University & Next Steps Guidance
The decision of which university to apply to is one of the most exciting and important decisions in a sixth form student’s life. Sixth Form Personal Tutors are on hand to support sixth formers and in the summer term of Year 12, the formal registration process begins. This support is for all individuals, tailored to each student’s needs. Caldicot Sixth Form invests in a subscription to the Unifrog platform and all students have a personal login which allows the site to become personalised to their plans and preferences.
University presentations and visits: Throughout Year 12 and Year 13, students have opportunities to attend university open days and presentations in school from university outreach teams. The school offers a visit to a UCAS discovery event during the summer term after AS level examinations.
Access to Bristol: Caldicot School enjoys a very successful partnership with the University of Bristol. We offer support with the Access to Bristol programme and we have many students who are successful in their applications to visit Bristol on Wednesday afternoons to experience lectures and university life. The sessions give an idea of what it is like to study at the University of Bristol, working with academics and current students who can offer advice and guidance about higher education and their subject area. Taking this opportunity demonstrates a commitment to further study that strengthens university applications. Students who successfully complete the programme are guaranteed a contextual offer/interview from Bristol, a top-ten UK University (QS World University Rankings 2020).
Seren Academy: This Welsh Government initiative is dedicated to supporting Wales' brightest learners achieve their full academic potential and support their route into leading universities in the UK and overseas. We work closely with our regional Seren coordinator, university partners and identified students to provide opportunities such as additional visits, summer schools, masterclasses and mentors to support with applications. Many students are highly successful with applications to Oxbridge and Russell Group universities.
Oxford/Cambridge/Medicine/Dentistry/Veterinary Medicine: These universities / courses have extremely high admissions requirements and are very selective. Applications have to be received by mid-October in Year 13 and students are expected to research colleges and courses well beforehand. GCSE performance must contain a considerable number of A*/A grades and students are expected to have the potential to achieve three A grades or better at A Level. Students wishing to apply to Oxbridge are supported by their Personal Tutor or with the Head of Sixth Form, early in Year 12. Visits to the universities and the individual colleges are highly recommended. It is likely that that admissions tests will also need to be completed and applicants need to adhere to registration deadlines and prepare well for these.
Summer Schools: Sixth form students are given the opportunity to apply for summer schools. Here, students are offered a residential experience at university for up to a week, where they attend lectures, tutorials and seminars. These are provided free of charge (including accommodation and transport) by various universities including Aberystwyth, Cardiff, Bristol, Southampton and Oxford.
Conservatoires: Students wishing to continue their study of the expressive arts in higher education will need to apply early so that they can complete the admissions process that may include submission of portfolios or auditions.
Apprenticeship and Employment Support: Students are supported in applying for apprenticeships through designated programmes or direct employer recruitment. We also enjoy links with Network 75 who facilitate degree apprenticeship programmes in a wide range of sectors through the University of South Wales (USW). Their representatives visit us regularly to provide support with applications.