Engineering Experience Day for Year 12s

Held at Loughborough University, which has one of the premier Engineering Degree programmes in the country.

Two days at a low £55 per person. Bursary funds may be available from us.

Don't delay, apply online at www.engexp.info

Summer 2015 Research Opportunities

Aimed at students considering STEM subjects at university - those in most shortage of supply for employers. Travel expenses paid and some £80 /week bursaries available for low income family backgrounds.

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/nuffield-research-placements

Places in high demand, so apply early. These are great opportunities.

Win a week's work experience at a top law firm

Opportunity for Year 12s to attend a skills and assessment day at Allen & Overy a top corporate law firm by writing in 200 words:

"what would you do on your first day as Prime Minister?"

http://www.mykindacrowd.com/Challenges

for details.

Deadline 8 weeks away.

Enrichment in Year 12

Of course, Beaumont Sixth Form provides this directly through its strong commitment to competitions, performance, visits etc, and indirectly by its championing of online resources such as the TED talks series, but students should also be aware of the large number of free public lectures that are offered on a variety of academic topics at local universities, including those in Central London which are easy to access of an evening.

Students are advised to check out listings and "follow" universities or departments that promote these vents.

Arts not just for Arts' sake

Very interesting intervention about the need for many engineers to have a creative side if their innovations are going to be successful. This article is the source:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-30136921

It is made clear that skills in the STEM subject are, of course, essential in this field where the UK has a major shortage, but an ability to show creativity or be interested in the creative world should enhance the attractiveness of a candidate for a university degree and, ultimately, their career.

It is nice to see an argument for a broad education being made by an expert in the Engineering field.

Considering being a doctor?

Medical Careers Day 2/3/15 at Royal Society for Medicine. At £20 unlikely to be a rip-off. Standard topics but may be of interest for someone wishing to explore this career and its competitive entry requirements more thoroughly.

Deep Thinker?

Philosophy study day (taster workshop) based around concept of "freedom" to be held at Oxford University 17/2/15. See poster on 6FC board.

Close Brothers Aspire Programme

This merchant bank offers its ASPIRE programme which is a two year scheme for school leavers, earning £16000 per year. requires minimum BBC at A Level and B grade Maths and English.

Sept 2015 start. Deadline 24/12/14

More details see website (already positioned on Blog)

M & G Apprentice Scheme

M & G Investments are offering 12 -18 month apprenticeship where you will work towards financial services qualifications whilst earning. This is a permanent post available to school leavers with 240 UCAS points equivalent (plus C grade english and Maths GCSE).

E-mail cvs to annam@sanctuaryschoolleavers.co.uk

Running a large scale sports event (very well)

One of the highlights of this summer's Rob's Festival was the large numbers of students given the opportunity to play in a football tournament that lasted over three hours, whilst contributing substantial funds for our Festival's beneficiaries.

James Banathy (then in Year 12) took on the role of tournament organiser, and this blog wishes to share his thoughts on the planning and execution of the event:

This guest blogpost is about the football tournament that I arranged for Rob’s Festival. This festival is a yearly event organised by the sixth formers at Beaumont School that has taken place since 2010 in honour of a past student Rob, who tragically died a few years ago in a skiing accident. He was a successful businessman and a great entrepreneur, so the school raises money for The Princes Trust in his memory. This year’s festival, which took place on the 28^th of June, raised £5,000. 

I began arranging the football tournament by promoting it at a number of assemblies and classrooms, and I was thrilled with how many teams entered the tournament.  In total we had 25 teams across all ages including a girls’ team, with over 140 students taking part. 

Although I was delighted with so many teams entering, it was a daunting task to organise it all.  A lot of planning and hard work was needed, including tasks like: speaking to other local schools to borrow their goals, working out how we would mark up all the pitches, organising all the fixtures and timings of the tournament, arranging for referees, buying medals for the winning team and gathering volunteers to help out on the day. 

Because of the large number of teams that entered the tournament, we ran 3 separate tournaments.  There was a competition between Years 7 and 8s, between 9s and 10s, and the sixth formers. There was a winner for each age group and these teams were Reus Crispies for the Years 7 and 8s, Lactose for the Year 9 and 10s and AFC Rios for the Sixth Form. I was very impressed with everyone’s attitude towards the tournament.  The matches were played in a great spirit and were very competitive. Despite the rain which became really heavy half way through the tournament, all the teams stayed towards the end and they didn’t let it affect them. 

The tournament raised over £700, which included the money teams paid to enter the tournament, and their ticket into the festival. The tournament was a great success, it ran very smoothly and it was well worth all the hard work and effort. I really enjoyed the whole experience. 

I would like to say a big thank you to all the people who helped make the tournament successful, including all the people who volunteered to help me set up the goals and mark out the pitches beforehand, and take them down again. Also thanks to the referees, the PE department, the other local schools for lending the equipment needed, and finally to all the students for getting involved and playing with such a great spirit. 

I would also like to thank Ms Dundjerovic for making the whole festival possible and giving us students the fantastic opportunity to be involved in organising such a great and worthwhile event. 

Here are some words from Ms Dundjerovic who oversaw the organisation of the whole festival:

"Supporting the Prince’s Trust and Beaumont School, Rob’s Festival was born after a group of friends from Beaumont tragically lost one of their friends and were determined to build a legacy to his memory. This year, we held our fifth festival with almost complete management of the event being handed over to the Year 12 students and the BSA (parent association).

There has always traditionally been a sporting element to the festival in memory of Rob's fantastic sporting achievements whilst at school and this year was no different except, this year, James Banathy organised the most successful football tournament since we started the festival in 2010.

James was handed the organisation late in the planning process but took it on with commitment and determination. Not only did he liaise with four different primary schools of his own accord to secure goals for the tournament, he also organised referees including teachers and his peers. The football tournament involved over 200 students from the school ranging from Year 7 to Year 12. James' communication skills were outstanding as all teams were prepped for arrival time and match times through regular updates in the days leading up to the tournament and also through a tournament briefing on the day. Matches, results and scores were clearly displayed throughout the tournament which kept teams up to date and prepared. As a result of this, the tournament ran like clockwork.

Working with James was an absolute pleasure. For me, it was like working alongside a colleague, such was his professionalism and diligence."

Elena Dundjerovic, Beaumont member of staff and friend of Rob's

More photos of this year’ festival: 

http://www.beaumontschool.com/gallery/school-activities/festival-2014.html?start=18

The new problem with university offers

There is an increasing gap between the conditional offers many universities are making and the actual grades required to secure a place on the courses applied to. This is because of the Government's decision two years ago to alter the rules for funding of places on courses. Now universities that recruit students with grades of ABB or higher can be sure that each will be fully funded, even if the number joining is higher than the quota agreed with the Government previously. There is no financial penalty to them for this over-recruitment. This means a decision to make a minimum offer of ABB, for many universities is the only sensible one.

However, because the absolute numbers of students obtaining ABB or better is falling (due to other education policy changes), universities in this position actually end up taking many students who do not reach the offer made. Beaumont has seen a large increase in this occurrence in the last two years.

Whilst undoubtedly providing a benefit to many, this new policy has had the unforeseen consequence of creating confusion for Year 13s who are not sure now of the likelihood of their being accepted onto  this vast plateau of courses now set at "ABB" . There is also a dearth of offers made in the "BBB" and "BBC" area, as these have all been escalated to the magic "ABB" level.

This situation is analysed well and in greater detail by the BBC Education department in this excellent article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-29141762

Beaumont's advice for students is to talk to the specific admission tutors at your targeted universities and ask them what percentage of students have recently been accepted with lower final grades than "ABB", if this is a concern for you.

The Student Room - threads and forums

Just added this site to the University section of home page. A very large multipurpose site. Of particular interest may be threads like " ask an admission tutor", currently being supplied by Christ's College Cambridge's Admissions Tutor.

Accountancy Insight Day at BDO

Places on 30th July available at the BDO HQ in London. Applications close 23rd July.

A level students need to be on course for 280 UCAS points (BBC) and have B grades in English and Maths GCSE.

Apply via: www.surveymonkey.com/s/KY93FPR

Websites for work experience and career choices

Following today's careers talk the ChannelMogo site now has a link from the Career Opportunities section and the Student Ladder has one in the University section (this could actually go in any of three sections, but it seemed the oen most central to likely next steps).

Making it in Medicine Course

on 18th July 6 - 8.30pm at Herts Uni. Will cover advice on applications to medical school, personal statements for this field and CV building. Hosted by a doctor with experience of sitting on interview panels. Registration fee is £15.

More details from www.how2courses.com

KPMG school leavers accountancy programme

Still taking applications for an August/ September start. Earn up to £21,500 p.a. whilst studying for an accountancy degree. all fees paid. Further information from Career Opportunities blog link - KPMG Scheme

Another university support guide

Joining a crowded field is University Compare (now added to blog links). The site suggests that its USP is the aggregation of data  on matters such as living costs ad employment rates. You might well find it useful in your search for your perfect location and course.

Aspiring Lawyers Careers Advice

Excellent site for students thinking about a future career in law. It will also be one worth bookmarking for use in guiding future applications to firms for internships and more. Thanks to ex students Kate Langley and Sam Cash ( thriving young lawyers) for drawing my attention to this site:

http://www.aspiringsolicitors.co.uk/advice/careers/application/

London University Taster Days - some availability still

Many now booked up, hopefully by you but a wide range left, including:

Advertising;Business & Management; Computing; Drama; Economics; Engineering; English; French; History; Politics; Maths; Radiography & Speech & Language Therapy.

If not booked into on eyet, do look for any that appeal www.london.ac.uk/tasters

Apprenticeship In Costume Design

At the Royal Opera House ! Closing date: 2nd June.

http://ccskills.org.uk/careers/jobs/any/any/al1+2nj/25

Summer Job

At Stevensons in range of roles. 3 months work on full time basis. Jun - Sept. Might work for Yr 13 leavers - c £6/ hour.

more details from Rebecca May at www.stevensons.co.uk

Deloitte technology Job Vacancy

Business analysis and ICT role. Full-time, based in London. Requires A-B GCSE Maths and 300 UCAS points (3 Bs).

Apply via www.mycareer.deloitte.com/uk/en/schools

Charity Cookbook

Ex student now at Leeds University has put together a recipe book with all proceeds to Women International, a development charity working in some pretty harsh places.

£5 for students/U 18. Recipes are deemed to be both tasty and cheap. Could be a very nice pre-university purchase that you could also feel good about.

Go to www.leedsuniversityunion.org.uk/groups/19281 and create a guest login to shop.

Local Jobs still available

This summer and beyond. Could help Gap Year funding with OPRO a sports retailing company based in Hemel.

E-mail Claudia da Silva on info@opro.com for more details. Applications involve a cv and covering letter only.

University Funding for Mechanical Engineers

Up to £22,500 per student available from £630,000 pot. Some awards for those doing other forms of engineering too. Applications have a deadline of 30 June 2014 , so aimed at current Year 13s, but prospective engineers in Year 12 would be well advised to be aware of this fund's existence.

See www.imeche.org/awards

Yr12s or Yr 13s can win a free summer course in Hong Kong

To win one of 6 places you need  to write about why British students should consider Hong Kong as a university destination. Deadline 22 April. All costs paid for.

If interested, look at British Council's Study Work Create website

Royal Vet College - Open Evening

25th April 17- 22 hours. Free.

Activities and chance to meet the scientists.

Very interesting for potential vets/vet. scientists.

Go to RVC website and look at widening participation section

London Taster Days - places still available

In many courses, including Advertising, Journalism, International Relations, Philosophy, Physics, Politics, Psychology, Sociology and Theatre Studies. Website to book. You may well be focused now on this post our recent university research day.

Summer / Gap Year Work

With OPRO in Hemel. Good opportunity to earn money to fund travel or university the year afterwards. Details via info@opro.com

Deloitte School Leavers Scheme

7th April Deloitte are holding an insight afternoon in their St Alban's office aimed a both gap year students and those that want to join them straight after A levels. 1pm. Register via Deloittes school events page.

Young Writer on Liberty Competition

The Adam Smith Institute are offering a £250 prize and two weeks' work experience for the winner of a competition to write three blog style article of no more than 400 words each on three separate topics about increasing liberty in the UK.

Deadline for submissions is March 21st, so you would have to get cracking. See us for more details.

Lancaster University Summer School 21-24 July

4 day events in the following subjects:

Engineering; Physics; Psychology and Statistics

This university is very highly rated. It would be a long trip, but could be very worthwhile.

Needs booking on their website: www.lancaster.ac.uk/schools/summer-schools

Climate Change Lecture

At Herts University on Tuesday 18th March there is a free public lecture titled: "how a changing climate triggers earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanoes" which starts at 18.15.

You can register online or by e-mail events@herts.ac.uk

A clear example of a supercurricular activity for potential geographers.

Ex student completes "Year in Industry"

We have received notification that an ex student of our Sixth Form has secured a degree related work placement with the Engineering Development Trust for run the "Year in Industry" scheme. This involves a 9 -12 month PAID industrial placement within a STEM environment. 76% are offered further work by their placement company and 1 in 3 gain a scholarship through university.

Details of this scheme are featured in careers section on left of home page. Very worthwhile and credible scheme.

Horse Riding Volunteers Sought

Oaklands Riding for the Disabled looking for help with sessions on tuesday evenings, term times (5 - 7pm) at Smallford campus. Looking for 16+ volunteers.

Interested? email :  info@oaklandsrda.org.uk with your contact details incl. address

Architecture Job Opportunity

Trainee architectural assistant. Available for school leaver 2014. St Albans architectural practice CMYK - 20 employees.

Looking for someone with good literacy and numeracy skills who has studied Art or Graphic design. Designed as a development opportunity.

Interested? email@cmykuk.net

Finance Industry Career Course

Aimed at Yr12s with an interest in banking, business, finance, accountancy or enterprise and thinking of pursuing similar courses at university, is a 3 day Summer University held in the City of London. Very reasonable price of £50 excl transport and non-residential.

You need to be studying relevant subjects eg Maths, Economics and/or Business and have a good academic record to date. See poster in Common Room for details or visit www.ifslearning.ac.uk/SummerUniversity.

7 - 9 July ( permission to attend will be granted if you obtain a place)

Applications close 21st March.

Science Research Work Experience - Easter 2014

Cancer Research UK offer places at their Clare Hall labs in Potters Bar. April 14 - 17. Proved an excellent opportunity in the past.

See Sixth Form Office for application form. Closing date 10/3/14

Help a lad in need

Opportunity to support a local 12 year old with complex medical needs. Demanding, but highly rewarding role having to be vacated by ex Beaumont  student who is going travelling. She is looking for a great replacement. See notices on 62/63 board or via your Form Tutor.

Oxford University Schools Science Prize

Chance to win £250 and loads of kudos by entering this competition in the areas of Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry and Physics. Deadline for entries 4th April. Visit:

www.ccc.ox.ac.uk/schools-science-prize

Wolff Essay Prize

Want to try your hand at high level independent essay writing? Then try your hand at this Prize run my Newnham College Cambridge.

Last year one Beaumont student entered and won Highly Commended status.

You would have four weeks to write it from now.

Cambridge University Master Classes

Available in:

Law; Human Social and Political Science, History, Chemistry, Economics and English

One day events between 17 - 20 March, depending on class.

I can nominate up to students per session (but your target A Level grades must be A*AA for Arts subjects and A*A* A for Science courses).

Closing date for applications is 3rd March but early booking advised.

Civil Service Fast Track Apprenticeship Scheme

200 places available for 18 to 21 year olds who not graduates and want to work in government. Must be available to start September 2014.

Visit: www.gov.uk/civil-service-apprenticeships for more details.

Deadline 19th February for this year's intake.

EY Smart Futures Programme

EY are seeking ambitious Year 12s to join them in a 3 week paid placement at one of their offices this Summer. Support and mentoring then offered in Year 13. Application deadline = 23rd Feb.

Visit: ukcareerguide.ey.com/schools/ey-smart-futures

Arab Spring Talk

Verulam's Engaging Minds programme  this Friday (7th Feb) is given by a member of the Foreign & Colonial Service who worked in the Middle East and North Africa during this remarkable time of change. Should be very interesting for Politics, Media and potential International Relations students.

13.45pm start Verulam School Hall.

Birmingham University Taster Days

It's a little further away from London, but Birmingham has its own train station and their "subject experience days" in early April for Year 12 students in the areas of Medical, Life, Environmental and Social Sciences are worth a look:

www.birmingham.ac.uk/discovery-days

Art for art's sake

Beaumont has entered the Saatchi/Deutsche Bank national art prize. You can see our entries by going to:

www.saatchigallery.com/portfolio

Go to the School prize home area and search for Beaumont School. The quality is exceptional.

Good luck to all entries for the judging.

Kaplan Accountancy Scholarships

This is worth £15,000 of training costs. It also offers assistance in gaining employment with an accountancy firm. This is a work based learning route with fully accredited qualifications embedded within it.

For an information pack visit:

http://kaplanapprenticeships.co.uk/downlaods

Higher Apprenticeship in Audit work with Haysmacintyre

Two available for Autumn 2014. A great start to a career in accounting. Applications close 2nd March.

Details: www.bpp.com/apprenticeships

Southampton University Access Scheme

The popular and highly regarded Southampton University has launched a nationwide scheme to attract students from non-traditional backgrounds to the university. It offers an attractive summer school, a £1000 bursary in the first year of study and reduced entry grades. However applicants must meet at least TWO of the following criteria:

• Be in the first generation of immediate family to apply to university , excluding brothers and sisters
• Be in receipt of 16 - 19 bursary funding or received Free School Meals during their GCSE studies.
• Be living or having grown up in Care. 

More details: www.southampton.ac.uk/a2s

Careers portal for Finance and Legal Skills

In this part of the UK there are many career opportunities accessible in this massive filed of employment. All the different company programmes and other more general events are brought together now under the roof of:

http://www.directions.org.uk/

This is well worth adding to your Favourites, if you are considering a career at some stage in finance or law.

AON Insurance Apprenticeships

Applications to join this programme with the world's biggest insurer are now open. Applicants require a minimum of 280 UCAS points ( = BBC at A level) and role starts in October 2014. This means this year's applications is aimed at Year 13s. If you are in Year 12, it is well worth looking at to have in mind for next year, if it appeals. Go to:

http://www.directions.org.uk/news/aon-apprenticeship-2014-now-open/

HSBC bank work experience opportunity

One of the biggest banks in the world - HSBC - are offering a series of work experience weeks in June and July. Locations include St Albans, Harpenden and WGC. They are available to 14 -18 year olds in full time education. You apply on line via:

http://www.directions.org.uk/news/hsbc-work-experience-programme-open-apply-today/

and the closing date is Feb 2nd. 

London University Taster Course - Booking Imminent

For all considering university application attendance at taster courses are the best way to gain confidence in a potential course choice and to add weight to your Personal Statement. They are usually free and generally of one day's duration.

Because of its proximity and the vast range of events of offer, by far the best source for Beaumont students is  the London University Taster Course Programme (www.london.ac.uk/tasters). Unfortunately, it is so good that more and more schools have caught on to its benefits and so now early booking is essential, as many fill up very quickly.

There are typically over 150 different courses in 70+ subject areas. All are free and on offer from March until July. It is possible to preview them now on the site listed above. Priority places can be applied for from 11am on Thursday 9th January until 11am on Wednesday January 15th. This gives you the best chance of gaining a place on the most popular courses. Attending at least one is strongly advised, if you are thinking that university will be your next stage after Sixth Form.

Cambridge University Masterclasses

Great opportunity for a student thinking of applying to Cambridge University. Six possible one day masterclasses (see below). You need to be interested in the areas covered and be targeted A*AA at A level. Nominations have to be made by the School by 14th Feb. See us for more details. Courses:

10/4/14 - Law or History

14/4/14 - Philosophy/Religious Studies or Applied Maths and Physics

15/4/14 - Biomedical Sciences or Languages and related degrees