RGS CAREERS
CAREERS PROGRAMME
TOP CO-EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL IN SURREY FOR THE FIFTH YEAR RUNNING The Daily Telegraph and Sunday Times
CAREERS PROGR AMME
RGS CAREERS PROGRAMME We thought that it would be helpful to provide a programme of Careers events and talks at the start of the new academic year. This document includes events, trips and talks that are run specifically by the Careers Department or the Oxbridge Co-ordinator, Lucy Budden. There are many trips, presentations, clubs and other enriching activities that are run by individual departments in addition to those that are set out here. Also, there is now the RGS twilight lecture series, which is a recent addition to the academic enrichment programme. Parents are welcome to come to Careers talks which are during lunchtimes between 1:30pm and 2:10pm; please just let us know via slw@reigategrammar.org if you intend to come along so that I have an idea of numbers. Most Careers talks are appropriate for Third Form and above, but younger students are welcome if they have a particular interest. In addition to the events described here, Lower Sixth Form students will have several double period Careers lessons as well as UCAS Days to help them to prepare for university application (or alternative). Henry Smith studies lessons will also provide students with many of the skills needed to become excellent university candidates. Upper Sixth Form students will have sessions at the start of the year to finish their university applications and prepare for university tests and interviews. Unfortunately, by its very nature, the dates set out in this programme will be subject to change. Nearly all of the speakers are giving up their time voluntarily, so if clashes come up they may need to reschedule. I often take up offers of further presentations during the course of the year so it is best to check each week in the bulletin for the latest events and for exact timings. The Careers Department keep a document detailing any external courses that are being run to help students with career or university preparation. This is updated each week and can be found on the Taster Courses link on www.rgsinfo.net. If students would like to go on any courses which require them to miss a day of school, they must seek permission from their Head of Year. Finally, please do be aware that the Careers Office is open every lunchtime between 1:30pm and 2:10pm and for at least two periods of every day. Students are very welcome to come in to talk with members of the Careers Department without appointment. Parents should feel free to contact us at any time, although please be aware that we do teach, so we may not always be available to take your call. We will endeavour to get back to you as soon as possible. You may also find the answer to your question on careers.reigategrammar.org. Matthew Buzzacott Head of Careers mjb@reigategrammar.org
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WEEKLY EVENTS Medical Discussion Group Weekly opportunity for prospective medics to discuss medical issues, hear from outside speakers and learn about the application process from older and former students. Academic Enrichment sessions in all subjects for Lower Sixth Form students Spring Term: compulsory for Oxbridge candidates, however all students are welcome.
CAREERS PROGR AMME
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY SEPTEMBER 2018 Early September Preview Profiling Test Fifth Form students are encouraged to consider taking the Preview Profiling Test online (with interview to follow in November) to help them to make career and A Level decisions. Look out for the letter home about this. Early September Those taking university admissions tests must get their applications in to Mr Cheetham in the Exams Office. Date TBC Chance for Oxbridge applicants to speak to OR Oxbridge students about their experiences of both their courses and the application process. Fri 7 | 1:30pm-2:10pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Natasha Rees (OR) | What is out there after university?’ Natasha went into insurance after doing a degree in Archaeology and Anthropology. She will look at Graduate Schemes, especially those that require no specific degree, and how to make yourselves excellent candidates. Sat 8 | 10:00am-1:30pm, Harrison Centre UCAS PQA Day This day is designed for former students so that we can guide them through the UCAS process. However, if current Upper Sixth Form students would like help with their UCAS applications on this day, they are very welcome to come along at any time. Fri 14 Internal deadline for Medicine,Veterinary Science,Dentistry and Oxbridge UCAS applications to be signed off by subject contact. Tue 18 Internal deadline for all other UCAS applications to be signed off by subject contacts.
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Wed 26 | 7pm-9pm - Harrison Centre A Level Options Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to advise on suitable A Level choices for university/apprenticeship. Fri 28 Internal deadline for all Oxbridge applications to be signed off by Mr Chevalier (Art/Humanities) or Mr Welch (Science). Fri 28 Internal deadline for all Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science applications to be signed off by Mr Buzzacott.
OCTOBER 2018 Mon 1 | 1:30pm-2:10pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Piers Rex Murray (OR) | Training to be a pilot Piers Rex has just completed his training with Easyjet. Tue 2 | 1:30pm-2:10pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Sergeant Chris Ward | Careers in the RAF Following this talk he will conduct careers guidance interviews with any students who wish to have one. Tue 2 | 7.00pm, PMH Careers Evening | Digital Careers Thur 4 Deadline for all non-Oxbridge applications to be fully signed off. Fri 5 UCAS Day For Upper Sixth Form students whose application has not yet been sent off. Practice Aptitude Tests For those who require these.
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Mon 22 Deadline for submitting SAQ to Cambridge. Mon 29 | 4.00pm, Old Library Careers Talk - Beyond the Classroom - PhilosophyTalk on Philosophy by Stephen Law. Suitable for any students who are interested in Philosophy, Theology or PPE. Wed 31 BMAT and other apptitude tests take place.
NOVEMBER 2018 Thur 1 | 4.00pm, Old Library Careers Talk - Beyond the Classroom Lal Chadeesingh of Behavioural Insights Team to talk about ‘Nudges’ Fri 2 | 1:20pm-2:00pm, S8 Careers Talk - Dr Sandeep Cliff | Medical Interviews Wed 7 Interviews Evening Practice university interviews will be arranged for students who require these. Students should also seek practice interviews with members of staff from RGS. Tues 13 (All Day) and Wed 14 (Morning), Recital Room Careers interviews with external experts for Fifth Form students who took part in the Preview Careers Profiling programme. Thur 15 Members of the Careers Department will be available at the Upper Sixth form parents’ evening should students/parents have any concerns about UCAS applications/choices at 18. Tue 20 | 1:20pm-2:00pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Steve Brooks | Life as a Vet Tues 20 Fifth Form Parents’ Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available at the Upper Sixth Form parents’ evening should students/parents have any questions about career and A Level choices.
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Thur 29 | 1.30pm-2.10pm, Harrison Centre ‘Applying to Oxbridge’ Mrs Budden, the RGS Oxbridge Co-ordinator, for Lower Sixth Form students. Thur 29 | 7:00pm-9:00pm, PMH Engineering Evening Fri 30 | 1.30pm-2.10pm, Harrison Centre ‘Applying to Oxbridge’ Mrs Budden, the RGS Oxbridge Co-ordinator, for Lower Sixth Form students.
DECEMBER 2018 Date TBC Assembly to set Fifth Form and Lower Sixth Form students up on Unifrog, a university course finder.J
JANUARY 2019 Date TBC Enrichment Assembly for Lower Sixth Form students - Mr Jones and Mrs Budden Around Mon 7 (date tbc) University Taster Days The free University Taster Days at London universities are open for booking. Lower Sixth Form students are strongly advised to book themselves onto one or two of these via the website www. london.ac.uk/tasters. Be aware that these will book up fast. These day courses should help students to clarify what they want to study; they also provide good evidence of interest for the universities. Students should seek permission from Mr James if they need to miss a day of school. Mon 14 (and in the weeks that follow) Centigrade Profiling Test Lower Sixth Form students are encouraged to consider taking the Centigrade Profiling Test online (with voluntary interview) to help them to make degree course decisions. Look out for the letter home. Mon 21 1:30pm-2:10pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Cara McGoogan | Careers in Journalism
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Tue 29 1 4.00pm, Old Library Careers Talk - Beyond the Classroom | 4pm | Old Library James Mellor on Political Cartoons. This talk should be of interest to anyone interested in History, Politics, Art or Journalism. Thur 31 Upper Sixth Form Parents’ Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to take questions from students and parents about university decisions. Date TBC Mr Buzzacott to address Lower Sixth Form students about following up on Centigrade.
FEBRUARY 2019 Date TBC Assembly for Second Form | GCSE Choices Date TBC PSHE session | GCSE Options for Second Form students Date TBC Trip to Oxford University Tue 5 | 7:00pm-9:00pm, Concert Hall/Sports Hall Higher Education Convention for Second to Upper Sixth Form students This will offer a chance for students to talk to representatives from a wide range of universities, as well as Gap providers, school leaver schemes, apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships. Alongside the Higher Education Convention, there will be several careers presentations including on US university application. Wed 6 Fifth Form Parents’ Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to take questions from students and parents about A Level choices.
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Wed 13 Second Form Parents’ Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to take questions from students and parents about GCSE choices. Wed 20 Second Form GCSE Options Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to take questions about subject combinations from students and parents. Thur 28 | 7:00pm-9:00pm, PMH Careers in Law Evening
MARCH 2019 Date TBC Oxbridge Conference at Epsom Downs Fri 8 1 4.00pm, Old Library CV Workshops for Fifth Form students Tues 12 Higher Education Evening A chance for Lower Sixth Form parents and students to hear from an external expert in Higher Education Application. Mr Buzzacott will also speak and there will be the opportunity for you to put your questions to members of the Careers and Sixth Form teams. Thur 14 Lower Sixth Form Parents’ Evening Members of the Careers Department will be available to discuss university/apprenticeship/school leaver decisions. Fri 15 1 1:30pm-2:10pm, HC21 Careers Talk - Charlotte Michel (OR) Careers in TV/Media Charlotte is the production co-ordinator on ‘The Crown’. Fri 15 1 4.00pm, Old Library Careers Talk - Beyond the Classroom Dr Adrian Banks on degrees in Psychology. Dr Banks is a lecturer in Psychology at the University of Surrey.
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APRIL/MAY 2019 As students focus upon examinations, there will be little in the way of formal Careers events during this month. However, the Careers team will remain available at lunchtimes and for at least two periods per day to discuss any concerns with parents and students. University Open days Lower Sixth Form students should look to book places on university open days for after the Lower Sixth internal examinations. A good source of dates for these is www.opendays.com, but they will need to be booked in advance through university websites. We ask that you limit this to two during school time, but many are held on Saturdays. Students must seek permission to miss school in the normal way. RGS will seek to take trips to two universities in addition to the normal Open Days.
JUNE 2019 Dates TBC UCAS Days Held to encourage students to formalise their choices of subject and universities. It will also be a chance to get ahead with writing personal statements and filling out application forms. Date TBC There will be the opportunity for Lower Sixth Form students to quiz a panel of former students about their university experiences.
AUGUST 2019 Thurs 15 A Level Results Day The Careers team will be available throughout A Level Results Day. Mr Buzzacott will also be available on the days following this to continue to help those who need guidance over university choices. Thurs 22 GCSE Results Day Members of the Careers team will be available to discuss any concerns following GCSE results.
Reigate Grammar School, Reigate Road, Reigate, Surrey RH2 0QS 01737 222231 info@reigategrammar.org reigategrammar.org