19th February 2024
Year 12 Bulletin
Morning all,
Hope you all had a great half-term and relaxed as well as completing prep for NEAs and some consolidation work. Quite a few opportunities are coming up for those interested in undergraduate study. Now is the time to be going to Open Days and applying for Summer Schools.
Weekly
- ‘Ted Talk’ Can AI catch what doctors miss...?
- ‘BBC Ideas’ Why is lying so hard to resist?
Quote of the week:
“Prestige and status are like a powerful magnet that warps even your own beliefs about what you enjoy. It causes you to work not on what you like, but what you'd like to like.”
Paul Graham, Entrepreneur and venture capitalist
Shoutout to the following pupils who all received three positive comments in one day. Keep up the good work!
- Huw (DE)
- Andrej (DE)
- Shav (DE)
- Aakif (DE)
Key dates and deadlines
- The Maths Department runs A Level support every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE re-sit support every single Monday.
- Chemistry has both year 12 and 13 chemistry support sessions after school every Monday.
- Physics has revisions/support sessions on a Tuesday morning between 8.15 and 8.45.
- Biology is running revision/support sessions on Thursday after school in H22
- Digital Technology and Computer Science revision sessions/coursework catch-up will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 2.40 till 3.30 in H03
A few general announcements:
- The National Trust has just launched the Time + Space Award, offering 16 - 25 year olds the chance of time, space, support and inspiration to unlock their ideas at Sir Isaac Newton’s home in Lincolnshire, where he discovered gravity and the famous apple tree still stands in the garden. Each award will be up to the equivalent value of £5000, which will be a bespoke package of mentoring, time with experts and extra support and expenses to help winners realise their big idea. These experts include Professor David Olusoga, British space scientist Dame Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, zoologist, wildlife TV presenter and science communicator Megan McCubbin and TV presenter, social & environmental activist Tayshan Hayden-Smith. Closing date for applications is 30th April 2024.
- Please make sure you are all signed up to the Exams Google Classroom - this is how you will find out vital information about each exam series, resits, mocks and other details. The classroom code is aj5fjjv
Opportunities/Events
Applications for the Free National NHS Virtual Work Experience programme are now open. Here’s the relevant information: https://medicmentor.org/university-hospitals-birmingham-trust-virtual-work-experience/
This month, it’s focused on the fascinating world of Surgery, giving you the opportunity to witness key-hole surgery, oral surgery, and the chance to shadow Mr. Challocome, a urology surgeon at Guy's and Thomas' NHS Trust. This virtual experience opens doors for you to gain valuable insights and opportunities that may be otherwise difficult to access. on shadowing; it's a crucial step in preparing students for their upcoming physical placements. Covering everything from ethics to procedures and broader team roles, our virtual work experience gives a crucial overview of their desired career paths and the skills that medical and dental schools are looking for, enhancing their UCAS applications. Signing up is easy – students just need to fill out the free online application form |
Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors which are really useful to show your proactive engagement with the subject you’re hoping to study: browse the series they have here: https://www.gresham.ac.uk/whats-on/lecture-series-2023-24 Health after Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Professor Chris Whitty FRS Tue, 20 Feb 2024 Watch Online Pulsars, Microwave Ovens and the Radio Sky, Professor Chris Lintott Wed, 21 Feb 2024 Watch Online The Colour Spectrum of Scales and Modes, Professor Milton Mermikides Thu, 22 Feb 2024 Watch Online Option Pricing Theory Explained, Professor Raghavendra Rau, Mon, 26 Feb 2024 Watch Online Changes in the Concept of Autism, Professor Francesca Happé CBE FBA Wed, 28 Feb 2024 Watch Online Wealth Inequality: English Law's Unintended Legacy? Professor Leslie Thomas KC Thu, 29 Feb 2024 Watch Online |
To begin the preparation for university, you could have a look at when university Open Days are happening this half-term. Use the link here to check: https://www.opendays.com/calendar/ |
Universities
General advice
Discover Uni is a government-funded facility which has data on nearly every university and their courses. You can find the entry data of students who joined a degree course and the percentage of those students who entered with particular grades - if you have the same grades then your chances are higher than if you have lower grades.try the website here: Discover Uni. Many universities have got upcoming Open Days so make sure you have a look at the places you think you may want to study at. I’ve just put the links for our most popular destinations’ Open Days below as well as the Open Days calendar. To make sure you understand the grades you might need for courses you’re interested in and confirm entry requirements please use the following website: https://www.whatuni.com/ Ask your LC to look at courses with you if you’re not sure whether you might need specific subjects/grades for a course you are considering. A few people have asked about Russell Group universities and what they do. There is some information here that might be helpful:
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Bangor University has a Summer School running July 1-3, 2024
‘A Taste of Higher Education’ This is a residential Summer School, taking place at Bangor University this summer with the support of the Reaching Wider Partnership for North and Mid Wales. The Summer School is aimed at:
The event’s objectives are to raise the motivation of students to go on to Higher Education. Detailed information, including criteria for applicants, is attached to this email. To apply, eligible students need to complete and submit the on-line Application form.
Closing date- April 19 |
Swansea University’s Faculty of Medicine Health & Life Sciences are now running drop-in sessions over the next few months for prospective Nursing students at their St David’s Park Campus in Carmarthen. In the sessions, students can chat to the Nursing teaching team about the course and life as a student nurse. To book onto a session, please click here. If you have any questions about these drop-in sessions, please email studyfmhls@swansea.ac.uk.
Swansea’s next on-campus event is: Saturday 23 March. Students will have the opportunity to:-
Take a campus tour of our fantastic campus and department facilities If you’re unsure what subject you’d like to study at University it might be worth booking onto the Masterclass Series below to experience a taster of the courses on offer at Swansea University. Each session is presented by their academic staff (the people who would be teaching you) and offers students the chance to:
Use the link here to register. They also have their Masterclass Series starting next week! Immerse yourself in a world of knowledge as their academics share their recent research in their field. Have the chance to sit in on a university lecture, explore your subject further and ask your burning questions. The webinars include:
To avoid disappointment, book your place here. |
Reading University
They also have a ‘preparing for University’ programme with the Brilliant Club: Subject Tutorials and Summer School Experience
This is a subject based academic university programme where students experience university-style learning while developing transferable skills and subject knowledge. The programme is hybrid, taking place in person and via online tutorials, and culminates in a residential summer school at the University of Reading. Please be aware that this programme is available for students who are eligible for their Widening Participation activities.
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UCL Masterclasses UCL Masterclasses are a range of online, subject-specific, hour-long sessions for students in Year 12 to get a taste of university. Sessions run weekly on Tuesdays and Thursdays (4-5pm) from January to April, and feature an interactive lecture on a specific topic from UCL academics and PhD students. This is a great opportunity for students wanting more super-curricular activities to write about in their personal statement. Apply here. |
Leeds University has their Skill Up in Theatre and Performance workshop (application deadline 25th Feb) ‘Skill Up in Theatre and Performance’ is a programme for Year 12 students interested in finding out more about life as a Theatre and Performance undergraduate as well as the career opportunities that this course can offer. This two-day on campus experience will take place on 26-27 March 2024. Be aware that there is no accommodation provided. Apply here. |
Bath University has three programmes for students to apply to:
‘Discover Bath’ programme which is a free event for Year 12 students from Widening Participation backgrounds to experience university study and find out about life at university. It’s a summer programme which aims to give prospective students a taste of first-year life and study at the University of Bath. You'll also have the opportunity to gain a reduced offer. It's free-of-charge, including on-campus accommodation, free meals for the duration of your stay, a programme of academic sessions (lectures, seminars, workshops) and fun social activities. Your travel to the University can also be reimbursed (reasonable travel within the UK only). Find out more here.
Target Bath which is a free programme for Year 12 students of Black African and Caribbean heritage to find out about life at the University of Bath. Find out more here. |
Newcastle University is working with the Sutton Trust on the Pathways to Medicine and Pathways to Law, two-year programmes offered in partnership with the Sutton Trust. You would complete a work experience placement and summer school and get academic and sector-specific support. You could also receive a conditional offer that's typically up to three grades lower than normal entry requirements. Use the link here to apply. They also have The PARTNERS Academic Summer School (PASS), designed to give you an early introduction to various aspects of Higher Education study and help you to prepare for life at Newcastle University. PASS is taught by undergraduate lecturers in the same subject field that you apply to as your firm choice course. During the event, you will meet some of your undergraduate lecturers, use Newcastle University facilities to complete academic tasks and get to know other students on your course. Upon completion of PASS, we hope this will mean that you feel more confident in your ability to be successful at Newcastle University and that you'll be more than ready to begin studying at Higher Education level once the first semester begins in the autumn. Find out more here. They also have the Newcastle Virtual Student Experience |
Cardiff University’s lecture series is ongoing; https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/community/events |
You might also want to check out the advice given on the ‘Better uni choices’ site which has some helpful tips on how to get the best out of attending Open Days. |
Aspire is a collection of free careers, university and further education resources. It is designed to give state-educated students the tools and knowledge they need to make more informed decisions about their future. Their ‘guide’ is a free resource, full of information and guidance, designed to inform you and help you navigate the range of careers and further education out there. Access the online version of the Guide, alongside other resources, on the Aspire website |
Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships
Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/ and also the different events they have on offer https://schools.uptree.co/events/ A couple of thighs they are offering at the moment are: |
Join us on 5th March from 4pm - 5pm to hear from a panel of inspiring female ambassadors from the Army, representing professions across 7 different career streams, including:
This event is ideal for female students, but is open to all students and their parents/carers. Attendees will get the opportunity to hear from female soldiers from 2 of the career streams during the webinar. The keynote speaker is Rose Worthy, who is the Diversity and Inclusion Operations Manager for the Army Recruiting Group at Capita. Register here. |
Professional services. Deloitte is one of the largest, leading professional-services firm in the UK. If you're interested in a career in professional services and looking for an apprenticeship/full time job, apply for Professional Services Application Masterclass |
Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Network75 Trainees are able to apply their academic knowledge to real-life work within their host company gaining the necessary skills, experience and qualifications that are highly sought after by industry. |
Support
Education Wales have launched Shore - a new website for young people concerned about sexual thoughts or behaviour. You can get confidential and anonymous support from their advisors through Shore’s chat and email service.
For those of you feeling anxious or struggling with the adjustment to 6th Form, as always, we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:
Remember it is important that you keep an eye on your emails and our Twitter feed (@stcyres6th). I send out links and tweets regularly so there is a lot of information available, you just need to access it and let me know if there are any problems with you doing that.
As always, if there are any issues get in touch; we’re here to support you.
Take care,
Ms Jones