Careers & Higher Education Guidance
Tomorrow’s role models, shaped today.
Welcome
The principal aim of the Careers & Higher Education Department at Malvern is to provide each and every pupil with up-to-date information and impartial and independent guidance about the higher education and vocational choices that are available to them in the Sixth Form and beyond.
We recognise that pupils can feel overwhelmed when making career decisions and university course choices, so this booklet has been produced to give guidance about how the Careers & Higher Education Department supports pupils as they research and consider the options available to them. It explains how the department is structured and staffed, and clarifies the processes in place that will ensure our pupils have a clear understanding of the many resources and options that are available to help them navigate with confidence their next steps, whether that be on to further education, into employment or off to pursue a gap year.
Throughout the year there are a series of Careers and Higher Education events and talks. These provide a good opportunity to find out more about the steps that need to be taken and the guidance that is available.
We are delighted to have been recognised by the Talk Education Innovation in Education Awards as the winner of ‘Best Support Beyond the Classroom’ for the care and support we offer our pupils.
Please do feel free to contact me with any concerns or questions you may have.
Best wishes
Richard Thurlow Head of Careers & HE Guidance, UK
University Applications, Gap Years
Helping Every Pupil to Thrive
Pupils at Malvern College are ambitious when it comes to considering their futures beyond College. We encourage all pupils to work in partnership with the Careers & Higher Education Department staff, their tutor, housemaster or housemistress and subject teachers, who all provide a network of support in terms of information, resources and advice.
We work with independent professional careers advisors from SPW Careers and fully utilise the “MyFutureChoice” on-line profiling questionnaire to assist pupils in making choices that are right for them.
It is recognised that, in a rapidly changing international environment, relevant careers advice is essential and pupils are welcome to continue to seek our help up to 23 years of age. Our alumni (OMs) and the Malvernian Society, play an important role here. The Malvernian Society’s group on LinkedIn allows current and former pupils and parents to get in touch with each other for advice, mentoring and arrange work experience and employment opportunities.
Early Guidance is Key
In the Lower Years, pupils are helped to investigate the world of work with the Head of Careers, their tutors and through the Life Skills programme, using information provided by the “MyFutureChoice” website and the Department (e.g., the “MyCareerChoices” questionnaire).
All pupils in the Hundred (Year 11) and all new pupils entering the school in the Lower Sixth (Year 12) take the on-line careers profile assessment. These assessments are followed by an in-depth interview with a qualified independent careers advisor and the resulting Careers Guidance Report provides a clear picture of a pupil’s strengths, aptitudes and interests. This means pupils are in an informed position and equipped to make sensible decisions about A level and IB subject choices.
Higher and Further Education
The vast majority of our pupils go on to study at university, either directly from school or following a gap year, with 65%-75% of pupils gaining places at the top Russell Group universities, including Oxford and Cambridge.
Pupils are encouraged to visit universities and to attend University Fairs, both at the College and elsewhere. They are supported by the department to gather information on-line, using resources such as the powerful destination platform Unifrog and the UCAS Course Search website.
We offer advice about courses, university entrance procedures and interview techniques. Pupils are also kept informed about alternative pathways at 18+, such as sponsored degrees, degree apprenticeships, non-degree qualifications, school leavers’ programmes, apprenticeships and employment.
At all stages, the aim of the Careers & Higher Education Department is to help pupils make informed decisions about their future.
University Applications
The vast majority of pupils at Malvern decide to continue their education at university. In the increasingly competitive environment of higher education, we believe it is critical to manage the university application process effectively, as well as provide thorough, comprehensive and impartial advice about which courses and institutions might suit each pupil.
Throughout the Lower and Upper Sixth years, a carefullymanaged programme of information and advice is provided by the Careers & Higher Education Department alongside Sixth Form tutors and, as a result of this, every year over 80% of pupils gain places at the university of their first or second choice. The Careers & Higher Education Department maintains comprehensive resources on universities, and department staff are on-hand throughout the decision and application process (including Results Day) for informal chats or more in-depth discussions.
The Head of Careers, Mr Richard Thurlow, leads the process of UK University Applications, assisted by Dr Stewart Vaughan (Science and Medical School Applications), and Mrs Jennifer Major (Head of Sixth Form).
While the majority of pupils apply to UK universities through the UCAS application process, students seeking to apply to international institutions are fully supported through both aptitude tests such as SATs and the application process for particular universities. Over the past few years, pupils from Malvern have applied successfully to the top universities in the US, Canada, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and Holland. Malvern College is a SAT Testing Centre and is fully equipped to support our own pupils in preparing for and sitting SATs. Dr Martin Harris is Head of International University Applications.
Events: Careers & Futures Evenings and University Fairs
Every year the Department hosts a Careers & Futures Evening which gives all pupils the opportunity to quiz both current parents and former pupils about their career-path choices and to find out what qualifications and skills are required for specific careers.
We also host University Fairs in the Lent and Summer Terms. Representatives from both UK and international universities come to Malvern to speak to pupils about their institutions, degree courses, financial support and university life. These are always informative and inspirational evenings.
Gap Year Choices
An increasing number of pupils now take a gap year between school and university for a variety of reasons which include gaining work experience, earning money, travelling and personal challenges and goal-setting.
The Careers & Higher Education Department has information about many organisations which offer gap year programmes and the accumulated experience of former pupils enables the College to recount those experiences and be well placed to offer impartial guidance about the opportunities available and appropriate choices that a particular pupil might make based on genuine feedback.
Lydia Thurlow OM, chose a Gap Year teaching work placement with an association called Amesip in Salé in north-western Morocco at a small school for street-children. Lydia went on to study French and Philosophy at Bristol University, and is now working for 33Seconds, a creative communications agency in London.
Work Experience
Pupils in the Hundred and Lower Sixth are strongly encouraged to spend one week of their holidays on work experience placements closely linked to their own interests and possible future career paths. This enables pupils to gain invaluable first-hand experience of the world of work and provides an important link between the careers information and advice given in the Lower School and the exploration of and application to Higher Education, which forms the main focus in the Sixth Form.
Work experience also has educational value and can be used when making university applications and cited as references. We recommend that work experience placements should be for a minimum of one week and a maximum of two weeks, during which time the pupil should be exposed to the routine working-day demands and disciplines of the organisation in which they have secured a place. Ideal times for work experience would be in the holidays after the Hundred year and/or after the Lower Sixth year.
Pupils should consider the following criteria:
» They are placed in a working environment of their choice;
» Their placement is near their home or other family accommodation;
» Their placement takes place during the school holidays.
Although the College cannot arrange placements, the Head of Work Experience, Mrs Camilla Young, is always happy to offer advice to parents and pupils about this. Leavers automatically join the Malvernian Society and have access to the Malvernian Society’s LinkedIn Group, to explore the connections and opportunities available on this network.
CASE STUDY: Robbie Hardwick
Case Study: Robbie Hardwick
Medical Student, St Edmund Hall, University of Oxford
“I joined Malvern College in 2018, after being awarded a Sixth Form Academic Scholarship to study Biology, Chemistry, Maths and EPQ A levels. I had my sights set on a career in medicine, entry to which requires the top grades and the resilience and determination to succeed in an exceptionally demanding profession.
I settled in really quickly into the Sixth Form, made new friends and enjoyed not only my studies, but was able to play county cricket, rugby and squash, pursue Gold DoE, become a Science Mentor to younger pupils and Chapel Prefect.
The Careers & Higher Education Department at Malvern helped me with my Oxbridge applications and Dr Stewart Vaughan helped with my preparation for the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT). In the autumn term of the Lower Sixth, I was introduced to the College’s Oxbridge Group, which prepares pupils for their interviews by discussing and exploring a wide range of issues across the curriculum and beyond. The importance of preparing for interviews cannot be overstated and the department invests a great deal of time in coaching and holding practice interviews, which I found invaluable.
Committing to work experience is crucial because it provides an insight into the world of work, the demands and expectations and the skills needed. For both employers and university applications, undertaking work experience demonstrates a serious intent and makes the application itself stand out. I met Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr Tom Bragg (OM) at the College’s annual Careers and Futures Evening and arranged three weeks of work experience in General Practice, Cardiology, Plastic Surgery, Neurological Rehabilitation and a Clinical Skills Lab. These experiences left me in no doubt
about the hard work, resilience and commitment to lifelong learning required from doctors, and it confirmed that medicine is both rewarding and stimulating and the career path for me.
I also spent 14 months volunteering at a dementia care home, playing piano for Sunday afternoon singing, and chatting to residents. The music stimulated memories of past adventures - particularly rewarding when more passive residents, with late stage dementia, are prompted into conversation. Witnessing their declining independence and training as a ‘Dementia Friend’ has helped me understand and interact with these vulnerable elderly people.
I am now at Oxford University in my first year studying Medicine. I recognise that doctors face many challenges and responsibilities, but I feel that a career founded on science, integrity and empathy matches my abilities and aspirations.
The support and guidance from the Careers & Higher Education Department is invaluable and it cannot start early enough. For those like me who know what they want to do, and for those who are undecided, the team provide unbiased advice, has access to all the essential information, a wealth of experience and access to a network of OMs who are only too willing to help. As an OM now, I have access to OM Connect which keeps me in touch with alumni and offers mentoring, support and a considerable network whenever needed.”
Careers Guidance Programme 2024-2025
Careers Guidance
in FY (Year 9)
» Tutor group discussions on careers via on-line questionnaire (October-November 24)
» FY ‘Apprentice’ project: design, make and market hand cream (June 25)
Careers
Guidance in Remove (Year 10)
» Careers talks by former pupils (October-December 24)
» Careers exploration in Careers Guidance Sessions (throughout the year)
Careers Guidance
in Hundred (Year 11)
» Tutor group discussions on careers (October 24)
» Careers briefing, “MyFutureChoices” psychometric profiling and interviews for new pupils (October-December 24)
» Careers talks by former pupils throughout the year and at the Careers and Futures Evening (28 February 25)
» Work experience (arranged through parents and/or OMs: July-August 25)
Careers Guidance in Lower Sixth & Upper Sixth (Years 12 & 13)
» Tutor group discussions on possible careers (October 24)
» Careers briefing, “MyFutureChoices” psychometric profiling and interviews for new pupils (October-December 25)
» Careers talks by former pupils throughout the year and at the Careers and Futures Evening (28 February 25)
» Careers/job/university interviews for Upper Sixth pupils (January-March 25)
» Work experience (arranged through parents and/or OMs: July-August 25)
Higher Education Programme 2024-2025
University Application in Lower Sixth (Year 12)
» Introductory talks to pupils about using Unifrog and UCAS to research degree courses and universities, including Oxbridge and international universities (October 24)
» Elite universities’ discussion group meetings (October-March 24-25)
» SAT preparation classes (January-March 25)
» US and international university talks (October-March 24-25)
» Talks on how to choose universities and courses (March 25)
» Open Day visits to universities (April-June 25)
» Elite universities departmental seminars (April-June 25)
» University Fair and UCAS Application Workshop (24 June 25)
University Application in Upper Sixth (Year 13)
» Application to UK universities (SeptemberDecember 24 – ie, well ahead of 29 January 2025 deadline)
» Open Day visits to universities (SeptemberDecember 24)
» Elite universities’ departmental seminars (September-December 24)
» Interview practice (October-December 24)
» Application to US universities (OctoberDecember 24)
» Interview invitations and offers received (November-April 24-25)
» First and second university choices confirmed by pupils (June 25)
» IB and A level Results Days and advice on offers, Adjustment and Clearing (6 July & 14 August 25)
Careers & Higher Education Department Personnel
Mr Richard Thurlow Head of Careers & HE Guidance, UK University Applications, Gap Years
e: richard.thurlow@malverncollege.org.uk
Mrs Jennifer Major Head of Sixth Form
e: jennifer.major@malverncollege.org.uk
Dr Martin Harris
International University Applications
e: math.harris@malverncollege.org.uk
Dr Stewart Vaughan Medical School Applications
e: stewart.vaughan@malverncollege.org.uk
Mrs Camilla Young Work Experience
e: camilla.young@malverncollege.org.uk
Tomorrow’s role models, shaped today.
Malvern College, College Road, Malvern, Worcestershire WR14 3DF, UK
t: +44 (0)1684 581 500 e: enquiries@malverncollege.org.uk
www.malverncollege.org.uk