During June, as part of Higher Education week at Shiplake College, parents and pupils from Year 12 attended presentations and discussions to offer an insight into the many different paths open to the students, following the end of their Sixth Form studies. The programme, which continued throughout the week, covered all manner of topics. Parents and pupils first enjoyed a drinks reception, before an introduction to the Higher Education Programme, and an overview of the UCAS application forms.
Year 12 students had a packed following day, with presentations on the application process for Oxford and Cambridge, taking pupils through what to expect and how to create a highly polished, unique application. Other talks were also available for pupils to attend, looking at American Universities and how to approach applying to these, as well European Universities. Both of these proved very popular, with the Year 12s eager to understand more of these processes before approaching international education.
Alongside these talks, discussions were also held for pupils eager to enter the world of work. These talks included overviews of careers in Media, Business and Sports. Students not looking to continue in their academic careers, but gain valuable experience following their A-Levels, found presentations held on apprenticeships highly useful, as well as working gap years and work experience. This was to ensure that Shiplake students had a strong understanding of the various paths open to them, and how to maximise them.
Applying to universities can be overwhelming, so discussions were also held on the practical aspects of this, such as student finance, given by representatives from Barclays Bank. Director of Marketing and External Relations Mr Ross McSweeny gave a discussion on personal statements, giving a packed Lecture Theatre key points on how best to sell themselves in the restrictions of the short written piece. Mock interviews were also held, in order to prepare pupils for the interview environment, and some of the trickier questions they may encounter. School governor Mr Robert Dempster gave a view of the future, giving pupils a vision for what the future of Shiplake, as well as what their own personal futures, could hold.
The Higher Education Week was rounded off with University open day visits, including popular universities such as Exeter, Bournemouth and Kings College London.
The week proved highly successful, laying the foundations for the future paths that covered a variety of different options. The plethora of presentations gave pupils a far-reaching understanding, not only of the processes when applying to universities, but also of other opportunities available to them, following the end of their school careers.
To see more photos from the event, please click here.
