Go4Schools App

Did you know you can now use the Go4Schools app to access your child's attendance, rewards and behaviour notifications? From early October you'll also be able to see their progress in each subject. 

National LSA of the Year!

For National TA Day today and to round off Inclusion Week, we are absolutely delighted to announce that our very own Miss Mills has won National Secondary Learning Support Assistant of the Year! 

Miss Mills has been pivotal in delivering alternative provision for a range of our students, listening to their needs, creating bespoke resources and advocating for them, boosting their confidence and helping them to access the curriculum better - and in turn the wider school life.

Among many other things, she has been transforming the way Maths resources are developed for SEND students, helping to make the classroom an inspiring and useful space for them to learn.

Miss Mills also leads a club for students who struggle with social interaction, which has become very popular and has encouraged friendships to grow where students had previously found them hard to sustain.

She is an invaluable member of our Learning Support team who works tirelessly to make students feel comfortable, supported and inspired. We could not be more thrilled for her that all her hard work and dedication have been recognised on a national level!

A Level Technology

It wasn't easy but they did it! Some beautiful examples of eight-strand plaited bread loaves from Year 12 Food Science & Nutrition students, as part of their investigation into starch and carbohydrates.

And elsewhere in the Tech department, Year 12 Fashion & Textiles students trialled these pleating and gathering techniques this week.

Lots of technical skill shown by our A Level students already - keep up the great work, Mrs East is very proud of you!

Exam stress management for our GCSE students 

We are excited to be welcoming Paul Chambers, co-founder of the brilliant mental health charity PoetsIN. Paul will be running workshops on managing exam stress and anxiety for our Year 11s ahead of their mock exams.

Students can also access plenty of free resources and tools for managing stress via the PoetsIN website: https://www.poetsin.com/

Library news

Some members of the Library Reading Group headed out for an author event this week. A group of Years 8, 9 and 10 students visited St Francis' School in Letchworth to hear Frances Hardinge talk about her new book, Island of Whispers. The author spoke about writing the book and what it was like working with an illustrator for the first time. She then read an excerpt to the students and answered their questions. There was an opportunity for students to get their books signed and we also got some signed copies for the Library, which will soon be available to borrow.

Herts Parent Carer Involvement exists to represent the views of the parents and carers of children and young people with SEND in Hertfordshire.

They are an independent parent-led organisation who work alongside Hertfordshire health, education and social care services, to help improve services and outcomes for children and young people with SEND.

Their 2023 annual survey is now live, to find out more about what families in Hertfordshire are experiencing. They want to know what works and what doesn’t, so that they can concentrate on the areas that matter most to local families. The survey is open until 15 October 2023.

Last year’s survey helped secure an additional £5m investment into the statutory SEND service and was also used during the Ofsted / CQC Area SEND inspection.

The more families who fill out the survey from different stages of the system the more powerful their voice - you don't need to have an EHCP or a formal diagnosis yet to take part.

Pathways to the Professions 2024
applications now open!

The Sutton Trust Pathways programmes help disadvantaged students in Years 12 – 13 explore career opportunities in Banking & Finance (in person & online), Consulting (online), Engineering (in person), Law (in person & online), Medicine (in person), and Veterinary Medicine (in person & online) - for free.

Far too often, breaking into these careers requires professional connections, the ability to take on unpaid internships, and/or soft skills which aren’t taught in schools. The Pathways programmes bridge that gap for disadvantaged students.

Features include 'The Fire Service'; 'What would you tell your 15-year-old self?'; 'Eight unusual courses to study'; and 'Engineering - a great career'.  There is also an article on Studying Esports, where there are now a lot of opportunities for young people.

Hertfordshire Opportunities Portal
Opportunities of the Week

• IT Hardware and Gaming Apprentice
• Digital Marketing Assistant Apprentice
• Advanced and Creative Hair Professional Apprentice

Oxbridge application deadlines

The deadline to register for Oxbridge admissions tests is Friday 29 September 2023.

The admissions tests will take place between 18 and 20 October 2023.

For more details:

• Changes to the Oxford tests: https://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/undergraduate/applying-to-oxford/guide/admissions-tests
• Cambridge tests: https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/cambridge-pre-registration-assessments/
• Oxbridge admissions tests offered by Cambridge Assessment Admissions Testing: https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/

Sunday 1 October, 09.00 - 17.00
https://alliedhealthmentor.org/nhs-healthcare-careers-virtual-work-experience/

This immersive experience is suitable for students of all year groups, and is designed to help them make informed decisions about their future healthcare careers.

What to Expect:

- Session Focus: "Communication and Fractures"
- Patient Journey: Students will follow two patients from presentation to recovery.
- Interactions: They will engage with a variety of NHS healthcare professionals, including nurses, paramedics, physiotherapists and more.

Places are £10 a session to cover administrative and technological costs.

Find out more & register

Migrant Leaders - mentoring and work experience with FTSE100 companies

Migrant Leaders, a charity that supports young migrants to develop skills and capture opportunities, is running a free professional development programme for first- and second-generation migrants (as well as young people from other disadvantaged backgrounds).

Successful candidates will be invited to workshops, work experience, and mentoring from leaders in companies such as Meta, Kantar, and KPMG.

Free GCSE and A Level revision masterclasses

Years 10 - 13

Covering Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics, especially suitable for those students interested in studying Medicine. 

Find out more at: https://i-medics.co.uk/

Register 

Fully funded airline pilot training
for school leavers

The creation of the British Airways Speedbird Pilot Academy sees the cost barrier of training to become a pilot removed, making the profession much more accessible. Successful candidates will be offered a place at an approved flight training school and, on passing the course, a position as a British Airways pilot. This will help the airline to ensure it has the right levels of future flying talent for years to come.

With initial training that can cost tens of thousands of pounds, the price of becoming a pilot has made the profession prohibitive for many. This cost will now be funded by British Airways – with a multi-million-pound investment from the airline into its next generation of pilots – making it a genuine career path for all aspiring pilots.

The airline remains committed to further increasing diversity in the aviation industry. It is determined to increase awareness and visibility of this new cadet programme, with the aim of encouraging applications from all backgrounds and not just those who can afford the initial training costs.

University of Essex open days

Our Open Day Festivals provide the perfect opportunity for prospective students to see the true spirit of Essex and the place they might be calling home.

Visitors will get the chance to attend general talks and subject tasters that will run throughout the day, go on campus/accommodation tours, meet academics from their subject area, chat with student services and get a feel for student life.

Colchester Campus - Saturday 28 October

Southend Campus - Saturday 14 October

To find out more about our Open Day Festival events and book please visit our dedicated Open Day webpage.

We are also offering an Open Day Travel Bursary for our October Open Day to support students and their families. To learn more about the bursary please read  visit our website.

In-person Interview Preparation Day

Thursday 26 October, 11:00 - 15:00 at Gonville and Caius College

For Year 13 students attending state schools in Hertfordshire and Norfolk who have applied to Cambridge. Students should sign up in advance, with further details and a sign-up link being sent out to schools in W/C 9 October.
 

Applicant Webinar Series

6 September – 23 November

A series of webinars addressing all stages of the application process, with a specific session for parents/supporters as well.  Find out more and book at https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applicant-webinars
 

Autumn Current News Webinars, 25 September – 5 October, Mondays -Thursdays, 18:00 - 19:00

We are holding eight new sessions this term on subjects ranging from Aerospace Engineering and Chemical Engineering to Finance and Modern Languages. Sessions give students an idea of the topical areas and developments taking place within subjects they may be interested in studying, and can help to support personal statement content.

See: Current News Webinars

Open Day, Saturday 21 October, 10:00 - 16:00

Students will have the opportunity to find out about courses, speak to staff and current students about their chosen subjects, and tour our facilities.

See: Book an Open Day

Next Step (Years 10-13)
Wednesday 4 October, 17:00

Unilever live online career challenge - Help Magnum ice cream get to know their customers - Register to attend

Next Step York (apply autumn 2023)
This is a two-year programme aimed at Year 12 students who have the potential to progress to university but have experienced barriers that prevent them from accessing higher education. You will have the opportunity to explore university options, receive specialist support with your current studies and experience what life is like at York University.

YorWay to York  (apply autumn 2023)
This is a two-year programme that supports post-16 students who are underrepresented in higher education, to reach their university goals. Each of the four modules will include a range of activities and you will be supported by current students studying at York University. Reduced offers may be considered upon completion.

The York Access Scheme (apply by January or March, depending on course)
This scheme gives you the opportunity to inform the York University of any circumstances that might have prevented you from reaching your true academic potential. Prospective undergraduate students could receive a reduced offer.

Levelling Up: Imperial College (apply by January)
This is a year-long academic and pastoral support programme for Year 12 students. For 2024 entry, a Physics and Chemistry strand will run, consisting of fortnightly after-school online tutorials and one in-person event at Imperial’s South Kensington campus. Levelling Up will support you with your A Level studies in preparation for university study.

Ambition Nottingham: 16-18 (apply by December)
This is a free two-year scheme for all Year 12 / Year 1 vocational students from the UK. Guidance will be provided through online sessions, including subject tasters, choosing the right course and personal statement support. You may be offered an enhanced contextual offer and bursary if you complete the programme, meet certain eligibility criteria and apply to Nottingham University.

For further information please contact Jenny Agar at jennydallimore@hotmail.co.uk

Mental health support for
Hertfordshire's young people