It is at this time of year where we encourage Year 12 to start to finalise their Post 18 pathway so that they can start preparing to complete their applications. It is an incredibly daunting task and we find that some students can become an ‘ostrich’. They know they have a decision to make but they feel that if they ignore it, it will just go away! These students are usually still trying to choose their pathway in October and November of Year 13 and will often rush to complete an application to university, just because everyone else that they know has chosen this pathway. This can sometimes lead to them choosing the wrong course or institution and sometimes these students will not complete their first year. This causes distress to the students and their parents and is a situation that can be avoided if students engage in the sixth form tutor programme and work with their personal tutor to complete their post 18 application in a timely manner.

Our aim is to empower students to make the right decision for them and to ensure that they are equipped with the knowledge and confidence to make a decision. This process involves teamwork between the student, parents and school. Students need to have the confidence to realise that they can apply for more than one opportunity and make a final decision, once they have received their A Level and Vocational results.

The purpose of this special edition newsletter is to provide you with all the information you need, in one place, to support your son/daughter in choosing the most appropriate pathway for them. In addition to these resources, students will be provided with a range of opportunities during the Personal Development and registration programme, for example they will hear from a range of apprenticeship and higher education providers alongside companies that organise gap years. They will also all experience a mock job interview before they complete their work experience programme in July. Please take some time to read the information that has been provided and listen to the videos that staff, ex-students and different organisations have prepared, so that you are ready to support your son/daughter with their Post 18 applications. Students will also be supported in school by their tutor who they meet with every morning.

We hope you find this information informative and we welcome any feedback that you may have. Please contact [email protected] if you have any questions.

What are my options at 18 years old?

Click on the following links to explore all of your options at 18 years old:

• Doing a higher education level course – either full-time, part-time or by distance learning, at a university or a college; 
• Doing an Intermediate, Advanced, Higher or Degree Apprenticeship;
• Getting a job that offers training;
• Doing a vocational course at a Further Education College
• Taking a year out (a gap year)

For further information on your options explore this section of the UCAS site: https://www.ucas.com/what-are-my-options

An overview of the application process:

Apprenticeships do not have a standard application window. The company offering the apprenticeship will decide when they will recruit. The application process can be a lengthy process as the company wants to make sure that they select the right person for the job as it is a large investment for them. Quite often, you will need to submit an application form, including a covering letter that explains why you are the best person for the role. If you are shortlisted, you may then be asked to complete some online tests. These could be an aptitude test or a psychometric test. Some students have been asked to submit a video presentation or complete an online interview. To help prepare for these tasks, we ask students to film themselves completing an interview. We then ask them to watch themselves and evaluate the interview. The students who practice, improve their competitiveness and have been successful in securing an apprenticeship. The next stage may involve an Assessment Centre. Please see the separate article on Assessment Centres. The final stage will often involve a final interview with the manager of a particular department.

For advice about how to prepare for an apprenticeship interview, please click here

How to search for an Apprenticeship:

The Government Apprenticeship Search Website:

We encourage students to register and create an account at https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship so that they can receive notifications about apprenticeships that match their selection criteria.

Using Unifrog

Unifrog is a fantastic resource that all of our students and parents have access to. If you haven’t logged in before you will need to sign in using a form code. The form code for parents is johntaylorparents. If you have signed in before and you have forgotten your password, you can just select reset password and it will send you a link.

Some of our students will tell us that there aren’t many apprenticeships in the area that they want to progress in to and we always advise them to look at all opportunities available first so that they can then disregard the opportunities that do not interest them. This is because students are only used to selecting subjects and not business areas. Students do not have the experience to know what logistics entails or what a Chartered Management apprenticeship involves, therefore, by researching all opportunities within the local area, this provides them with an opportunity to find out more about apprenticeships that they wouldn’t have even given a chance beforehand.

To show you how easy Unifrog is to use to search for apprenticeships, please watch the video below:

Looking on company websites and registering an interest:

Many companies have a dedicated site for vacancies and will provide information about their Apprenticeship programmes. If an application window is not open, quite often you can register your interest and receive alert e-mails when the company does start recruiting again.

https://www.nestleacademy.co.uk/

https://www.pwc.co.uk/careers.html

A very popular selection method used by companies to recruit apprentices is to use an assessment centre. We encourage students to prepare for a day at an assessment centre by making sure that they are aware of their schedule and practice some of the exercises that they will be expected to complete. The following links are specific to JPMorgan, therefore, we would advise you to search for advice and support from the specific company that you are applying to, however, these provide good general advice and an opportunity to practice some different exercises.

Resume and Virtual Interviewing Tips | Advice | Careers | JPMorgan Chase & Co. – This includes some sample interview questions

JP MORGAN Candidate Assessment 2022 / 2023 | Aptitude Tests | Pymetrics Games | Video Interviews (graduatesfirst.com) – This is really good and includes free aptitude tests and video interviews and other assessment day tests.

Pymetrics JP Morgan Test practice with Interactive Simulation (jobtestprep.co.uk) This talks about Pymetrics which JP Morgan are renowned for using as part of their selection process. If he has a good understanding of how these work he can practice the skills that they are looking for.

The following website provides an excellent overview of what to expect at an Assessment Centre in general and provides practice tests etc. The guide below also supports this process:

Assessment Centre Guide

We have a number of students who have successfully secured apprenticeships in the past and two of these students have agreed to share their experiences with you in the videos below. They will share their journey and provide advice about their experience of the application and selection process.

Elizabeth Hendon - Graduated from a Degree Apprenticeship in Chartered Management at Nestle

Rebecca Shipton - Solicitor Apprentice with CMS Law Firm

Please click here to explore a vast range of videos that introduce you to the different courses that you can study at university.

All students have access to the careers platform called Unifrog and therefore, they can use the search facilities to search for courses that they are likely to meet the entry requirements for based on their projected grades. Watch the video below to learn how to do this.

The Sixth Form team have a proven track record for supporting students in applying to both the University of Cambridge and Oxford in a range of subjects. However, we also recognise that students who submit the most competitive applications have fully engaged in additional academic activities lower down in the school and have an excellent set of GCSE results.

The following presentation has been produced to support students and parents who are thinking of applying to these institutions:

Please note that the dates refer to 2022. These dates will be the same in 2023.

Other sources of information about applications and admissions tests:

https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying

https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate 

https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/oxford-tests/

https://www.admissionstesting.org/

All students applying to university will apply through UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) to visit their website click here. They will complete an application form which will include a personal statement.

Students are supported in completing their application form as they are provided with screenshots for each section.

The following two videos have been recorded to provide an insight into writing a competitive personal statement. Please note if you want to ask a question about these videos, please e-mail [email protected]

Students have been provided with the following to support them when writing their personal statement:

Writing_your_Personal_Statement.pdf

Sussex_University_personal_statement_writing_guide_1_.pdf

Some parents and students are worried about how they will finance their studies at university and this can be one of the reasons why they choose an alternative pathway. The purpose of this article is to clarify some of the myths surrounding student finance and to signpost you to further information.

Student Finance England is a service provided by the Student Loans Company. They provide financial support on behalf of the UK Government to students from England entering higher education in the UK.

You may be eligible for funding from Student Finance England if:

• you’re a UK national or you have settled or pre-settled status in the UK under the EU settlement scheme
• you normally live in England
• you’ve lived in the UK for 3 years before starting your course
• you’ll be studying an eligible higher education course at a UK college or university
• you do not already have a higher education qualification

If you’re an EU national and you want more information on whether you’ll be eligible for student finance in 2022 to 2023, visit www.gov.uk/guidance/studying-in-the-uk-guidance-for-eu-students.

You will apply for a student loan during the month of March before your course is due to start. 

Key Facts for Parents about Student Loans:

• Students don’t need to wait until they have a confirmed place at uni or college to apply for finance – they can use their preferred choice and update it online later if they need to.
• Once your child has applied, you’ll get an email within 24 hours with a link to submit your household income details. You’ll need to create your own account if you haven’t already got one.
• When you register you’ll need to give Student Finance England your National Insurance number and your personal income for the previous tax year.
• It’s really important that you send Student Finance England your income details and any evidence they ask for as soon as possible so they can make sure that your child gets as much as they’re entitled to. They’ll only get the minimum amount of finance until you give them your details.
• Once Student Finance England has received your child's application and any evidence they need, they’ll assess how much they can get and send them a Student Finance Entitlement letter. Your child should take this to their university or college when they register.
• Once the uni or college let Student Finance England know they’ve started their course, they'll make the first of three Maintenance Loan payments into your child’s bank account and pay the Tuition Fee Loan directly to their university or college.

Birmingham University have provided an overview of student finance for you in the following video:

Many of you will have heard of Martin Lewis and may have already listened to his advice about managing your personal finances. He has provided a video to bust common myths about student loans, grants and finance, including the 20+ key facts every potential student, parent and grandparent should know. 

Note: This talk was recorded in 2019, and uses the thresholds and interest rates applicable at that time. However, the theory behind repaying your student loan remains the same.

Some of the figures mentioned in this video have changed since the video was made. The following figures are the rates and thresholds for 2022:

• The maximum maintenance loan is now £12,667
• Graduates repay 9% of everything they earn over £27,295
• The rate of inflation is currently 10%
• Due to high inflation, the rate of interest was capped at 6.5% in December 2022.

For further information about student loans, please visit the electronic guide produced by Student Finance England.

Student Finance England's Guide to Student Loans

Please click here to visit the Government site for Student Finance

Choosing to remain in full-time education can place additional financial pressures on families and individuals, therefore, it is important to make sure that you have explored all sources of funding in addition to student finance.

Many universities will offer scholarships to students that meet certain criteria. All parents and students at John Taylor High School have a login to Unifrog (www.unifrog.org/signin). If you haven't logged in before, you will need to sign in using a form code. The form code for parents is johntaylorparents. If you have logged in previously but have forgotten your password, you will just need to click on the 'forgotten password' link and a new one will be sent to your e-mail address. Alternatively, you can search with your son/daughter using their account.

To search for scholarships:

1. Login to Unifrog.
2. Scroll down to the group of tiles in the 'searching for opportunities' section and select the brown tile named 'special opportunities'. Click 'start'.
3. The first page will include key terminology for this area. Click 'next' at the bottom of the page.
4. Select the location where you live and click 'next'.
5. When you are asked which country you are interested in select the tab for the UK.
6. Under the search by keyword box, select scholarships.
7. Select the tab for (Not tied to a subject) scholarships and subjects related to your area of study. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click 'next'.
8. Select the areas that you want to exclude as you do not meet that criteria e.g. if you are not looking for scholarships linked to a religious affiliation, then click on this tab. You can select more than one tab.
9. You will now be presented with three lists. Select the scholarships that you think your child will meet the criteria for. You can select up to 5 different ones to create a shortlist. Click 'next'.

You will now have a shortlist and will be able to read more detailed information about each scholarship, including how to apply etc.

Year in Industry help place students aged 17+ in Year 13 in top UK companies and organisations every year, including, Rolls-Royce, EDF, Network Rail, Scottish Power and P&G. Typically, the programme lasts between 10-12 months and is a paid placement.

What will be involved?

The following information is taken from Gap Year Ideas - What To Do In Your Gap Year | UCAS

Gap years can be used to enhance your CV, travel, learn new skills, and much more. Find out more and get some inspiration here.

A gap year offers you the opportunity to gain skills and experiences, while giving you time to reflect and focus on what you want to do next.

• A productive gap year can be valuable on your CV – many employers value the experiences students have gained if they’ve actively managed their time, set themselves goals, and stretched themselves.
• A gap year can also enhance your higher education studies – if you decide to apply for uni, you could tailor your gap year to relate it to the subject area you plan to study.
• Admissions tutors know that some students may take a little time to adjust to studying again, but many former gap year students are generally more focused and responsible.

Why do you want to take a year out?

It’s really important to set goals to make your time productive, so you need to identify what you want to achieve. You might want to:

• have a break from study
• gain new skills/experiences
• earn money
• spend time deciding what you want to do
• do a combination of the above

A year out isn’t an option that suits everyone – for some, it may be advisable not to take a break between studies. Here are some pros and cons to consider.

Do your research

Before planning your trip travel check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) website ​for the latest travel advice about how coronavirus may affect your plans.   

It’s really important to form a plan of what you will do for the year, no matter what your gap year idea is, and you need to start planning well in advance. Some voluntary work schemes are popular and have strict deadlines, and you need to consider when you need the money to pay for airfares or visas.

There are loads of ideas you could consider – some might fill an entire year, others a few weeks or months. You could also combine more than one idea.   

There is a wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation, such as ABTA or Year Out Group, where they agree to follow a code of conduct.

Gap year ideas: get some inspiration

• Year Out Group
• Real Gap Experience
• BUNAC
• Volunteering England
• Volunteer Scotland
• Volunteering Wales
• Volunteer Now – Northern Ireland
• Youth social action volunteering – #iwill
• International Citizen Service (ICS) – government funded international volunteering placements for 18-25 year olds in the UK.
• Trailfinders Travel Academy

If you want to organise it yourself, research the costs of the features offered by organised schemes which appeal to you, but make sure you get advice on safety, any additional checks, and insurance cover you may need to consider.

You may find useful information on social media, online forums, and websites. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ‘been there and done that’ for the sort of gap year you’re considering.

Gap year ideas, what can you do?

• Volunteering – support a worthwhile cause and gain valuable experience. You could take part in a wildlife conservation project, teach children, or help build a school in a third world country.
• Travel – explore the world, discover new cultures, and develop your independent living skills at the same time! You could go backpacking across South East Asia, InterRail through Europe, or buy a round the world plane ticket!
• Paid employment – earn money and gain new skills at home or aboard. You could work on an outback farm in Australia, as a ski lift operator in Canada, or at a backpacker hostel in New Zealand.
• Work experience – if you want to gain relevant experience and skills for a particular career or subject you plan to study, you could consider a work placement or internship. These can last from a few weeks to a year. Depending on the type of contract on offer, you may or may not receive a salary. These are very popular and competition for places is high, so you will need to apply early. 
• Part-time courses – why not take the opportunity to try something new? You could take up a new language, learn how to programme, try a new sport or music instrument, or learn a new practical skill, such as mechanics, carpentry, or cookery. 

Gap year tips

• What do you want to achieve from a gap year? New skills, experience, or do you want more time to consider your future? Set goals to make your time productive – think about getting the right balance between time spent and benefits gained.
• How much time can you be away and when? What do you want to spend your time doing and where? Are you going to work, are there interests or hobbies you can take further, or do you want to help others by volunteering? What value will it add to your study, your CV, or career?
• What is available? Research the wide range of gap year and volunteering schemes available, or look into organising it yourself. If you’re using an agency or scheme, check out how long they have been running, if they are financially sound, and are members of a reputable organisation such as ABTA or Year Out Group, where they agree to follow a code of conduct. Look at the reviews, articles, and advice from people who’ve ’been there and done’ the sort of gap year you’re considering.
• How much money will you need? Unless you’re planning to work or have some financial help, you are going to need money. Set yourself a realistic budget that you can afford to stick to. Costs vary considerably, so research carefully and don’t forget to add things like flights, visas, accommodation, insurance, and vaccinations (you can check the Foreign and Commonwealth Office website for information on vaccinations). 

Get advice

• It’s worth checking forums and social media for tips and insight into other people’s experience of gap years you’re interested in, particularly if you are looking at going abroad. Think carefully about what you want to do, and seek advice if you want to talk your ideas through further. 
• It may be possible to defer your acceptance of a place on a higher education course for a year – however, you may need to make your case directly to the university or college concerned for why this would be beneficial.
• If you have any doubts, discuss your ideas further with parents/carers, teachers, or a careers adviser.​

How could coronavirus (COVID-19) impact gap year plans?

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is likely to have an impact on your gap year, whether you plan to travel, or stay local and get a job. It’s likely that as guidance from UK governments, and other countries change you might need to review or, in some cases, reschedule your plans. Keep checking the GOV.UK website for the latest advice.