Ark Alexandra AcademySixth Form Transition

Ark Alexandra Academy is a new co-educational school in Hastings,that has brought together Ark William Parker Academyand Ark Helenswood Academy, while preserving and

building on the legacy of both.

Faith Excellence Kindness

Year 12 to 13 transition booklet

Before we embark on this session it is important to consider the significance of what we are about

to do. The decisions that you make over the coming months will have lifelong consequences, they

will shape your future direction and your potential professional outcomes.

This can seem like a daunting exercise, however, if you go through the correct processes you will

make the right decision.

Therefore, we need to recognise the importance of critical thinking and how it can help you make

the correct decision.

Stage 1 – Think about your career goals – what matters to you? Is money the most

important factor or is job satisfaction more important? Is there a particular career you have in

mind? Note down below the key characteristics that you are looking for from your career?

Stage 2 – Why did you put down what you did above? What correlates with your interests

and character aspects? Do your personal strengths and weaknesses marry up with your objectives?

Stage 3 – By now you should have a broad idea of what your strengths and interest

are, enabling you to start to see how they can lead into a particular area of employment. Now you

need to think about the journey to get to where you want to be – what do you need to do to

enable you to pursue employment in area that you have both competency and interest?

Activity

Advantages of Apprenticeships Disadvantages of apprenticeship

Advantages of University Disadvantages of apprenticeships

You can gain your qualification, learn professional skills, progress your career plus earn a wage, want to find out more?With a degree apprenticeship you can achieve a full Bachelor’s or Master’s degree. And just like traditional degrees, an apprenticeship is a great route to a great career.

The factsApprenticeships are available to anyone over the age of 16, living in England and are available at intermediate, advanced, higher and degree levels.

All apprenticeships are genuine jobs so all apprentices earn a salary. You must be paid at least the national minimum apprenticeship wage and many employers pay significantly more. Apprentices should work enough hours each week so that they can undertake sufficient, regular training and on-the-job activity, search ‘become an apprentice’ on GOV.UK for further information. Entry requirements depend on the sector and prior skills. If you have achieved A-levels you may still be expected to start at intermediate or advanced level as some sectors, such as engineering, require you to build up your occupational skills.

How are they structured?Higher and degree apprenticeships are available at levels 4 to 7. They combine work with study and may include a work-based, academic or combined qualification or a professional qualification relevant to the industry. Levels 4 and 5 are equivalent to a Higher Education Certificate/Diploma or a foundation degree, level 6 is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree and level 7 is equivalent to a Master’s degree. Typically, higher apprentices study part-time at college, university or with a training provider. Apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete.

How do I find a higher or degree apprenticeship?There were 494,900 apprenticeship starts in 2016 to 17 in a wide range of workplaces including Cap Gemini, Ford, ITV, Airbus, Rolls-Royce, Barclays and the BBC. With so many opportunities on offer you can find the apprenticeship that’s right for you.

Applying is easy, just visit GOV.UK/apply-apprenticeship. There are between 12,000 and 20,000 apprenticeship vacancies on the site at any one time.

If you require any support with your Find an apprenticeship application please contact: 0800 015 0400 (free from landlines and mobiles)Email: nationalhelpdesk@findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk

For professional advice on making the right choices, visit: nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk or call: 0800 100 900 (free from landlines and mobiles).

Follow National Apprenticeship Service:

Twitter @apprenticeships

Facebook facebook.com/getingofar

Search for apprenticeships on GOV.UK or call 0800 015 0400

A guide to higher and degree apprenticeships

“My apprenticeship has benefitted me in every way possible. I’ve learnt key skills in engineering, mechanical and hydraulics, as well as the theory behind all of it.” Holly Broadhurst Higher Design Engineering Apprentice, J C Bamford Excavators

The A-Z of higher and degree apprenticeships

NAS-P-170002 April 2018 Please note that the above standards and frameworks are correct as of publication. For an up to date list please visit gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

S Standard F Framework

Area of study Level

AAccounting 4 F

Accountancy / Taxation Professional 4 S

Actuarial Technician 4 S

Advanced Dairy Technologist 5 S

Aerospace Engineer Level 6 S

Aerospace Software Development Engineer 6 S

Agriculture 4 F

Aircraft Maintenance Certifying Engineer 4 S

Assistant Technical Director (visual effects) 4 S

Associate Ambulance Practitioner 4 S

Associate Project Manager 4 S

Aviation Operations Manager 4 S

BBespoke Tailor and Cutter 5 S

Broadcasting Technology 6 F

Business and Professional Administration 4 F

CCare Leadership and Management 5 F

Chartered Legal Executive 6 S

Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship 6 S

Chartered Surveyor Level 6 S

Civil Engineer Level 6 S

Civil Engineering Site Management (degree) 6 S

Commercial Procurement and Supply 4 S

Construction Management 4, 5, 6 F

Control / Technical Support Engineer 6 S

Conveyancing Technician 4 S

Creative and Digital Media 4 F

Cyber Intrusion Analyst 4 S

Cyber Security Technologist 4 S

D S

Data Analyst 4 S

Dental Practice Manager 4 S

Dental Technician Level 5 S

Digital Learning Design 4 F

Digital and Technology Solutions Professional 7 S

EElectrical Power Networks Engineer (previously Power Networks Engineer) 4 S

Electrical Power Protection and Plant Commissioning Engineer 4 S

Electrical/Electronic Technical Support Engineer 6 S

Embedded Electronic Systems Design and Development Engineer 6 S

FFacilities Management 4, 5 F

Financial Adviser 4 S

Financial Services Professional 6 S

Food Industry Technical Professional (Degree) 6 S

HHealthcare Assistant Practitioner 5 S

Healthcare Science Associate 4 S

Healthcare Science Practitioner 6 S

High Speed Rail & Infrastructure Technician 4 S

Hospitality Management 4 F

Hospitality Manager 4 S

Human Resource Consultant/ Partner 5 S

Human Resources Management 5 F

IInsurance Professional 4 S

Intelligence Operations 4 F

Investment Operations Specialist 4 S

IS Business Analyst 4 S

IT, Software, Web & Telecoms Professionals 4 F

Area of study Level

JJunior 2D Artist (visual effects) 4 S

Junior Management Consultant 4 S

LLaboratory Scientist 5 S

Laboratory Scientist (Degree) 6 S

Legal Services Level 4 F

Licensed Conveyancer 6 S

Life Sciences and Chemical Science Professionals 4, 5 F

MManagement 4, 5 F

Manufacturing Engineering 4 F

Manufacturing Engineer 6 S

Mineral Products Technology 4, 5 F

NNetwork Engineer 4 S

Nuclear Scientist and Nuclear Engineer 6 S

Nuclear Technician 5 S

Nuclear Welding Inspection Technician 4 S

Nursing Associate 5 S

OOperations/Departmental Manager 5 S

Outside Broadcasting Engineer 7 S

PParaplanner 4 S

Passenger Transport Operations Manager 4 S

Policy Officer 4 S

Post Graduate Engineer 7 S

Power Engineer (Degree) 7 S

Probate Technician 4 S

Process Automation Engineer 7 S

Product Design and Development Engineer 6 S

Professional Accounting Taxation Technician 4 S

Professional Services 4 F

Project Management 4 F

Public Relations 4 F

Public Sector Commercial Professional 4 S

RRail Engineering Advanced Technician 4 S

Recruitment 4 F

Registered Nurse (Degree) 6 S

Relationship Manager (Banking) 6 S

Retail Manager 4 S

Road Transport Engineering Manager 4 S

SSchool Business Professional 4 S

Senior Compliance/Risk Specialist 6 S

Senior Housing/Property Management 4 F

Senior Insurance Professional 6 S

Social Media and Digital Marketing 4 F

Software Tester 4 S

Software Developer 4 S

Solicitor 7 S

Supply Chain Management 5 F

Sustainable Resource Operations and Management 4 F

Systems Engineering 7 S

T S

Teacher 6 S

The Water Industry 4 F

UUnified Communications Trouble Shooter 4 S

STUDENT FINANCEPACKAGE 2019/20• Students living with their parents

• Students studying in London and not living with their parents

• Students studying outside London and not living with their parents

February 2019

/SF_England

STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE 2019/20

How household income affects the amount of student � nance available to the majority of full-time students in academic year 2019/20. Figures apply to students who started a course on or after 1 August 2016. All fi gures are per year.

Household income Maintenance LoanPaid in three instalments

– once at the start of each term

Max Tuition Fee LoanNote: not all courses will

cost £9,250*

Max amount borrowed,excluding interest

Students living with their parents

£25,000 and under £7,529 £9,250 £16,779

£30,000 £6,895 £9,250 £16,145

£35,000 £6,260 £9,250 £15,510

£40,000 £5,626 £9,250 £14,876

£42,875 £5,261 £9,250 £14,511

£45,000 £4,991 £9,250 £14,241

£50,000 £4,357 £9,250 £13,607

£55,000 £3,722 £9,250 £12,927

£58,215 and over £3,314 £9,250 £12,564

Students studying in London and not living with their parents

£25,000 and under £11,672 £9,250 £20,922

£30,000 £11,020 £9,250 £20,270

£35,000 £10,367 £9,250 £19,617

£40,000 £9,714 £9,250 £18,964

£42,875 £9,339 £9,250 £18,589

£45,000 £9,062 £9,250 £18,312

£50,000 £8,409 £9,250 £17,659

£55,000 £7,756 £9,250 £17,006

£60,000 £7,103 £9,250 £16,353

£65,000 £6,451 £9,250 £15,701

£69,888 and over £5,812 £9,250 £15,062

STUDENT FINANCE PACKAGE 2019/20

Students studying outside London and not living with their parents

£25,000 and under £8,944 £9,250 £18,194

£30,000 £8,303 £9,250 £17,553

£35,000 £7,661 £9,250 £16,911

£40,000 £7,019 £9,250 £16,269

£42,875 £6,650 £9,250 £15,900

£45,000 £6,377 £9,250 £15,627

£50,000 £5,735 £9,250 £14,985

£55,000 £5,093 £9,250 £14,343

£60,000 £4,452 £9,250 £13,702

£62,212 and over £4,168 £9,250 £13,418

*If you’re studying an accelerated degree course, you could get a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £11,100

Student Finance England is a service provided by the Student Loans Company. We provide � nancial support on behalf of the UK Government to students from England entering higher education in the UK.

/SF_England

Filling in your

UCAS Application

• Start by registering for your Apply account at www.ucas.com/apply, add some personal details, get a username, create a password, and set your security questions.

• Add the buzzword your school, college, or centre gave you.

• If you’re applying independently, you won’t have a buzzword, so we’ll ask you some more questions.

• Please note, you can only apply once in a cycle.

Once you’ve registered, here are the sections you will need to complete in Apply.

Sign in to fill in the rest of your details• You’ll need to add in your funding and sponsorship options, residential

status, any special needs or disabilities, and any criminal convictions.

• Add your email address – we’ll show you how to verify it with us. Then we can let you know whenever your application is updated.

• You can give a parent, guardian, or adviser nominated access if you’d like them to speak to us on your behalf.

Additional information (UK applicants only)• Equality, ethnic origin, national identity, any summer schools/taster courses

you attended, care and parental education, and occupational background all need to be added in this section.

• These questions aren’t compulsory or used for selection purposes – they’re just helpful for statistics.

Student finance (UK and EU applicants only)• This page might appear if certain questions are answered in the

sections above.

• We don’t arrange student finance, but if you’re looking for financial support, you can give us permission here to share your information with the student loans/awards organisation you apply to, which should speed up the process of getting a loan.

• For more information about this, visit www.ucas.com/finance.

Here’s a step-by-step guide

to filling in your UCAS application

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Course choices• You can choose up to five courses. There’s no preference order and your

chosen universities/colleges won’t see where else you’ve applied.

• Applying to medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, or veterinary science? You can only apply to a maximum of four courses in any one of these subjects.

• Applying to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge? You can only apply to one course at either the University of Oxford or the University of Cambridge.

• Applying for deferred entry? Make sure you’ve checked the university or college accepts deferred entry applications for the course you’re interested in.

Make sure you’re familiar with the application deadline(s) for the courses you want to apply for – visit www.ucas.com/whentoapply.

Full education history• You must enter all your qualifications – whether you have the result or if

you’re still awaiting exams and results.

• If any of your pending qualifications aren’t listed on ucas.com, you still need to add them to your application, but remember you’ll need to send the results to your chosen universities and colleges when you get them.

• International students – qualifications are listed by name and country, but don’t worry if yours isn’t there – just add it to the ‘Other’ box. You may have to send proof of your results to the university or college yourself.

• Mature students – if you can’t find your school exam certificates, contact the school and local authority.

• For more information on adding your qualifications to your application, visit www.ucas.com/fillinginyourapplication.

Your employment history• If you’ve had any paid jobs – full-time or part-time – here’s where you

can enter details for up to five of them. Include company names, addresses, job descriptions, and start/finish dates.

• If you’ve done any unpaid or voluntary work, you don’t need to include details about it in this section – you can talk about this in your personal statement.

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Write a personal statement• This is your chance to show universities and colleges why you want to study

the course and why you’d make a great student.

• Start early – it might take a while until you’re happy with it and you’ve checked it through with teachers, advisers, or family.

• For detailed advice on how to write your personal statement, head to www.ucas.com/personalstatement.

Take a final look at your application• See if you need to make any edits, then mark it as complete and save it.

• Once you’ve marked all previous sections as complete, you’ll be able to read and agree to the declaration – this allows us to process your information and send it to your chosen universities/colleges.

• You’ll then be able to move on to the final section.

Get a reference, pay your fee, and send us

your application• A reference is a written recommendation from a teacher, adviser,

or professional who knows you academically or professionally. Everyone needs a reference, unless you get permission from your chosen universities/colleges.

• The application fee is £18 if you’re applying to just one course, or £24 for multiple courses and for late applications sent after 30 June.

• Applying through a school, college, or centre? They will let you know whether and when you should pay them, so they can pay us. Alternatively, they will tell you to pay us directly by credit/debit card – you’d do this before the reference is added to your application. They will then send the application to us on your behalf.

• Applying independently? After the reference is added, pay by credit/debit card online, then send your application to us.

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For more information on

completing your application, go to

www.ucas.com/fillinginyourapplication

Good luck!

This worksheet is designed to help you think about information you could include in your personal statement. We’ve included space for you to write down any thoughts you have as you go along. More detailed advice and guidance about writing your personal statement, including our UCAStv video guide, is available at www.ucas.com/personalstatement.

Writing about the course

Why are you applying for your chosen course(s)?

Why does this subject interest you? Include evidence that you understand what’s required to study the course, e.g. if applying for psychology courses, show that you know how scientific the subject is.

Why do you think you’re suitable for the course(s)? Do you have any particular skills and experience that will help you to succeed on the course(s)?

PERSONAL STATEMENT WORKSHEET

Do your current or previous studies relate to the course(s) that you have chosen? If so, how?

Have you taken part in any other activities that demonstrate your interest in the course(s)?

Skills and achievements

Universities like to know the skills you have that will help you on the course, or generally with life at university, such as any accredited or non-accredited achievements. Write these down here. Examples can be found at www.ucas.com/personalstatementskills.

Also think about any other achievements you’re proud of, positions of responsibility that you hold or have held both in and out of school, and attributes that make you interesting, special or unique.

Hobbies and interests

Make a list of your hobbies, interests and social activities. Then think about how they demonstrate your personality, skills and abilities. Try to link them to the skills and experience required for your course(s).

Work experience

Include details of jobs, placements, work experience or voluntary work, particularly if it’s relevant to your chosen course(s). Try to link any experience to skills or qualities related to the course.

Mature students

Explain what you’ve been doing since leaving education, and provide additional evidence to support your application. If you’re not in full-time education, you should give details of any relevant work experience, paid or unpaid, and information about your current or previous employment.

International students

Tell universities why you want to study in the UK and why you think you can successfully complete a course that is taught in English. Say if some of your studies have been taught or examined in English and if you have taken part in any activities where you have used English outside of your studies.

Future plans

If you know what you’d like to achieve after completing the course, explain how you want to use the knowledge and experience that you gain. How does the course relate to what you want to do in the future?

Dos when writing your personal statement

> Do use your best English and don’t let spelling and grammatical errors spoil your statement.

> Do show that you know your strengths and can outline your ideas clearly. Use words you know will be understood by the person reading your statement.

> Do be enthusiastic – if you show your interest in the course, it may help you get a place.

> Do expect to produce several drafts of your personal statement before being totally happy with it.

> Do ask people you trust for their feedback.

Don’ts when writing your personal statement

> Don’t exaggerate – if you do you may get caught out at interview when asked to elaborate on an interesting achievement.

> Don’t rely on a spellchecker as it will not pick up everything – proofread as many times as possible.

> Don’t leave it to the last minute – your statement will seem rushed and important information could be left out.

Notes

Ark Alexandra AcademyPark Avenue, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 2PGTel: 01424 439888 Email: info@arkalexandra.org