Progression Post 18 - Under Review
Progression Post 18
“Students are supported very well to make informed choices for their futures...students are very positive about the advice and guidance they receive.” Ofsted 2015
There are excellent progression routes from the sixth form with students moving to a wide range of universities and employment opportunities. We are proud that in the Sutton Trust report Sturminster Newton High School is one of the top schools for entry to Oxford and Cambridge universities. The report ‘Degrees of Success – University chances by individual schools’ written by the Sutton Trust and published in July 2011 analyses the admissions to the top universities by individual school.
In the report we are delighted that SNHS is listed as the second best comprehensive school in the country for admissions to Oxford/Cambridge as a percentage of all university admissions (Appendix: Table 11) and 29th of all state schools nationally on the same measure (Appendix 2: Table 10).
This is an outstanding achievement and reflects the fact that within our small school we can support and provide the quality of teaching for students to both aspire to and then achieve at the highest levels. Current data maintains this level of performance.
Each year students spend a week in Year 12 researching possible futures in detail. As well as re searching types of possible courses and universities, students are helped to prepare Personal Statements for their university applications and letters of application for higher level apprenticeship applications. Sturminster Newton Rotary kindly offer their time to give students career-related interview practice and Young Enterprise involve the local employers in an Employability Masterclass. In addition, students take part in a Small Business Challenge, which helps in the development of employability skills, including decision making and leadership.
Further information about the University Application Process is available from the ucas website.
How do I know which are the best universities?
In 1994, 24 long established universities met in Russell Square, London and formed an alliance called the Russell Group.
Why are these universities so sought after?
The Russell Group band together to secure more funding, contracts, grants and awards their way. This is invested in research and helps Russell Group to attract the best academic staff
Students work with world class experts, use first-rate libraries and facilities, are part of a highly motivated and talented peer group and often engage with cutting-edge research
There is a higher percentage of Russell Group graduates in work or further study 6 months after graduation.
Over 41% of Russell Group graduates, compared to a sector average of 32%, are earning an annual salary of £30,000 or more.
Russell Group graduates are thought to earn 10% more (£90,000) than other graduates over a career lifetime
Some university courses require you to have studied a particular subject already- and this will be a must for entry. If you know what you want to do, look at the UCAS and University websites BEFORE making your choices to ensure that you have what you need to progress onto the university course of your choice. Remember to take note of advice given by universities- for example you are not expected to study law at A-Level to read Law at university, a range of facilitating subjects is highly likely to be preferred as explained below.
Some advanced level subjects are more frequently required for entry to degree courses than others. We call these subjects ‘facilitating’ because choosing them at advanced level leaves open a wide range of options for university study. These subjects are ideal if you are unsure about what you would like to apply for. Russell Group advice is to study at least 2 facilitating subjects.
Facilitating subjects are:
Biology, Chemistry, English literature, Geography, History, Physics,
Modern and classical languages Maths and further maths
More information about choosing the right Post 16 courses for progression to university can be found on: