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Sixth Form Bulletin

25th November 2024

Year 13 bulletin

Morning all,

There are some opportunities for apprenticeships as well as a few university focused ones that might be worth a look. 

The mock examination period will run from January 9th to January 20th and it’s important that you begin to consolidate your learning and begin the revision process now. If you need any support please come and see me.

 

Weekly 

 

Quote of the week:

 

“Success is the sum of small efforts repeated day in and day out.” 

Robert Collier

 

Key dates and deadline:

 

  • The Maths Department runs a support session every Wednesday for A Level Maths and GCSE resit support every single Monday. 

  • Chemistry runs their support sessions on Mondays  2:40 - 3:30 pm

 

UCAS

 

34 people have now submitted their UCAS applications, 26 have offers, 4 people have all their offers and lots of people have interviews lined up; places will become fewer and fewer so if you intend to apply it would be wise to do it soon. 

Lots of you still need to complete the Education section of the UCAS application;

  • add your GCSE (August 2023) and AS results (August 2024) 

  • Then add the three A Levels you are studying, puttingAugust 2025 as the date and ‘pending’ as the grade

  • Add Advanced Skills Challenge with the date August 2025 and again put pending as the grade. 

  • You should be sending your Personal statement to your LC now and looking carefully at your potential choices. Any problems let me know. Even if you do not think you’ll be going to university, please complete this as it’s always an option for you then.

  • Have a look at the virtual work experiences UCAS has on offer 

  • It might also be worth checking out these sites which have resources to support you in  making better university decisions:

 

Bursaries/Scholarships

Tynybedw Law Bursary - King's College London Law School is offering The Tynybedw Law Bursary to a selected Welsh student who begins an undergraduate Law degree at King's College London in September 2025. Applications for this bursary are open now to learners in Wales who are in Year 13 and are currently making applications to study Law at university. The cash bursary is worth £8,000 in the first and second years of the recipient's degree, and £9,000 in their final year.

The ‘Blackbullion’ App tries to ensure students have the best experience when searching and applying to scholarships. If you want scholarship updates for now, you can sign up to their Scholarships Newsletter. There are no costs associated with ANY aspect of the process - it's all completely free https://www.blackbullion.com/register 

Those of you applying to Russell Group universities may be eligible for a bursary if you check as well as Swansea having some academic excellence bursaries available. I’ve included some of the universities here that I know people have applied to in the past. It’s always worth checking/applying - the worst that can happen is that you don’t get anything - doesn’t hurt to try! There are lots available which are focused on household income, STEM (women especially) and engineering. See me if you need any help applying for these. 

 

 

Upcoming Opportunities/Events

Clybiau Plant Cymru Kids Clubs' have a fully funded Level 2 Award in Playwork available to offer students over the age of 16. This is a great  introductory course to Playwork, with a good mixture of both practical and theory-based information. There are no qualification entry requirements as long as  you are over the age of 16. This course is especially beneficial if you want to work in a  Holiday club as it will qualify you at Level 2 which means you can get paid to work in such clubs over the summer. If you work in any other Playwork  setting  you will need to progress to the Level 2 Certificate to be counted as a  qualified member of the team.

 This course will have extensive opportunities for you; not only will you be gaining a qualification but it allows you to work over the summer, add experience  to your UCAS application, especially those hoping to work in Healthcare or teaching. 

See the flyer attached for how to apply. 

Penarth Library wants to consult with students; they want to hear everyone's thoughts as they are looking to improve access to their local history collection and modernise their study and community spaces.

They would appreciate students leaving in and around Penarth taking 5 or 10 minutes to complete the form below to try and ensure they capture your thoughts. Penarth Library Survey

UEA offer a comprehensive programme of online taster lectures, open to all

Taster days are a great way to see if you like a subject and it can help with your personal statement. Register here

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

Please sign up for Uptree here and then check out all the opportunities they have: https://schools.uptree.co/opportunities/  

Speakers for Schools has a range of work experience opportunities, just be aware some are aimed at students in England - especially the Healthcare ones which relate to NHS England. Use the link here to see whether there’s anything relevant to you. 

Gresham College has a series of lectures by different Professors; November’s lectures include: 

 

Universities

Bangor University has information about their Bangor University Entrance Scholarships for 2025 entry, worth up to £3,000.

 

The application form and examples of past papers can be downloaded from their website. The closing date for application forms is Friday, 31st January 2025 and the Scholarship examination will be held on Wednesday, 12th February 2025.

Funding is also available through many of the Coleg Cymraeg scholarships if students study part of their courses in Welsh. All the relevant information can be found on their website www.colegcymraeg.ac.uk/scholarships.

King's College, London

Tynybedw Law Bursary - King's College London Law School is offering The Tynybedw Law Bursary to a selected Welsh student who begins an undergraduate Law degree at King's College London in September 2025. Applications for this bursary are open now to learners in Wales who are in Year 13 and are currently making applications to study Law at university. The cash bursary is worth £8,000 in the first and second years of the recipient's degree, and £9,000 in their final year.

USW has Open Days coming up. Book here. 

They also have other opportunities such as Guaranteed Mock Interviews for Nursing and Midwifery:

  • Students who apply to study a Nursing or Midwifery course at the University of South Wales AND receive an invite to interview, will be guaranteed a mock interview with the Schools and Colleges Team. Students will receive an email with a link to book their mock interview online. These are conducted via Microsoft Teams and last no longer than 30 minutes, allowing students the flexibility to participate from a comfortable environment of their choice

  • They also have a guide to applying to healthcare courses: Application Advice - University of South Wales

Newcastle University

Could you get a lower offer from them? Applications are now open for their supported entry routes:

PARTNERS: for Year 13 students

 

 PARTNERS has helped over 9,000 students study with Newcastle. If you are eligible to join the programme you could receive a conditional offer that’s typically up to three grades lower than normal entry requirements. You’ll also take part in an Academic Summer School to prepare you for university study and be supported throughout your journey to Newcastle.

Find out more and apply here. 

Bath University 

 

Apply with Bath 2024  - Applications Open

 

Apply with Bath is a free, flexible online programme for Year 13 students who are thinking of applying to Bath. Apply with Bath provides support with applying to university and includes the opportunity to hear from current Bath students as well as help with your UCAS application, including 1:1 personal statement support sessions. It will provide you with a wealth of resources and support on relevant topics such as personal statements, accommodation, student finance and student life. The flexible nature of this programme means you can choose the parts which are most useful. 

Who is eligible?

Apply with Bath is aimed at academically-able Year 13 students who meet their Widening Participation criteria and are planning to apply to study at the University of Bath from 2025.

To be considered for a place you will need to:

  • have obtained at least six GCSEs at grades A* to B, and at least a grade C in GCSE English and Mathematics

  • be on track to achieve the required entry grades to study your chosen subject at Bath

  • meet one or more of their widening participation criteria

 Find out more and apply here

UCL

UCL Study Prep (Access now) 

UCL Study Prep helps students in Year 13 to prepare for university. This course is free and open to all students in Year 13, regardless of where you go to school or college or which universities you have applied to study at. 

Swansea University 

They have a Spotlight on Egyptology and Ancient History session

‘From Ancient Coffins to Egyptian Oddities’ - it’s there 

At their Open Days, their Egyptology and Ancient History team of Classicists, offer a dedicated handling session after each subject talk, and will introduce you to a variety of ancient, historical specimens sourced from the Egypt Centre.

It's a great way for students to learn about the degree programme, whilst gaining a quick and engaging introduction to ancient Egyptian history, society and culture.

Bristol UWE also has upcoming Open Days. Book here. 

 

Apprenticeships/Degree Apprenticeships

 

Those of you interested in apprenticeship, could sign up for the Apprenticeship Vacancies newsletter designed to make it easier for students to find out about relevant apprenticeship opportunities. Sign up to this new free mailing list and they’ll keep you updated with a variety of roles from a wide range of brilliant apprenticeship employers.Sign up here

HIGHER APPRENTICESHIPS

Audit

Programme: BrightStart Higher Apprenticeship / Location: Cardiff / Start Date: September-2025

 

Quality Risk & Security Services Brightstart

Programme: BrightStart Higher Apprenticeship / Location: Cardiff / Start Date: September-2025

 

Tax Consulting

Programme: BrightStart Higher Apprenticeship / Location: Cardiff / Start Date: September-2025

BAE SYSTEMS - GLASCOED - APPRENTICESHIPS 2025 NOW OPEN – closing date currently 28th Feb – Early application is advisable as may close early.

BAE SYSTEMS, GLASCOED – APPRENTICESHIPS

Advanced Apprentice Electrical Maintenance Technician 

Advanced Apprentice Business Administration

Advanced Apprentice Quality Technician

Advanced Apprentice Non-Destructive Examination

Advanced Apprentice Safety, Health and Environment

Advanced Apprentice Civil Engineering Technical

Advanced Apprentice Mechanical Maintenance Technician

Higher Apprentice Finance

Higher Apprentice Procurement and Supply

Higher Apprentice Project Management and Control

Degree Apprentice Design Engineering

Degree Apprentice Ordnance Munitions and Explosives Engineering

 

APPRENTICE AND CARDIFF - BBC Jobs – CLOSING DATE this Thursday 28TH NOVEMBER 2024

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Apprenticeships with EDF, 26th November 2024, 4PM

Join the Early Careers team at EDF to learn more about their apprenticeship opportunities and the range of vacancies available, which open for applications in December 2024.

Offering apprenticeships across the organisation, ranging from Nuclear Engineer to Project Management, Cyber Security to Environmental Ranger, Solicitor to Wind Turbine Technician and more, EDF's early careers programmes offer the opportunity to develop an exciting green career whilst helping to create a more sustainable energy future. 

EDF are inviting students and parents/carers to hear more about the exciting career opportunities available. register here

Army Apprenticeships Opportunities: Check them out  now.

For anyone interested in apprenticeships with the British Army, they have a lot of information about upcoming opportunities or general advice on their website. Have a look, using the link  here. 

They’ve also created a ‘British Army Apprenticeships – Understanding job roles’ quiz

This new, interactive quiz helps students to explore different British Army apprenticeships and what is involved in the day-to-day job, as well as how the skills and qualifications gained through the apprenticeships can be applied to tackle real-life challenges.

 

Information from Careers Wales:

https://careerswales.gov.wales/apprenticeships/employers-who-offer-apprenticeships 

 

GE Aerospace has a number of apprenticeship opportunities.

 

 

These all have the start date of September 2025 and the closing date for all apprenticeship applications is currently the end of November. 

Network 75 is a combined work placement and part-time study route to a degree allowing students to Work, Earn and Learn. Read more about it here. 

 

Support

For those of you feeling anxious about the return to school, as always, we are always available to help. If you feel you need more support here are some useful links:

There are also some useful techniques here for those experiencing feelings of anxiety:

 

 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

St Cyres School, Sully Road, Penarth, Vale of Glamorgan, CF64 2XP

02920 708708

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