Tom’s Perspective
The Gifted and Talented Programme provided me with opportunities and tips to help me with my UCAS application. It also organised university visits and helped with my preparations for university interviews. Carmel’s staff are all really friendly and supportive and extra help is always given whenever you need it by teachers who are excellent at their subjects. Tom is now at Oxford University studying Earth Science.
Critical Thinking
Subject Related And College-Wide Aspects
Critical Thinking is different from all other subjects at AS/Advanced GCE. It doesn’t involve learning any facts, but as the title suggests, it is about learning how to think and reason, as well as how to write in a coherent and logical way. These skills are becoming increasingly important in university application tests and augment your reasoning ability across subjects. A Critical Thinking qualification will show that you have attained a national standard in skills that will be prized by universities and employers alike.
Enrichment and Extension Activities
You will also extend your ability to develop arguments and apply reasoning and logic in a range of situations. Activities where these skills will be applied will include debates, presentations and workshops. This part of the Critical Thinking course will develop your confidence and your ability to deal with the demands of interviews for the type of courses you are likely to be applying for. Critical Thinking skills form an integral part of the newly introduced BMAT and LNAT aptitude tests, and the TSA aptitude test used by most of the Cambridge colleges.
There are numerous opportunities across college for you to enrich and extend your knowledge and understanding of your subjects. These include: • Debating/Speech Making • UK Maths Challenge • Merseyside Young Analyst Competition • English Master Classes • A range of trips and visits • Talks by visiting speakers
National Schools Analyst Competition
• Dedicated Gifted and Talented intranet site You will be kept up to date regarding developments through the college’s daily bulletin. However, if you have any specific questions or requests, please contact the Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator at Carmel.
Gifted & Talented •
A structured programme of teaching, activities, events and support for the most able students
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Provides the best possible preparation for applying to Oxbridge and for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine degrees
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Also provides support for talented students in specialist areas such as Art, Music, PE and Performance
Extended Project Qualification All students in the G&T programme will have the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ). This allows you to choose a subject area you have a particular interest in and then, using your research skills, you will produce an in-depth 5000 word study. EPQ is highly regarded by leading universities.
Thomas Lamont St Gregory’s Catholic High School Studying: Chemistry, Geography, Maths, Critical Thinking, Physics
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Critical Thinking Masterclass
1987-2012 25 Years of inspiring individuals
Guidance and preparation for aptitude and admission tests A number of HE courses now require applicants to sit aptitude tests as part of the application process. This can be a daunting prospect if you are not prepared. High Achievers will be given help to prepare in the event that this becomes a likely part of their application.
Contact us Carmel College, Prescot Road, St Helens, WA10 3AG Tel: 01744 452214 Email: admissions@carmel.ac.uk Web: www.carmel.ac.uk
UK Maths Challenge
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Kieran’s Perspective
Carmel is full of life and a perfect environment to learn. The Gifted and Talented scheme allows you to obtain a lot of information about different universities and there is a lot of guidance from tutors that allow you to make an informed decision about which course and university is best for you. My favourite time at Carmel was playing for the Rugby team and making a lot of great friends. When leaving Carmel, I hope to study Chemistry with Education at Reading University.
Kieran O’Callaghan St Gregory’s Studying: Chemistry, English Language, Music Technology, Critical Thinking, Physics
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Who will benefit from the Programme? •
Typically, those students who wish to study at Oxford or Cambridge, or who want to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Medicine. These university courses are particularly demanding and successful applicants will be amongst the strongest academic all-rounders.
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Students who have achieved a high number of Grade A or A* subjects at GCSE level.
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Your school may have identified you as a high achieving ‘all-rounder’, for example, you may have been part of a ‘Gifted and Talented’ group.
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The programme also provides a framework of structured support for talented students in specialist areas such as Art, Music, P.E. and Performance and works closely with the relevant specialist H.E. institutions for those disciplines.
When will the Programme take place? Obviously, your AS Level subjects will take up most of your timetabled week. Some parts of the programme will be timetabled; others will take place in the Enrichment session at various times throughout the year. Occasionally events will be organised to fit in with external organisations and will have to be scheduled accordingly. This may mean that you occasionally have to miss a lesson or attend events outside of the timetabled day. Advanced notice will be given when this is likely to happen.
What activities will be offered within the Programme? CORE ASPECTS Oxbridge and H.E. Early Applicants Support Oxbridge (i.e. Oxford and Cambridge Universities) have an application process that is different to other universities. They both have an earlier deadline for applications (mid-October of your second year) and earlier interviews for places (December of your second year). Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science degrees also have an early application deadline. This means that potential applicants must be very well prepared and must have researched their chosen courses and universities/colleges at a relatively early stage in their time at Carmel. Carmel will provide the necessary support and will organise visits to allow you to make the right decisions as early as possible. For example, a residential visit to both the Oxford and Cambridge Open Days takes place in June of your first year. This follows on from the North West Regional Oxbridge Conference that takes place in March of your first year. On your return to Carmel after the summer holiday, you will begin work on your Personal Statement, which forms a vital part of any successful application. Again, dedicated and structured support will be on hand.
Interview Skills Workshops
Support and advice for high achievers
As you approach the time for applications and interviews, you will be given the opportunity to test out and refine your skills through practice interviews. A number of workshops will take place to develop the appropriate skills. Feedback will also be given to allow you to improve your performance in time for the real thing.
The Gifted & Talented Co-ordinator is the central point of contact for any matter relating to the Programme. Carmel has a number of dedicated careers tutors who are able to give specialist advice regarding HE courses.
Lauren’s Perspective
Being part of the Gifted and Talented programme at Carmel has been very beneficial as they organise trips to the Oxbridge Conference and also the Oxford and Cambridge Open Days. What has impressed me the most about Carmel is the amount of support they give you during university applications. After leaving Carmel, I hope to progress to university to study Physics.
Carmel is a great place to study. The tutors are really helpful and offer lots of support and advice. Outside of college I play Rugby League for Warrington Wolves U18s and England Academy and I am looking forward to representing England against France in June. When I leave Carmel I hope to pursue a career in Rugby League.
Bobbie’s Perspective
Carmel students at the Oxford Open Day at Mansfield College
Free Membership of the National Academy of Gifted and Talented Youth (NAGTY) Lauren Chisnall Rainhill High School Studying: Maths, Further Maths, Physics, French, Critical Thinking
NAGTY provide an online support network for the most able students in the UK, and organise events and activities for their members. Entrance is subject to certain criteria, but provided you satisfy these, we are more than happy to nominate you for admission.
Bobbie Goulding Fairfield High School Studying: Biology, P.E., Psychology, Spanish
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