Beyond the Sixth Form

Many students start at Copleston Sixth Form with only a rough idea in mind about where it might take them or perhaps no idea at all. Others no exactly which course or career they are aiming for afterwards. Knowing where your Sixth Form journey might lead can be an important part of selecting your Sixth Form. 

How will Copleston help me get into my chosen university or career?

Our APEX and Enrichment programme will support you in understanding the application process for university, degree apprenticeships, careers and further training. The programme encourages students to regularly reflect on their strengths and to consider the types of skills or experience they need to develop to assist in their career choices or in enhancing higher education or career applications. You will receive training and support with writing CVs and personal statements, interview techniques and how to present yourself well. We also provide resources and support to help you choose your next steps after Copleston and what you need to consider when making your choice. We have a dedicated careers advisor and careers hub for extra one-to-one support and your subject teachers will also have lots of expertise and resources to share. 

We also have access to a comprehensive online package called Unifrog which supports you with making choices, developing skills and applying for courses and careers. 

I want to get into medicine, veterinary science or dentistry or to apply for Oxford or Cambridge. Can you help me succeed?

We have an excellent track record of supporting students with this. We will guide you through the process, which is a little different from the standard UCAS application. We will support you in gathering the extra knowledge and experience that will enhance your application and help you with understanding any extra tests or exams you may need to sit as part of your application. Participation on our Aspiration Programme, with Chigwell School, will allow you to visit a top university (e.g. Cambridge), meet likeminded individuals and develop your presentation skills and self-confidence. When you are invited for interview, we will arrange mock interviews to help you prepare. 

Will you help me if I want to study abroad, take a gap year, find an apprenticeship or go straight into work?

We have a lot of success with supporting overseas applications, particularly through our basketball academy. In recent years, students have secured scholarships for universities and colleges in the USA to play college basketball at a very high level. 

Some students decide to take a gap year to work or travel before university. We will help you work out if this is the right decision for you and help you explore your options. 

If you would like to apply for an apprenticeship, the Sixth Form and careers team will help you consider both local companies and those further afield. We will point you towards relevant placements and companies and support you in your application. We will also discuss your options so that you fully understand how apprenticeships work and/or whether you might consider a degree apprenticeship. 

For those wanting to begin work or a career straight away, we will support you with preparing a quality CV and with finding the right career path for you. We encourage all our students to aim high and will help them overcome barriers to this such as lack of self-belief or unease about finance or moving away from home. Beyond Copleston, we also like our students to stay in touch and to come back to speak to current students about their career aspirations.  

Are Copleston students successful in their university applications?

Absolutely! We provide regular assessments throughout the year, meaning that our students have a very good idea of the grades they are likely to achieve. This encourages students to aim high, but also ensures that they choose courses with entry requirements they are likely to meet. Teachers get to know their students very well and this is something students joining us from other schools often comment on. This means they can write high-quality, personalised references to support your application process.