Higher Education & Careers

The activities associated with Higher Education and Careers Guidance are coordinated by a working group of seven members of staff with the following specific responsibilities:

Mr J G Bell -  Chair      jgbell@hymers.org
Mr P Meadway -  Head of Careers     pmeadway@hymers.org
Mr C L Gaynor-Smith - Director of the Sixth Form and UCAS  clgaynor-smith@hymers.org
Mrs H Jackson - Assistant Director of Sixth Form   hjackson@hymers.org
Mr I R Sanderson - Oxbridge and Admissions Tests   irsanderson@hymers.org
Mr J Gravelle - Work Experience Placements   jgravelle@hymers.org
Mr R G Summers - PSE and GAP years    rgsummers@hymers.org

A varied programme of events takes place each year to encourage and help students to gather information, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and to manage their career aspirations. For example, Old Hymerians visit the school from time to time to participate in a Universities and Careers Forum, usually held at lunch time and open to all in Years 9-13. Such occasions provide an opportunity to find out more about university life and the career experiences of recent members of the school.

Hymers College Higher Education and Careers Updates, published every three or four weeks, contain current information and web links particularly for students in Years 11-13 and their parents. These Updates are available on the website Higher Education and Careers Updates and emailed to the students.

The services of Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) (Preview, Profile and Centigrade) are used as part of the careers guidance programme.

YEAR 12

In the Autumn Term, Year 12 students make use of the COA Centigrade programme, which is accredited by UCAS, to facilitate university choices and future careers. This supplements and extends the COA Preview and Profile scheme used in Years 10 and 11. Students are encouraged to explore possible university choices and update and extend their profiles on their online MyCareersRoom accounts. MyCareersRoom accounts will be automatically generated for students new to the school when they complete their COA Centigrade questionnaire.

In November, parents and students are invited to the Year 12 UCAS Information Evening. The UCAS procedures are explained and the roles of Form Tutors and the school’s UCAS Advisers are outlined. Detailed information is provided about university applications, personal statements, references, interviews and work experience placements.

During the Year 12 Parents’ Evening in January, there is a presentation entitled Introduction to Centigrade to ensure that parents have the opportunity to keep informed and ask questions.

The Humberside Higher Education Convention, held at the University of Hull in June, is attended by all members of Year 12.

Five UCAS Advisers support students and Form Tutors through the university application process:
Mr J G Bell  jgbell@hymers.org
Mr C L Gaynor-Smith clgaynor-smith@hymers.org
Mrs H Jackson  hjackson@hymers.org
Mr P Meadway  pmeadway@hymers.org
Mr I R Sanderson irsanderson@hymers.org

During the year, sessions are held to guide the UCAS application process and, from an early stage in Year 12, students are actively encouraged to find out about courses and universities through personal research, year group meetings, taster courses, open days and in discussion with Form Tutors and Heads of Departments. From time to time former students, currently at university, come back to speak of their experiences either in school assembly or during small meetings at lunch times.

Guidance about preparing for university admissions tests such as BMAT, UKCAT and LNAT for some courses and advice about Oxbridge applications is available through meetings held in February and March, although students can always discuss these matters with the Oxbridge/Admissions Tests Coordinator at any time.

Upon their return after the AS examinations, students can discuss the progress of their applications with one of the UCAS Advisers, who helps them to refine their university choices and courses in the light of their likely A level grades. Also, at this time of year, there is often a convenient opportunity to visit their short-listed universities during open days.

Support and advice is, of course, also available for the small number of students each year who choose not to make university applications, for example, those who wish to join the Forces, enter the workplace directly perhaps through apprenticeships, or take a GAP year.

YEAR 13

When students, now in Year 13, return in September they are encouraged to make early application to their chosen universities through the UCAS Apply Website. Form Tutors work with them during this stage of their applications. Each student then meets with one of the UCAS Advisers for final discussions before an interview with the Headmaster and the dispatch of their application.

In October, many students participate in the Year 13 Practice Interviews Evening when about 70 local professionals join members of Hymers teaching staff to offer practice interviews. A short lecture/seminar Preparing for University Interviews is also presented during the evening.

Detailed and personal advice about student finance cannot be provided by the school, however the government website (direct.gov.uk) is a source of much useful information Student Finance.

When A level results are published in August, staff are on hand at school to advise and assist any students who have further decisions to make at that time.

OLD HYMERIANS

Former Hymers students frequently send bulletins from university about their progress so that those who follow may benefit from their experience.

Advice and support continues to be available to students after they have left the school should they, for example, require references.