Higher Education Conference 2023
Lower Sixth students learnt more about the opportunities available to them after they leave SGS at this year’s hugely informative two-day Higher Education conference.
The conference, which welcomed speakers from the universities of Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester and Lancaster, is devised to assist students with their forthcoming applications for University, Higher and Degree level apprenticeships and the world of work.
Talks encouraged the pupils to consider approaches to the completion of their personal statements, how to prepare for interviews, how to improve their prospects in the employment market and what life will be like as a student.
Old Stopfordians Isabella Byrne (OS 2022) and Megan Callaghan (OS 2021), who are on degree apprenticeship programmes at AstraZeneca and Siemens respectively, spoke to students about their experience and what to expect if they go down that root.
SGS teaching staff were again willing to step share their insights through talks on their experience of the application process, their subjects of study, gap years and what the pupils have to look forward to at university. This enabled pupils to ask lots of questions about life beyond school.
The conference also included a number of workshops covering a wide range of issues with sessions on the likes of Law, applying for overseas study and gap years.
Alongside the support given by departments and form tutors, each pupil works closely on an individual basis with their UCAS Adviser; a member of the teaching staff who, using their expertise and experience of the Higher Education application process, is able to offer pupils personalised support from the start of the process to pressing the button to send their application! The personalised support on offer also extends to those looking to study abroad, apply to Higher or Degree level apprenticeships or follow other pathways beyond school.
Specialist support for students aiming to apply to study at Oxford or Cambridge, or study Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry continues with teacher-led sessions on a weekly basis. These started in January to give the many students with these ambitions the very best preparation ahead of the start of the Apply 2023 application cycle in their preparations for admissions tests, the completion of written work and the challenge of interviews. This will continue for the remainder of this term and into the Autumn.
Reflecting on the 2023 conference, Head of Sixth Form Mr David Stone said: “The Higher Education conferences are really useful for the Lower Sixth to understand what they can do following the receipt of their A-level results.
“It was great to have experts from Higher Education providers offer advice and tips and we are delighted to be able to call upon the wonderful staff at SGS to share their wealth of expertise. All of this prepares both pupils and parents to approach their plans for life beyond SGS with confidence.”
