regional College

www.nidirect.gov.uk Job Based information - NI

www.prospects.ac.uk Career Information

www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Student finance

www.astarfuture.co.uk Study abroad

https://hpat-ulster.acer.edu.au Health Professional Aptitude Test

(Therapies at UU)

www.ukcat.ac.uk UK Clinical Test ( Medicine)

www.admissionstestingservice.org Biomedical Aptitude Test ( Some

Medical Schools)

www.Inat.ac.uk LNAT (entrance exam for come UK

based Law Schools

www.admissionstestingservice.org Oxford/Cambridge Entry Tests

www.careersportal.ie Useful CAO Careers website

https://hpat-ulster.acer.edu.au/

http://www.ukcat.ac.uk/

http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/

http://www.inat.ac.uk/

http://www.admissionstestingservice.org/

http://www.careersportal.ie/



THE UCAS PROCESS FOR YEAR 13 INTO YEAR 14 The purpose of this timeline is to help you and your son / daughter manage key deadlines.

All year 13 pupils have one timetabled careers class only once every two weeks resulting in limited pupil contact time

*DEADLINE: MONDAY

Careers Event/Deadline

08:02:16 Work Experience (11 & 12 February)

FEB 22:02:16 Work Experience Debrief Individual career guidance interviews on-going Workshop on Personal Statement Preparation Library

MA

R

29:02:16 UCAS FORM: Introduction Stage 2 of Work experience process begins (June Placements) Individual career guidance interviews on-going

07:03:16 UCAS FORM: personal statement preparation Individual career guidance interviews on-going

14:03:16 UCAS FORM: personal statement preparation Individual career guidance interviews on-going

21:03:16 All official June Work experience school paperwork regarding confirmed placements completed Individual career guidance interviews on-going

AP

R

28:03:16 EASTER HOLIDAYS

04:04:16 On-going work on UCAS form Individual career guidance interviews on-going

11:04:16 Amend draft 1 personal statement/on-going work on UCAS form Individual career guidance interviews on-going

18:04:16 On-going work on UCAS form Individual career guidance interviews on-going

MAY 25:04:16 Draft One Personal Statement due (Phase 1 & 2) Individual career guidance interviews on-going

02:05:16 Working on personal statement Individual career guidance interviews on-going

09:05:16 AS PRACTICALS AND ORALS BEGIN

16:05:16

23:05:16

JUNE 30:05:16 Phase 1 (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Oxford, Cambridge) applicants UCAS draft form emailed to CDO – Draft 2

06:06:16

13:06:16

20:06:16 Y13 Careers Parents’ Information Event – Focusing on Higher Education (22 JUNE)

27:06:16 Phase 1 applicants – UCAS workshop – Filling in the application form- 11:30 Tuesday 29 June

15:08:16 A LEVEL RESULTS OUT THURSDAY 18 AUGUST

A U G

22:08:16 UKCAT (KAPLAN) TRAINING (available in Belfast)



29:08:16

YEAR 14 OFFICIALLY BEGINS

Phase 2 –Induction Day - Official registration with UCAS and begin filling in the ‘live’ UCAS form (Parts 1-5 of the form)

Amending Personal Statements

SEPT 05:09:16 Amend personal statement University of Ulster Open Day (10 Sept – ALL YEAR14 STUDENTS) Queen’s University Open Day (11 Sept – ALL YEAR 14 STUDENTS)

12:09:16 UKCAT exams completed Phase 1 UCAS forms submitted – 14 September

19:09:16 Phase 2 personal statement final check and redrafting

21:09:16 Phase 2 finalise 5 courses – check entry requirements

26:09:16 Final course check; interview with Senior teacher writing reference

OCT 03:10:16 Final check on Personal Statements (to Careers teacher)

10:10:16 Phase 2 UCAS forms submitted : Print off and check completed UCAS form (to Careers teacher)

17:10:16 YEAR 14 Parent Teacher Meeting (TBC) Deadline for LNAT registration (Oxford)

NOV

24:10:16 St Mary’s University Applications – Direct Entry

31:10:16 MID-TERM BMAT exam

07:11:16 MMI Interview workshop (TBC) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews begin

14:11:16

Final submission to St Mary’s University College; Cambridge/Oxford Interview Preparation; Applications completed for Talented Athletes Scholarship English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going)

21:11:16

Medicine/Dentistry/ Vet Science – Individual Interview Preparation English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental /Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) Mock Interview Evening (COMPULSORY FOR ALL YEAR 14 (DATE TBC)

DEC

28:11:16

On-going Interview Preparation; English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) QUB Medical/Dental interviews begin (Dec-Feb)

05:12:16

LNAT Workshop (TBC) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) QUB Medical /Dental Interviews (on-going)

12:12:16

CAO Applications due; Art Foundation Applications to FE & HE Colleges (Ballymena, Limavady, Belfast Met) QUB Medical/Dental Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going)

19:12:16

JAN

02:01:17 Deadline for HPAT Ulster registration (7 January) QUB Medical/Dental Interviews (on-going)



English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going)

09:01: 17

Stranmillis interviews begin English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) Deadline for LNAT registration

16:01: 17

Closing date for HPAT –Ireland registration (20 Jan TBC) HPAT Training Workshops (Ulster) Stranmillis interviews (on-going) QUB Medical Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) LNAT exam – complete by 19 January (TBC)

23:01: 17

HPAT TEST ULSTER (28 Jan 2017 TBC) HPAT Ireland training QUB Medical Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going)

FEB

30:01: 17

On-going interviews (CHECK UCAS TRACK FOR INTERVIEWS) QUB Medical Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going)

06:02: 17

Dealing with university offers/rejection QUB Medical Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment (TBC)

13:02: 17

UCAS Extra opens QUB Medical Interviews (on-going) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (on-going) St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment (TBC) MID-TERM

20:02: 17 HPAT Ireland Exam (27 FEB TBC) Social Work - Additional essay Creative Writing – Additional Essay

MAR

27:02: 17 Completion of all Student finance forms;

06:03: 17 Investigate sponsorship opportunities NEELB staff will be in to collect completed finance forms;

13:03: 17 Social Work Interviews Nursing Interviews (QUB) begin HPAT Ulster results

20:03: 17 Research apprenticeship pathways (where appropriate) Social Work Interviews Nursing Interviews (QUB)

APR

27:03:17 Final UCAS decision made – choose firm and insurance courses. Reject other 3 courses

03:04:17 University of Ulster – Art Degrees – Portfolio Interviews

10:04: 17

17:04: 17 Final DEADLINE for responding to UCAS (End of April)

24:04:17



OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT 2015-16

Month Details of Lunchtime and After school Workshops Provided

September 2015

University Open Days Y14 QUB Dental Open Day

Careers Workshops: - Struggling with Personal Statements - Nursing Personal Statements - Nursing at Ulster University

October 2015

Careers Workshops: Opportunities with Deloitte Phase 1 2016 Support Workshop

Allied Health Therapies HPAT Workshop 1 EMS Presentation

Altnagelvin Hospital – Health Professions Open Day Interview Preparation Workshop 1

November 2015

Phase One Mock Interviews Interview Skills Workshop 2

QUB Civil Engineering Presentation LNAT Preparation Workshop

St Mary’s University College Workshop 1 Phase 1 2017 Applicants Workshop 1

St Mary’s University College Workshop 2 Talented Athlete Scholarship Workshop

Nursing Workshop QUB Software & Electronic & Electrical Engineering Presentation

Ulster University Business School - Accounting Presentation Mock Interview Evening

Actuarial Science & Risk Management at QUB Presentation

December 2015

Struggling with Work Experience Workshop Deloitte Higher Apprenticeship Application Workshop

Psychology at QUB Presentation CAO Applications

Teaching Interview Practice Workshop UU HPAT Workshop 2

Letterkenny Institute of Technology Presentation Aerospace Engineering at QUB Presentation Mechanical Engineering at QUB Presentation

Medicine at QUB Presentation

January 2016

Edgehill University Presentation Phase 1 2017 Workshop 2

Opportunities with PwC HPAT Ulster Preparation Workshop 3

Trinity College Dublin Presentation Liverpool University Presentation

Considering a Career in Mental Health Presentation

February 2016

Belfast Metropolitan College Presentation Northumbria & Newcastle University Presentation

Y13 Work Experience Scottish University Tour MLP Nursing Seminar

Y13 Personal Statement Workshop SWOTUP Presentation



March 2016

Aberdeen University Presentation Opportunities with BDO Kilronan Science Fair

UCD Presentation SLT Information Morning

QUB Y14 Clarification Session Phase 1 2017 Workshop 3

April 2016

NEELB Student Finance Workshop Scottish Modern Universities Tour

Volunteering Opportunities Education at University of Greenwich

May 2016

June 2016

Y13 Parents’ Higher Education Information Event Phase 1 2017 Workshop 4

July 2016

August 2016

Post result Support & Guidance Y14 UCAS Registration

In St. Mary’s, Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is an

important element of our provision. We provide pupils with access to high quality careers

education, information, advice and guidance to enable them to make informed, considered

and realistic decisions about their education, training and employment options.

All Y13 & 14 receive a weekly Careers Bulletin to their school email account outlining the

Careers events and deadlines for the week. The bulletin is also sent to the Form Tutors,

Head of Year and Progress Manager. Resources are also available in the Y13/14 Shared

Careers Resources on the school system as well as in the Careers Showbie Folders In

Term 3 the Careers Department also piloted a Careers Dept. Twitter account with the hope

that all students would follow the Twitter feed in order to access key information throughout

the year.

Additional guidance and support materials for a variety of Higher Education and Further

Education courses are available through the Shared Careers folders which pupils can

access both in school and at home. It is hoped (September 2016) to provide all students

with access to a Careers Department Google Drive which will ensure access of key

resources both at home and at school.



YEAR 13 WEEKLY CAREERS BULLETIN Below is a copy of the weekly Careers Bulletin which is updated each week and emailed to students.

REMINDER: GUIDANCE INTERVIEWS CONTINUING

WEEKLY OVERVIEW

Monday 21

Tuesday 22 Talk QUB Lunchtime K1 PHASE 1 APPLICANTS – PERSONAL STATEMENT

WORKSHOP – Lunchtime K1 ESSENTIAL!!!!!!

Wednesday 23

Thursday 24

Friday 25

NEXT WEEK

KEEP CHECKING YOUR C2K EMAIL – THERE IS ALWAYS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT

APPRENTICESHIPS ETC COMING IN VIA EMAIL. KEEP YOUR INBOX OPEN!!!! IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WANT TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS, EITHER EMAIL OR CALL TO K1 TO MAKE AN

APPOINTMENT. I WILL DO MY BEST TO MEET WITH YOU. NOTICES:

1. YOU SHOULD BE RESEARCHING YOUR COURSES THOROUGHLY. 2. PHASE 2 - WE WILL BE STARTING PERSONAL STATEMENT DRAFT ONE. PLEASE ENSURE THAT

YOU WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT HOW TO WRITE A STRONG PERSONAL STATEMENT IN THE UCAS

PROCESS FOLDER ON SHOWBIE 3. THE GUIDANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT FORTNIGHT WILL BE EMAILED LATER TODAY. A NUMBER

OF Y13 HAVE MISSED TWO INTERVIEWS. THESE STUDENTS MAY NOT BE SEEN AS TIME IS

RUNNING OUT. 4. NOT EVERYONE HAS SIGNED UP TO THEIR SHOWBIE CLASS. THIS APP CAN BE USED ON A PC.

FAILURE TO SIGN UP BEFORE EASTER WILL RESULT IN THE ERS BEING MARKED. PLEASE SEE

EARLIER BULLETINS FOR LIST OF CLASS CODES 5. ANYONE PLANNING AN ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT IN JUNE MUST MAKE SURE

THAT THEY FOLLOW THE SCHOOL PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN YOUR CAREERS WORKBOOK. 6. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW PROCEDURES, YOU WILL NOT BE INSURED AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED

TO GO ON THE PLACEMENT.

C. Donoghue

Year 13 Careers Bulletin

Week 2

21 March 2016

Documents

YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS INFORMATION …stmarysmagherafelt.com/downloads/Yr_13_into_Y14_Parent...Year 13 Parent Information Booklet St Mary’s Grammar School Page 1 INTRODUCTION Year