Year 12 2014

1. Response to mock exams2. Preparation for Summer exams3. Work experience4. Post -18

Mock exams• Purpose – A timely health check on how students are coping

with demands of AS Level – An opportunity to diagnose a student’s strengths

and weaknesses within each subject (knowledge and skills)

– A chance to be proactive in addressing those issues in time for the summer exams

Immediate response?

• Don’t panic!• Diagnostic review of exam papers• Half term - Revision/work programme• ‘Polish’ exam papers – use mark schemes• Resit exam papers • Talk to teachers

Progression to Year 13

• To continue with a subject to A2 a minimum grade D at AS is required

• A minimum of three subjects are required to constitute a year 13 course

• English & Maths GCSE with a grade A*- C

• A2 courses begin in June of Year 12

• Full attendance will be expected from this time until the end of term.

Longer term response?

• Use study periods more productively• Cut down on paid work• Attend subject clinics• Reflect on work habits – Place?– Time?– Distractions?

• Review your motivation/aspiration

Work Experience 2014

16 – 20 June All year 12 students to participate

Importance of Work

Experience

Personal skills

Contacts / Networking

Sampling a career / industry

CV Building

Competition for places

What are Universities and employers looking for?

• Based on a number of surveys on the skills required by graduates undertaken by Microsoft, Target Jobs, the BBC, Prospects and AGR and other organisations, the top 10 skills deemed important:

1 Verbal communication Able to express your ideas clearly and confidently in speech

2 Teamwork Work confidently within a group

3 Commercial awareness Understand the commercial realities affecting the organisation.

4 Analysing & investigatingskills

Gather information systematically to establish facts & principles. Problem solving.

5 Initiative/self motivation Able to act on initiative, identify opportunities & proactive in putting forward ideas & solutions

6 Drive Determination to get things done. Make things happen & look for better ways of doing things.

7 Written communication Able to express yourself clearly in writing

8 Planning & organising Able to plan activities & carry them through effectively

9 Flexibility Adapt successfully to changing situations & environments

10 Time management Manage time effectively, prioritising tasks and able to work to deadlines.

Work-related activity: Independent school applicant

“As an 18 year old, I have had a variety of short periods of experience in the workings of businesses in today's financial world.

I first became aware of the workings of businesses when, to supplement my savings, I worked for [company name], a designer in London, as a model.

I have also worked on the trading floor of a London brokers firm, [company name] … My other experience thus far includes work with my local BBC radio station, events planning with a corporate 5 star country hotel, and working in the marketing team of a leading City law firm.

I have since had a variety of jobs, most recently managing a small gastro pub.”

Work-related activity: State school applicants

“In the final GCSE year there was an opportunity for a group of us to manage the school lockers.”

Work-related activity ‘experiences’ (Independent school applicants)

Work-related activity ‘jobs’ (State school applicants)

“I work-shadowed a stockbroker at the London office of Union Bank of Switzerland.”

“I have a part time job as a drinks waitress working at the KC stadium. Even though it's my job I look forward to my shifts.”

“My extensive involvement and success in assisting my father in his international company shows my ability to handle situations in the real world.”

“I have a part time job in a local pub where I work as a waitress and a barmaid.”

“My fervour for economics has led to work placements in a leading bank in India and accountancy firm in New York.”

“I have two part time jobs in the hotel and catering industry.”

“Next summer I have been offered a work experience placement to shadow the Indian Ambassador to the United Nations, in New York.”

“Last year I worked in Aldi and in a local bakery, which gave me experience of dealing with a variety of customers' demands.”

What to do next

Decide on the type of placement to consider:

• Objectives (what are you hoping to achieve?)

• Travel (cost/time/further afield)

• Links to degree course/career

• Charity work/volunteering(Could this type of placement show skills and passion)

Finding Placements

• Newspapers (local and national) • Internet – Google it!• Magazines/Journals (music, medicine, film)• Networking (family/friends/neighbours/tutors)• Careers Noticeboard – see opportunities• Year 13 students • Julie Calder – make appointment if you are struggling or need

advice.

Making contact…..

• Email/Write/Phone/Pop-in giving:

– Personal details/contact numbers – Details of school and subjects – Why you would like work experience placement ie.career

link, university course, passion for charity/organisation.– Dates available – Offer to visit to get placement form signed.

Finally…when you have a “yes”

• Post/email placement form to them for completion and signature.

(Allow 2 weeks if posting or take with you if visiting)

• 31st March – DEADLINE• Return form & cheque (£35.00) to

Julie Calder for H & S check

• My placement opened my eyes to a completely different understanding of the work place. It helped me to rule out some potential careers and interested me in others such as training. Victoria Yr13

• Through work experience I have found out that sports

therapy is what I want to do. I have learnt loads of different skills which I can talk about on my personal statement and this has inspired me to research courses. Marcus Yr13

• My placement continued to fuel my biggest interest and

ambition to study Veterinary Medicine and has given me invaluable work experience required for the course.

Danny Yr13

• I have always been interested in working with children but with midwifery my main focus I intend to pursue more work experience in this field. Erin Yr13

• Work experience with Hertfordshire constabulary has

highlighted all the different aspects of policing and I have witnessed how much people love their jobs. I plan to keep in contact with all the people I have met. Lucy Yr13

• The Work experience programme has heightened my interest in Law. I did not know if I wanted to become a solicitor before work experience and now I know I do!

Dominic Yr13

• Work experience was really enjoyable and I now know I would definitely like to work with children with learning difficulties post degree study as a career or within the voluntary sector. Aimee Yr13

• Work experience has made me aware of different

career paths in Human Resources and the legal sector. In order to decide whether I want to work in this field I plan to get further work experience placements. Hannah Yr13

• The programme has helped me understand the varying jobs within fashion and the type of university courses I should consider. I plan to get another placement with a Buying team so I can decide which area I like best. Issy Yr13

• Work experience has influenced my future plans as I was able to speak to students and professors about their experiences and used their advice when considering university courses. Experiencing real work in the labs was also excellent.. Josie Yr13

• Work experience at Marks and Spencer has provided me with information about their management trainee scheme post A levels which I am interested in applying for and I have also secured a part time job with them as a result of this week. Ted Yr13

Can you help?

• The best placements come from parents and friends

Post-18

• http://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/articles/article/27/how-to-find-an-apprenticeship

• www.apprenticeships.org.uk

Apprenticeships

• http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works

• http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/parents-and-guardians

Higher Education

• http://www.youthconnexions-hertfordshire.org/• www.notgoingtouni.co.uk • www.channelmogo.org• www.directions.org.uk

Employment

AS A2

A* 140

A 60 120

B 50 100

C 40 80

D 30 60

E 20 40

Cambridge TechICT/Business

3 Unit 6 Unit

D 60 120

M 40 80

P 20 40

Coming up….

Reports available tomorrow

Act on subject specific advice

• Reports published tomorrow• May - June AS Level Exams• 16 June - Work experience week • 25 June - UCAS Convention • Students register for UCAS• 15 July – Careers Fair• 14 August - Results Day

Coming up….

• Ownership of Learning• Aim for 100% Attendance• Good Time Management• Self-motivation• Make use of Support• Seize Opportunities• Healthy Body, Healthy Mind• Home-School Communication

Next steps to success…

Hard work