YEAR 11Information, Advice and

Guidance (IAG)

NAME:_______________________

FORM:________

Overview of YearMonth OutcomesSeptember 1. Launch year 11 programme to pupils and staff

2. Post 16 Conference Day:a. Meet post 16 partnersb. Introduce personal statementc. Pupils start to construct personal statement. The PS must be

stored electronically on the school pupil drive to enable pupils to continue to develop it in form time

3. UCAS progress passwords issued4. Pupils to understand key terms: eligibility, bookmarking, levels,

progression5. Tutors start to compose references

October 1. Post 16 evening for parents and pupils2. Taster Sessions: post 16 partners deliver taster sessions to year 11s 3. Pupils bookmark courses, research eligibility criteria, think about

HE/careers4. Pupils complete personal Profiles section of UCAS Progress5. Pupils continue with personal statements in tutor time

November 1. Preparation for Mock exams2. Pupils to understand the key role that mocks play in securing post 16

offers3. Mock exams4. Personal statements should be completed, approved and ready for

uploading

December 1. Pupils understand how to make applications2. Pupils complete bookmarking3. Personal statements completed and uploaded to the application4. IAG teachers complete final checks of applications5. References uploaded

January 1. Exams Manager uploads predicted grades to the applications2. JBU/HBU begin check and send process3. Pupils prepare for interviews with support from employers (Barclays)4. Applications submitted to post 16 providers

February 1. Interview process begins in most post 16 establishments2. Pupils learn about the CAP protocol for accepting/declining offers

My achievements

Overcome a fear Solved a problem Got an award or qualification Looked after or managed

people Got a job, promotion, extra

responsibility Got better at something Lived by yourself Made something Managed a budget Exercised regularly Cooked for other people Talked to a big group Managed your time well Raised money for charity Started a new hobby or

activity

Shown someone how to do something

Organised an event Passed on exam or test Sorted out an argument or

conflict Used sign language Learnt something new Cut costs Written for a newsletter etc. Thought up a new idea Led/worked in a group or team Decorated a room or house Repaired something Learnt from your mistakes Got through a bad time Dealt with a big change in your

life

1. Have you ever..? Tick those applying to you.

Achievements in school

Achievements out of School

Charity/voluntary workUsing different

Languages

Religious activities

Pen Pals

Community activities

Sports

Reading

Practical crafts

Travelling

Clubs

Using a computer

Helping at home

My achievements

Think about all your non-academic achievements. This includes all the other things you do in school, like being in a sports team or being a member of a club. It also includes things you do out of school, like helping in the home or having a hobby.

Personal Statement-qualities and attributes

Friendly Confident Witty Tough Good at organising Fun to be with Know my own mind Attention-seeking Reliable Competitive Lazy Shy Get on with people Full of enthusiasm Act on impulse Short tempered

Cynical Stubborn Determined Thoughtful Caring Erratic Act on intuition Aggressive Optimistic Tactful Open-minded Consistent Easy-going Charismatic Assertive Good at thinking up new

ideas

Difficult to get on with Quick to recover when

things go wrong Good at getting others

to agree with me Approachable Energetic Persuasive Hard-working Honest Responsible Thoughtful Considerate Pessimistic Miserable Logical

1. Look at the above personality traits. Using two different highlighter pen colours identify the qualities that would and wouldn’t be attractive to prospective colleges / employers.

2. Now circle the words / phrases that you think accurately describe your personality.

3. Discuss how the features compare; what qualities do you have that will make you successful?

Personal Statement-planning

Words, words, words…..Circle any that apply to you …. You could use them when writing your personal

statement.

Flexible mature adventurous pushy detached

Aspiring amenable antisocial nervousable quarrelsome artistic

forceful loud-mouthedcarefree lazy caring

careless fluidsolid enchanting cheerful competitive

self-assuredpolite consistent conscientious

traditionalcalm cooperative

original fault-finding difficultdemonstrative reliable disturbing

dreamydrift casual extrovert flexible

attender talentedsupportive imaginative hasty inattentive

brainyintrovert solitary clever director

bouncy bigsystematic shy temperamental

negative restlessoverweight outspoken submissive convincingunruffled agreeable courteous favourite

sociable confidential proudprompt curious

restrainedmutinous dependable religious punctualconstrained ingenious uneasy fair

sensiblesensitive short modest social isolated

atesporty powerful obstinate scholarly

neatdiplomatic ambitious proud

chatty tall meanhostile unpredictable fanciful

reckless boastful inattentivecareful awkward creative helpful

UCAS ApplicationYou must use ucasprogress.com to apply to any post-16 course in Cambridgeshire. You can apply to as many post-16 centres as you like. You must complete three sections: personal profile, work history and personal statement. The school will complete: qualifications and references. The school will check your application before it is sent to the post-16 centres in January.

PREDICTED GRADESWhether or not a post-16 centre offers you a place on a course will depend on your qualifications and application. If you do not have the right qualifications you will not be offered the course, so check you’re eligible for each course. Post-16 centres will make offers based on predicted grades. These are predicted by your teachers at Christmas, following your mock exams. Therefore, it is important to have the best possible predicted grades by this time.

PERSONAL PROFILEYou must check these are accurate. This is factual information about your legal name address, age etc.

WORK HISTORYYou must complete this section. It is important that you do not just list your part-time jobs and work experience. You must explain what skills you have developed through doing the work.

PERSONAL STATEMENT You must write your personal statement and have it checked by your tutor. It is important that you follow the basic template and advice given by the school. The personal statement is likely to be discussed at any interview.

COLLEGE PREFERENCEYou must indicate your order of preference when choosing a post-16 centre. This should be written as a list at the top of your personal statement. Some post-16 centres will only interview if placed as first or first equal choice. You may only list centres as first equal if you are taking different types of qualifications at the different centres, e.g. IB at one and A level at the other. It is always advisable to list more than one pst-16 centre: you should always have a back-up plan.

QUALIFICATONSYou must not complete the section. You should check the qualifications are those you are taking. The school will enter your predicted grades after Christmas.

REFERENCESYour reference will be written by your tutor and checked by your Pastoral Leader. It will be attached to the application and sent by the school.

UCAS ChecklistTask checklist

Completed Y/N

Comments/Notes

Received username and password

Changed password to the required SVC format of initials plus dob e.g. jb010195

I can: • Search for courses and colleges • Bookmark courses and colleges • Find information about entry requirements for

different colleges and courses • Make an application

Contact Details checked and updated

Personal Information checked and updated

Work History: have you talked about the skills you learned rather than the job you did?

Personal Statement:• Have you recorded your post 16 college choices in

order of preference at the start of the PS? • Have you stated why you want to study your

chosen courses? • Have you discussed hobbies, interests and

achievements both in and out of school? • Have you mentioned longer term goals e.g.

university, apprenticeship, career aspirations?

Have you ticked each section of your personal profile as completed in addition to saving your work?

I understand the selection and interview process

I understand what I need to do if I am offered an interview

I understand what I need to do if I am offered a conditional place at a post 16 centre

Eligibility ChecklistELIGIBILITY means ‘whether or not you have the grades needed to be allowed to do the course’

Name of provider e.g. Long Road

General entry requirements e.g. 7 GCSE at A*-C

Course e.g. chemistry

Course specific entry requirement e.g. GCSE A grade

I meet the requirements Y/N

Personal StatementBefore starting, you should think carefully about your skills and qualities. It is important to think of examples for each of these – how can you demonstrate each attribute. You should also list all the things you have done in and out of school, thinking carefully about how each of these activities has helped you develop.

Your personal statement must be truthful and show you at your best. Do not try to stand out by saying anything controversial or by writing in a zany style. Write in a formal style using the template to help you cover all the points needed. You should aim to write between one and two pages of A4. Avoid repeating yourself.

The personal statement should be written ideally as a word document that can easily be pasted into your application when finished. You should use font size 12 and either Ariel, Times New Roman or Calibri.

STRUCTURE• Who you are: an introduction that gives a sense of your character, your attitude to study

and the subjects you are keen to take at post-16. Mention you are at Sawston Village College in case your personal statement becomes separated once printed out by the post-16 centre.

• What you have done at school: a section about teams, clubs, voluntary work and organised activity you have been involved in since year 7. Only include primary school if you did something exceptional that you have since continued. Do not just list things you do.

• What you have done outside of school: a section about teams, clubs and interests outside school. Do not repeat points already made above. Do not include work experience or part-time jobs as these are written about in the separate ‘work history’ section on the application form.

• What you would like to study: a paragraph about the courses you would like to take and why, perhaps indicating your aspiration post-18

• Why you: a concluding paragraph that sums you up

REMEMBER: check your personal statement for accuracy especially capital letters, spelling and punctuation. Ask someone you trust to also check it for you.

Who are you? Example.

BasicI am a student at Sawston Village College and I have been studying English, Maths, Science, History GCSEs and Spanish NVQ. I want to do A-levels because I am interested in studying at a higher level in subjects that I enjoy. I am positive, hard working and keen to do well.

BetterIn my final year at Sawston Village College, I have worked very hard to secure good estimated grades in all my courses. Having particularly enjoyed History, I would like to take it at A-level and think that it would combine well with other subjects that I have enjoyed, such as Geography and English.

BestA keen, hard-working final year student at Sawston Village College, I have really enjoyed all my courses and look forward to furthering my knowledge at A-level. History has always been a subject that fascinates me and I am looking forward to developing my skills of inference and deduction. Combining this with Geography and English, I hope to be able to develop a broad understanding of the world and enhance my skills of empathy and self-reflection.

What have you done at school? Example

BasicAt school, I have taken part in lots of sport such as playing football and interform. I have also been a member of computer club and the debating club. I have helped out on the school reception and I have never been in trouble.

BetterI have played football for the school which has helped me to worked well in a team and to appreciate the importance of practice and perseverance. By representing my form at interform I have also shown that I am willing to give anything a go. As a member of the computer club, I have been able to develop my programming skills whilst helping younger pupils to gain confidence in this area.

BestFor the last three years, I have played for the school football team, showing that I am reliable, a good team player and proud to represent my school. I’d like to carry this on at sixth form because I appreciate the importance of practising, the camaraderie of team sport and the power of a positive mental sporting attitude in helping my studies. Showing that I am an all-rounder, I have also been a regular member of…

What have you done out of school? Example

BasicI enjoy watching television, going out with my friends and playing computer games. I have also played for Whittlesford Warriors football team and I was a cub when I was younger.

BetterAt home, I enjoy playing a range of computer games but I also enjoy socialising; I consider myself to be a good and loyal friend. For the last three years, I have played as centre back for the Whittlesford Warriors and I have never missed a game. As a cub, I also learnt how to be a good team player.

BestOutside of school, I have shown that I am a loyal and respected member of Whittlesford Warriors football team, having played three years without missing a game. Once I am committed to something, it is important for me not to give up or to let others down which is a value I think I learnt at an early age at home and as a cub scout. For example, as a cub I was a sixer and helped organise the annual talent show. These skills should help me at sixth form because…

What do you want to study? Example

BasicI want to study Maths, Biology, English and Media Studies. I like Maths and I have done well in science, especially Biology. I think the media is interesting because it is everywhere and I like the idea of doing something I have not done at school. I want to work in the media.

BetterI would really like to take Maths A-level because I have done a taster course on calculus and found it really interesting. I would also like to study Biology as it’s my favourite science and I was really enthused by a project we did on the human genome. Finally, I think English and Media Studies compliment each other as they both study how culture and identity are shaped. I eventually want to study economics or similar.

BestIn the future I hope to study economics or accountancy as I really enjoy Maths and I also think that I have an analytical approach to study. This was demonstrated in my project on the human genome; something that has sparked my interest in Biology. To lend a balance to my subjects, I wish to take two arts based courses that complement each other well as they both focus on how culture and identity are shaped: English and Media Studies. These courses at Long Road particularly appeal because…

Why you? Example

BasicI have shown that I am loyal, punctual, trustworthy and keen to do well. I have tried hard at school and look forward to trying even harder at sixth form.

BetterTo sum up, I consider myself to be reliable, self-motivated, determined and keen to succeed. I understand that success is dependent on hard work and I look forward to meeting this challenge. I think I can do well and by pushing myself I know that I can achieve my long-term dream of being a vet.

BestAs a reliable, self-motivated and determined person, I am looking forward to the next challenge at post-16. I know that I will need to develop my independent skills, broaden my knowledge through extensive reading and seize all the opportunties available to me to become the vet that I hope to be. Studying all three sciences and maths will ensure that I give myself every chance to succeed.

A basic example

1.Cambridge Regional College2. College of West Anglia

I am a student at Sawston Village College and I have been studying English GCSE, Maths GCSE, BTEC Science, History GCSE and Spanish NVQ. I want to do a Level 2 Vocational course because I am interested in doing something practical where I can learn a skill and possibly different subjects than I’ve done at school. I am positive and keen to do well.

At school, I have taken part in some sports clubs and interform. This has helped me be a good team player and also shows that I can commit to things. I have also been a member of computer club as I really enjoy playing games and doing basic programming. I have helped out on the school reception and I have never been in trouble. I enjoy watching television, going out with my friends and playing on the computer. I have also played for Whittlesford Warriors football team. I do a paper round on a Saturday.

I want to study Level 2 Uniform Services. I want to learn about careers is the armed services and eventually join the army. I think the course will also help me improve my communication skills and fitness.

I have shown that I am loyal, punctual, trustworthy and keen to do well. I have tried hard at school and look forward to trying even harder at sixth form.

What you’ve done in and out of

school

Who you are, what you do and what you want to

do briefly.

List your preferences

What you want to study and why

Summarise your strengths

Work History Section. An example

You should include all part-time jobs and work experience. Rather than listing, you should explain what you have learnt from doing the job and how you have developed as a person. During work experience, you completed a booklet in which you wrote about skills and things you learnt. Use your work experience booklet to help fill in this section.

Sally’s Newsagent, Cherry Hinton, March 2012-presentI have a part-time job as a paper boy on a Saturday for which I have never been late. I also work in the shop sometimes helping to stack shelves which has taught me patience and attention to detail.

Wax Clothing, King’s Parade, Cambridge, June 2014For work experience, I spent two weeks at Wax Clothing. I improved my communication skills by working with customers and I learnt to be more confident and organised. I enjoyed it because it gave me independence and I proved to be quite good at selling clothes.

What you need to do. (www.ucasprogress.com)

The only box in your profile which should not be green (i.e.marked as complete) is QUALIFICATIONS. We enter these for you. We will also write your reference.

You need to:1. Check personal information and mark as complete.2. Enter your work history (includes work experience) and mark as complete. This should be in paragraphs not written as a list.3. Copy and paste your checked personal statement into the relevant section and mark as complete.

You must add your chosen courses for each centre into FAVOURITES. This is done through ‘search’.You must delete all other courses from FAVOURITES. This is done in ‘favourites’.

My applicationsName of post-16 centre

Name of course Grades needed

Offer/interview date/notes

Monday Tuesday Wednesday

Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

Revision timetable (Mocks)