Looking to the future and deciding which path to take is daunting for any of us – regardless of age. But at 14 or 15, looking beyond Sixth Form into a fast-moving world and making decisions that will impact on your career, it’s even more so.

To help with that decision-making process, and to reassure students that it’s OK if they don’t yet know what they want to do, we have developed a journey to help, called ‘The Way Ahead’. As part of our Aspire programme, The Way Ahead guides students through five stages, each designed to help them and navigate through important decisions, supported by staff, specialist advisors and family.

The graphic below shows each stage of The Way Ahead journey. It highlights the ways in which we provide the guidance and support each student needs to help them take the first steps in a direction that feels right for them.

There are 4 steps in the process…

1

Lower V

Students take their first steps in exploring the choices open to them, and the support that will be available in the coming years. They are introduced to the process of Morrisby psychometric testing which helps them shape their ideas, and take part in the Next Steps Interviews.

2

Upper V

At this stage students begin to consider Sixth Form options, including the Sixth Form Scholarship process, and develop a sense of direction for A Level or IB Diploma study options.

3

Lower VI

Students begin to look forward to choices in further education through university visits, a course finder questionnaire, work experience and preparation of their personal statements. There’s also an opportunity to apply for Officer positions as part of our Leadership programme.

4

Upper VI

The university application process is underway with aptitude tests, Oxbridge preparation and interviews, and Aspire events, before making final UCAS decisions.

LOWER V

‘ELEVATE’

Study skills and team building seminar

GCSE PHILOSOPHY AND THEOLOGY EXAM

First public examination experience

WAY AHEAD EVENING

Set the context of Morrisby test in the wider picture of decisions about Sixth Form, Higher Education and Career choices

INTRODUCTION TO NEW SIXTH FORM SUBJECTS

e.g. Psychology, Economics

MORRISBY TESTING

Girls complete questionnaire regarding interests and work style preferences together with psychometric test to produce Morrisby Profile

‘LOOKING AHEAD’ WORKSHOP

Bring to the table survival strategies to ensure proactive domination. At the end of the day, going forward, a new normal that has evolved from generation X is on the runway heading towards a streamlined cloud solution.

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IB INFORMATION EVENING BIENNIALLY

UPPER V

UPPER V RECEIVE MORRISBY PROFILES AND ARE SIXTH FORMERS FOR THE DAY

NEXT STEPS INTERVIEWS

Meetings with girls, parents and staff to review Morrisby Profile and future plans

SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS

SIXTH FORM OPEN EVENING

MOCK GCSE EXAMS

‘ACE YOUR EXAMS’

Post-mock motivation seminar

PARENT CONSULTATION & SIXTH FORM OPTIONS MEETING

Review academic progress, flag issues. Impact of Sixth Form decisions on higher education

SUBJECT INFORMATION

Drop in sessions with subject teachers to discuss options and ask questions

RETURN OPTIONS FORM

Decisions on A Level / IB subjects to allow for bespoke timetabling

CAREERS AND HIGHER EDUCATION EVENING BIENNIALLY

Employers, Alumnae and HE institutions provide up to date information

CELEBRATION DAY & PROM

WORK EXPERIENCE

LOWER VI

SIXTH FORM INDUCTION DAY

Orientation for Sixth Form life and learning

UNIVERSITY VISIT

Lower VI visit Surrey University to experience student life and sample some lectures

ENRICHMENT PROGRAMME

SPEECH DAY

Lower VI receive GCSE Certificates, meet Year 14 returners

SCHOOL OFFICER APPLICATION

Lower VI apply and have interviews for Officer positions

OXBRIDGE STUDY DAYS

Subject focused masterclasses start

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COURSE FINDER QUESTIONNAIRE

Course finder profile to support HE decision making

HIGHER EDUCATION EVENING

Event outlining options, timescales and procedures. Chance to discuss with first year undergraduates

LVI EXAMS

ABBEY CONNECT

Sign up to The Abbey Connect (www.theabbeyconnect.com), an online platform for networking and mentoring opportunities for Sixth Form pupils and Abbey Alumnae

OFFICER POSITIONS ANNOUNCED

UCAS SEMINAR

Practical advice on the application process

SIXTH FORM CONFERENCE

‘Futures planning’ workshops

PERSONAL STATEMENT PREPARATION

Students prepare draft statements

WORK EXPERIENCE

UPPER VI

UNIVERSITY APPLICATION PROCESS

Students decide on subjects and universities and finalise personal statements. The Abbey staff write detailed supporting references

UNIVERSITY APTITUDE TESTS

Lower VI visit Surrey University to experience student life and sample some lectures

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE PREPARATION EVENTS

Students experience demonstration and practice interviews

OXBRIDGE INTERVIEWS

Candidates visit Colleges for interviews

ASPIRE EVENTS

Lectures, Networking Dinners, workshops and individual conversations with students provide information about their future aspirations

IB & A-LEVEL MOCKS

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FINAL SCHOOL REPORT

UCAS DECISION DEADLINE

Deadline for making firm / insurance offer decisions

LVI EXAMS

LEAVERS’ EVENTS

IB & A-LEVEL RESULTS

TO UNIVERSITY OR GAP YEAR & BEYOND

YEAR 14

SPEECH DAY

Return to collect certificates, Year 14 Reception

YEAR 14 TEA

Year 14 Reunion in the Sixth Form

Abbey Alumnae

Events, Linkedin and Facebook groups, ENewsletters, encouraging an ongoing sense of community, networking and mentoring. Alumnae are encouraged to return to school to mentor and advise current students.

The Abbey Connect (www.theabbeyconnect.com) is a dedicated online professional networking and mentoring service for our girls and Abbey Alumnae.