The key issue for students faced with a return to terminal exams after two years of study must be planning consolidation of understanding and command of a much broader amount of content. It is no longer possible to chop up learning into bite size pieces and this is one of the intents of the new qualifications.
Despite the loss of Year 12 exam downtime, teachers will not be able to devote much, if any extra time to additional revision or consolidation, because the new content to be taught has often increased sizeably. This means students must be prepared to revisit previous studies continually to embed understanding. It requires a different approach, but Beaumont students have shown that they have greater independent learning than most, so take heart but take note also.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
Nursing Apprenticeships Launched
As concerns rise about the impact of the government cuts to Nursing degree bursaries, a response has been made in the form of 1000 Nursing Apprenticeships, where recruits can learn and work and at the end of five years have earned a Nursing Degree. This could be attractive, but as always, with new schemes, careful consideration of the downsides as well as the upsides is needed.
Monday, 22 August 2016
Interesting statistics from UCAS
Nationally:
70% of students get into their Firm choice of university
10% into their Insurance choice
10% gain a place via Clearing
Of the 10% who do not get a place in an application round, 50% apply again and 90% of these gain a place this time around.
70% of students get into their Firm choice of university
10% into their Insurance choice
10% gain a place via Clearing
Of the 10% who do not get a place in an application round, 50% apply again and 90% of these gain a place this time around.
Musings on the economics of university study
Is it "worth" it? There is more possible value to a degree than the pure future earnings/cost projections, hence the quotation marks around worth, but as there has been considerable recent analysis of the changing economics, it is worth a review here.
The cost of university study is clearly rising sharply. This is driven by sharply increasing accommodation costs, the ability of universities to begin charging over £9000 per year for tuition, and the sizeable interest rate charge being levied (about to rise to 4.5% per year). Additionally the Government has reneged on its promise to index the £21000 earnings threshold so a greater proportion of real graduate earnings will incur the 9% repayment levy.
At the same time, there is evidence of a decline in the earnings margin between graduates and non-graduates. Taken together an increasing number of students are likely to find that their degree is not "worth" it. However this year a record number (434,000) have secured places at British universities which suggest that the pure financial figures are either not fully recognised or that students see other aspects of gaining a degree, including greater career flexibility and the student experience, to still be worth "investing" in.
As always it is important to recognise that any figures of this type only have validity as broad averages. Many students will obtain much more value (in all its forms) from going to university than the cost whilst many others will, unfortunately, obtain considerably less.
The cost of university study is clearly rising sharply. This is driven by sharply increasing accommodation costs, the ability of universities to begin charging over £9000 per year for tuition, and the sizeable interest rate charge being levied (about to rise to 4.5% per year). Additionally the Government has reneged on its promise to index the £21000 earnings threshold so a greater proportion of real graduate earnings will incur the 9% repayment levy.
At the same time, there is evidence of a decline in the earnings margin between graduates and non-graduates. Taken together an increasing number of students are likely to find that their degree is not "worth" it. However this year a record number (434,000) have secured places at British universities which suggest that the pure financial figures are either not fully recognised or that students see other aspects of gaining a degree, including greater career flexibility and the student experience, to still be worth "investing" in.
As always it is important to recognise that any figures of this type only have validity as broad averages. Many students will obtain much more value (in all its forms) from going to university than the cost whilst many others will, unfortunately, obtain considerably less.
Tuesday, 16 August 2016
Social Mobility and the Sutton Trust Programmes
Social Mobility ( or the lack thereof) is one of the biggest issues in British society. Education opportunity plays a big part. This recent article covers the story very well: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-37011068 . The Sutton Trust programme referred to, along with a bigger programme hosted by British universities is promoted each year in the Sixth Form.
Please be aware, however, that only a handful of our students meet the tight eligibility requirements, so this is only open to a few here who are within the national target audience.
Please be aware, however, that only a handful of our students meet the tight eligibility requirements, so this is only open to a few here who are within the national target audience.
Sunday, 10 July 2016
Post CED Week Post
Best start to personal statements we have seen in several years. All prospective applicants should focus on drafting and improving these over the next two weeks and, of course, the summer holidays. The Blog has been updated to pick up some new schemes and more particularly the increasing number of sites that attempt to combine these in to a hub.
Also have updated the Birmingham University link to take enquiries direct to the page prior to using the Offer Calculator. I hope many will use this either now or in September after UCAS projected grades known.
Also have updated the Birmingham University link to take enquiries direct to the page prior to using the Offer Calculator. I hope many will use this either now or in September after UCAS projected grades known.
Monday, 18 April 2016
Losing out with Languages?
Media attention today on concerns about drop in A level language numbers. This is a concern especially as it seems likely that much of this is not due directly to lack of interest from students but from curriculum pressures and the current STEM push.
There is another perspective however, that is seen in the Sixth Form. University language study is valued by the Government and employers. This means numbers are supported at university and therefore that therefore prospective language students are in high demand. The reduced competition for places that language students face therefore allows readier access to some very attractive courses of studies and venues.
The moral to this is that there is always more than one side to a story. Think before you leap or follow the herd.
There is another perspective however, that is seen in the Sixth Form. University language study is valued by the Government and employers. This means numbers are supported at university and therefore that therefore prospective language students are in high demand. The reduced competition for places that language students face therefore allows readier access to some very attractive courses of studies and venues.
The moral to this is that there is always more than one side to a story. Think before you leap or follow the herd.
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