20th October 2017NewsletterSixth Form

Welcome to the final edition of the newsletter for this half term. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the students for making an excellent start to their KS5 learning and showing great BRIDGES traits and characteristics. We are busy planning for key events for next half term such as the Y11 Next Steps interviews, the Higher Education evening on Thursday 23rd of November for students, parents and carers and our the GCSE Certificate Presentation Evening on the 30th of November.

Mr Singh and Ms Mayet have both been busy planning the Praise and Recognition model for the Sixth Form, Student Leadership opportunities and the launch of the INA Diploma. Further details to follow next half term.

Have a wonderful half term!

With best wishes,Sugra AlibhaiVice Principal and Head of Sixth Form

Head of Sixth Form’s Welcome

Speakers’ ProgrammeUpcoming Speakers

Charlie DarkMusician, poet and founder

of Run Dem Crew

Cyril Molony Electrical Designer & part time lecturer

Emma YearlingTactical Weapon Engineer Officer

Joanna MarchantWidening Participation

Officer

Lord Paddy AshdownPolitician

Jay RaynerJournalist,

broadcaster musician

Rina BandopadhyayDepartment of Molecular

Neuroscience, UCL

Ranjit SondPresident of the Society of

Asian Laywers

Q: Could you tell us which A levels you studied, and why?A: I studied Physics, Maths and Electronics to A2 and Spanish and Critical thinking to AS. I chose the subjects that interested me the most, and could lead to a future in engineering (possibly in Spain!).

Q: And which universities did you apply to, and why?A: I applied to Imperial College London, University of Nottingham, University of Bristol, University of Warwick and one other which I didn’t visit. My selection of universities was based mostly on the highest ranking universities for my subject. I also chose mostly non-London based universities on the advice of my sister. Despite loving living in Seven Kings and being in close proximity to such a great

capital city, she strongly suggested that I spent some time away from home to gain a greater independence and variety. One mistake I made with my university choices was that I did not have a true back-up choice. Each university had very similar entry requirements, so if I achieved one grade lower than I did, I would have had reduced options for what to do next.

Q: So, in the end, which university did you actually go to? Why?A: I had an unsuccessful interview at Imperial College which led to my rejection so that was no longer an option. It gave me experience in tough interviewing and meant I was a stronger candidate in my other interviews. I had already made the decision to leave London and my favourite two options left were Nottingham and Bristol, both of which had excellent departments with fascinating research areas. In the end, a deciding factor was that I wanted to experience being in a campus university, so I chose Nottingham.

Q: Which degree subject did you choose? Why? A: My initial choice was not Physics, it was Electronic Engineering. I loved Electronics at A-level and I really enjoyed the practicality of the subject and problem solving. I was visiting the Electrical Engineering department in Nottingham and I liked what I saw, but I had some time to kill before I met up with a friend who I travelled up with that day. So I popped across the road to the Physics department as I had started enjoying it more at A-level. I was blown away by the research areas, the lab work and the diverse choice of fascinating options modules. There seemed to be an excellent future in Physics - my mind was changed.

Q: Having gone to Nottingham to study Physics, what was the best thing about doing that course at that university?A: The lecturers were great. We had such vibrant teachers who were passionate about communicating their subject and their specific fields of study.

Q: What interesting/fun/worthwhile things did you do outside your studies at university?A: I took on some work experiences during the summers – one of which led me to becoming a teacher, a career I hadn’t seriously considered. They all opened my eyes to different job sectors.

Q: Looking back, do you have any regrets about any of the educational/career choices you made in the past?A: I regret little about my past choices. Perhaps sticking to the 4-year MSci course would have been nice, it would have been interesting to take some astrophysics research further.

Q: If you could give your 16 year old self advice about the future, what would it be?A: Do not shy away from your weakest subjects, they all offer very worthwhile skills and knowledge.

Q: What is the one message you would want the INA Sixth Form students to take away from your experience? A: If you have lived most of your life in one place, strongly consider moving away from London for your degree.

Q: What would you say to the students who argue that they won’t consider universities outside the London area because they can’t afford to live away from home?A: It bothers me when people say that they will not be able to afford to move away from home (with the exception of when that student is caring for or contributing financially to the family), as the student loan is perfectly designed to accommodate the student. The challenge of making the most of the student loan is something that most people look back on in fondness. Also, I would argue that a student loan is not like other loans – it is like a tax that I pay back to have the privilege of having a better chance of a much higher paid job than if I did not have a degree.

My Education Journey...Q&A with Mr Golinski, Lead Teacher of Physics

Notices:

Taylor Wessing Insight Day - Wednesday 6th December 2017Taylor Wessing is an international law firm which has been working with Future First for a number of years to give young people the chance to learn about the opportunities that are open to them. The aim of the day is to develop Year 12 students’ transferable skills in presenting, networking and communicating, by taking part in a range of practical activities with professionals from across the organisation, including: • HR and recruitment • Lawyers, paralegals and legal secretaries • Business and marketing • IT, accountancy and facilities management

This experience will help give students a head start in understanding the world of work and thinking about what they want to do in the future. Please see Ms Mayet for more details. Click here to read more.

It All Adds Up: A Maths Conference for Girls11th January 2018

The Mathematical Institute and Department of Statistics are pleased to welcome girls in Years 9-13 to our annual conference. The event will include:• inspirational talks by female mathematicians• mathematical activities and games• hands-on workshops

BOOKINGS ARE NOW OPEN and will close on Friday 8th December 2017. Click here to read more.

OfS Student Panel - Apply now!

The Office for Students has just launched applications for a student panel that will advise the development and activity of the new organisation. The panel will report into the Board of the OfS and will be a critical part of the OfS’s student engagement strategy. The roles are paid (£1200 for c.6 days) and applicants will need to submit a very short form, CV and Cover Letter. Futher details can be found here: www.medium.com/@n.dandridge/apply-to-join-the-ofs-student-panel

The Taster Course Programme provides year 12 sixth form students with a taste of what life at a university in London is like. Through your chosen taster course you will experience the different teaching methods used by university academics and gain an insight into the additional facilities available, whilst meeting students from across the UK. All our taster courses are free to attend and you can choose a course from a variety of subjects taking place at the numerous participating universities. Courses range from voice and drama, to medicine and nursing, to computing and business. Click here for more details.

Social Mobility Foundation’s Aspiring Professionals Programme (APP)

The APP supports high achieving Year 12 students from low income backgrounds across the UK access competitive universities and careers. We offer support through our four pillars:

1. Mentoring by a professional via email2. Tailored skills sessions and career workshops3. University application support and guidance4. Internships with top employers

Students must apply by 9am Monday 4th December 2017 by completing our online application form.

Read more about the APP City programme here.

Skills London is the UK’s biggest jobs and careers event for 15-24 year olds and their families taking place on 24-25 November at ExCeL London. The event attracts over 30,000 visitors and 200 exhibitors including top employers, colleges, training providers and advisers. This two day event provides visitors with the opportunity to discover careers through interactive, inspirational activities and demonstrations, and helps young people visually bridge the gap between what they enjoy doing and what they could potentially do as a career. Click here to read more.

As well as the above opportunity, Queen Mary University of London is offering a number of free activities for 16-18 year olds, including coding, Health sciences and Law. Click here for more details.

Kings college London offer a range of free evening lectures and on campus programmes for 6th form students to attend, independently. For more information about these events, please click here.

Year 12 Undergraduate Shadowing SchemeApplications open Monday 18 September 2017 and can be submitted at any time until Friday 16th February. The shadowing scheme is ONLY for students who meet one of the four criteria: currently live or have previously lived in local authority care, have a disability, are estranged from their families, OR are the primary carer in their household.Click here for details.

SAVE THE DATE!

Thursday 23rd November 2017

Year 12 Higher Education Evening

Year 12 students, parents and carers are invited to attend INA’s

Book Club Open to all Year 12 students who enjoy reading

and discussing what they’ve read.

Book Club will run on the first Wednesday of every half-term for an hour after school from

4:10 till 5:10pm in SFCR.

The book for Wednesday 1st November will be:

THE POWER BY NAOMI ALDERMAN A dystopian novel featuring a group of women who use

electricity to control and dominate men…

Feel free to bring your own refreshments!

The hot drinks machine is available all day in the Sixth Form common room.

Pastries are on sale in the dining room for breakfast (8:00am-8:20am).

Freshly baked goods and snacks available at break and lunch time.

the t

errace