One Week Summer School at Yale or MIT (USA)

Great opportunity for all cost paid US university experience, if you are considering this as an option.

Application criteria (need most or all of below to be succesful)

8 or more A* or A grades at GCSE

From low/middle income family (household income less than £45000 a year preferred)

Have an interest in US culture and education

First generation in family to go to university

Master Classes at Cambridge Uni

The new series of these have just become available. They are one day events on Saturdays throughout Feb & March. Booking is online and they will tend to fill up fast. Charge £10 typically. Very worthwhile if you want to experience subject lectures in the following disciplines:

Maths/Law/Languages/Biochemistry/History/ Genetics/Engineering/English/Physics

You do NOT have to be considering applying to Cambridge to attend. You just need a desire to be academically stretched for a day in your favourite subject.

Book via: http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/events/masterclasses.html

Getting Personal Statements Right

A key part of a university application is the personal statement each applicant must include. This aspect has just made the national news as the Sutton Trust believe the quality of personal statements disadvantages state school pupils.

The study does note that good state schools and colleges provide structured help which allows the problem to largely disappear. Because we are more than a merely "good" school, we have for many years had a considerable programme of support, including:

• Promotion of taster days, master classes, extension courses and placements across this Blog, Twitter and, of course, Tutorial Time and assemblies.
• A wide enrichment programme which allows students to gain real experience and take real responsibility eg Rob's Festival organisation, Captaincy and Council roles.
• A week long programme in June/July which focuses on personal statement preparation.
• Support from Tutors and Head/Assistant Head of Sixth with drafting.

Fundamentally though, the key to a good personal statement is for the individual student to have something interesting to write about in pursuit of their wider subject knowledge (above and beyond the syllabus), and in terms of the skills they have developed inside and outside of the classroom. It must also be clear that the applicant can articulate how this learning and experience have helped shaped them into the kind of enquiring, enthusiastic and committed student that all universities seek.   

Pharmacology Master Class

How do drugs work? That's the job of the pharmacologist to research. Pembroke College, Cambridge offering a one day masterclass in this on 16th March for current Year 12s. Applicants need to have GCSE A or A* Biology, be studying Biology and another science at AS-level and be considering applying for a science degree at university.

There is a charge of £10. First come first served and unlikely to remain open until official deadline of 24th January, so apply now , if interested - www.cambridgescience.org

Cambridge Potential Girls

Newnham College, Cambridge (all girls, hence post title) offer a variety of potentially highly valuable events each year. These include 5 taster days in: English, Languages, Philosophy, Political Science and Geography, and essay prize competition ( any subject) and a 3 day science residential.

Applications for all three open on 7th January. You need to be considered to have potential to obtain A*AA at A level and be a GIRL.

If interested see me for further details.

Business Trainee Programme

Four year programme which combines work and study for an honours degree. 50% contribution of course fees. Need to be expecting 300 UCAS points ( =BBB at A level).

Interested: www.mbdacareers.co.uk

Research Placements Summer 2013

Great opportunity for 4 - 6 weeks placement on a project involving Science, Engineering or Technology (inc Computer Science). All Herts based and run by organisation called SETPOINT. Beaumont students have made valuable use of this in past. Deadline is 8/3/13 but you advised to apply much earlier to try to secure a place.email: admin@setpointherts.org.uk for details and application form.

Fashion & Design Courses

There are some valuable courses for those interest in a fashion design career held at the London Taxtile Museum. If interested, follow this link:  http://www.ftmlondon.org/courses/

Online Veterinary Anatomy Museum

Seems like a great resource for prospective vets of animal biologists. Launched by the Royal Veterinary College tomorrow by Mark Evans from " Inside Nature's Giants". Shorthand to locate on their website is OVAM.

Tuesday CED

This is a half day event for each year group. Check out the noticeboard for timings of your events. If you are a Year 13 who signed up for First Aid as your first choice, this is now an event that last two sessions, which means you won't pick up your second choice. However it does allow time for you to obtain certification of your First Aid skills, valid for three years and useful for a wide variety of job opportunities. There are nine places available on this course for those who could not sign up before half term. First come first served.

Those doing food need to bring £2 to your session to pay for your food, which you will make for your own consumption.

Business Students/ Entrepreneurs

Ernst & Young ( major accountancy & management consultancy firm) have launched an online business game called Pathfinder which has interactive questions and business scenarios. Schools that earn the most points doing the game get the opportunity of winning a Business Boot Camp. Follow-up chance to win £5000 to bring a business project to life.

For more information go to www.pathfinder.ey.com

Engineering Taster Courses

Check out the HeadStart website www.etrust.org.uk/headstart.cfm for Engineering taster courses.

4 day residential courses run by universities in school holidays. These will cost hundreds of pounds each, but  ought to make you "stand out" from the competition.

Applications are open now via the website.

Biomedical Engineering

New degree offered by King's London for maths/physicists interested in engineering new medical treatments.
Scholarships of up to £18k being offered, but entrance requirements high = 3 As inc Maths & Physics. Take a look in more detail at Kings website if this sounds intriguing.

Geography University Taster Days

Kings College London are holding four half day events on a Wednesday afternoon in each month from November to February.

Very useful for current Year 12s interested in a Geography degree to attend. Book via www.london.ac.uk/tasters

Arts & Science degree at UCL London

University College, London have announced a half day taster event (Wed 14th November 1- 4.30 pm). This is an unusual degree at face value, but it is valued by this highly prestigious university and does hark back to the golden age of Renaissance science when the Sciences and Arts were considered to be complementary and interchangeable. The polymath Leonardo Da Vinci is the greatest example of this notion.

Info and booking at www.london.ac.uk/tasters

Calling Chemists

Year 12 or 13 Chemists should consider attending a free lecture on the chemistry of solar power on Tuesday 20th November 6pm. Run by the Royal Society of Chemistry at their Piccadilly base.

You do need to book a place online via www.rsc.org/conferencesandevents

Year 12 Career Planning

This is the time of year when a variety of external events are published for those interested in learning more about a wide range of careers. Posters and flyers promoting these are on the University and main noticeboards in the Common Room. Areas covered include: Medicine, Law, Physiotherapy  & Midwifery.

Many of these are run for commercial gain, so be aware that there is a charge involved. Booking is at your own risk, but we do not promote events for which we have previously received negative feedback.

Get your Voice Heard

St Albans Youth Forum are holding a launch event at the Pioneer. 7pm 24th October, if you are interested in getting involved in a group to represent your interests, which can be easily overlooked otherwise. Posters in Common Room with more details.

New University Statistics Site

The new Unistats site is operational and there is now a link on this site to it. It offers information on student satisfaction by university course and employment prospects. It also offers estimates of accommodation costs.  Much of this information feeds into the newspaper university guides, but it is more clearly presented here.

University Taster Days

Another new site to help the process of uncovering university options. This one appears to be a collection site, which offers little commentary, but could well help narrow a search, especially for more hard to access subjects. Link is in the University section.

Legal Apprenticeships

SA Law is offering two places at its St Alban's office at the end of this year. Students need 3 A Levels at B grade or better to enter this six year scheme which leads to legal qualification.More details from www.salaw.com or lynsey.newman@salaw.com.

Slower off the Mark

The Government are relaunching their UNISTATS site on 27th September. This contains information on key indicators such as: student satisfaction, employability and teaching delivery methods. I will take a more detailed look once it is available. Shame it was not available from the start of term like its commercial rivals, but still worthwhile, given its independence.

Which University?

The deservedly well regarded Which magazine group has teamed up with the NUS to create a university choice site. Looks a useful addition to the genre - www.university.which.co.uk

USA College Day

If thinking about attending an American university, this is event may well be for you. Saturday 29th Sept in Central London. 150 separate exhibitors. Need to book, so google this title or "fulbright commission".

Terry Talks!

Sir Terry Leahy, credited with turning Tesco into a global supermarket brand, is giving a lecture and a Q & A session at Oaklands WGC campus on Thursdya 20th September 19.30 - 21.00. If you want to attend you need to pre-register via the Oaklands website. Go to News & Events section.

Cheap Economist Magazines

The Economist is a magazine with a well deserved international academic reputation. It publishes many articles with direct relevance to students of Economics but also Business, Geography and Politics. There is the chance to acquire 30 new issues of this magazine for £5 (= 17p a copy). This is a reduction on the retail price of 95%.

If interested see Mr de Kort with a £5 note by Friday 14th September.

Travel Scholarships 2013/14

You can apply for one of these for an amount ranging from £100 - £500, if your trip involves an element of helping the local community you will visit. Our students have obtained useful support this way in the past. Various closing dates but applications must be NO LATER than six weeks before travel.

These grants are provided by the Hertfordshire Educational Foundation and application forms are available from Mr de Kort

Great work experience for scientists

Offered by GlaxoSmithKline for 18-22 Feb 2013.Year 12 or 13 at Stevenage site. Opportunities in Biology (Biochemistry & Molecular Biology), Chemistry (analytical, physical & synthetic), IT/Computing and working with animals. These are terrific placements, which previous Beaumont students have greatly benefited from, but they are competitive and have a variety of different entry criteria. Closing date 1st November.

See Mr de Kort for an application form.

AECOM Technician Traineeships

This local employer featured in last Monday's careers talk has opportunities in Transportation and Builiding Design. Specific academic criteria apply. Trainee salaries = £10 -13,000 pa

See me for details or check weblink on the blog

Science Work Experience

A terrific opportunity for Year 12 scientists comes round again working at Cancer Research Labs in South Mimms. Two possible weeks:

22 - 26/10/12 & 29/10 - 2/11/12

You need to fill in an application quickly, if you want to get involved, though the deadline is 14th September.

See me for more details/application forms.

Our Secret's Out

To what extent is TED an elitist construct? (50 marks)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-18511696

Dystopian Novels

Discussion with Luke B about A2 English in Tutor Time made me dust off my bookshelf and produce a list of dystopian novels to have a look at after the George Orwell classics and your two set books:

The Road - Cormac McCarthy ( if you like it try Blood Meridian - now that is REALLY dark)
SlaughterHouse 5 - Kurt Vonnegut (some would dispute it is truly dystopian, but it ticks most of the boxes)
The Trial - Franz Kafka ( a must read for philosophy and politics students too)
Waiting for the Barbarians - JM Coetzee ( savage indictment of apartheid South Africa)
Things we didn't see coming - Steven Amsterdam (Australian fiction, post apocalyptic a la road, but not as bleak).

Dystopian films: Blade Runner; Westworld; Logan's Run ..... better stop now.

Summer Volunteering

Working with people with special needs for SNAP Herts. Work experience in Hatfield & St Albans. Call Laura Aulsberry (SNAP Manager) 07920426378.

Medicine Pre-Application courses

One run by NW Herts NHS Trust is advertised in the Common Room. Also a course next weekend at Charing Cross Hospital. Details: http://www.drprep.net/preapp.php

More School Leaver Programmes

Transport for London has three apprenticeship programmes (IT, technical, project planning) for Yr 13 students.
Deadline short - 15/6/12 : www.tfl.gov.uk/apprenticeships

Close Brothers are a specialist financial services group offering a 3 year programme of training and development. Need a B in GCSE English & Maths pluc BBC at A-level in any subjects. Closing date 20/8/12. £16000 starting salary. Apply via www.cbschoolleaver.gtios.com

ATOM Medical Conferences

These are privately run and therefore require funding. They are held across the country in the period June to November. If interested view: http://www.atomconference.com/ and book from there.

STEM Careers Information

STEM stands for: Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. There is a huge push to increase the numbers leaving school and pursuing careers in these areas. The site address below opens up a whole series of information clips about careers in this area:

http://www.nationalstemcentre.org.uk/elibrary/?facet[0]=subject:%22Careers%22

Job Vacancy for Year 13 Leaver

Signalling Solutions offering a trainee quality technician job in this St Albans based company. 5 year programme to becoming a Quality Engineer. You do need to be available from this summer and have A levels in Maths, English and a technical subject. See me if interested for further details.

Subject Insight Days in June/July

Bournemouth University offering taster days in a variety of areas: Business School (10th July); Tourism (6th July); Media School (29th June); Health and Social Care (26th June) & Design and Innovation (25th June). To book e-mail Dean Brooks at dbrooks@bournemouth.ac.uk

After AS Assembly 3/5/12

For those who missed the assembly yesterday due to language lessons or orals, click here

Investment Banking for Girls

Morgan Stanley are offering an information and networking event at their offices in London specifically for girls from Yr 12 or 13 in July. Places are obtained competitively for more information about this, or the gender neutral event they are also offering, go to www.purepotential.org/recruitment/morgan-stanley

Volunteer with Children

Opportunity to volunteer for 10 hours or more reading to children at a Herts library anytime between 7th July & 7th September. Valuable experience if you planning to work with children long term or alternatively just valuable. E-mail a CV to: srcvolunteer@hertscc.gov.uk Deadline end of May.

University Taster Days

Firstly London University taster courses by no means all full. Take another look if you haven't booked one yet: http://www.london.ac.uk/tasters

UEA have a Maths at University taster day on 4th July - a good day to go as you will find out this Thursday. Apply via: http://www.uea.ac.uk/giftedandtalented/Mathematics+at+University

Cambridge University offering taster days on Saturdays in late June early July in Politics; Psychology; Languages and Linguistics and Maths:

http://www.study.cam.ac.uk/undergraduate/events/masterclasses.html

Engineering Summer School

One remaining UEA summer school subject with places available - Energy Engineering. Must be doing A level Maths. Interested view:

http://www.uea.ac.uk/giftedandtalented/Energy+engineering

University Skills Lacking

A survey of 71 university academics report that subject knowledge provided by A-levels is appropriate for commencing degrre study, but concerns raised over academic skills such as research, sourcing info, writing essays, problem solving and critical thinking. The EPQ is ideal to allow development of these skills alongside A-level. Delighted with applications for this year, but would still encourage more, even post initial deadline.

Another University Events Source

Pure Potential is a well established organisation which seeks to open doors for students without connections or strong family backgrounds to highly competitive universities and careers. They run many events and taster sessions with prestigious corporations and academic institutions. Do keep track of their offerings via the new link on the Universities Section of the blog.

Gap Year Job Potential

As referred to at last Assembly. Job in Customer Service working for OPRO (mouthguard producer/fitter)based in Hemel. Must be 18+ and available August to December. Applications to matt.c@opro.com enclosing CV and covering letter.

JaguarRover Apprenticeship

Six year scheme offering starting salary of £16,000 and completion salary of £32000 for this growing business. Need a C or above in Maths A-level and same in Physics or Tech A-level. New link on career opportunities section.

Another Career Path

Marks and Spencer offering a trainee management programme for people with 2 A-levels or equivalent. Applications open 16th April, closing early June for this year. Added as link in Career Opportunities area.

Accountancy career programmes

Both Deloittes and Ernest & Young refreshing students minds about their programmes and open days. See weblinks in careers section of blog to follow up on these and others in the same field.

Building Engineering Career

Opportunity in this field in the St albans office of AECOM. See weblink on Careers section of blog. This particular one looking for school leaver with 3 A levels of CCC or equivalent in three of: maths, physics, english, and languags.

Tesco Careers

Tesco advertising a specific post based in WGC for A level leaver. Need equivalent of 3 Cs at A level. Go to Tesco link on left of Blog for more. Also they have a large Commercial Development Programme, well worth looking at. Main area is in Merchandising. Plenty of great training offered from one of UK's biggest employers.

Manchester University Discovery Days

Further away than the London Taster Days but in same vein and there may still be places. They are offering days from end June to Mid July in: english, engineering, chemistry, biomedical science, nursing, midwifery, history and law. Well worth a look nad a book:

www.manchester.ac.uk/discoverdays

Computer Science Taster Day

At Oxford University. Need to be taking Maths A level and be achieving at the top end with it.

Thursday 14th June. More details via www.cs.ox.ac.uk/mailinglist/

Herts Youth Games Volunteers

Training (free) begins in April and event is on 8th July. Good experience for anyone keen to go in the direction of sport organisation.Contact Beth Tyler on 01727 827667 ext 228, if interested

New London University Taster Days

Royal Holloway, London running a modern languages day (French, German, Spanish, and/or Italian) on 15th June. Part of London Uni Taster Programme - book in the same way online.

Ancient History at UCL 28/3/12

Drama at Queen Mary, London - 4 different courses also 28/3/12

Music at Brunel also 28/3/12

and Studio Recording workshop on 27/6/12

Exam Resits in Year 12

It is important that all Year 12s planning to apply for university next academic year recognise that UCAS now insist that all applicants record all the grades of exams sat to date. This means that the universities you apply to will see all your AS grades as they stand this forthcoming summer. The implication is that a disappointing result in a January module needs to be wiped out by an improved resit result to allow university aspirations to stay on track. Do not leave any resits until Year 13 unless you have carefully considered this issue.

Non University Career Event

Deloittes accountancy firm are promoting their Insight Days (like a uni taster day, but for their career programme). Most attractive location and date is June 14th in Reading.

If interested click on Deloittes Scheme link on left of our home page and go further via "work experience page.

Volunteer this summer

If you would consider volunteering over the summer holidays to help young people with disabilities in an active way, please look at the noticeboard or speak to Rowen Seglah who is already involved and looking for a few additional helpers to make some great outdoor trips work.

Subject Masterclasses at Cambridge University

One day events on Saturdays from 11th Feb - 31st March. Includes two taster lectures and a Q & A session. £10 per class.

Subjects covered: Law; Biochemistry; History; Maths; English; Engineering; Sociology; Natural Sciences; Physics; Music; Geography/Land Economy

See poster on board or visit:

www.cam.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/masterclasses

Paid Research Opportunities for AS Level Scientists/Engineers

In the past few years two or three of our students have benefitted from this great scheme. You get 4 - 6 weeks placement in a university, research institute or company carrying out a science/technology based project. Also receive £80 per week, but the experience is the most value. This always fills up early. Apply by email to:

admin@setpointherts.org.uk (knwon as the Nuffeild Bursary Scheme#)

More info on: www.nuffieldfoundation.org

Science Conference for Sixth Formers

Free one day conference on topic of "Science in Society" on 5th April at Cambridge University. For more info: http://conference2012.weebly.com/

Cambridge Science Festival

This lasts two weeks in March. Plenty of exciting talks demos and activities (you can even grow your own stem cell. Look up what's on below:

http://www.cam.ac.uk/sciencefestival/events/

If you go, please tell us about it.

Medicine Applicants

Free lecture at Royal Society for Medicine on 12th April. See flyer on noticeboard. Also Medical Careers Day (5th March) from same body (small charge).

World Universities

If applying overseas for university interests, you consider getting along to thw World University Fair on 11th March in Central London:

www.topuniversities.com/londonfair

Flyer on noticeboard.

Engaging Minds

I would hope all Politics, Philosophy & Ethics & Media students would want not to miss Shami Chakrabarti (from Liberty pressure group) give the Engaging Minds talk at Verulam this Friday 3rd Feb (1.45 Verulam Assembly Hall).

If in any doubt watch this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIkYLEsgfnc

Commercial Law Work Experience

A law firm called Pinsent Mason offers work experience placements for those still at school as well as Gap year placements for those going on to university. As this field is very competitive, it is well worth investigating if you are considering a career in law:

http://www.pinsentmasons.com/en/careers/work-experience/

Vets

Great Sutton Trust Summer School opportunity 2 - 5 July at RVC. See us for details.

Oxford Law Open Days

There are limited places available for these being held 14 - 16 March (one day course - no charge). Schools have to nominate applicants so see us if interested in attending, only two places per school.

Forensic Psychology

Potentially interesting one day conference to introduce this area being held on the 8th March in Cambridge (not the university). More info:

http://www.forenspsych.co.uk/interac

Please note, as with many of these opportunites, we have not attended this ourselves so the principle of caveat emptor applies!

Ski Instructor Opportunity - Canada & Japan

For 18 year old school leavers who available November to April. Could suit Gap Year student. For more see:
http://www.easkiandsnowboard.com/ski-courses/ski-internship-courses/

or e-mail: sstraining@educatingadventures.com

Workshop Conferences - Nottingham

This long running series of privately run taster courses during Easter and the Summer, is promoting its wares, which involve residential course for Medicine, Veterinary, Physics, Law, Psychology, Nursing and Journalism. There is a substantial charge and they are based at Nottingham University but not run by them. They are quite well regarded, but locally based work experience can be as valuable and cheaper.

More info at: www.workshop_uk.net

Oxford Admissions Conference

Students considering applying for Oxbridge in 2013/14 are invited to attend this event, after school on the 28th March. It is held at St Albans High School (no charge). We do need to book places, so contact us by Wed 8th Feb, if you wish to come along.

Career Earnings

Update on the latest prospects for career earnings - graduate v school leaver v apprenticeship. Interesting reading and from a private institution not the Government, so possibly less loaded? It is accessed as "Careers Report" in the links section.

Career Opportunities

A range of career related events and opportunities have come through recently. Summarised below. Be proactive to take these places, as often spaces are limited:


Easter placements for Science students at Cancer Research UK's Labs in Potters Bar (2-5 & 10-13/4 - previous attendees highly recommend this)
http://www.london-research-institute.org.uk/jobs-education/outreach

Opportunities in financial service industry for school leavers (15th Feb). Like a specialist careers fair -
http://purepotential-mail.org/_act/link.php?mId=P86466205572364896414946343818&tId=20861236

Conferences for Doctors and Lawyers -
http://www.epoc.org.uk/

Wide range of apprenticeships at:
http://www.sse.com/careers

Competitions

Many universities offer competitions which can be entered for prizes, obviously, but more importantly just entering is a great way of showing your interest and commitment to a subject, esepcially ones that have a highly competitive stream of applications eg Law, Psychology, Economics, History & English. A couple have recently come through to us:

Psychology for Cambridge (choice of two essays on gender or parenting) - speak to Mrs Thomas for details)

English, History, Politics students:- Woolf Essay prize (again just for girls) - http://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/joining-newnham/undergraduate-admissions/school-liaison-initiative

Subject Open/Taster Days

The king of these is the London Taster Programe which we have already heavily promoted, but many other universities offer these one day programmes. A selection is listed below:

German @ Oxford (and many other language combinations) -
http://www.mod-langs.ox.ac.uk/fac_open_days

Girls only Science & Maths Open Days @ Newnham College, Cambridge http://www.newn.cam.ac.uk/joining-newnham/undergraduate-admissions/open-days-events/content/student-open-days

Also Philosophy, Social & Political Science, Geography, English, Engineering - dates through March. At same College therefore Girls only!

And Music! -
http://outreach.mus.cam.ac.uk/secondary-schools-and-colleges/studying-music-taster-days

Creative Writing @ Herts University - 11th Feb (see PDk for details)

University Residential Courses

Year 12s, this is the season for courses hosted by universities which are a tremendous opportunity to learn more about a subject and also dramatically improve your chances of accessing places next year. Attendance on will make you stand out. I have listed BRIEF details below. If interested, you must check eligibility (sometimes they require you to come from families/schools which have not historically sent many to these institutions, sometimes they require a certain level of grades) and availability on dates, before considering applying:

Science & Humanties @ Cambridge 2-4/4 or 10-12/4 (see PDk for application)

Chemistry & Law Summer Schools @UEA - http://www.uea.ac.uk/giftedandtalented

In addition are the Sutton Trust Summer Schools, which are excellent but do prioritise on students most in "need" -
http://www.suttontrust.com/summer-schools/

Work with the Animals

Five days non-residential experience of working with animals at Woburn Safari Park in Easter and Summer holidays. Serious and practical but does cost £200. See poster at school or go on their website: www.woburn.co.uk/education.

London University Taster Courses 2012

The new programme for this outstanding opportunity to try a course before you apply has arrived (online). There are 150 days offered in 70 subject areas. Some fill very fast. Go online NOW and book one or two that are relevant to your interests. No charge, no obligation:

www.london.ac.uk/tasters