Dear Parents/Carers,
As we approach the start of your son/daughter’s penultimate term at Adams College, I would like to share some important information and inform you of key dates for your diary.
29 January – 1 February 2018 – Mock Exams
All Year 13 students will have mock exams after Christmas. These exams will be an excellent opportunity for students to gauge their current progress and knowledge in their subjects. Grades will be reported back to you, and a written report will be sent to you at the end of the term.
14 February 2018 – Careers Event
For our students who haven’t applied to university, we are leading a careers event in February. Experts from many fields will be helping us to guide and advise students in their job and apprenticeship research. To support your son/daughter in their job hunt, a website which offers an array of ideas is https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/ We will also be discussing gap years on this day so students should come prepared with lots of questions/ideas about their future.
UCAS
Students have been busy applying to UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) and it has been wonderful to see students’ delight at being offered places for their undergraduate study. Most students have applied to five universities and, if they are lucky enough to have been offered places at all, they now have a decision to make as to which university suits them best. I would urge students not to make a hasty decision as to where they wish to study just yet; there is no rush and students should continue to research where is best for them. Many universities now offer Applicant Open Days which are a super opportunity for students to revisit campuses and ask probing questions about the course content, accommodation and funding.
We were due to have a presentation from Student Finance England on Monday 11th December but, unfortunately, due to the snow, this had to be cancelled. SFE have promised to send me the information by way of leaflets. I will distribute these to students as soon as the package arrives at college. Further information is available as https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
In a bid to help with the financial side of university, I would also suggest that you look at https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/ This website lists scholarships (sometimes little known) which are available at UK universities.
Study Hub
The majority of our students are continuing to use our Study Hub productively. Working in non-contact periods has really focused students and it’s great to see so much high-level commitment.
Attendance
Please do telephone college if there is an authorised reason for absence or lateness; we are asked to comment upon attendance and punctuality by potential employers and universities.
Please do ‘like’ us on Facebook! We regularly update our page with opportunities, initiatives and events which will benefit our students. Indeed, all of the websites mentioned in this letter have been advertised to our students via Facebook (and their tutors in registration).
29 June 2018 – Leavers’ Ball
Our student committee are working away in the background to organise the Leavers’ Ball. This evening is the highlight of the year’s calendar and is a wonderful celebration.
16 August 2018- A Level Results Day
Don’t forget to pop this important date on your 2018 calendar. Students are invited to come into college on this day, where teachers will be available to discuss results and help with next steps.
I look forward to welcoming students back to college on 8th January 2018 at 8.45am. May I take this opportunity to wish you all a merry Christmas and a prosperous new year.
Best wishes,
Julie Squire
Key Stage 5 Manager
