Staff with specific responsibilities for Careers and UCAS Advice

Cath Brown-Head of Higher Education Applications

U5th Year

Girls have individual careers interviews, and attend a variety of careers talks. They all carry out work experience after their GCSEs. The Careers Room is open all of the time for the girls and the Head of Careers, the Head of 6th Form and Head of Higher Education Applications are very happy to see individual girls with or without their parents at any time. Girls are introduced to the ‘Pathfinder’ programme- a software package that encourages girls to think about possible career paths. Girls are also given guidance on choice of AS subjects to ensure they are suitable for their university and career plans.

L6th Year

Click here to read the Russell University pamphlet- Informed Choices 

Girls are kept informed of events related to university entrance, such as open days and pre-university courses. They are encouraged to attend a variety of open days during weekends and holidays, and may attend up to two during school time.

In the course of the spring and summer terms information about work experience placements, group year placements, university scholarships and internships are disseminated to the girls. They should find time to talk to Mrs Burnett about these opportunities.

Girls are encouraged to consult university prospectuses and websites, and to make full use of the material available in the careers room. There is a wealth of information including selection criteria. Girls need to be aware universities are constantly updating information on their websites.  Girls are given the opportunity to consult experienced members of staff to discuss their aspirations and university choices.

All of our girls follow a course in Critical Thinking course which is excellent preparation for some of the non subject specific university admissions tests.

Immediately after the AS examinations, a series of General Studies lessons is devoted to university applications. These include sessions on interviews, choice of university and personal statements, in addition to specific sessions covering Oxbridge applications, and sessions on individual courses. A range of visiting speakers will be involved. All girls intending to put in an application will register on the UCAS Apply website at this stage.

Girls are asked during this period to indicate their current ideas on course choice, and each girl is then assigned to an individual member of staff who will provide guidance on her personal statement. All girls are expected to complete a first draft of their personal statement, and show it to their assigned member of staff before the end of term.

Towards the end of June, a “UCAS Evening” for the parents of L6 girls is held, to provide information about the process and give the opportunity for parents to ask any questions and discuss matters further.

Girls are expected to continue working on their application during the summer holiday – they continue drafting their personal statement, research their chosen courses further, carry out additional work experience, and make further university visits.

Girls applying for “Early Deadline” courses will see their assigned member of staff to finalise their personal statement in the first few days of term; other girls are expected to do this in the first few weeks. They are given further opportunities to seek advice on their university and course choices. 

Once girls have completed their UCAS form, their form teacher will check it with them before it is finalised. Girls will be read the school’s reference before the form is sent off.

During the first term, additional sessions will be arranged by many departments to support girls making applications to specific subject areas or taking specific entrance examinations (e.g. BMAT, TSA). All girls who are likely to be interviewed as part of the application process will have the opportunity to have one or more mock interviews with experienced staff, after which they are given detailed feedback.

When A-level results are received, careers staff are available to support and advise girls who may have not made their offers. Girls who wish to reapply during their post A-level year have the opportunity to do so through school, and advice and guidance are available as before.