Whilst in the Sixth Form, the Sixth Form Personal Tutors support students making University and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) applications. We are aware that some students will also be applying for places in employment and Mrs Anderson will be supporting the progress of such students.

Since January through our Citizenship programme, staff and external speakers have introduced students to the range of options that are available on leaving school. Those students who are intending to apply to university have to work to quite precise deadlines that are set by UCAS and those set by the school. There are four key elements of UCAS applications:

	Research into institutions, courses and open day visits,
	Selecting up to 5 institutions;
	Writing a Personal Statement;
	Compiling the school reference.

During July in Year 12, students receive crucial guidance on how to complete the UCAS form electronically using the UCAS website and also the structuring and writing of their personal statements. Each student is responsible for providing evidence of their academic and extra curricular development in their Progress File which is to be submitted to their Personal Tutor. All students have been told of the sophisticated screening process carried out by UCAS to identify plagiarism of personal statements Each Sixth Form Personal Tutor will have overall responsibility for the references of their tutees for both university and employment applications. Once students are ready to submit their application, it is important that they hand their Student Progress File into the Sixth Form Office and make an appointment with their reference writer. Wellsway does not intend to process any paper applications this year. Parental support in helping your son or daughter to meet deadlines will be crucial.

	June/July in Year 12	Citizenship focusing on Personal Statements and CVs. Please support your son or daughter by proof reading these documents and encourage them to respond and act on advice given.
	Summer holiday	Reflect on university choices/ career choices. Art and Design courses fall into one of two categories Route A or Route B. Route A courses follow the standard UCAS process. Route B courses follow a different timetable and process within the UCAS system and the advised submission deadline is 6th March. For more information either see Mrs Cartwright or seek advice from the UCAS website.
	From September 2008 (in Year 13)	Referees are available to write references. Progress Files need to be submitted to the Sixth Form office containing a printed completed UCAS form, final draft of a personal statement and a CV. Universities have informed us that students making earlier applications are more likely to be successful.
	15th September 2008	Students applying to Oxford, Cambridge, medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine or veterinary science courses and university courses with high level entry requirements (300+ points) should submit their Student Progress File to Sixth Form Office and make an appointment with their reference writer by this date. Students should be aware that some universities require online tests to be completed such as LNAT for Law and UKCAT for Medicine and these have to be booked on line, in advance and completed during the summer holidays.
	14th November 2008	Deadline set by Wellsway School for all Student Progress Files to be submitted for checking and processing.
	15th January 2009	Closing date set by UCAS for applications including Art & Design Route A, but not Route B (after which institutions are not obliged to accept applications).
	10th February 2009	Processing of Art & Design Route B applications commences for UCAS.
	Late Applications	Applications received by UCAS between 16 January 2009 and 30 June 2009 will only be considered at the discretion of the institutions. Any received after 30 June 2009 will be entered into Clearing.
	Late February 2009	UCAS Extra starts. This is where a student who is without any offers for whatever reason will be allowed another choice without having to wait for Clearing.

If your son or daughter decides to discontinue an AS Level subject they must check that this change will not disqualify them from meeting any Higher Education entry requirements. This point has been made to Year 12 on several occasions, but it is worth repeating!

If a student is applying to any institution not mentioned above which has a submission date before 15th October such as Music Conservatories, they must see me or Mrs Skyrme, prior to the summer holidays.

Many students have been researching and discussing their Post 18 options. If students have not identified the 5 (or fewer) institutions and courses for which they wish to apply by the end of the summer term, it is important that part of the summer holiday is used to carry out thorough research. Each student will then be in a position to produce a final draft of their Personal Statement based on their chosen courses.

Students whose Progress Files are not up to date when they submit their UCAS form, will have their file returned and their school reference will be delayed A checklist to help to ensure this does not happen has been given to students and is kept at the front of their Progress File. The correct payment must be paid via the UCAS website by credit or debit card.

Please note that the process of applying for student finance is intrinsically linked to the UCAS application process and it is the responsibility of each parent/carer to apply for the appropriate funding. Information is available from the parents' link on the UCAS website and will also be available from the Sixth Form Parents Advice Evening for Wellsway parents in late September.

Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any concerns.

Mrs Cartwright
Assistant Director of Sixth Form

Mrs Skyrme
Personal tutor with responsibility for Higher Education