Year 11 Parents’ EveningThursday 15th November 2012.Mr McGhee, Mr Paterson and Mr

Webb.Visit again at

www.fhscareers.weebly.com (Year 11 Transitions)

Thank you for coming ..• This purpose of this part of the evening is to give

you (students and parents) further information, guidance and an aspiration to achieve the highest possible grades.

• Mr McGhee – AAHT responsible for the Gifted and Talented provision.

• Mr Webb – TLR attached to the sixth form, pathways and careers.

• Mr Paterson – Sixth form Academic tutor co-ordinating the EPQ course.

• A time for questions

The Gifted and Talented register

• The register has been created based on a series of data streams and teachers input.

• The data indicates that your child is in the top 10% of the year group and therefore has the academic potential to achieve B, A and A*’s grades at GCSE.

• At Featherstone we strongly believe that every student should be sufficiently challenged to achieve their best and that their successes are celebrated.

Purpose of the evening• Each member of staff will deliver in an area of

their given responsibility and expertise.• By the end of the evening you (parents and

pupils) should know your target grades (from the report), and the best ways to achieve these target grades.

• Most importantly this presentation is to raise your aspirations beyond GCSE’s so that you make the best pathways choices and understand the routes, and benefits, of applying for a Russell Group university course.

Other ways to achieve your FFTD grades?

• Coursework catch-up sessions– After school every day 4-4.45pm– Different subjects on different days

• Holiday booster and revision classes– February half term and Easter holidays.

• Mock exam, in some subjects, in December grade given to know how far you are achieving your target grade.

• Independent study time available in the main school library p1 and p2.

• A ‘study buddy’, working in collaboration with a partner can be supportive, motivational and a way to peer learn.

Other overlooked, but common sense ways to raise attainment

• High attendance (95%) and excellent punctuality to school.• Completing and meeting all the subject homework deadlines.• Using the school weebly e-learning sites to support learning

outside the classroom (more of this from tutors)• Early planning of revision and homework around a calendar of

exam dates.• Identifying weaknesses in subjects and taking action to rectify

them. (marked work)• Regular reading of books for pleasure (fiction and non-fiction)• Reading a broadsheet newspaper (available in the library)• Being an active leader participating in the school community.• Talking to subject teachers and acting on their advise on how to

improve.• Asking for help and acting on advise whenever your are stuck.

Mr Webb: Coming up

• Applying to University in 2016• Why Russell Group?• How to make a successful Russell Group

application.

Good News • FHS has a strong track record of getting students into

university (92% of students successful in their first application which is above the national average of 75%)

• There are many bursaries and scholarships available for students applying to university

• University graduates earn on average £100,000 more over a lifetime than those who do not attend university

• Only 58% of universities will be charging the maximum of £9000 tuition fees a year

• Fees are only repaid once you graduate and start to earn £21000 or more p.a.

Bad news • Tuition fees are more expensive• Applications are increasing, meaning

there is more competition• Around 1/3 of people applying to

university are unsuccessful every year

• UK students (650,000) are competing with international students as well

What can you do?• Be realistic• Help yourself• Know your ability• Work hard• Do something ‘super curricular’

Be realistic Medicine – most ask for at least 5 A*s at GCSE, at least Chemistry A-Level

– most also require Biology – relevant medical work experience in a medical field is

required

Law – incredibly competitive and over subscribed. Typical offer is AAB.

– this degree will NOT enable you to walk straight into a Law firm, you will need to do further (more expensive) training.

Oxbridge – 70-80% A/A*s to be considered and typical offer is AAA*

Science – if you plan on studying Science at University (including Psychology) you may need at least a C grade at Maths GCSE

BTEC Level 3 Qualifications – some universities will only accept these in combination with an A-Level and some universities will not accept them at all.

Types of universitiesRussell Group Universities –24 universities recognised with the highest rated research facilities. • Mainly academic courses.• Most courses will require at least AAB and may have more specific

requirements including GCSE subjects and grades

Plate Glass Universities – created mainly in the 1960s. • Mainly academic courses with some applied courses.• Typical offers are Grades B & C at A Level

‘New’ Universities – mainly 1990’s onwards• Mainly applied courses with some academic courses.• Lower entry requirements

Why Russell Group? http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk

The Russell Group represents 24 leading UK universities which are committed to maintaining the very best research, an outstanding teaching and learning experience and unrivalled links with business and the public sector.

Why Russell Group? http://www.russellgroup.ac.uk

Research has shown that studying at a Russell Group university attracts a salary top up of approximately 10% over a lifetime compared with other graduates. This is even when other factors affecting wages have been taken into account such as A Level scores or parental background.

How to make a successful Russell Group application.• Top grades at A Level• Links with universities and master

classes (www.fhscareers.weebly.com)• Read around the subject• Visit Museum, art galleries, exhibitions• Relevant work experience• Attend or host clubs in school

How to make choose 6th Form courses to make a successful application to Russell Group Universities• Know what you want to study? – Check out the entry

requirements and read around the subject. www.UCAS.com

• Not sure yet? – Keep your options open!• Enabling Subjects: Maths, English Literature, Physics,

Biology, Chemistry, Geography, History & (Modern) Languages

• GCSEs and other Level 2 qualifications matter.• Think balance! • Make sure you know WHY? Could you speak for 60 seconds

on your reasons for choosing a subject?

For more information search “Russell Group, Informed Choices”

Useful links• www.fhscareers.weebly.com• www.ucas.com• www.russellgroup.ac.uk

Awebb@featherstonehigh.ealing.sch.uk

Mr Paterson:Academic Tutor

• Monitor progress throughout the year• Build on excellent GCSE grades and bridge

the gap to A Level standard• UCAS application and university advice• Input on Personal Statements• Promote academic rigour and the skills

required for university study• Opportunities outside school – university

visits• Extended Project

Aiming high• Aspiring to excellence• Competing against students

nationally, not just at Featherstone• Being informed and aware• ‘Going the extra mile’• Gaining independence and showing

initiative

Extended Project (EPQ)• Freestanding qualification• Equivalent to half an AS level in points• Graded from A*-U• Based on a topic chosen by the learner• Requires in total around 120 guided learning

hours (both within school time and out of school)

Previous titles at FHS• What makes a successful diagnosis?• The strengths of one of the fastest growing

economies in the world – India• How dangerous is solar activity? • Alcohol Abuse – The Physical, Psychological and

Social Effects• How has immigration affected West London?• What is next for Particle Physics and the Large

Hadron Collider?

• Most universities will not make a conditional offer including the EP

• They do however recognise the quality of the qualification

• It can set apart candidates who have the same predicted grades

• Universities may make a lower conditional offer if students have an EP qualification

• It can encourage students to make reference to the skills they have learnt in their personal statement

What do universities thinkabout the Extended Project?

Cambridge University ‘We welcome the introduction of the

Extended Project and would encourage you to undertake one as it will help you

develop independent study and research skills and ease the transition from

school/college to higher education.’

Oxford University

‘The University recognises that the EP will provide an applicant with the opportunity to develop research and academic skills relevant for study at Oxford. Candidates are encouraged to draw upon relevant EP experience when writing their personal statement.’

Newcastle UniversityWe welcome applications from students offering the Extended Project alongside A Levels.We value the research skills and independent learning that the Extended Project is designed to develop. If you offer an Extended Project, it will be taken into account. Your offer may be varied as a result, in recognition of the level of study skills you will have developed.

What Russell Group universities say about the Extended Project

Any questions?• We will all be going into the main

school hall at 6.50pm to join our tutor groups.