OF YORK
WILLIAM: SOFTWARE ENGINEERING DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP WITH LLOYD’S
ASPIRE
JESS: MUSIC AT LEEDS CONSERVATOIRE
FREYA: MIDWIFERY AT KING’S COLLEGE LONDON
DAMARIS: MEDICINE & SURGERY AT UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER
PHILLIP: CHEMISTRY AT UNIVERSITY
WELCOME TO ST BRENDAN’S ASPIRE GROUP
WHAT IS ASPIRE?
The Aspire group is here to support you in getting you to wherever you want to get to after college. We offer a range of activities and support to boost your extra curricular activities, to make you a more competitive applicant to the difficult to get into universities and apprenticeships. So whatever you want to do or achieve we will be here to help you.
GET IN TOUCH
Please email the Aspire Coordinator, Paul Wright if you have any questions about the Aspire group: PWR@stbrn.ac.uk
Jess studied A-Level Music, Biology and Maths at St Brendan’s and is now studying for a degree in Music at Leeds Conservatoire
GOING FURTHER AND HIGHER!
Jamie was part of our 2022 Aspire Group, and is now at the University of Oxford to studying Computer Science. Through the St Brendan's Careers Team, Jamie found work experience with GCHQ which helped his UCAS application stand out.
Through the Aspire Programme he was put in touch with a former St Brendan’s student at Oxford University who helped him prepare for his interview and entry tests.
IN COLLEGE TALKS
During the first term we will be having speakers from the University of Bristol coming to college to give a series of talks.
We suggest that you come to at least one of the talks below (but feel free to attend as many as possible!)
If it means missing a lesson let your class teacher know beforehand, and make sure you catch up with the work.
OUTREACH AND ENRICHMENT SCHEMES
Many universities and organisations are looking to help students like you reach your potential. Some of them focus on building your experience of university study, improving your knowledge of your chosen subject or even studying abroad. All of the programmes below are free.
We strongly recommend that you apply for at least 2 of these schemes (there are lots to choose from), of which 1 should be the Access to Bristol or Pathways to Bath Schemes. Please ensure you check the website for each scheme as application deadlines may change.
If you need to put a tutor or referee, use: Paul Wright, Aspire Coordinator: PWR@stbrn.ac.uk
ACCESS TO BRISTOL/PATHWAYS TO HEALTHCARE BRISTOL
The Access to Bristol scheme is for local students taking A-levels, BTECs, Access to HE courses or equivalents. Taking part shows a commitment to further study that will strengthen your application when you apply to university. On completion, you will be guaranteed a contextual offer/interview from the University of Bristol
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER APPLY NOW!
HE+
HE+ is a year long collaborative programme from the University of Cambridge, designed to help ensure students make both a successful application and also a successful transition to highly selective universities HE+ provide access to super-curricular activities , provide advice and guidance sessions and study skills support. HE+ also offer a funded visit to Cambridge for many participants each year allowing
them to experience university life and meet university students.
DEADLINE: OCTOBER
SOCIAL
MOBILITY FOUNDATION, ASPIRING PROFESSIONALS & EMPLOYER INSIGHTS
APP Employer Insight Programmes are for students anywhere in the UK outside of London who would like an insight into a specific sector with a top employer from that field. Students will receive a mentor from the employer partner, skills development workshops and university application support and guidance.
DEADLINE: SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER
SUTTON TRUST US PROGRAM
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to explore life studying in the US. It will give you a taste of what it’s like being an international student in the US and help you see if it could be the right fit for you including a trip to the US. It’s a
fully-funded programme so all costs are covered, including travel, residential events, accommodation and food.
DEADLINE: JANUARY 2025
PATHWAY TO BATH
Pathway to Bath is a free blended learning programme that gives students the chance to develop key skills for university study and beyond while working online alongside experienced staff and current students and the opportunity to attend a free 3-day summer residential visit to experience life as a student at Bath.
DEADLINE: JANUARY 2025
Supported by the Social Mobility Foundation, Harry secured a 4 week paid internship with international law firm, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in London.
UNIQ SUMMER SCHOOLS
UNIQ is the University of Oxford’s access programme for state school students, prioritising places for students with good grades from backgrounds that are under-represented at Oxford and other universities.
DEADLINE: JANUARY 2025
TARGET OXBRIDGE
A free programme that aims to help Black African and Caribbean students and students of mixed race with Black African and Caribbean heritage increase their chances of getting into the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge
DEADLINE: JANUARY/FEBRUARY
12 student Joseph spent a week
THE SUTTON TRUST APPRENTICESHIP SUMMER SCHOOL
The Sutton Trust Apprenticeship Summer School is a three-day residential where students can meet leading employers and like-minded peers, and learn more about how to access top apprenticeships.
DEADLINE: EARLY MARCH
THE SUTTON TRUST SUMMER SCHOOLS
These Summer Schools offer over 40 different courses at 13 of the UK’s top universities. The Sutton Trust will cover the full costs of your travel, accommodation, food and activities at any partner university – not just one that’s local to where you live – so choose a Summer School based on your subject interests at a university you’d like to explore.
DEADLINE: EARLY MARCH
NUFFIELD PLACEMENTS
Nuffield Research Placements are engaging, hands-on research projects, where you’ll have the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution towards the work of a host organisation. They are a fantastic opportunity for students to apply skills and knowledge learned at school and work alongside researchers and industry professionals to gain valuable real world experience.
DEADLINE: MARCH
APPLY CAMBRIDGE
A free programme to support highattaining students from under represented backgrounds and areas to make successful applications to the University of Cambridge. The programme will be delivered by Cambridge staff and admissions tutors who will share their expertise on the application procedure
DEADLINE: MID-MAY
Year
in New York to get a taster of life at Yale University – all fully funded by The Sutton Trust. Pictured here in Nottingham at a residential, with other successful students.
APPLYING TO OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE
If you are thinking of applying for Oxbridge then we are looking forward to supporting you on your journey. If you achieved 5 or more 8s or 9s at GCSE level, then you should give it some thought as you might well be the kind of student these universities are looking for.
From providing you with ideas for the kind of things you need to do outside of college to facilitating open days and providing you with help for the entrance exams and interview, we will be giving you advice at every step of the way.
Let us know if you think this might something you want to explore further at PWR@stbrn.ac.uk
Aspire student Shau’Ri studied Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics at A-level and is now at the University of Cambridge studying Natural Sciences.
MEDICS, DENTISTS, VETS & HEALTH CARE
This group is for students interested in applying for medicine, veterinary medicine/science, and dentistry. These are all early application courses but also are very competitive so we aim to give you every advantage possible. You’ll receive a program of support; looking at your options for courses, help with personal statements, practicing the entrance exams and interview prep. There will also be opportunities, talks and online courses throughout the year with the NHS, employers and universities, which will help your application stand out.
If this sounds like a way you see your future progressing, please email Phil Clark: PCL@stbrn.ac.uk
