To give you the timelineTo explain the predicted grades To clarify the UCAS application systemTo support your son/daughter as much as

possible in making the right decisionTo confirm the Personal Statement

requirements

September – December 6th: UCAS applications sent

September 13th: Teachers’ predictions were given

October 12th: hybrid grades are updated. October 15th: Oxbridge and Medic applications

deadline Once UCAS form sent – offers are received Final date for UCAS applications: January 15th

5th May: Decision on Firm and Insurance choice Thursday 14th August: Results’ Day

Predicted grades Choose 5 university courses Write a personal statement Complete UCAS application form online

Reference is added Form is checked and sent electronically

Offers received Decision on Firm and Insurance Choice Results received – UCAS site updated with offer

Predicted grades based on AS results The College policy is that the predicted grade

should be the same as the AS grade or above

In order to support the student and build self esteem, a predicted grade can be increased at October half term

The student must produce work consistently at the higher grade for the half term period and beyond

It is down to the student to prove themselves worthy of the higher grade!

Predicted Grades

These will be sent home with the Grade Cards at half term.

Two of the B grades are secure

One of the B grades is at the higher end of the boundary

Predicted grades in September: A/B B B

The student must prove to the teacher that he/she is working to the best of his/her ability and produce work of an A grade

By October half term, the teacher will review the grade and hopefully convert it to an A grade

If little progress is made, the grade prediction will be a B

ONCE A DECISION HAS BEEN MADE, PLEASE ACCEPT THE PROFESSIONAL

JUDGEMENT!

University admissions tutors use them as a measure of a student’s ability (more so than the AS result) as well as taking into account other factors

A teacher will predict a grade that he/she feels the student is capable of achieving

Staff will be positive and supportive, hence the opportunity to change the grade after October half term

Why NOT?

We must be realistic!

If we predict grades that are higher than thestudent is capable of achieving, he/she will notbe able to meet the offers

This is why a student has 5 university coursechoices

Allows a range of options Once the offer is received, the student has

until 5th May to make a final decision 7 - 8 months can make a difference In April, the student will have a secure

knowledge of the progress he/she has made He/she can make an informed decision

about Firm and Insurance choice

Back to our A/B B B Student

Aug 2013: AS Results B B B C

Sept 2013:Predicted Grades

A/B B B

October half term ABB

UCAS University Course Requirements

AABAABABBABBBBB

April/May 2014Working at AAB

Firm: AABInsurance: ABB

August 2014 Accepts Firm offer AAB

Our student has moved from potentially being

predicted

A/B B B ABB AAB

He/she is in a strong position to achieve these

grades and will be able to meet the FirmChoice offer

Because at the time the student was not in a strong position to achieve these grades

The universities are aware they are PREDICTIONS

The 5 choice system allows for improvement/ disaster

If a teacher over-predicts there is a danger that the student will NOT be

realistic

New universities make offers using the pointsystem A* = 140 A = 120 B = 100 C = 80

An AS grade is equivalent to half the points

Equivalent to 3 B gradesBUT

Dropped AS result of a B grade = 50 pointsStudent could achieve BCC at A2

(100 + 80 + 80 = 260)+ 50 from dropped AS

= 310Therefore he/she has met the requirements

of the offer

May state entry requirement is 320 points or ABB but demand a A grade for particular subject at A2

UCAS inform the student of the requirement A K is recorded as the offer The student must make a note of it and

inform tutor

A or A* grade predictions are required Cambridge pays particular attention to the

AS results Oxford sets tests to differentiate A student with A*A*A* predictions may

still not be offered a place Historically all our students are called to

interview The interview is the deciding factor! Students are meeting with HoDs at least

once a week to prepare

We will match the results to the offers If a student has not achieved the grades for

either his/her Firm or Insurance choice, we will phone at 8 am in the morning of the 14th and advise that he/she checks the website/come in to College to search Clearing

It is a lottery – some may have been offered their Firm or Insurance choice despite not gaining the grades

Please be here to support your son/daughter on results’ day.

Students mature in the U6 Their AS results can be a rude awakening They realise their future lies in their hands We want to support your son or

daughter to achieve their personal best! Being positive is essential in boosting their

confidence But

EVERYONE must be realistic otherwise it could be a Black Thursday!

“The personal statement is your son’s or daughter’s opportunity to tell universities and colleges about his/her suitability for the course that he/she hopes to study. A studentneeds to demonstrate enthusiasm and commitment, and above all, ensure that he/she stands out from the crowd.” (UCAS)

They have a booklet giving them some guide lines

Notes from the Birmingham University talk Talk from Sussex University last Wednesday UCAS video guide www.ucas.tv University guides

http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/students/courses/undergraduate/apply/thepersonalstatement.aspx

There are lots of internet sites but remember NO PLAGIARISM !

However, there is lots you can do!Discuss with them: Why they want to take the course Their relevant skills The work/activities they have done and what

they have learnt from these experiences Also, check that they have done sufficient

research on the course. Look at the ep = entry profile or at the

university websites.

Is the course right for me?

An interest in history The most important requirement is an interest in historyinterest in history, whether this is expressed in historical reading, in visiting historic sites, in watching TV documentaries or in wanting to explore the past in greater depth.

Study skills You need to be able to work on your ownwork on your own, impose your own deadlines and finish tasks on time. It is also a great help if you write wellwrite well.

What personal qualities do I need?

Enthusiasm Your enthusiasmenthusiasm is one of the most important things you bring to us, and it is that enthusiasm that we seek to nurture.

Versatility Due to the fresh and varied nature of the course, you will need to be flexible flexible enough to welcome the study of historical themes and subjects that will be new to you.

Is the course right for me?Are you curiouscurious about the physical world and the way that it works? Do you have a questioning attitude, and do you enjoy solving problemsenjoy solving problems?

What skills, qualities, and experience do I need?

Physics is a highly mathematical science and so you will need to have demonstrable strengths in both Physics and Mathematics, and should be able to see the connections between the two subjectssee the connections between the two subjects..

You should be enthusiastic about Physics and should show this in your personal statement. Have you tried to find out more about Physics by reading popular science magazines, or watching science programmesreading popular science magazines, or watching science programmes on TV?

We're also interested to hear about additional academic or non-academic achievements. Have you won any school prizesschool prizes or received any special commendations? What kinds of things do you like doing in your spare time, and like doing in your spare time, and what skills have you developed through these activitieswhat skills have you developed through these activities

• Write about why you want to do a Foundation course. Discuss the work of particular artists’ who have inspired your work

• reference any exhibitions you have visited that you felt helped inform your own artwork.

• Explain what sort of techniques you have developed for your A Level Art • Discuss the reasons for selecting your other A Level subjects and how

these have informed your Art work. • Briefly note any extra-curricular activities you have been involved with

or any relevant work experience.

Does it highlight all his/her strengths?

Does it follow a logical sequence?

Are some of his/her greatest achievements mentioned at the right time or are they tucked away at the end?

Is it well written, grammatically correct and without any spelling mistakes?

Avoid the most common opening sentences in orderto make the best first impression. For example: From an early age I have always been interested in…

For as long as I can remember I have loved…

Academically I have always been very determined...

Einstein once said “……

4000 characters (which includes spaces) or 47 lines (except Art)

They should: Write it in Microsoft Word first then cut and

paste it Write more than required and then reduce it

by making it concise, relevant and punchy You can always discuss areas left out with

your UCAS Co-ordinator so that it is included in your reference.

It will be checked by their

Tutor UCAS Co-ordinator Head of Sixth Form

Before it is sent off!Before it is sent off!