Higher Education & Futures Fair 2024

Thursday 13 June 6pm - 8pm

A Message from the Headmaster

Welcome to our Higher Education & Futures Fair where this year we are especially delighted to welcome back to Royal Russell a group of recent leavers who are either studying at university, working as apprentices or are in employment. Together with a strong representation of UK universities and other organisations supporting Futures, this evening presents an exciting opportunity for our young people to discover what options are available for them beyond Royal Russell.

Making the decision about next steps beyond school has never been easy, but perhaps for most, has focused on deciding what subject to read at university and which universities to apply to The decision now is arguably harder with the successful introduction of modern apprenticeships and the everincreasing breadth of qualifications funded by leading companies, of all sizes and across all employment sectors

Within the past five years, an increasing number of our sixth

form leavers have chosen the apprenticeship pathway and we know, through our continued relationship with them that they are happy, are well supported by their employers and are looking forward to bright futures.

It’s important then that we provide as much information as we can about this alternative to university to you all so that armed with full knowledge, you can have ongoing quality conversations with us here in school and in your own homes, to ensure informed choices are made.

We continue to hold a university education in high regard and will always provide as much information, advice and personal guidance to our pupils as we are able Whilst the process of deciding one’s future might have become a little trickier in recent years, the options represent exciting opportunity for all, and our single goal remainsfor each of our young people to take the best next step they can.

If you’d like to support your child or children with their careers learning, you can set up your own account in UNIFROG (the careers resource we use) to take advantage of all the information and resources they offer. Use Parent Code RUBXparents to sign in via Unifrog - The universal destinations platform This code is valid until 19 August 2024.

Chris Hutchinson Headmaster

Programme

The Higher Education & Futures Fair opens to pupils and parents from 6:00pm. Please observe the following staggered arrival times to ensure we avoid overcrowding.

YEAR 10

ARRIVAL TIME

6:00pm

6:30pm

7:00pm

YEAR 12

ARRIVAL TIME

6:00pm

6:30pm

7:00pm

ENTER FAIR AT RECEPTION FOR PAC AUDITORIUM

Surname A-H

ENTER FAIR AT LIBRARY

Surname I-O

P-Z

ENTER FAIR AT RECEPTION FOR PAC AUDITORIUM

ENTER FAIR AT LIBRARY

Surname A-F

G-Q

Surname R-Z

Higher Education exhibition in the Auditorium

Old Russellians are in Hollenden Conference Room

Futures Exhibition, including apprenticeships, in the Library

Refreshments are being served on the Terrace above Cambridge Slope, by Hollenden Conference Room, or in the instance of bad weather in Reception and the Library

Surname

Surname

Universities

BIMM LONDON

BIRMINGHAM

CARDIFF

LANCASTER

LONDON INTERDISCIPLINARY SCHOOL

NOTTINGHAM

NOTTINGHAM TRENT

QMUL

ROYAL HOLLOWAY

SOUTHAMPTON

SURREY

SUSSEX

UEA

WINCHESTER

International Applicants

FUTURE ELITE SPORTS

HULT INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS SCHOOL

THE UNIVERSITY GUYS

LIBRARY - Futures Exhibition Guide

Apprenticeships

GOOGLE

KPMG

MACE

PWC

SAFFERY CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS

Business Professionals

AVENUE COOKERY SCHOOL

CREATIVE: MUSIC PERFORMANCE

LAW

MEDICAL

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT & DESIGN

SALES/MARKETING LUXURY BRANDS

SIXTH FORM & GAP YEAR OPTIONS

RALEIGH INTERNATIONAL

STCG

HOLLENDEN CONFERENCE ROOM

Old Russellians – 1st, 2nd or 3rd Year Uni Students

JACK @ SALFORD: FILM PRODUCTION

JOSH @ LINCOLN: INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS & POLITICS

CHRIS @ WARWICK: LAW

CHLOE @ UCL: CREATIVE ARTS

MOLLY @ KING’S COLLEGE LONDON:CULTURE, MEDIA & CREATIVE STUDIES

BECCA @ ROYAL HOLLOWAY: MARKETING

RIA @ SURREY: PSYCHOLOGY (VIA CLEARING)

ELLA @ CARDIFF: HISTORY & POLITICS

FEMI @ BIRMINGHAM: ECONOMICS

CAREERS AT ROYAL RUSSELL

How to Prepare

Pupils and families are encouraged to prepare before the Fair to ensure maximum gain. Large Fairs like this can be overwhelming if you haven’t had a chance to think ahead about who you want to speak to and what you want to discover.

Look at the exhibitors attending and click through the links to find out a bit more about the company.

Gap Year?

Taking a gap between school and your next step provides opportunity for you to work, travel and grow: increasing maturity and your sense of purpose A meaningful gap year takes a bit of planning to work out what you want to do and what you want to achieve from that

Football scholarship in the US?

For talented athletes it is possible to apply for a scholarship to US College to play your sport at varsity level Depending on which College you apply for determines what academic level is required.

As with all international applications it is important to start preparing as early as you can but particularly so for a sports scholarship. Come with your questions for Sophie, from Future Elite Sports who is a specialist adviser, supporting families to achieve the best college place that fits all your needs

Looking at an FE College for 16+? South Thames College Group can offer advice about vocational and academic programmes on offer

Use your Unifrog account to research different job roles – look specifically at the Careers Library & check the skills required for the roles. Make sure you look at the Labour Market Information (LMI) to understand how demand for employment in a role is expected to grow both locally and nationally

Higher Education Exhibition

Look at where the universities are located geographically, (some may have London campuses); what courses they offer and the entry requirements. Explore where the different qualifications can lead to.

Look at the facilities – do the Library & study spaces look inviting, are the sports facilities modern and what different accommodation options are there?

If you have a specific course in mind, use your Unifrog account (Subjects Library) to do your research before the Fair so you ask the questions you really need

Think about what you want to get out from speaking to these exhibitors: perhaps what their Admissions tutors look for in a Personal Statement? Or what links with industry does the university have? How do they ensure their course content is kept up to date? When are their Open Days?

Being able to talk about what you have researched, even just a little, will help your conversations with exhibitors at the Fair, which in turn will

mean you get more out of the event

Gathering information from a wide range of universities will help you see the similarities as well as the differences between courses and experiences which will improve your decision making. Challenging yourself to have a quality conversation with many exhibitors will not only help develop your knowledge but your confidence and communication skills too.

International and US College Applications

Whilst the UK is fortunate to be a global leader in higher education there can be a great number of benefits when choosing to study abroad.

The process of applying to European and other international universities is very different from the UCAS process: sometimes it may be very straightforward, sometimes more in-depth Since Brexit, UK nationals no longer benefit from the generally lower tuition fees payable by EU students and freedom of movement between the UK and EU countries may be subject to visa restrictions.

Understanding the opportunity and the implications is vital at the outset of any plans For US Colleges, the application process can seem daunting. Costs can appear to be prohibitive and the higher education system confusing But with good research and support, it is possible to secure the perfect fit for you in America at a cost that is affordable Again, early preparation is the key.

In the Auditorium you have the opportunity to learn from experts in the international applications process as well as speak with Hult International Business School who have campus’s in London, Ashridge (UK), Dubai, New York, San Francisco and Boston and meet with the Government of Western Australia to discover more about the exciting study opportunities there.

At the Fair

Practise Your Professional Behaviours

A school event like this is a great opportunity for you to practise and develop your professional behaviours.

First Impressions:

What can you do to ensure the exhibitor recognises in the first few seconds of meeting you that you are the kind of candidate they want to attract?

Communication:

Make sure you speak clearly and confidently, using active listening skills and focus on it being a conversation rather than a Q&A Ask follow up questions to clarify your understanding.

Time management:

Make good use of any time you are waiting to speak to someone by bringing up their website or checking latest social media feeds When you are speaking with an exhibitor, use your time wisely, don’t rush, but judge when it’s time to move on and/or let others in

Collaboration:

If an exhibitor is particularly busy, and a queue is forming, agree with others who are waiting that you’ll meet as a group rather than one at a time. Give time and space to everyone to ask their questions and listen respectively to the answers

which will most certainly be useful for you too

Exit strategy:

When it’s time to move on, make sure you clearly thank each exhibitor and demonstrate that you found the conversation useful.

For information on networking skills, preparing to meet with Universities and developing your competencies, check out the ‘Know How Library’ on Unifrog.

After the Fair

If you collected a business card or contact details, email to thank the exhibitor for their time and say briefly how your conversation has helped you.

Follow up immediately on any offers of work experience or visits – don’t delay!

Reflect on the information you gathered and discuss with family, teachers/tutors and friends about how this has helped your decision-making process

You can come and see me to discuss ideas, improve your CV, find work experience or just to have a chat about your interests – email me to make an appointment. jharris@royalrussell.co.uk

Apprenticeships in Science

There are many apprenticeships linked to Science.

FoodIndustryTechnician

LaboratoryScientist

MetrologyTechnician

NuclearScientistandNuclearEngineer

RegisteredNurse

VetTechnician

ScantheQRcodetofind out more about careers inscience andsomanymore!

Apprenticeships in PE and Sport

Therearemanyapprenticeshipslinkedto

GolfGreenkeeper

LeisureTeamMember

PersonalTrainer

Teacher

SportsCoach

SportsTurfOperative

Apprenticeships in Maths

There

AerospaceEngineer

AssistantAccountant

CivilEngineer

FinancialServiceProfessional

InsurancePractitioner

ProfessionalEconomist

Scan

Scan

Apprenticeships in Languages

There

IntelligenceAnalyst

InternationalFreightForwardSpecialist

Journalist

MarinePilot

Teacher

TransportPlanner

ScantheQRcode

Apprenticeships in ICT and Computing

There are many apprenticeships linked to ICT and Computing.

ApplicationSupportLead

ArtificalIntelligence(AI)DataSpecialist

CyberSecurityTechnologist

DigitalCommunityManager

NetworkEngineer

SoftwareDeveloper

ScantheQRcodeto findoutmoreabout careersinICTand Computing andsomanymore!

Apprenticeships in Geography

There are many apprenticeships linked to Geography.

Chartered Town Planner

Countryside Worker

Crop Technician

Ecologist

Landscape Technician

Travel Consultant

Scan the QR code to find out more about careers in geography and so many more!

Apprenticeships in History

There are many apprenticeships linked to History.

ArchaelogicalSpecialist

CulturalHeritageConservator

Curator

GalleriesTechnician

LibraryandArchiveServiceAssistant

LicensedConveyancer

ScantheQRcode tofindoutmore aboutcareersin History andsomanymore!

There are many apprenticeships linked to Food and Nutrition.

Baker

Butcher

Dietitian

Fishmonger

FoodTechnologist

HospitalityTeamMember

Scan the QR code to find out more about careers in Food and Nutrition andsomanymore!

Apprenticeships in English

There are many apprenticeships linked to English.

AdvertisingandMediaExecutive

Bid&ProposalCoordinator

Journalist

PublicRelationsAssistant

SocialWorker

Solicitor

Scan the QR code to find out more about careers in English andsomanymore!

Apprenticeships in Business Studies

There are many apprenticeships linked to Business Studies.

AssistantAccountant

DataAnalyst

HRConsultantPartner

MarketResearchExecutive

Marketing/PRAssistant

SupplyChainOperative

ScantheQRcode

Apprenticeships in Drama and Music

There are many apprenticeships linked to Drama and Music.

AcousticsTechnician

AssistantPuppetMaker

CameraPrepTechnician

CulturalLearningandParticipationOfficer

EventsAssistant

Junior2DArtistVisualEffects

ScantheQRcodeto findoutmoreabout careersinDrama andMusic andsomanymore!

Apprenticeships in Art and Design

There are many apprenticeships linked to Art and Design

ArtsTherapist

AssistantPuppetMaker

BespokeFurnitureMaker

Florist

Junior2DArtistVisualEffects

StoryboardMaker

ScantheQRcode tofindoutmore aboutcareersinArt anddesign andsomanymore!

Map of School Grounds

And finally,

Parents – please consider whether you can offer support to our Careers Programme to support pupils in all years. Perhaps you have had an interesting career journey or want to inspire the next generation to enter your sector or profession.

Please email jharris@royalrussell.co.uk to discuss how you might be able to support us. Have you connected with the Royal Russell Community account on LinkedIn? A great place to keep in touch. Click here to connect on LinkedIn.