YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS INFORMATION BOOKLETstmarysmagherafelt.com/downloads/Yr_13_Parent_Information_Booklet_2015.pdfYear 13 Parent Information Booklet St Mary’s Grammar School

YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS

INFORMATION BOOKLET

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................... 1

PROFILE OF APPLICATIONS .................................................................................... 2

APTITUDE TESTS ........................................................................................................ 3

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE................................................................. 4

THE OFFER SYSTEM .................................................................................................. 5

UCAS TARIFF POINTS – GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL .............................. 6

UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT ............................................................................... 7

CAO CHANGE TO A LEVEL POINTS SYSTEM ...................................................... 9

TRINITY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS: .................................................................... 11

USEFUL WEBSITES.................................................................................................. 12

THE UCAS PROCESS FOR YEAR 13 INTO YEAR 14 ........................................... 13

OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT .. 16

YEAR 13 WEEKLY CAREERS BULLETIN ............................................................. 18

Year 13 Parent Information Booklet

St Mary’s Grammar School Page 1

INTRODUCTION

Year 14 is a key time during which pupils make important decisions about their future. For many parents it is about making a major financial investment in their son/daughter’s future. It is most important that both students and parents think carefully about these decisions. Places on courses at universities in Northern Ireland continue to become more competitive every year. We continue to see entry requirements being increased and larger numbers of students are being required to sit selection tests and attend for interview. Pupils are encouraged to carefully consider their performances at AS level and class tests before making their final UCAS choices. They are encouraged to apply to courses with a range of grades. There is a wealth of choice at Third Level Education. In St. Mary’s pupils are guided in all aspects of the decision-making process. Ultimately, however, performance in A Level examinations (and in some cases, Aptitude Tests and interview) will determine the path which most of our students will follow. It is most important that pupils also engage with all the advice and guidance offered during both their careers classes and at guidance interviews where they have the opportunity to discuss their career plans in great detail. The content of this booklet will clarify some of the issues and decisions which lie ahead for our Year 14 students during the next academic year.



PROFILE OF APPLICATIONS

All students in Year 14 have the opportunity to consider making applications to the full cross section of institutions and organisations offering courses at Third Level Education.

1. UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions System) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges of higher education in the UK. Students make an application to 5 courses in this system (they do not declare an order of preference).

Deadline dates:

Phase 1 Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Science/Oxford/Cambridge 16 September 2015

Phase 2 All other applications 16 October 2015

2. St Mary’s University College, Belfast Students may also apply to courses at St Mary’s University College Belfast – this is a separate application and not part of the UCAS system. Applicants must declare a subject preference. Students may apply for a maximum of 3 BEd courses and 3 BA Liberal Arts courses. The order of subject preference is very important as this will be the preference which will determine a place in August, if successful.

Deadline date:

13 November 2015.

3. CAO (Central Applications Office) This organisation governs entry to all universities and colleges in the South of Ireland. Students select 10 courses in order of preference. Pupils are encouraged to consider a range of Universities within this system.

Deadline date:

4 Dec 2015.

4. Northern Ireland Colleges of Further and Higher Education These colleges offer a wide range of courses including Foundation Diplomas/Foundation Degrees, HNDs (Higher National Diplomas) and a small number of degree courses. The courses can offer very useful additional options for students who may be concerned about their ‘A2’ performance. Pupils can progress onto Degree Courses on successful completion of Foundation Diplomas / Foundation Degrees/ HND. (Belfast Metropolitan College has been a popular option).

5. European Universities Pupils may consider making an additional application to Universities across Europe in particular Netherlands and Germany. Students are advised to use www.studyineurope.eu and will be able to use links to all European Universities.

http://www.studyineurope.eu/



APTITUDE TESTS

Introduction Aptitude tests have become an increasing aspect of the selection process, and performance in these can determine if a pupil is invited for interview or given an offer. (Full details of each of the tests referred to below are available to collect).

1. BMAT – Biomedical Aptitude Test (£44) For those applying for Medicine / Veterinary Science at Cambridge / Oxford / UCL / Royal Veterinary College / Imperial College London/Brighton and Sussex Medical School, Leeds (Medicine & Dentistry).

Date of test is 4 November 2015 - pupils sit this written test in St Mary’s. Results out on 25 November 2015.

2. UKCAT- UK Clinical Aptitude Test (Test £65)

For those applying for Medicine/Dentistry at all universities pupils must have completed the test by 10 September to allow time to finalise selection of their universities, based on their UK CAT results. This is an online exam taken at a Pearson’s Test Centre.

3. HPAT-ULSTER (£105) For those applying to University of Ulster for degree courses in Dietetics/Occupational Therapy/Physiotherapy/Podiatry/Diagnostic Radiography & Imaging / Radiography & Oncology / Speech and Language Therapy. 7 January 2015 is the deadline for registering online for this exam. This is a 3 hour written exam which will take place at the end of January/early February 2016 at Jordanstown, Coleraine or Magee Campuses.

4. HPAT – IRELAND(€TBC) For those applying for Medicine at NUI, Galway; RCSI; TCD; UCC and UCD through the CAO system. Applicants must register on-line by 5.15pm date TBC and must have their CAO number. The exam date TBC. The test is a 2½ hour paper based on problem solving and non verbal reasoning (similar to HPAT- ULSTER). Test centres will be located in Cork, Dublin, Galway, the North-West and the South-East - details are to be confirmed (see www.hpat-ireland.acer.edu.au).

5. LNAT (£50)

For those applying to Law at a number of Universities including Oxford, Durham, Glasgow, Bristol, Birmingham, Kings College London, Nottingham and UCL (not QUB or UU) two deadline dates exist - for Oxford applicants it is 20 October 2015 and for all other Universities it is 19 January 2015 (TBC). Cambridge applicants must sit Cambridge’s own law exam.



HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT COURSE



THE OFFER SYSTEM

Universities take into account a number of factors when considering which students to make an offer to. These can include all or some of the following depending on the course:

1) GCSE profile of results. 2) AS performance. 3) The quality / content of the Personal Statement. 4) The school reference which will include predicted ‘A2’ grades. 5) Selection / aptitude test results. 6) Essays 7) Interview / presentation.

Offers will be issued to pupils anytime between November and May.

The offer received can be based on ‘A’ Level grades or UCAS points [UCAS tariff information is included].

It would be hoped that the pupils would receive offers for all FIVE of their courses but with competition for places increasing this may not always be the case particularly in highly competitive courses i.e. Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary Science/ Sports & Exercise Science/ Midwifery / Nursing / Allied Health Professions / Education / Social Work.

Students can hold all offers until early May when they select the TWO courses which they wish to keep, these are referred to as their FIRM and INSURANCE choices.

On obtaining their ‘A2’ results in August if they match or exceed the grades for their FIRM choice they will automatically be placed there. If they miss these grades but obtain grades for their INSURANCE they will be placed there.

Students who are unsuccessful in gaining a place on either their FIRM or INSURANCE courses will be eligible to enter the “Clearing System”.

Students who do better than expected are eligible to enter “Adjustment” where they may negotiate with Universities to be considered alternative courses with there higher grades (This is very rarely successful).



UCAS TARIFF POINTS – GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL UCAS TARIFF POINTS: GCE AND APPLIED GCE A LEVEL

GCE A2 GCE AS

A* 140

A 120

B 100

C 80

D A 60

B 50

E C 40

D 30

E 20

KEY SKILLS

Grade Tariff points

Level 3 20

MUSIC EXAMINATIONS Points shown are for the ABRSM, Guildhall, LCMM, Rockschool and Trinity College London advanced level music examinations.

SPEECH & DRAMA EXAMINATIONS*

Tariff points

PCertLAM** Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6

Distinction 90

Merit 80

Distinction 65

Pass Merit 60

Distinction 55

Merit 50

Pass 45

Distinction 40

Pass Merit 35

Pass 20 *Points shown are for LAMDA, LCMM and Trinity Guildhall advanced level speech and drama examinations accredited by the National Qualifications Framework. **Points for the LAMDA Level 3 Certificate in Speech and Drama: Performance Studies (PCertLAM) come into effect for entry to higher education from 2009.

Practical Theory Tariff points

Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6 Grade 8 Grade 7 Grade 6

Distinction 75

Merit 70

Distinction 60

Pass Merit 55

Distinction 45

Pass Merit 40

Distinction 30

Pass Merit 25

Pass Distinction 20

Merit Distinction 15

Pass Merit 10

Pass 5



UCAS PERSONAL STATEMENT

START EARLY!!!

Personal statements are so important; make sure your son or daughter includes:

academic achievements, past and present

interests in the chosen subject area

knowledge of the subject and enthusiasm to go beyond the syllabus

what they enjoy about studying

details of their independent study skills. The questions Universities and Colleges will ask:

Have they chosen the right subject for the right reasons?

Do they have a range of interests?

Does the personal statement confirm their interest in the subject?

Have they studied independently?

Are they motivated and committed?

Do they process good numeracy and literacy skills?





CAO CHANGE TO A LEVEL POINTS SYSTEM

The seven universities in the Republic are set to introduce new admissions procedures that

will make it easier for school-leavers from Northern Ireland to gain entry.

Under the plan, which will apply to college applicants from September 2016, the Central

Applications Office (CAO) points awarded for an A* grade in the A-Level exams will rise

from 150 to 180.

The points for an A will go up from 135 to 150, while other A-Level grades will be adjusted

by five-10 points.

The initiative is expected to boost the number of students coming to the Republic from

England, where universities fees are capped at £9,000, but it is due to have a bigger

impact on school-leavers in the North, who tend to take just three A-Levels at secondary

school rather than four.

Only about 15 per cent of the North’s school leavers sit four A-level subjects, which was

identified by the Irish Universities Association (IUA) as a barrier to travelling south.

Under the current marking system, three A* grades would yield 450 points – well below the

500-points marker required for prestigious university courses in law, business or science.

Pilot projects

Under the new system, three A* grades will yield 540 points, and up to 60 further points

could be added to this if the student takes a fourth A-Level. Five of the seven universities

have approved the plan, The Irish Times has learned, and the remaining two are expected

to ratify it at separate meetings this week.

The move follows pilot projects introduced over the past 18 months by Trinity College

Dublin, DCU and NUI Galway, where several hundred places were reserved for students

from Northern Ireland who had taken just three A-Levels.

CAO applicants

These initiatives led to a 27 per cent jump in the number of students from Northern Ireland

applying to colleges in the Republic in this year’s CAO.

However, the 1,383 Northern applicants for 2015 still represents less than 2 per cent of

CAO applicants.

The new points system was designed by a task group for the IUA.

For the first three A-Levels, the points equivalent for an A* grade rises from 150 to 180; A

from 135 to 150; B from 120 to 130; C stays at 100; D drops from 75 to 65 and E rises from

40 to 45. If a fourth A-Level is taken it will be marked on a lower scale of 15-60 points,

while an AS (or partial A-Level) will be marked on a scale of 10-30 points.

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Irish%20Universities%20Association&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Trinity%20College%20Dublin&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=Trinity%20College%20Dublin&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=DCU&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=NUI%20Galway&article=true

http://www.irishtimes.com/search/search-7.1213540?tag_organisation=CAO&article=true



The task force said the current points model means “those A-Level applicants who are not

sitting four A-Levels cannot realistically compete” for prestigious courses in the Republic.

As a result Irish universities were turning away students who would “regularly be offered

places in the most competitive UK universities and courses”.

The North’s two universities, Queen’s and Ulster University, charge lower fees for Northern

students than their British counterparts: the cap is set at £3,805 for 2015-2016.

Current model for converting A-Level grades to

Leaving Cert CAO points

Grade A-Level AS (Partial A-Level)

A 135 65

A* 150 null

B 120 60

C 100 50

D 75 35

E 40 20

Planned new model

Grade A-Levels 1st-3rd 4th A-Level AS

A 150 50 30

A* 180 60 null

B 130 45 25

C 100 35 20

D 65 20 15

E 45 15 10

2015 THE IRISH TIMES Mon, Mar 30, 2015, 09:03

http://www.irishtimes.com/news/education/northern-ireland-students-set-to-benefit-from-revised-cao-points-system-1.2157917



TRINITY COLLEGE APPLICATIONS: GCSE/Advanced GCE (A-Level)

TO BE CONSIDERED FOR ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY YOU MUST:

PRESENT SIX SUBJECTS AT GRADE C OR ABOVE ON GCSE OR ADVANCED

SUBSIDIARY GCE (AS) PAPERS. TWO OF THESE SUBJECTS MUST BE GRADE C OR

ABOVE ON ADVANCED GCE (A-LEVEL) PAPERS.

THE SIX SUBJECTS ABOVE MUST INCLUDE:

A PASS IN ENGLISH

AND

A PASS IN MATHEMATICS AND A PASS IN A LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH

OR

A PASS IN LATIN AND A PASS IN A SUBJECT OTHER THAN A LANGUAGE.

ADVANCED GCE (A-LEVEL) SCORING SYSTEM FOR EXAMS TAKEN FROM 2010 TO

2014

AS A2

A* - 150

A 65 135

B 60 120

C 50 100

D 35 75

E 20 40

DCU SCHOLARSHIPS

THE MCALEESE SCHOLARSHIPS WILL MAKE STUDY AT DCU MORE ACCESSIBLE FOR

NORTHERN IRELAND STUDENTS. FOR ENTRY 2015, THERE WILL BE UP TO FORTY

SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE TO DCU APPLICANTS WITH A PERMANENT HOME

ADDRESS IN NORTHERN IRELAND.

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE DCU MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND SPECIFIC

PROGRAMME ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AS OUTLINED ON THE DCU WEBSITE,

HTTP://WWW4.DCU.IE/REGISTRY/ENTRY.SHTMI. THE SCHOLARSHIPS ARE BASED

ON PRESENTATION OF THREE A-LEVELS, WITH A MINIMUM REQUIREMENT OF 2 ‘A’

AND 1 ‘B’ GRADES. THE REQUIRED PERSONAL STATEMENT WILL BE USED IN THE

EVENT OF TIES ON POINT SCORING.

TO BE ELIGIBLE, APPLICANTS MUST HAVE APPLIED THROUGH THE CENTRAL

APPLICATIONS OFFICE. IN ADDITION, STUDENTS MUST SUBMIT MCALEESE

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR NORTHERN IRELAND STUDENTS – APPLICATION FORM,

DIRECTLY TO DCU BY 5PM ON 30 MAY 2015.

http://www4.dcu.ie/registry/entry.shtmi



USEFUL WEBSITES

www.ucas.com University & Colleges Admissions System

www. smucb.ac.uk St.Mary’s College Belfast

www.qub.ac.uk Queens University Belfast

www.ulster.ac.uk University of Ulster

www.cao.ie Central Applications Office

www.ucd.ie University College Dublin

www.tcd.ie Trinity College Dublin

www.bmet.ac.uk Belfast Metropolitan College

www.cafre.ac.uk CAFRE

www.nrc.ac.uk Northern Regional College

www.nwrc.ac.uk North West Regional College

www.nidirect.gov.uk Job Based information - NI

www.prospects.ac.uk Career Information

www.studentfinanceni.co.uk Student finance

www.astarfuture.co.uk Study abroad

www.hpatulster.ac.uk Health Professional Aptitude Test

(Therapies at UU)

www.ukcat.ac.uk UK Clinical Test ( Medicine)

www.bmat.ac.uk Biomedical Aptitude Test ( Some Medical

Schools)

www.Inat.ac.uk LNAT (entrance exam for come UK based

Law Schools

http://www.bmat.ac.uk/



THE UCAS PROCESS FOR YEAR 13 INTO YEAR 14 The purpose of this timeline is to help you and your son / daughter manage key deadlines.

All year 13 pupils have one timetabled careers class only once every two weeks resulting in limited pupil contact time

*DEADLINE: MONDAY

DESCRIPTION OF WORK TO BE COMPLETED AND SUBMITTED

TO TEACHER

09:02:15 Work Experience (12 & 13 February)

FEB 23:02:15 Work Experience Debrief Individual career guidance interviews ongoing Workshop on Personal Statement Preparation Assembly Hall

MA

R

02:03:15 UCAS FORM: Introduction Stage 2 of Work experience process begins (June Placements)

09:03:15 UCAS FORM: personal statement preparation

16:03:15 UCAS FORM: personal statement preparation

23:03:15 All official Work experience school paperwork regarding confirmed placements completed UCAS Form – Preliminary Draft completed

AP

R

30:03:15 Ongoing work on UCAS form

06:04:15 Ongoing work on UCAS form

13:04:15 Amend draft 1 personal statement/ongoing work on UCAS form

20:04:15 EASTER HOLIDAYS

MAY 27:04:15 Draft One Personal Statement due (Phase 1 & 2)

04:05:15 AS PRACTICALS AND ORALS BEGIN Working on personal statement

11:05:15 AS Exams

18:05:15

25:05:15

JUNE 01:06:15 Phase 1 (Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Oxford, Cambridge) applicants UCAS draft form emailed to CDO – Draft 2

08:06:15 Y13 Careers Event – Focusing on Higher Education (18 JUNE)

15:06:15 Phase 1 applicants – UCAS workshop – Filling in the application form- 11:30 Friday 25 June

22:06:15

29:06:15 Phase 2 applicants UCAS draft form emailed to CDO

10:08:15 A LEVEL RESULTS OUT THURSDAY 13 AUGUST

AU

G

24:08:15 UKCAT (KAPLAN) TRAINING (available in Belfast) Phase 2 – 28 & 29 - Official registration with UCAS and begin filling in the ‘live’ UCAS form (Parts 1-5 of the form)



31:08:15

YEAR 14 OFFICIALLY BEGINS

SEPT 01:09:15 Amend personal statement SCHOOL FORMAL

7:09:15 UKCAT exams completed University of Ulster Open Day (10 Sept – ALL YEAR14 STUDENTS) Queen’s University Open Day (11 Sept – ALL YEAR 14 STUDENTS)

14:09:15 Phase 1 UCAS forms submitted – 16 September Phase 2 personal statement final check and redrafting

21:09:15 Phase 2 finalise 5 courses – check entry requirements

28:09:15 Final course check; interview with Senior teacher writing reference

OCT 05:10:15 Final check on Personal Statements (to Careers teacher)

12:10:15 Phase 2 UCAS forms submitted : Print off and check completed UCAS form (to Careers teacher)

19:10:15 YEAR 14 Parent Teacher Meeting (TBC) Applications for Queen’s Scholar Nomination Deadline for LNAT registration (Oxford)

NOV

26:10:15 BMAT exam – final preparation MID-TERM

02:11:15 St Mary’s University Applications – Direct Entry

09:11:15

Final submission to St Mary’s University College; MMI Interview workshop (TBC) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews begin

16:11:15

Cambridge/Oxford Interview Preparation; Applications completed for Talented Athletes Scholarship English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing)

23:11:15

Medicine/Dentistry/ Vet Science – Individual Interview Preparation English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental /Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) Mock Interview Evening (COMPULSORY FOR ALL YEAR 14 (DATE TBC)

DEC

30:11:15

Ongoing Interview Preparation; CAO Applications due; English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) QUB Medical/Dental interviews begin (Dec-Feb)

07:12:15

LNAT Workshop (TBC) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) QUB Medical /Dental Interviews (ongoing)

14:12:15

Art Foundation Applications to FE & HE Colleges (Ballymena, Limavady, Belfast Met) QUB Medical/Dental Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing)

JAN

04:01:16

Deadline for HPAT Ulster registration (7 January) QUB Medical/Dental Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing)



11:01: 16

Stranmillis interviews begin English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) Closing date for HPAT –Ireland registration Deadline for LNAT registration

18:01: 16

HPAT Training Workshops (Ulster) Stranmillis interviews (ongoing) QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) LNAT exam – complete by 20 January

25:01: 16

HPAT TEST ULSTER HPAT Ireland training QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing)

FEB

01:02: 16

Ongoing interviews (CHECK UCAS TRACK FOR INTERVIEWS) QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing)

08:02: 16

Dealing with university offers/rejection QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment

15:02: 16

UCAS Extra opens QUB Medical Interviews (ongoing) English/Welsh/Scottish Medical/Dental/Veterinary School Interviews (ongoing) St Mary’s University College Interviews & Writing Assessment MID-TERM

22:02: 15

Completion of all Student finance forms; HPAT Ireland Exam Social Work - Additional essay Creative Writing – Additional Essay

MAR

29:02: 16 NEELB staff will be in to collect completed finance forms;

07:03: 16 Investigate sponsorship opportunities

14:03: 16 Social Work Interviews Nursing Interviews (QUB) begin HPAT Ulster results

21:03: 16 Research apprenticeship pathways (where appropriate) Social Work Interviews Nursing Interviews (QUB)

APR

28:03:16 Final UCAS decision made – choose firm and insurance courses. Reject other 3 courses

04:04:16 University of Ulster – Art Degrees – Portfolio Interviews

11:04: 16

18:04: 16 Final DEADLINE for responding to UCAS (End of April)

25:04:16

A2 RESULTS OUT 18 AUGUST (TBC)



OVERVIEW OF ACTIVITIES PROVIDED IN THE CAREERS DEPARTMENT 2014-15

Month Details of Activities and Achievements 2014-15

September 2014

University Open Days (11 & 12 SEPT) Y14 QUB Student Recruitment Talk Y14 (22 Sept)

Careers Workshops: Struggling with Personal Statements (25 Sept)

October 2014

Careers Workshops: Opportunities with PwC (2 Oct) Phase 1 2015 Support Workshop (3 Oct)

Allied Health Therapies HPAT Workshop 1 (9 Oct) Law at Queen’s Workshop (15 Oct)

School of Business (UU) Presentation (16 Oct) Interview Preparation Workshop 1 (23 Oct)

November 2014

Phase One Mock Interviews (5 Nov) Interview Skills Workshop 2 (5 Nov)

St Mary’s University College Workshop 1 (6 Nov) Phase 1 2016 Applicants Workshop 1 (14 Nov)

St Mary’s University College Workshop 2 (17 Nov) Talented Athlete Scholarship Workshop (20 Nov)

Nursing Workshop (25 Nov) Trinity University Presentation (Nov 26)

QUB Software & Electronic & Electrical Engineering Presentation (Nov 27) UU Communications Presentation (Nov 28)

December 2014

Struggling with Work Experience Workshop (1 Dec) Bring IT On for Girls Event (3 Dec) Physiotherapy Workshop (4 Dec)

CAO Applications (9 Dec) Y14 Mock Interview Evening (10 Dec)

Teaching Interview Practice Workshop (11 Dec) UU HPAT Workshop 2 (12 Dec)

Letterkenny Institute of Technology Presentation (16 Dec)

January 2015

Deloitte Bright Start Presentation (9 Jan) Opportunities with Randox (13 Jan)

HPAT Ulster Preparation Workshop 3 (14 Jan) DCU Presentation (Jan 28)

February 2015

Opportunities with Total Mobile Presentation (6 Feb) Belfast Metropolitan College Presentation (9 Feb)

Northumbria & Newcastle University Presentation (10 Feb) Y13 Work Experience (12 & 13 Feb)

Scottish University Tour (23 Feb) MLP Nursing Seminar (25 Feb)

Y13 Personal Statement Workshop (LJM 26 Feb)

March 2015

QUB English Presentation (2 Mar) Aberdeen University Presentation (3 Mar)

Opportunities with Football Coaching (4 Mar) Kilronan Science Fair (6 Mar)

Deloitte Bright Start Application Workshop (10 Mar) NUI Galway Presentation (11 Mar)

Liverpool Hope University Presentation (12 Mar) UU Environmental Health Presentation (13 Mar)

SLT Information Morning (23 Mar)



CAFRE Presentation (23 Mar) Theology at QUB (24 Mar)

Cambridge University Presentation (25 Mar) QUB Y14 Clarification Session (25 Mar)

Phase 1 2016 Workshop 2 (26 Mar)

April 2015

NEELB Student Finance Workshop (15 Apr) NRC Presentation (22 Apr)

Phase 1 2016 Workshop 3 (23 Apr) Cambridge Application Workshop 2 (27 Apr)

Volunteering Opportunities (28 Apr)

May 2015

Special Needs Summer Scheme Presentation (5 May)

June 2015

Specialist Joinery Careers Morning (4 Jun) Y13 Parents’ Higher Education Information Event (18 Jun)

July 2015

August 2015

Post result Support & Guidance (13-24 Aug) Y14 UCAS Registration (27 & 28 Aug)

In St. Mary’s, Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) is an

important element of our provision. We provide pupils with access to high quality careers

education, information, advice and guidance to enable them to make informed, considered

and realistic decisions about their education, training and employment options.

All Y13 & 14 receive a weekly Careers Bulletin to their school email account outlining the

Careers events and deadlines for the week. The bulletin is also sent to the Form Tutors,

Head of Year and Progress Manager. It is also available in the Y13/14 Shared Careers

Resources on the school VLE (Studywiz). In Term 3 the Careers Department also piloted a

Careers Dept. Twitter account with the hope that all students would follow the Twitter feed

in order to access key information throughout the year.

Additional guidance and support materials for a variety of Higher Education and Further

Education courses are available through the Shared Careers folder on Studywiz which

pupils can access both in school and at home.



YEAR 13 WEEKLY CAREERS BULLETIN Below is a copy of the weekly Careers Bulletin which is updated each week and emailed to students.

REMINDER: GUIDANCE INTERVIEWS CONTINUING

WEEKLY OVERVIEW

Monday 23 CAFRE Talk Lunchtime K1

Tuesday 24 Theology Talk QUB Lunchtime K1

Wednesday 25 Deadline for those hoping to apply to Cambridge Summer School – Word

document due at 3:40pm

Thursday 26 PHASE 1 APPLICANTS – PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHOP –

Lunchtime K1 ESSENTIAL!!!!!!

Friday 27 UU – Environmental Health & Science – Lunchtime K1

NEXT WEEK

KEEP CHECKING YOUR C2K EMAIL – THERE IS ALWAYS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT

APPRENTICESHIPS ETC COMING IN VIA EMAIL. KEEP YOUR INBOX OPEN!!!! IF YOU FEEL THAT YOU WANT TO DISCUSS YOUR OPTIONS, EITHER EMAIL OR CALL TO K1 TO MAKE AN

APPOINTMENT. I WILL DO MY BEST TO MEET WITH YOU. NOTICES:

1. YOU SHOULD BE RESEARCHING YOUR COURSES THOROUGHLY. 2. WE WILL BE STARTING PERSONAL STATEMENT DRAFT ONE NEXT WEEK. PLEASE ENSURE THAT

YOU WATCH THE VIDEO ABOUT HOW TO WRITE A STRONG PERSONAL STATEMENT IN THE UCAS

PROCESS FOLDER ON STUDYWIZ 3. THE GUIDANCE SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT FORTNIGHT WILL BE EMAILED LATER TODAY. A NUMBER

OF Y13 HAVE MISSED TWO INTERVIEWS. THESE STUDENTS MAY NOT BE SEEN AS TIME IS

RUNNING OUT. 4. NOT EVERYONE HAS SIGNED UP TO THEIR SHOWBIE CLASS. THIS APP CAN BE USED ON A PC.

FAILURE TO SIGN UP BEFORE EASTER WILL RESULT IN THE ERS BEING MARKED. 5. ANYONE PLANNING AN ADDITIONAL WORK EXPERIENCE PLACEMENT IN JUNE MUST MAKE SURE

THAT THEY FOLLOW THE SCHOOL PROCEDURES AS OUTLINED IN YOUR CAREERS WORKBOOK. 6. IF YOU DO NOT FOLLOW PROCEDURES, YOU WILL NOT BE INSURED AND WILL NOT BE ALLOWED

TO GO ON THE PLACEMENT.

C. Donoghue

Year 13 Careers Bulletin

Week 2

23 March 2015

Documents

YEAR 13 PARENT/GUARDIANS INFORMATION BOOKLETstmarysmagherafelt.com/downloads/Yr_13_Parent_Information_Booklet_2015.pdfYear 13 Parent Information Booklet St Mary’s Grammar School