It is very important to us that when students leave our Sixth Form they have a plan for their future, be that a place at university, a job or an apprenticeship.

Support is provided for university applications through the UCAS website, and for job and apprenticeship applications.

A range of websites are made use of including UCAS, the National Apprenticeship website and Unifrog.

We have a number of speakers in assemblies who talk about the different opportunities available to students.

At the Next Steps event which runs every March we invite a number of universities as well as local businesses and apprenticeship providers so that we are able to fully inform our students about their options after 6th Form.

We can also advise students who wish to take a Gap Year and invite speakers from various charitable organisations in to speak about the fantastic opportunities available around the world.

Next Steps

UCAS

Start Early!

The key is start early! It is vital that you do lots of research about your university application and the earlier the better.

You need to research:

• Courses: content and modules
• Universities: big/small campus, town/city?
• Grades needed: points/grades? Can you realistically achieve the grades required?
• Do you need work experience?

If your course(s) need work experience it may need to be over a period of time not just a single week so you should use your school holidays.

Some of the courses that may need work experience include:

Teaching

Medicine including radiography, paramedics, midwifery, physiotherapist, dentistry

Veterinary Science

Social work

Key points

Attend all registrations. Tutor time during the final term of Year 12 and the first term of Year 13 will be largely devoted to UCAS applications. You will be given lots of important information via your tutors so attend tutor time! Attendance to assembly is also vital (do not expect support or a good reference if you do not attend).

Research courses and universities

Register with UCAS and complete the application form – personal details, GCSE grades, employment, course choices

Write your personal statement – make sure you draft and re-draft it a number of times. It will be worth it!

Speak to your tutor about your reference

Speak to your teachers about your predicted grades

Support provided

Tutor time devoted to UCAS applications and research eg: guidance for writing personal statement and researching courses and universities

Tutor                                                       •  Cheam High School Sixth Form PS booklet

Sixth Form Management Team            •  Cheam High School Sixth Form Next Steps Evening

School website and VLE

UCAS website: www.ucas.ac.uk

UCAS tv: www.ucas.tv

University websites

School trips eg: Higher Education fair, university visits

Open days and taster days

Unifrog: www.unifrog.org

UCAS app for iPhone

Key dates

Personal statement by end of September, unless applying early

October: early applicant deadline - usually 15th October

January: deadline for the majority of applications - usually 15th January

Apprenticeships

What if I am not going to University?

It is still important to write a personal statement even if you are not intending to go to University.  Miss James and Mrs Davies in the Sixth Form Office are available to offer support and advice.

We can help you with:

Writing a CV

Searching the internet for vacancies

Apprenticeship opportunities

How to complete application forms

Interview techniques - including mock interviews

Please come and collect a copy of our ‘Apprenticeships and Jobs' booklet giving useful tips and information on how to be successful.

Resources and careers appointments

Next Steps guidance is available for all students and Next Steps, interviews can be arranged through Mrs Elliott in the LRC or the Sixth Form office. 

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are ‘work based’ learning.  Students earn as they learn and gain practical skills from the workplace.  Apprentices achieve nationally recognised qualifications. 

There are four levels of apprenticeships:

Intermediate Apprenticeships (equivalent of five GCSE passes)

Advance Apprenticeships (equivalent to two A Levels)

Higher Apprenticeships (equivalent to a Foundation Degree)

Degree Apprenticeships (equivalent to a full Degree)

Searching for an Apprenticeship?

There are a number of websites that you can register with to get regular updates on new apprenticeships. These include (but are not limited to):

https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk

https://www.milkround.com/school-leavers

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship