Please see the above links for details on our courses and a pdf document detailing the Higher Education destinations of College pupils over the past few years. 

Head of Department: Dr Richard Woodberry

Within this department are two sections: ‘UCAS and Universities’, and ‘Careers and Work Experience’. In today’s workplace success starts with achieving a good degree at the most suitable university. Some will choose a subject because of the career they wish to pursue whilst others will know the discipline which they wish to study but be a little unsure as to where it may lead. Consequently, both areas within College have now been united under the new Department of Post College Guidance. Work experience can prove to be vital when securing a place at university, as well as providing inspiration regarding the choice of future career and degree to be read.

UCAS and Universities

Head of Section: Dr Woodberry
Section Secretary: Mrs E. Ryder

College handles a large and diverse range of university applications. These are made, via UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service), to British universities as well as to foreign institutions principally in North America, Australia and Europe.

There is a series of termly meetings with Dr Woodberry, six in total, to cover all the issues in the two-year cycle. Matters relating to admissions and applications are aired to parents at the ‘Post College Guidance Parents Evening’ in March. A comprehensive booklet is produced annually ensuring the most up to date information is available about this dynamic area.

Individual students see the Head of UCAS and Universities to discuss their particular circumstances and to seek advice over personal statements and choices about degrees and institutions. A comprehensive mock interview programme is in place to cover those subjects and students likely to be called: Oxbridge and medical, dental and veterinary medicine applicants particularly. This section coordinates departments’ preparations for the increasing number of university tests such as the national ones for Medicine (BMAT and UKCAT) and Law (LNAT) and the individual ones, particularly for Oxford and now for Imperial College, London.

All students who have left and subsequently wish to re-apply to university are overseen by Dr Woodberry.

Careers and Work Experience

Careers and Work Experience Adviser: Mrs S. Merheim-Kealy

Careers guidance and personal skills development are considered central aspects of a pupil’s education at College. The Careers and Work Experience Centre is located at the heart of the school: it is complete with a library, containing information on all areas, sponsorship schemes and general literature on university and career planning.

In the first two years, careers guidance is of an educationally informative nature. The Fifth Form and Upper College each have a course designed for their needs. The Fifth Form and new entrants to the Lower Sixth will be offered the ‘Futurewise’ Morrisby tests with full interview and feedback. They and their parents will be introduced to the many online services that are available with this membership. For the Lower Sixth ‘Coursefinder’ electronic questionnaire and a follow up interview with an ISCO adviser, if needed, will help identify possible university degrees.

The section fosters a range of contacts with local and national businesses (especially those used by the College), professional bodies (such as RIBA, the Royal College of Surgeons and the Law Society), hospitals and charities. In future it is hoped that through working with the Cheltonian Association it may be possible to offer overseas placements. Liaison with the Junior School and its Year 8 work experience programme further extends the range of contacts for both institutions.

The section also supports pupils’ Gap Year plans and assists them in locating and securing Industry Sponsorship for their higher education studies.

October 2011