UCAS & Apprenticeship Preparation Day: A Valuable Step Toward the Future 

On 04 April, our Year 12 students took part in a dedicated UCAS and Apprenticeship Day, filled with insightful activities designed to help them make well-informed choices about their future pathways. 

The day began with an engaging assembly led by the University of Roehampton, focusing on how to craft a strong personal statement and prepare effectively for the application process. Students then had the chance to speak directly with professionals from a variety of sectors, ranging from Level 6 Engineering Apprenticeships to university life studying Economics at the University of Bristol. 

A standout session featured Ashlay Verma, who spoke candidly about his decision to take a gap year, study independently, and successfully launch his own business—highlighting how calculated risks can pay off. 

Our potential early applicants also benefited from a targeted workshop with Peter Rawling, who provided valuable guidance on how to prepare for competitive university applications, including Oxbridge. 

Student Testimonials

I found UCAS Day on the last day of term to be extremely helpful and informative. It gave me a much clearer idea of how to approach my personal statement, and the advice and tips shared were genuinely valuable. I also gained insight into various university pathways, including some alternative routes I hadn’t previously considered. Overall, it was a really worthwhile experience that made me feel more confident about my plans after sixth form.

Noor Waris [12C]

On UCAS Day, I had the opportunity to work with Peter Rawling and take part in a range of activities designed to deepen my understanding of the application process. While organising my experiences, I identified which qualities I needed to further develop. At the same time, I was able to recognise my strengths, which gave me a boost in confidence and reassurance that I’m on the right path.

The day concluded with a three-minute presentation where I applied everything I had learnt. Summarising my skills and presenting to others gave me a realistic insight into what it might feel like to discuss my application during an interview. Overall, the experience left me motivated to strengthen my profile—not just by broadening my experiences, but by pursuing them in greater depth.

Navvya Makwana [12G]