Central Futures Bulletin

October 2015

Welcome back and congratulations on

your results!

Central Futures Bulletin

Our Successes

Well done to all our wonderful leavers in 2015. We have had some incredible suc-cesses, including Otto starting his degree at Oxford in Mathematics and Humzah starting his degree in Architecture at Manchester. Congratulations to the incredible efforts of many of our vocational students such as Benjamin, Ioannis, Rasel and Anthony for achieving so highly and going onto great degrees along with so many of their peers.

Well done also to our host of students starting jobs and apprenticeships this Sep-

tember, such as Antonio, Abdul, Jennifer and Nahid, among many others.

Leavers

After a fantastic round of AS-level and BTEC results in 2015, we have a huge num-ber of Year 13s well on their way to great things. Well done to Hasan, Harlee, Liam, Christiana, Hadiul, Annyl and Baran, who are close to some incredible success in their vocational courses.

Also, well done to our string of A-level students many of whom are sitting on some A grades from their AS-level achievement, including: Hermon, Aiyah, Abdi, Ntuthu-ko, Tittykay, Salem, Sufian, Mahdy, Nabil, Domenik, Chinmoy, Rayhan, Said,

Derek and Adam.

Year 13

Congratulations to all of our Year 12s on their start to the year. All of you who have just completed your GCSEs, well done on your amazing achievements, and enjoy being able to select your favourite subjects now that you have started A-levels and BTECs!

To those of you who are resitting Year 12, remember the great successes some of our leavers have had from doing this: you need to knuckle down and start showing the qualities that they showed.

Year 12

Central Futures Bulletin

Opening the DOOR

Central Futures Bulletin

Key Dates

October 2015

Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun

1st

Credit Suisse

Work Experience

application dead-

line

2nd

Oxbridge and

Medicine UCAS

deadline

Essay competition

deadline

3rd 4th

5th 6th

LSE lecture on

Liberty

7th

Year 13 final per-

sonal statement

deadline

8th 9th 10th 11th

Year 12 KCL K+

Application dead-

line

12th

AP1 tests

13th

AP1 tests

14th

AP1 tests

15th

AP1 tests

16th

AP1 tests

17th

18th

19th

AP1 tests

20th

AP1 tests

21st

AP1 tests

22nd

AP1 tests

23rd

AP1 tests

24th 25th

26th 27th

Tech Talks

28th 29th 30th 31st

Friday 10th November: LSE Sociology Lecture

Friday 13th November: all UCAS applications

deadline; Skills London Fair

Friday 11th December: PWC accountancy event

AP2: December

Central Futures Bulletin

University Open Days

There are a huge number of university open days throughout

October and November, and there is a comprehensive calendar

view available here at opendays.com.

For a university-by-university view use the UCAS website here.

Central Futures Bulletin

Academic Opportunities

Are you in Year 12 or 13?

Win up to £200 by entering this London Schools/Colleges Competition

What you have to do: in 1,500 words (+ or – 10%) write an open letter to the Chancellor of the

Exchequer justifying your views of the most important issues facing the new government.

Your letter must be submitted to your teacher as soon as it is ready but no later than 2nd Novem-

ber who will then determine the winning entry and submit it to the pool of winning entries

from all participating schools/colleges.

The awards? The winner at each school/college will receive an award of £100. If a school/

college has 5 or more entries, there will be a second award of £50 for the runner-up. All entrants

will receive a participation certificate.

The winner from the pool of winning entries will receive a further £100 and there will be three fur-

ther highly commended awards of £50.

The winner (plus one guest and teacher) from each school/college will be invited to attend a re-

ception in the City of London at 6pm on 1st December where the awards will be distributed.

Central Futures Bulletin

Academic Opportunities

The LSE regularly hold free lectures for the public which are of a high-academic standard and are

available on a first-come-first-serve basis. We strongly recommend that you go to a number of

these lectures throughout the year, and the full programme is here on their website.

Otherwise we have some recommendations for you:

Sociology and the Digital Revolution—the

Transformation of Everything

By Anthony Giddens

6:30pm to 8pm Tuesday 10th November 2015

Mr Colver recommends...Anthony Giddens is giving

a lecture on the digital world and how it may affects our

society - this is at the London School of Economics and

he is one of the most famous contemporary sociologists

of our time. Would be good for sociology students and

anyone else who has an interest in digital technology

and its impact. This is on the 10th November at 6:30pm

at the LSE and is free.

On Liberty: a Conversation with Shami

Chakrabarti

By Shami Chakrabarti

6:30pm Tuesday 6th October 2015

Mr Samuel recommends...Shami Chakrabarti is

one of Britain’s great public speakers and intel-

lects. I saw her taking part in a discussion about

the Magna Carta and Britain’s subsequent role in

human rights and her fierce intellect and passion

for change was palpable. I highly recommend go-

ing to hear her talk on this issue.

Central Futures Bulletin

Academic Opportunities

The School of Economic Science are a registered charity who offer innovative courses in spiritual

and practical knowledge and enquiry. They are hosting a course entitled “Introductory Practical

Philosophy” which is a 10 week course in timeless, practical philosophy.

The new course starts in January, so you have some time to think about this one!

It costs £10 in total as an administration fee and more details can be found here at the School of

Economic Science website.

Mr Colver recommends…

Mr Samuel recommends…

We would like to share with you a resource produced

by Medical Projects: a free guide for applying for medi-

cal school.

Please order this from their website here.

Furthermore, though for Year 12 only, UCL run a two -year

Target Medicine Mentoring Scheme for prospective Medicine

students. Applications will open around now, so check their

website here.

Year 12

Only

Central Futures Bulletin

Academic Opportunities

Hosted by King’s College London, K+ is a two-year programme of events, activities and academ-ic workshops created to help support your university application and provide the skills you need to reach your potential as an undergraduate student. More information is available on their web-site here. Apply online by 11th October. Your two-year experience will include:

A current King’s student as your e-mentor

Taster lectures and master classes

Cultural trips and experiences

Careers advice and work experience opportunities

Support and guidance on applying to and preparing for university

Help from a PhD tutor to create an academic project

A summer school experience

Year 12

Only

Mr Samuel recommends...This is a fantastic opportunity and the school was

support you with your application and your work throughout the programme.

Please apply!

Central Futures Bulletin

Job Opportunities

SKILLS LONDON - WHAT IS IT?

Skills London 2015 is London’s biggest jobs and careers event for young people. Two days of interactive activi-

ties and inspiring jobs and careers, held at ExCeL London, for 15-24 year olds and their families.

In 2014, Skills London attracted 32,490 visitors and featured over 45,000 job opportunities, including Appren-

ticeships, 196 exhibitors including top name employers, colleges, training providers and advisers.

Date: Friday 13th November 2015

Career Insights

If you are interested in at-

tending please speak to Ms

Thain or Mr Beach.

Thinking about a career in

accountancy?

Central Futures Bulletin

Job Opportunities

Mr Stevens recommends…

These talks will give you an insight into working in the Technology sector, and help you to understand why

it is one of the most exciting sectors to work in right now! It will also give you the chance to receive advice

on careers and options to get into the sector by the Tech City Stars team.

Be sure to stick around after the talks as you’ll have the opportunity to network and meet like-minded peo-

ple and build new, long-lasting relationships over pizza and cold refreshments…Tech Talks are not to be

missed!

Tuesday 27th October and Tuesday 8th December are the next two of these.

Central Futures Bulletin

Work Experience

Credit Suisse would like to offer an opportunity for students interested in a career in I.T to get

some hands on experience at Credit Suisse. Credit Suisse Group is a multinational financial

services holding company and operates the Credit

Suisse Bank and other financial services invest-

ments. The company is organized as a stock corpo-

ration with four divisions: Investment Bank-

ing, Private Banking, Asset Management, and a

Shared Services Group that provides marketing and

support to the other three divisions. This opportunity would focus on the role I.T plays in the

bank and how it is used to create revenue.

ICT Work Experience Opportunity

Deadline: 1st October 2015

See MS Thain or Mr Beach for an

application form.

We are looking for Year 12 students with an interest in international business and law to join

us for a week of work experience.

You will experience life in a city law firm, visit a number of organisations that are important to

the work we do and develop skills needed in the workplace.

You will be based in our London office, close to both Tower Hill and Aldgate tube stations.

This is an unpaid placement but we will cover the cost of reasonable expenses for lunch and

travel.

To apply, please send your CV and a short email explaining why you are interested in a ca-

reer in the legal sector to Suhana.Ahmed@hfw.com by Friday 30th September.

Legal and Business Work Experience Opportunity

Deadline: 30th September

Central Futures Bulletin

Volunteering and Enrichment

The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (D of E) is the world’s leading youth achievement award. It recognises people aged

from 14 to 24 who are adventurous, caring, sporty, and creative. It is a very enjoyable and interesting project to un-

dertake, and is a rewarding process. At the end of the programme, you will also have an award which is recognised

globally, including by the UK’s top employers and universities. The benefits include:

Learning a new skill:

Develop a new talent

Improve self-esteem and confi-dence

Develop practical and social skills

Develop better organisational and time management skills

Sharpen research skills

Learn how to rise to a challenge

Develop a physical

activity

Enjoy keeping fit

Improve fitness

Discover new abilities

Raise self-esteem

Extend person-al goals

Set and re-spond to a chal-lenge

Experience a sense of achievement

Volunteering

Learn about your community

Learn to take responsibility for your com-munity

Build new rela-tions

Further under-stand your own strengths and weaknesses

Develop team-work and lead-ership

Trust others and be trusted

Expedition

Appreciate the outdoors

Learn the val-ues of sharing responsibility

Attention to detail

Become more self-reliant

Learn to man-age risk

Recognise the needs and strengths of others

Learn through experience

Speak to Mr Tong about taking part, or come to his classroom (the Old LRC in-

side the Sixth Form Study Centre) at 3:30pm every Wednesday.

Central Futures Bulletin

Volunteering and Enrichment

Why volunteer? It is easier to ask, why not volunteer? Your time could be spent not just benefiting you but also ben-

efiting other people and organisations.

What’s in it for me? Well, other than the warm fuzzy feeling, you give yourself plenty to say on university and job ap-

plications but also at interview. Some voluntary places directly link to the course you plan to study at university and

even to your future career.

Find out more

www.do-it.org

www.volunteering.org.uk

www.vinspired.com

Your local council website

Find your nearest volunteering centre: www.ncvo.org.uk/ncvo-volunteering/find-a-volunteer-centre

Different ways to volunteer

Mentoring younger students—in your own school or with another

Working in a charity shop

Supporting museums and art galleries by working in the shop or giving

tours

Admin and secretarial support for a charity

Gardening, fixing up allotments and improving the environment for your

community

Promoting a charity at your school and in your community

Supporting at food banks

Fundraising for your favourite charity

Working with young people in a youth club, the Scouts or Brownies

Supporting a one-off charitable event by helping with promotion or food

service

Volunteer with a befriending organisation that supports the elderly or

those with special needs

Operate the phone lines for a charity, e.g. Childline, Silverline or dona-

tion lines

Central Futures Bulletin

Cultural Capital

Mr Johnstone recom-

mends...Beautifully written arti-

cles that are mathematically illumi-

nating, this is now one of my fa-

vourite books about maths.

Strogatz is a Professor of Applied

Maths at Cornell University, well

worth a follow on Twitter,

and originally he wrote these piec-

es for The New York Times. He

writes about complex topics such

as calculus in a way that take a

maths student far from their text-

Central Futures Bulletin

Cultural Capital

Mr Colver recommends...Visit the

Tate Britain,. There is lots of classic

and contemporary art and it is usually

a lot quieter than its sister, the Tate

Modern.

Mr Beach recommends...Those wishing to enrich their

minds with cultural indulgences should read article after

article on Brainpickings.org. This article is Nietzsche’s

musings on the power of music at aged just 14. I thorough-

ly recommend subscribing to the Brainpickings newsletter

– you will find the knowledge and cultural capital makes

you better armed for success in the world.

For more Cultural Capital, look at our Getting Started guide. This highlights

ongoing podcasts, periodicals and events to continue listening to, reading

and going to throughout the year.

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

All Year 12 and 13 students should have

a Unifrog login. If you have forgotten your

password you can request a new one. If

you do not have an account please see

Ms Thain in the Sixth Form Study Centre.

Unifrog can help you find the best

courses and apprenticeships for you

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

The Key Project is our dedicated pro-

gramme of university support for all

students and a resource for free aca-

demic tutoring for A-level students.

We are pleased to be able to offer A-level students the opportunity to join our Key Project tutor-

ing programme. The Key Project is an award winning programme that provides motivated stu-

dents with free after-school academic tuition. Attending weekly one-to-one tutorials helps our stu-

dents achieve better grades and progress to top universities. Students on The Key Project make

two thirds of a grade per subject more progress than their peers, and 63% of students go on to

study at highly selective universities.

You can carry on working with your tutors up until you leave school at the end of Year 13. All tu-

tors are successful university graduates, many working as solicitors with the law firm Slaughter

and May, the school’s closest business partner. Students meet their tutors weekly, at their place

of work and focus on the subject they have chosen to receive tuition in (English, Maths, History,

Geography, Economics, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, French or Spanish). Along with the one-to-

one tutorials, you will be receiving extensive university application support and advice throughout

their time in sixth form.

Please collect an application form from Mr Yala – Key Project Coordinator ya-

laf@cfbs.islington.sch.uk

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

More or Less—BBC discussion of sta-

tistics in the news.

Podcasts

Podcasts are great way to develop your cultural

frame of reference and your communication

skills. Listen to how these podcasters communi-

cate at a high-level.

Subscribe to all of these on your phone, table

or computer, or just stream online when in

school.

Consider the following to get started:

Seriously…-BBC podcast series of the

best documentaries of the week across

all of their radio stations.

Best of Today—one of the most significant dai-

ly news programmes in media, distilled into the

most important or interesting segments each

day.

Thinking Allowed—Sociology podcast discussing

the latest research with guests

TED Radio Hour–a journey through fascinating ide-

as with world renowned speakers Profile—a 15 minute profile of

someone in the news.

Woman’s Hour—

offers a female per-

spective on the

world.

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

Magazines

Long-form journalism is a wonderful art form. In longer form pieces journalists

are able to fully investigate, inquire and inspire. These are also some of the

most important pieces of journalism: it is the long-form pieces that help set

agendas and influence the opinion of politicians and other journalists.

Available in the LRC:

Try online:

Buy or subscribe:

The New Statesman—a left-leaning (Labour supporting), heavy hitting periodical. It has

great diversity, with great cultural commentators such as Will Self and Laurie Penny, as well

as significant political journalism.

The Economist-a right-leaning (liberal free-market supporting) periodical with a huge influ-

ence worldwide. All journalism is anonymous so that journalists feel free to attack without

censure.

The Guardian—not all the pieces on this left-wing newspaper’s website are long-form, but

many are. In particular, read the opinion pieces.

The Spectator—this right-leaning newspaper is a Conservative supporting periodical with

influence on the party.

London Review of Books—the school subscribe to this magazine, which is a reviewing peri-

odical examining the most important monthly book releases, both fiction and non-fiction.

Book reviewing is an art form and the reviews themselves offer considerable insight. Read

one a month.

Central Futures Bulletin

Getting Started

Books

You must continue the habit of reading regularly—or get into the habit! It will

open your mind and make you a more interesting person. It is also a pleasure

in and of itself—if you think you do not enjoy reading, then you have not yet

found the right book for you. Keep trying. Keep reading.

Fiction

Non-fiction

Author First Impression Depth and range

George Orwell 1984 and Animal Farm The Road to Wigan Pier by George Orwell; We

by Yevgeny Zamyatin; The Handmaid’s Tale by

Margaret Atwood

John Steinbeck Of Mice and Men and Grapes of

Wrath

East of Eden by John Steinbeck; To Kill a Mock-

ingbird, by Harper Lee

Mary Shelley Frankenstein Dracula by Bram Stoker; Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

by Robert Louis Stevenson; Swastika Night by

Katherine Burdekin

Author First Impression Depth and range

Naomi Klein No Logo The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capi-

talism by Naomi Klein; Silent Spring by Rachel

Carson

Eric Hobsbawm The Age of Extremes: The Short

Twentieth Century

Europe 1789-1848 by Eric Hobsbawm; The

Black Jacobins, by C.L.R. James; Citizens, by

Simon Schama

Stephen Dubner and

Steven Levitt

Freakonomics SuperFreakonomics by Stephen Dubner and

Steven Levitt; The Tipping Point, by Malcolm

Gladwell