In June 2019, Year 12 students took part in a range of activities to start the process of applying for university courses, apprenticeships, or starting a career during the Braintree Sixth Form Destinations Launch Week.

We provide extensive support to students for their post sixth form choices, and this week of activities began their application process with guidance from sixth form tutors and the pastoral team

Parents and carers, accompanied by Year 12 students, attended an information evening. Paul Dunton, Senior Schools and Colleges Engagement Officer from Anglia Ruskin University, gave a very informative and entertaining presentation covering the benefits of attending university and undertaking the application process. He also provided details of Student Finance, which were of great interest to most of the audience. Jane Cure, Careers Advisor – Directions IAG Limited, then delivered a presentation giving information about the various types of apprenticeships that are available to students leaving sixth form, and how to go about applying for them. The evening concluded with a question and answer session.

On Wednesday 12 June 2019, students attended a UCAS launch day hosted by ARU at their Chelmsford campus. They received talks on a range of topics including Student Finance, writing personal statements, university life and planning for UCAS success. There was also a tour of the campus, including the new medical centre, giving students a good idea about the sort of facilities a university is able to provide. Lewis Ward found the session on personal statements particularly useful, “I learnt a lot about what universities want to see in a personal statement; I am about to start writing mine,” and Jonathan Stoneman said “it has allowed me to look at my options for university”.

On Thursday 13 June 2019, students attended the UCAS Higher Education Exhibition, hosted by the University of Essex at Colchester. At this event, universities, colleges and other providers from across the UK had stands to offer advice and guidance for students on the courses they offer. With more and more universities offering apprenticeships, this day was also useful for students considering this route after sixth form. Students gained a lot of information for some of the universities they are interested in attending, as well as a selection of freebies. Sam Onamusi said, “It gave me a much better insight into the range of universities and courses available for my higher education opportunities”.