University Preparation and Careers
Ashbourne students receive expert guidance and support to help them find the right degree course or career pathway that bests suits their ambitions and potential.
Ashbourne students receive expert guidance and support to help them find the right degree course or career pathway that bests suits their ambitions and potential.
At Ashbourne we work closely with every student to help them create an individual education programme that best reflects their passions and aptitude so they can build the confidence they need to succeed in their A levels and pursue the right career pathway.
Head of Sixth Form, Sean Pillai, oversees Ashbourne’s career development strategy, including individually tailored university programmes, with Personal Tutors and Careers and Events Officer Catherine Tang. It is designed to help prepare students for a variety of post-A level options such as university entrance, degree apprenticeships, foundation courses, internships and direct employment.
The majority of our students go on to further education with around 64% of our graduates gaining places at top UK Russell Group universities.
Ashbourne’s careers programme is designed in accordance with the eight GATSBY Benchmarks below and aims to offer each student the support and guidance necessary to develop their own university or career pathway.
“Pupils are well prepared for the next stage in their education. They receive expert and individual guidance. Students in Year 13 have a tutor dedicated to the university application process. This helps them gain places at top universities.”
Ashbourne runs specialist university entrance programmes for students intending to apply to competitive universities and degree courses including Oxbridge, Medical School, Engineering, Finance and Art & Design.
Lilian is studying Medicine at King’s College London. She graduated from Ashbourne’s Medical School Programme with Biology A, Chemistry A and Mathematics A*.
What attracted me to Ashbourne was the small class sizes and how personal everything felt between you and your teacher. The Medical School Programme gave me the skills and tols I needed to go into the interview and to write a good personal statement.
Every A level student has a dedicated Personal Tutor who offers university and careers advice and guidance to support them throughout their time at the college. GCSE students take part in weekly PSHEE sessions that incorporate careers advice and skills development.
Every year Ashbourne organises a one or two-day event where our students get the opportunity to take part in university and careers-focused workshops and meet with a range of academics and professionals. Top ranking university admissions tutors, including from Imperial College, King’s College, LSE, UCL, UAL, Bristol and Cambridge, are invited to the college to give talks.
Ashbourne also invites guest speakers from a selection of different industries, local and London businesses and Ashbourne alumni to offer our students an insight into their professional field and opportunities for work placements, internships and apprenticeship programmes.
Going into Ashbourne I didn’t think I was capable of getting the grades to attend a good university or end up doing a degree apprenticeship at a firm such as J.P. Morgan. Ashbourne quickly proved to me I was more than capable of achieving whatever I put my mind to.
Harry was offered a Finance Degree Apprenticeship with J.P. Morgan after graduating from Ashbourne.
We also organise an annual university and careers event for Y12 parents so they can support their students in the decisions they make.
Ashbourne embraces local authority initiatives and business partnerships to create career-based opportunities for our students whilst they are studying at Ashbourne. This has included, for example, Ashbourne art students loaning their artwork to local businesses. During Year 12 students will explore and research career initiatives and opportunities that suit their individual goals with their Personal Tutors.
Students will also look into work experience and volunteering opportunities during their Year 12 Personal Tutor sessions that directly relate to their chosen university course or professional pathway. Previous students have undertaken placements at companies such as Barclays, Steelo, LovePR and KCW today.
Hands-on experience introduces students to the world of work and provides a window into the industry they hope to join. It also provides valuable material for students to use in their university applications.
Ashbourne teachers integrate activities and material in their lessons that help broaden students’ understanding of how subject knowledge and skills can apply to the real world and particular professions as well as offering a wide range of super curricular activities.