Preparing your teenager for #University - As #Alevelresults day approaches, a few tips for #parents

Phew! For most, come Thursday, those all-important A level results will be in the bag and your teenager is excitedly preparing to move on to the next stage of their life, by starting university in the Autumn. Here are a few tips to support parents in preparing them, so you can sleep slightly easier, once they have flown the nest.

1. Help them to familiarise themselves with the town or city where they will be studying including the campus layout, location of faculty teaching blocks, public transport, location of the supermarket etc. A visit a few weeks before they start might help with this.
2. Do everything you can to assist them to secure a place in a hall of residence. Being among other ‘Freshers' in a hall of residence, rather than a rented house during year one, will make finding their way around and meeting new friends easier and give a gentler acclimatisation into University life, especially if they have, to date, been living at home.
3. Help them to plan the clubs and societies they will join during Freshers' week. University is a fabulous opportunity to try a huge variety of new and exciting sports and activities and those who get fully involved from the outset will make new friends and hence settle quickest.
4. Organise their finances by opening a bank account. Shop around for the one that is offering the best student incentives and ideally chose one which has a branch located close to the university or even better on campus.
5. Spend some time going through the importance of budget planning and monitoring cash-flow carefully. Advise against credit cards and un-authorised overdrafts.
6. If the timetable structure of their course looks like there might be time for some part-time work to supplement their student loan, help them to get a CV and application letter ready and to start to research places where they might seek employment once in situ. Talk them through body language and basics of interview technique. Reliability, looking respectable and a friendly personality will be the key factors to get across. Review pictures and comments on their Facebook page as many potential employers will now review these before taking on young people.
7. Have some fun in the kitchen helping your teenager with planning and cooking healthy meals on a budget. Reproducing some of mum’s home-cooked dishes for new friends will be a positive way to cope with homesickness in the early stages.
8. Have a serious chat about safety, keeping gadgets and tech safe, managing drink, turning down drugs and coping with peer pressure to do things which they may feel are out of their comfort zone.
9. Find out what the local GP arrangements are for students and register them.
10. Advise against taking too many possessions with them for the start of the first term. Some things are essential, but having too much will cramp their living space and be too hard to keep track of. Homely but uncluttered is best. Valuables should be minimal. Make sure key items are covered by appropriate insurance.
11. Advise against taking a car until they have seen where they will be living and investigated the parking arrangements. If they do chose to take a car, drink-driving should be discussed.
12. A bike is a good investment and don’t forget lights and a high-vis top.
13. A laptop with a good size screen will be crucial. Consider getting a separate mouse, keyboard and ensure they have the latest up-to-date software. Consider how their work will be backed-up and a few USB sticks might come in handy.
14. Agree how you will keep in touch. Email, text, mobile, Skype. Give them space to explore this exciting new stage of their life, but explain your need to hear from them every once in a while, to be reassured they are happy and safe.

If Thursday does not bring the outcome you hoped for, our team of friendly, expeienced consultants can offer advice on the Clearing process. 

Please call our team of consultants on 01865 522 066

Visit our website for more information via the link below. 

 http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/ucas-clearing-advice/

What happens if #year12 students fail to get the #grades they need at #ASresults time next week?

Waiting for AS results is always a stressful time; solid AS results are so critical to the choices available for A2 and university offers. With the introduction of new AS courses in September, those in Year 12 have an even more complicated set of decisions to make this year.

Many schools require a minimum level of pass grade at AS to qualify a student to proceed to A2. In previous years the option of resitting an AS level alongside A2 courses, or even resitting the whole of Year 12, were a good option for many. But with new specifications coming on-stream, this is not such a straightforward decision.

Students in maintained schools no longer have the option to re-sit Year 12 as the funding has been withdrawn. Many students in independent schools will find themselves in a similar position. This might mean that a total rethink of academic and career options is required, including the possibility of pursuing a vocational or apprenticeship route. I have known many students over the years who have switched to a BTEC or similar programme and proceeded very successfully to university.

Those wishing to re-sit individual modules or AS courses have a much more complex decision to make. Many subjects will be based on completely new specifications, with the new AS becoming a stand-alone qualification which does not count towards the full A level. It is likely that most students in this situation will simply have to proceed to A2 and re-sit individual modules without the benefit of being able to sit in on AS lessons.

Some students will simply not have the AS grades they hoped for to present a strong case to their chosen universities about their potential at A2. My advice here is not to panic; the university sector is changing rapidly, making many more options available to students. Good advice from your HE adviser is crucial here as many doors might remain open with the right advice.

It certainly isn’t easy being 17 these days! But with the right advice, the options available are better than ever. So don’t panic on results day. Be proactive and get good advice.

Our team of friendly, professional educational consultants are on hand throughout the A level and GCSE results period to offer a listening ear and some helpful advice on the best way forward.

Give us a call on 01865 522066

OR email Claire via consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk

For more details visit our website by clicking the link  http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/a-level-results-need-to-re-sit/

Why #Clearing Has Become The New Way To Apply For #University

Since we welcome Brian McGee as a new full-time addition to our consultancy team from Monday, we thought a few of his wise words on UCAS Clearing might be useful for those awaiting A Level results this August.

As A level results day approaches, many students have traditionally waited with bated breath to see if they have been successful in gaining their chosen university course through UCAS, dreading the thought of being pushed into the mad scramble of Clearing.

But in the last two years all that has changed and Clearing now provides a way for proactive students to gain access to courses which are very attractive and possibly of a higher calibre than they might have hoped for. 61,300 applicants secured their university place through Clearing in 2014 and this figure is likely to be higher this year.

Many universities, including 14 Russell Group institutions, have now opened up Clearing places in advance of the August 13 deadline. This is partly in response to students such as IB candidates who gain their qualifications earlier, but it is mainly because the Higher Education sector has been blown wide open by the lifting of the cap on university places offered by each institution.

So, what does this mean for the astute student and parent wishing to make the best use of this opportunity? Well, if you start to look at the Clearing courses available now, you have the chance to be ahead of the pack. This could even mean considering applying for a higher level course through Adjustment if you feel that your grades might be better than you’d hoped. You may also have second thoughts about a course you applied for possibly ten months ago and feel that another course might suit you better.

Download the Telegraph Clearing 2015 app so that you are ready on the day to act fast, or see their Clearing website.

For these details take a look at our top tips for students and parents in our recent blog post  http://futureschoolsadvice.blogspot.co.uk/2015/07/less-than-4-weeks-to-go-to-alevel.html

Remember, don’t be afraid to pick up the phone for fast independent advice.

Call 01865 522066 to talk to Claire about your query.

OR Email Claire via  consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk

Less than 4 weeks to go to #ALevel #results day. Are you waiting for your future to be secured through #UCAS?

It’s distressing opening that envelope on A level results day to find you haven’t attained the grades you need to confirm your place on the #university course of your dreams. If you find yourself in this position on Thursday 13^th August, try not to despair. There’s a chance you might still be accepted if your grades have only slipped a little and if not, as long as your grades are reasonable and you are prepared to be proactive and flexible, you should secure an alternative.

Here are our top tips to make the day as stress free as possible and to ensure the best possible outcome, whatever you’re faced with.

1. Be available at exam results time. If you’ve only just missed out on your university offer grades, check your status in Track as your place may have been confirmed anyway. Congratulations!
2. If your status is unchanged, there’s no need to panic yet. If not confirmed or rejected by mid-morning, pick up the phone to the university admissions team, as they may not have made a decision on your application as yet. Be calm and ask when you might hear and let them know you’re still really keen to study with them.
3. If the answer is no but your grades have only been missed by one or two marks, so your school may be recommending a re-mark, call the university to explain. Be calm and polite. Places are very competitive so unless your school or adviser feels you have a strong case to ask the university to re-consider, it’s probably not worth the call.
4. If your first choice university answer is no, consider your back-up offer carefully. Before accepting, ask yourself if this is a course you really want to study at a university you wish to attend. A minimum of three years study on the wrong course in a location you don’t enjoy will seem like a very long time.
5. If you find yourself without a confirmed place at either of your course options, act quickly to find an alternative.  It can be difficult to be motivated and enthusiastic at a time when you are experiencing disappointment, but the key to success is to get involved in the Clearing process as early as possible.

UCAS Clearing allows those who have not secured a place on their chosen course to research places on alternative courses. It can also be used by those who did not accept any offers received during the UCAS application process or applied too late for their application to be processed via UCAS.

1. If you are eligible for Clearing, Track will say ‘you’re in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. If it is taking a while, it may be your university choices are taking a while to decide on places.
2. Look at the official Clearing vacancy list online via UCAS or via The Telegraph by clicking here http://clearing.telegraph.co.uk/
3. Seek advice from your school or an education consultant. Their familiarity with the Clearing system will give you a head-start in using it effectively, as well as assist you to quickly find courses of interest. Vacancies get snapped up so it can be useful to have expertise to support you, in being effective and speedy to move forward with anything that interests you.
4. Keep an open mind when viewing the course vacancy lists. You do not need to stick to your original course of study and may find alternative courses that did not occur to you previously.
5. Keep an eye on the Clearing information on a regular basis. Courses that were full can sometimes have vacancies later, so always be up-to-date with the latest information.
6. Contact universities with courses of interest as soon as possible. Have your exam results, your UCAS personal ID and Clearing number to hand. You will find your Clearing number will appear automatically in Track
7. Once you have found some places on courses which interest you through the UCAS website, call your chosen universities. They will put you in touch with the admissions tutor and you will have the opportunity to ask questions about the course and to tell them a bit about yourself and why this course interests you. Prepare a few questions in advance such as will they provide accommodation and make sure that you have practised selling yourself over the phone. Try the lift test. If you had one minute in the lift to tell them why they should offer you a place, what would you say?
8. It might be useful to have a copy of your personal statement to hand, just incase there are things in it that might be useful to highlight, in response to questions you are asked by the admissions tutor.
9. Ideally you should visit the university campus before making a final decision, but be prepared to verbally accept or decline an offer on the spot. With this in mind, it is a good idea to telephone the universities in order of your preference for the courses they are offering.
10. To accept an offer which has been made to you over the phone, you need to enter the course details on Track via the ‘Add a Clearing Choice’ button. If the university then formally accepts you, confirmation will appear in the ‘Choices’ of Track and UCAS will follow this up with an official confirmation letter in the post.
11. If you are not formally accepted by the university the ‘Add a Clearing Choice’ button in Track will be re-activated and you can add another course form the Clearing list.

Good Luck!

Some useful website links for step by step advice during Clearing.

Clearing explained by UCAS click here https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/clearing-service-2015

Clearing places search tool click here http://search.ucas.com/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/clearing/11018239/Results-Day-2015-a-step-by-step-guide-to-Clearing.html

OR Give us a call and our friendly professional team of education consultants will be very happy to help you.

Call +44 (0)1865 522066

Email consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk

Visit our website http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/applying-to-uk-university/ 

Choosing the right #British #boarding school - Ten Top Tips for #international or #expat parents.

• Consider your parental aspirations for their future, in tandem with your child’s individual talents, personality and needs. They must feel ‘at home’ in the right type of environment to enable them to meet your aspirations.

• Get to grips with the British curriculum and decide what format and teaching styles will best suit your child as they transfer from their school outside the UK.  Understanding the age and school years for school transition, for example prep to senior school at age 11 or 13, will make the entry and settling in process less tricky.

• Look for an extensive 7 day a week programme, ideally with lessons on a Saturday morning. Weekends can be lonely if there’s not enough to keep busy.

• Be wary of schools offering flexi and weekly boarding, if total boarding numbers are small. A high percentage of full boarders is crucial.

• Extend your search area outside the South East. Considering flight routes from regional airports instead of just Heathrow and Gatwick, opens up a whole host of great full boarding schools across the UK. With generally speaking less competition for places, chances are you might have more choice of schools, especially if you are looking at short-notice.

• International schools raise children who are very culturally aware and who feel comfortable within a global community. Review the percentage of international pupils at your short-listed boarding schools. Will your child feel more comfortable in a UK school with a higher percentage of international pupils? Or are they more suited to a largely British school community, with only a sprinkling of international children.

• Ask about parental communication and reporting. Technology now allows for sophisticated web-based feedback and reporting systems for parents. Some schools even stream live video of lunchtime concerts or plays. This will ensure you still feel part of your child’s life at school, even if you live overseas.

• Meet the head and the houseparents when you visit. These key people will shape your child’s future, so you need to agree with their educational philosophy and feel you can build a good working relationship with them over the years your child is at boarding school.

• Food is important. In-house dining creates a homely pastoral feel, whilst for fussy eaters, central dining may offer more extensive choice.

• Be wary of in-country experts who give advice in return for a financial incentive from schools. Advice from an independent source is crucial.

Would you like advice on choosing the right British boarding school from our team of professional, friendly, independent education consultant experts?

Give Claire a call on (+44 )1865 522066

or send us an email consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk

For more details visit our website http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/choosing-a-school-age-5-7-11-13-or-16/

#University open days are a crucial part of choosing the right course, when it comes to making your #UCAS application

Exams are nearly over and Year 12 students are knuckling down to their year 13 courses and beginning to ask themselves 'What next after school?' 

For those planing on applying to university, tuition fees means students are committing themselves to significant investment in their future, through university study. As such, careful consideration must be made regarding the course of study, to gain the best possible return on this investment, when it comes to employment and a career.

June sees many universities holding Open Days, an important opportunity for sixth form students to review course options before submitting their UCAS application in the Autumn. 

A website is a good way to start research, but a visit enables you to take in the atmosphere and ask specific questions. Most universities allow you to to book to visit their Open Days online.

Prepare a check list of questions, so you leave the day feeling fully informed about both the course and what it would be like to study at the university itself.

Here are some suggested questions below:

1. For your chosen course, what is the weekly contact teaching time and how does the system of tutorials work?

1. How is the course assessed – how much is project work as opposed to exams?

1. How many places are offered on your chosen course each year?

1. How are applicants evaluated, e.g. are interviews part of this process?

1. Does the course include time in industry, work experience or opportunities overseas?

1. Do current students recommend the course?

1. What careers advice is available?

1. What percentage of last year’s graduates from this course gained employment and what types of jobs have they secured?

1. What clubs and societies are offered and are the facilities for sport, the Arts etc. likely to match your interests?

1. What is the policy for accommodation in the first year? If this is your first time away from home living in a hall of residence will make it easier to meet new friends.

1. Do you like the atmosphere? You will be living there for at least 3 years so need to feel at home in the environment you choose. Campus style universities or those that are located around a town have a different feel.

1. Are there good bus routes or secure areas for bicycles for travel to lectures? Think twice about taking a car. Parking can often be difficult and cars are very expensive to run.

Do you need some assistance with reviewing your university course options or with making a strong UCAS application?

Our team of friendly professional consultants are here to help. For an informal chat about how we might help you, call Claire Coker on +44 (0)1865 522066

or Email consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk

You will find more information by visiting our website via the link below

http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/applying-to-uk-university/

Congratulations prep school leavers! #commonentrance

Tomorrow will see a buzz of excitement among prep school leavers, with news of Common Entrance results for the majority of children leading to a confirmed place at their chosen senior school. Sighs of relief will quickly turn to excitement as the summer holidays approach and then gradually thoughts will turn towards making a new start, as they move on to their future school.

Here are 10 tips for parents to prepare your child over the summer, so they are ready to hit the ground running in the larger, more independent, hectic environment at senior school.

1. Keep their brain ticking over with reading books from the local library, visits to art galleries and museums, doing puzzles, playing scrabble, subscribing to online maths programmes etc.
2. Review joining information now. Return forms in plenty of time. There may be first-come-first-served timetabling choices to make, such as which extra language or musical instrument to take up, or booking in a mouthguard fitting.
3. Run through the pupil handbook together to establish daily routine and rules. Getting into trouble in the first few weeks will be a set-back in the settling in process.
4. Look over the extra-curricular programme, discussing which have most appeal. Planning school runs and other family commitments will be easier if you have an idea of when school commitments might be.
5. Request email and phone numbers are circulated amongst form or house groups. Make contact with other families to arrange joint activities over the summer. Starting a new school alongside familiar faces is far less daunting.
6. Gradually increase independence, for example catching the bus to the local shopping centre to meet friends for a couple of hours.
7. Be firm on time-keeping and give advice about keeping themselves and valuables safe. Encourage your child to act responsibly and solve problems themselves.
8. If boarding for the first time, practise housekeeping skills such as keeping a tidy bedroom, keeping track of possessions, changing a duvet cover and putting clothes into the laundry daily.
9. Buy new uniform as soon as is practical, bearing in mind summer growth spurts. Leaving this until the last week of the holiday means items are more likely to be out of stock and the shops will be insanely busy with those doing everything at the last-minute. Name everything clearly and securely, including techy gadgets, chargers, trainers and in particular sports kit, which often tends to disappear.
10. If starting a new sport such as lacrosse, hockey or rugby, book a pre-season summer course to get to grips with some of the skills before term starts. This will boost confidence and give them a head-start in September.

For the very few for whom results day brings disappointing news, firstly seek and listen to the advice of your prep school Head. They have strong relationships with senior schools and know your child well, so will be best placed to advise and support you in securing the right alternative school to the one you had your hopes pinned to.

If you would like an independent viewpoint, in tandem with that of your school, our team of friendly consultants are here with a listening ear and a big box of tissues, to advise and support you in reviewing your options.

For advice on choosing the right senior school please contact us to speak with one of our expert education consultants. 

Visit our website http://independenteducationconsultants.co.uk/prep-to-senior-school-choices-at-11-or-13/ 

Or Call 01865 522066 

Or Email Claire on consultants@independenteducationconsultants.co.uk