Preparation for A Level Success and Next Steps to University, Higher Education and Work

For each subject, students will have 8 - 9 hours of contact teaching time per fortnight. This leaves plenty of time for independent and self-directed study which is an essential skill to be developed before leaving school. Support is available to students who struggle to organise their time, for example, Leaders of Achievement can offer guidance on the creation of a study and/or homework timetable but the ultimate goal is to ensure that students get to a point where they are able to do this independently.

A range of study areas are available for the exclusive use of Sixth Form students. The school provides students with a silent study space for independent work and revision; a quiet room where students can work quietly together in order to collaborate and support each other; and, department / faculty specific breakout areas around the school so that students have access to more subject specific resources should they need them.

Teaching strategies deployed by teachers are designed to prepare Sixth Form students for university learning and for adult life when they will be expected to be independent and creative problem-solvers. We provide students with questions rather than spoon-feeding information and answers which promotes a growth mindset and resilience.   

Support for Future Careers

We are proud to work with Careers Wales to ensure that all of our students have access to first-class careers advice and support. We are privileged to have a dedicated Careers Wales Adviser working in the school four days a week as this means that students have access to expert advice as and when they need it. Meeting with our Careers Adviser is easy - students can simply stop by her office when she is free or they can come to the Sixth Form Office to make an appointment for a mutually convenient time. Information about all of the services and support available through Careers Wales can be found here.

In addition to dedicated support from Careers Wales, students in the Sixth Form also have access to a range of speakers and experts from a wide range of occupations and universities throughout Year 12 and Year 13. In order to support Sixth Form students with taking the next step in education, Cowbridge School implements a careers programme which provides students with a range of information about future possibilities, relevant to students’ interests. Whilst students have the option of having a careers interview at any stage throughout Year 12, and, through assemblies, bespoke lessons and enrichment visits, have the benefit of listening to a range of presentations from external speakers from various careers and universities, the careers programme begins in earnest once students return to school in June of Year 12, following their AS examinations. Throughout the seven weeks in the lead up to the summer break, students are able to meet with and speak to representatives from different universities, companies and organisations, including those offering apprenticeship opportunities. These are just a few of the many guests we have welcomed to the school to speak to and work with students in the past year:

However, it is important to impress upon students that, although we can provide support and guidance to help them decide upon, and gain the skills needed to be successful in, their future careers, as Sixth Formers, they need to be responsible for their own pathway. Every year, we work with students to find out who they would like to meet; what careers they would like to learn more about; and, what other opportunities they feel they need to be successful in the future. Therefore, the guest speakers visiting the school changes year on year in response to student feedback.

UCAS

The vast majority of students who complete Year 13 and their A Level examinations at Cowbridge School go on to further study at university. In order to ensure that students are guided through the application process, we have a UCAS team of personal tutors who work together with students to support the preparation and application process for University. This includes specific guidance for early applicants to Oxford & Cambridge Universities and Medical, Dental and Veterinary Science placements. 

We have a proud record of supporting all students in preparing for the future, and we have a high proportion of students progressing to Russell Group Universities. We have links with the Welsh Government initiative, the Seren network, and have a specific Medical, Dental and Veterinary Science support programme. A UCAS guidance programme for all students starts from the summer of Year 12 and, from September of Year 13, all students have a timetabled UCAS lesson once a week. As a result of having these timetabled lessons, most students complete their UCAS applications by December, thus allowing them to focus solely on achieving their potential in their A Level subjects.