Future Horizons is the Sixth Form careers and higher education advice programme. Choosing a university course, apprenticeship or career is a very exciting part of being in the Sixth Form but involves important decisions that require a lot of careful thought and planning. The aims of the Future Horizons programme are:
Inspire and educate students to be aspirational about their future;
Help students understand their choices when they leave the Sixth Form; and
Explain the steps students need to take to realise their aspirations.
We know that in your lifetime it is likely that you will change career paths many times. Focusing on gaining knowledge, skills and experience in areas that interest you will therefore assist with sound decision making and personal fulfilment. We aim to help you make these informed decisions by creating as many opportunities as possible to meet with or experience professions from a broad range of industries and job sectors. Over the course of the two years, all school leaving options are explored, including university, college, apprenticeship and employment opportunities. Whilst some 90% of our Upper Sixth students go on to university, we know others will prefer a different route and we will ensure they are well supported with their transition.
The Future Horizons Newsletter
Every term, we publish a newsletter with suggestions for wider reading, events and activities to take part in which go beyond the school curriculum. The newsletter is divided into careers or university opportunities such as online courses or useful websites, and super-curricular opportunities to broaden subject-specific knowledge in a particular area. Being informed about career opportunities and being able to prove interest in a subject beyond the A Level specification goes hand in hand in making a job or university application as strong as it can be. Many of these opportunities are events in the local areas or webinars which provide further information regarding a particular degree area or career which is not covered in the A Level curriculum. We have strong ties with the University of Bath and the BRLSI and often advertise public lectures and seminars by local experts, many of which are free to attend. Please find our most recent editions of the newsletter on the careers webpage. The Future Horizons Student Guide Each Sixth Form student is given their own copy of the Future Horizons Student Guide to help them through the difficult Post-18 decision making process. The guide includes advice on work experience, CVs and apprenticeship applications, along with spaces to record any conversations or careers talks. There is also a comprehensive UCAS application guide with activities and suggestions to help our students decide whether university is right for them, along with how to choose a course and write a top application.
Headline Events Across the two years of Sixth Form, we have a number of headline events to look forward to.
Graduate Careers Showcase This hugely popular Saturday morning event marks the launch of our careers programme each February for our new Lower Sixth students. The morning consists of a keynote address from Martin Birchall, Managing Director of High Fliers Research, the UK Graduate Careers Survey, offering his insights on graduate recruitment based on his most recent research. Students receive a copy of his Times Top 100 book, and then get the chance to choose a number of specific careers talks across a wide range of professions with the opportunity to ask questions and discover the possibilities awaiting graduates in the UK today. Please find a copy of this year’s programme and presentation on this webpage.
University Information Morning This event is a collapsed timetable morning addressing the key question of whether to go to university or not. Presentations involve weighing up the benefits of going to university with the cons, the nature of university life and an introduction to the UCAS process. This event is also followed by a Parents Information Evening covering similar topics.
Higher Education Exhibition at the University of the West of England This compulsory event is attended by all Lower Sixth students to gather more information on individual universities and employers. The ‘UCAS Fair’ offers a chance to talk to admissions teams and students at universities across the countries as well as top employers. Last year saw the introduction of the new ‘Apprenticeship corner’, offering yet more variety for our students.
Preparing for Post-18 Life This event is for our Upper Sixth students. The morning focusses on practical advice and guidance for what lies ahead. We have had presentations from Bath Building Society and WizeUp on financial education topics such as banking, credit cards and budgeting. Student Finance is an important thing to understand for the majority of our Sixth Form students so we offer talks to both students and parents on this. The morning also covers university life and how to make the most of resources such as University careers services. Finally, we have a discussion on other practical aspects such as flat sharing, student health and mental health. Careers Insights Programme Alongside these headline events, we have a diverse range of talks and input from universities, local employers and individuals with professional perspectives to offer. Each year we have in over 30 different employers offering insight to our students on their career path. We expect each of our students to attend at least 5 careers events or talks over their two years at Beechen Cliff Sixth Form, and actively encourage students to attend talks on careers they had not heard of or considered before. There are also opportunities for interviews with independent, qualified advisers through our partnership with the UWE Outreach team. Community Support Parents and carers already play a vital part in supporting students at Beechen Cliff, along with members of the local community. We would like to invite you to help our students further by developing their learning about the world of work. Through your involvement, support and personal experience, we feel students will be able to gain a greater awareness and understanding about the careers and opportunities open to them in the future, helping to broaden horizons and raise aspirations. Please get in touch with our Governance and Community Engagement Officer, Mrs Clark, at [email protected] if you feel there is anything you could do to contribute.
Beechen Cliff Oxbridge Programme Lower Sixth
Term 1 Cambridge Residential Trip in September
Term 2 List of names and introduction to programme
Term 3 Meet with current Oxbridge undergraduates Divide the group into STEM and Hums sub-groups with KMA and NGS Research about specific courses (requirements, entrance exams, structure) to plan tailored sessions. Send list of potential Oxbridge applicants to teachers.
Term 4 Regular meetings focussed on entrance exams and questions (e.g. STEP foundation modules, PAT etc…) BANES Oxbridge Conference Oxford Day Trip
Term 5 Weekly meetings (Wednesday after school) focussed on entrance exams and mock questions, Open days Wider reading and research tasks
Term 6 Application process First year undergraduates come back to reflect on experience Advice on choosing courses, colleges etc. Personal statement planning
Upper Sixth
Term 1 Personal statement checking Entrance test practice Start interview practice
Term 2 Interview practice Oxbridge Mock Interview morning
Term 4 Successful offer holders to attend BANES Oxbridge Conference to offer advice and guidance to new Lower Sixth students