Post-18

At CFGS, we are dedicated to nurturing the future success of our Year 12 students. Through our carefully organized drop-down days, we aim to empower students with the knowledge and skills essential for making informed decisions about their future after school. These sessions are designed to provide invaluable insights into various pathways available beyond their studies, offering guidance on how to prepare effectively for the year ahead and beyond. By engaging in these activities, students not only gain a clearer understanding of their options but also develop crucial planning and decision-making skills that will serve them well throughout their academic and professional journeys. Our commitment extends beyond the immediate to ensure that all our students are well-prepared and confident in navigating their post-18 choices with clarity and purpose.

Post-18 2024

Day 1 

Motivational and Practical Guidance

The first day began with an engaging session led by Alishia from Fix Up, focusing on personal growth and goal-setting. Students were encouraged to reflect on their study habits and consider how to seize available opportunities. Through interactive discussions, they explored the importance of changing perspectives and perseverance.

A second session, led by QMUL ambassadors, provided insights on choosing a university. Students learnt about key factors to consider, such as distance, modules, university life, and entry requirements. They were introduced to various resources like Unifrog, UCAS, and Times Higher Education for their university search.

Students were given examples of different websites they could use to search for Universities – Unifrog, UCAS, Unibuddy.com, Times Higher Education and Complete   University Guide.

For the remainder of Day 1 students spent the day in a carousel of activities with sessions led by QMUL Ambassadors, their tutors, HOY13 and Director of CFGS6.

Personal Statement (QMUL Ambassadors) – An overview of the purpose of a personal statement, how to craft one, and the different writing styles. Students also look at some model personal statements to help them when writing theirs this week.

Apply (Do6 and HOY13) – Students walk through the completion of the UCAS form and clarify misconceptions about the different sections to ensure clarity in the UCAS form and process requirements.

Central Skills (FT) – Students are asked to reflect on how they have demonstrated the Central Skills in their KS5 experience so far and provide examples for each one. They are encouraged to link these skills to those required in their prospective field of study.

Unifrog/ UCAS (FT) – Students explore both the UCAS and Unifrog platforms for HE courses. They are encouraged to complete a range of activities on the Unifrog platform, from quizzes on learning and personality characteristics, and careers research via the ‘Know-it’ Library, to signing up for a range of webinars, MOOCs, and exploring super-curricular reading lists.

Day 2

The second day of Post 18 Preparation began with small group workshops led by a range of experienced KS5 teachers. Students were allocated a subject pathway based on a recent Post 18 survey and attended a session on Personal Statements.  

Within these sessions they explored strengths and weaknesses of personal statements, suggested content, structure and wider readings. Some subjects were fortunate to have external visitors to support, for example, students who attended the Computer Science Personal Statement workshop had the opportunity to be supported by interns from Morgan and Stanley and XX.  

The second session of the morning was led by Jon Bland, head of Government Agencies at global tech company, Sales Force. He focused on the future of work in the world of tech and the skills that employers such as himself will be looking for in the future. 

The third session saw students split into 4 groups

Apprenticeships – Ask Apprenticeships  delivered a session about apprenticeships, where to find them, how to apply, the different levels available and what to expect from an apprenticeship

REACH and Early Cohort – this was led by Ms McKenzie our Exceptional Learners lead and focused on being UCAT ready and understanding the requirements of early entry courses such as work experience for Medicine. Students had the opportunity to discuss what has been difficult so far in their application process, and attempted some verbal reasoning practice questions for UCAT.    

The Access Project – this was led by our TAP lead, Klara, where students from the TAP prgoramme spoke about how their experience of the programme is helping them achieve their goals both academically in their studies, and support in their studies beyond sixth form.

Unifrog – students were allocated additional time to use the Unifrog platform to either research careers and industry profiles or to continue producing their Personal Statement

During lunch time, the Head of Year 13 had organised ‘speed dating’ with some Alumna to provide guidance, an insight into University and life beyond CFGS6. We were joined by Alumna from Cambridge University, SOAS, York, QMUL and SLE.   

The final session focused on Student Finance, led by an ambassador from QMUL.

Read our Post 18 Blog Post 2024