1. 1 Strathearn School Belfast L6 Information Evening 2015

2. 22 PROGRAMME FOR THE EVENING Introduction Mr Manning Pastoral Mrs McCracken (Head of 6 th Form) CurriculumMrs Quinn (VP) Careers Mrs Hearst (Careers Adviser) Conclusion Mr Manning

3. 33 AIMS OF L6 INFORMATION EVENING  To give parents an understanding of the 6th form experience  To help parents offer practical support to their daughters  To strengthen the home school partnership

4. 44

5. 55 The differences Forms 4 & 5Form 6 9 GCSEs All timetabled Directed study Homework 4 / 3 AS Levels & 3 A2 Careers & IT classes 75% timetabled Independent Study –Supervised Study –Homework Privileges –Common room –Lunch time

6. 66 Pastoral Mrs McCracken

7. 77 Support for Girls:  Form tutor  Head of Sixth Form:  supportive role  pastoral and academic  Learning support – Mrs Atkinson  Personal study support – Ms Stevenson  Careers staff  Vice Principal (Pastoral)

8. 88 BEING IN SIXTH FORM Privileges and opportunities:  Volunteering opportunities  ‘Study’ periods  Lunchtime flexibility  Leadership opportunities  Relationship with teachers  Common room

9. 99 Responsibilities  Attendance and punctuality (monitored and reported)  Use of personal study time in school (crucial for success!)  Management of deadlines  Role models for younger girls  The Sixth Form Agreement  Positive Behaviour Policy  The Common Room

10. 10 HOW TO SUCCEED  Good attendance and punctuality  Personal discipline and good organisation  Proactive approach  Watch for early warning signs

11. 11 EARLY WARNING SIGNS  ‘Coasting’  Missed deadlines  Disappointing marks  Loss of control

12. 12 Curriculum Mrs Quinn

13. 13 AS and A Level Courses TimingName of exam Number of exams Qualification May/June of L6 (2016) AS (1 st half of full A-level) 2/3 modules per subject AS Level May/June of U6 (2017) A2 (2 nd half of full A-level) 2/3 modules per subject A level

14. AS / A2 Results AS Examination – June 2016 Module 1 Score = 89 (a) Module 2 Score = 79 (b) TOTAL – 89 + 79 = 168 Overall AS Grade = A (August 2016) A2 Examination – June 2017 AS Score = 168 (A) Module 3 Score = 85 (a) Module 4 Score = 72 (b) TOTAL - 168 +85 +72= 325 Overall A2 Grade – A (August 2017) 14

15. Grade Boundaries AS /A2 4 Unit Specification Maximum Mark possible AS = 200 marks Maximum Mark possible A2 = 200 marks Maximum Overall A Level score = 400 marks 15 ASA2 A*n/a320 overall (total of 180 across the A2 units) A160320 B140280 C120240 D100200 E80160

16. Grade Boundaries AS /A2 6 Unit Specification (Mathematics) Maximum Mark possible AS = 300 marks Maximum Mark possible A2 = 300 marks Maximum Overall A Level score = 600 marks 16 ASA2 A*n/a480 overall (total of 180 across the A2 units) A240480 B210420 C180360 D150300 E120240

17. 17 Coursework Guides For pupilsFor parents 17 Authenticating coursework www.ccea.org.uk Coursework - A guide for parents www.jcq.org.uk

18. 18 www.ccea.og.uk

19. 19 Results AS and A2 Thursday 16 August 2016

20. 20 Useful Curriculum Contacts www.ccea.org.uk www.jcq.org.uk

21. 21 SIXTH FORM CAREERS PROGRAMME 2015-16 MRS HEARST Careers Adviser

22. 22 CAREERS CLASSES IN 6 TH FORM  1 period per week over almost 4 terms ▪ Careers teacher allocated to each Form Class

23. 23 PREPARATION FOR WORLD OF WORK  Job advertisements  CV preparation  Completing an application form  Introduction to interview skills  Appropriate behaviour in the workplace  Work experience (11-15 Jan 2015) (including debriefing & evaluation)

24. 24 OPTIONS AT 18+  Further education  Direct employment  Gap year  Higher education

25. 25 U6 LEAVERS’ DESTINATIONS 2015 102 girls, of which  85 girlsHigher Education  1 girlOxbridge  43 girlsRussell Group universities  42 girlsOther universities  29 girlsNI universities  21 Girls Scottish universities  34 girlsEnglish universities  1 girlEuropean University

26. 26 HIGHER EDUCATION PREPARATION  Guest Speakers  Talks and courses by professional organisations  Databases on school computers

27. 27 CHOOSING UNIVERSITIES Pupils are encouraged to make use of: Open Days visits to local universities Visits to other Open/Information days (attendance on an individual basis) H E Convention (March 2015)  Prospectuses,  DVDs, CD Roms  Websites especially www.ucas.com www.russellgroup.ac.uk  Careers Library  University speakers

28. 28 AIMS FOR SEPT 2015 - AUG 2016 DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS Pupils should:  Discuss options with parents.  Visit universities where courses of interest to them offered BY THE END OF L6 Each pupil should have:  A list of 6 – 10 possible courses  A Personal Statement (first draft)

29. 29 U6 TIMETABLE  UCAS U6 Information Evening  Individual interview with careers teacher – list of choices finalised  QUB Open Day (early Sept)  MCB Options XXII Careers Convention (early Sept)  Strathearn deadline for early applicants (16 Sept) [Oxbridge, medicine, dentistry, vet sci / med]  Strathearn deadline for other UCAS applicants (15 Oct)  UCAS deadline: early applicants (10 Oct)  Girls confirm firm and insurance offers  Student finance presentation

30. 30 Checklist for choosing Universities  Does the subject material in the degree match your daughter’s strengths?  Is the degree structure and content interesting to your daughter?  Is the degree of a high quality? QAA – Quality Assurance Agency / Times Good Uni Guide / Guardian / HESA – Higher Education Statistics Agency / Complete University guide  How many hours teaching does she receive ? (Ring Uni department and ask)

31. 31 Checklist for choosing Universities cont’d  Are the academics teaching on the programme engaged in high quality teaching and research? (as previous slide)  Are the students studying the degree satisfied with the course ? Unistats  Are the students employable and in rewarding careers? See all websites already mentioned and Prospects  What financial support is available?  Home / Away / Campus / City (All websites are listed on Careers Section of Strathearn School Website)

32. 32 APPLYING TO UNIVERSITIES in Republic of Ireland through CAO [Central Applications Office] Applications dealt with separately. Have much later deadline than UCAS

33. 33 Mock Interview Evening Current U6 Monday 23 November 2015

34. 34 WORK EXPERIENCE  Initial contact (by students and parents) by mid Oct.  Existing databank to assist  Personal contacts more successful  Some exceptions – e.g. medical placements (coordinated centrally through Charter).  Formal correspondence - insurance forms etc  Help with placements? - contact Mrs Hearst

35. 35 CONCLUSION  Each girl is different  Strong peer pressure  Maintain the work-relaxation balance