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 2 steps in the process…
1
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.
2
Upper VI
The university application process is underway with aptitude tests, Oxbridge preparation and interviews, and Aspire events, before making final UCAS decisions.
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
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
FINAL SCHOOL REPORT
UCAS DECISION DEADLINE
Deadline for making firm / insurance offer decisions
