End of Autumn and start of Spring term arrangements

There are no lessons at LaSWAP for Y12 or Y13 on Friday 20 December.

There are no lessons on Monday 6 January, which is an INSET day.

Lessons continue as normal Tuesday 7 January for Y13, and assessments begin for Y12.

Y13 UCAS Christmas Party

Friday 20 December

All Y13s who have not completed and submitted their UCAS applications should come to the sixth form common room on Friday 20 December for some festive fun, a mince pie and to finish off their applications. There will be many staff to support them plus Christmas tunes and snacks.

This is the ideal opportunity to get some one to one feedback and advice and get applications sent before the holidays so students can focus on their school work from January onwards. When we return from the break there is only three weeks until the UCAS deadline and there are over 130 students in Y13 based at Acland Burghley – a lot of applications to review! Applications submitted in January will be sent, but we cannot guarantee they will have the same level of feedback and advice as those submitted by the internal deadline.

Please see below for more UCAS Key Dates and information.

Y13 in-class assessments

Monday 16-Thursday 19 December

A reminder that Y13 students have in class assessments next week. Please make sure they attend all of their assessments as they are a very important measure of progress at this key time. 

All information has been given to students by their class teachers. Please contact Mr Ali or Mr Stokes with any questions.

Y12 in-class assessments

Tuesday 7-Friday 10 January 2025

These assessments are Y12s' first assessments in semi-formal conditions and are incredibly important for both teachers and students. Students should check with their teachers that they know when and where their assessments are.

Please support us by ensuring your children are prepared and attend all of their assessments. All information has been given to students by their class teachers. Please contact Mr Ali or Mr Stokes with any questions.

Y13 UCAS key dates

Please remind your Y13 students that UCAS applications should be completed by the end of term. Students who have not completed are expected to attend school on Friday 20 December (see above). 

Please get in touch with any questions about UCAS.

Y12 families webinar: Introduction to Early Entry now on YouTube

https://youtu.be/kIFJFcAyUYg

Please contact me for slides.

Y13 students on non-uni pathways

Students planning gap years, deferred entry or apprenticeship applications can make an appointment with me or Glen at Acland Burghley.

Ms Pearcey: gap years, deferrals, apprenticeships, uncertain about pathways lpearcey@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Glen Thomson: apprenticeships and work gthomson@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk

Ms Tait and Mr Metcalfe at La Sainte Union: Career and Pathways Support sessions for all LaSWAP students.

Both Hilary and Carlo are very experienced in a huge range of university, work, apprenticeship and other types of advice. These sessions are bookable after school every Monday and Thursday, so are extremely accessible to all Y12 and Y13 students. 

Book Mondays: https://calendly.com/htait-1/opportunity-centre-career-guidance?month=2024-11

Book Thursdays: https://calendly.com/cmetcalfe-2/opportunity-centre-career-guidance?month=2024-11

Apprenticeship opportunities

IBM Level 4 and 6 apprenticeship applications opening soon

IBM are now recruiting for roles in management consultancy, IT management and software development for 2025. Register your interest and find out more here: https://shorturl.at/CPScA

Other opportunities for sixth form students

Super-curricular and work experience opportunities really pick up during this half term. There are lots of options for students to take part in workshops, competitions and events, and summer school applications begin to open. As well as this newsletter, we recommend students sign up to mailing lists from individual businesses and universities and also keep an eye on UCAS Events and Uni Taster Days:

https://www.unitasterdays.com/

Download their Student and Parent guides to university here:

• https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-support-for-parents/parents-guide-to-university-brochure/
• https://www.unitasterdays.com/university-support-for-students/students-guide-to-university-brochure/

https://www.ucas.com/ucas-events

Please see this fortnight’s LaSWAP Newsletter for even more opportunities.  Newsletters are emailed to families or can be found at https://www.laswap.camden.sch.uk/Parents/Newsletters/ Please check your Spam and mark all emails from LaSWAP, Acland Burghley or Bromcom as Safe/Priority!

UCL Spring into STEM lecture series

Brilliant for personal statements, interview prep and other super curricular, these TED-style talks allow you to visit UCL East as well as learning something new! Book your spot for January to May here: https://shorturl.at/5Wbp8 

Introduction to Architecture with Allies and Morrison Architects
Monday 17 February

Considering a career in Architecture? This workshop held at Allies and Morrison, one of the largest architecture practices in the UK. This half-day introductory workshop will consist of varying presentations about working in the architectural world and will finish with a model making session. Perfect for students interested in Architecture, Model Making, 3-D Design and Engineering. Apply here – it will fill quickly! https://www.thecreativedimension.org/workshop/spring-2025-introduction-to-architecture-with-allies-morrison/spring-2025-introduction-to-architecture-with-allies-morrison/

UCL essay writing workshops

Want to write better essays? Learn from some of the best writers in the country at UCL Anthropology. These workshops are perfect for all students studying essay-based courses. Check in the new year for new dates: https://shorturl.at/QqDrF

UCB £5000 grant available

University College Birmingham are launching a £5000 cost of living allowance to first year students across their course range. This is a grant on top of your student loan, so doesn’t need to be paid back. Find out more here: https://www.ucb.ac.uk/student-support/financial-support/5k-to-help-fund-your-studies/ 

Oxford UNIQ
Opens Tuesday 12 December

UNIQ is the University of Oxford’s access programme for UK state school students. UNIQ includes both an online programme of application and subject support, and a 3 day academic residential staying in an Oxford college. Check HERE to find your subject and HERE to sign up to the mailing list and to apply next month.

Kings Cross K+ Programme open now

K+ is King's College London's flagship widening participation programme for students from non-selective state schools or colleges. The two-year programme organises students into 8 pathways based on their subject interests with the aim of helping students to make informed choices about their post-18 options and to offer academic, career and application support.

The pathways are Business, Arts and Humanities, Social Science, Law, Life Science and Medicine, Dentistry, Maths and Engineering and Psychology & Neuroscience.

The programme is not just for students who are sure they want to go to university, but also for students who have the potential to do so and want to have a taste of what university might be like.

As well as offering application and subject support, K+ can give students a two grade reduced offer for King’s and a £1000 grant. We strongly encourage Y12 students to apply!

More info https://www.kcl.ac.uk/study/social-mobility/projects/prospective-students/k-plus. Applications close in January.

Laura Pearcey (Stanley)
Associate Director of LaSWAP/Pathways and Progress Leader
lstanley@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk