Cokethorpe School

Higher Education and Careers

Our Higher Education programme is based on the principles of self-development. We encourage pupils to develop the skills needed for life-long learning, equipping them to be self-directing, as they learn about the world or Higher Education and Careers.

Higher Education and Careers are actively explored from Fourth Form onwards. In earlier years, a broader approach is taken. The PHSE programme contains lessons dedicated to exploring this topic, and it is complemented by a range of guest speakers from various professions talking about their work. The pinnacle of this process is our annual Higher Education and Careers Fair, which year takes place on Tuesday 9 March 2010, in the Sports Hall. All pupils from Third Form to Fifth Form and the Sixth Form are expected to attend with their parents.

Advice for the Sixth Form comes in many forms. As their tutors, the Academic Mentors provide some of the most immediate guidance to students, complemented by course and skill search software we use to make the process efficient. The Academic Mentors also monitor students’ progress through UCAS, the university application process. In addition, a structured programme of enrichment activities helps individuals develop interview and broader life skills. And the Higher Education Coordinator is available for individual meetings with students, to help identify areas of interest, courses, and specialist university and careers advice.

Please email Mr Elkin-Jones, The Higher Education and Careers Co-ordinator, or contact him on 01993 892347 should you have any further questions.

The Higher Education Library

The HE Library is located over the Design and Technology Department, in the new Sixth Form teaching rooms. The HE Library is designed specifically for the process of research and advice meetings. In the main area, two sofas provide the opportunity of comfortable browsing of prospectuses and careers information, whilst three computers provide access to the School network and additional online careers resources. The glass-walled HE Co-ordinator’s office provides opportunity for more private consultation.

Prospectuses for over 115 universities are held, along with magazines, DVDs, newspapers, a large range of guidebooks and periodicals on Education and Career opportunities. We hold multiple copies of high-use texts, inclduing the Brian Heap university guides, guides to special course entrance exams such as BMAT and ELAT, and advice on writing personal statements.