Gap Years and Volunteering

Working Abroad & Gap Years from New College Center for Career Education

Here are some resources for Gap Years:

http://www.realgap.co.uk

http://www.gapwork.com

http://www.gapyear.com

http://www.gap-year.com


Volunteering

http://www.gvi.co.uk/volunteer-abroad/

http://vinspired.com/

http://www.do-it.org.uk

Summer Schools

http://www.debatechamber.com/summerschools/

1. University of London: Summer Programmes

   www.london.ac.uk › Studying › Non-Degree Study‎

   Welcome to the Summer Courses section of our website, from where you will be able to find details of the Colleges of the University offering Summer Courses.

2. Summer School - Middlesex University

   www.mdx.ac.uk › Courses › Short courses‎

   Join Middlesex University Summer School and combine learning with social events in the fabulous city of London.

3. Pre university summer school - Browse subject area results ...

   https://www.kcl.ac.uk/.../shortcourses/list/.../pre-university-summer-scho...‎

   Are you a high school student between the ages of 16-18 years and interested in going to university? Do you know students or have a child of that age, who is ...

4. King's College London - Pre-University Summer School Programme

   www.kcl.ac.uk/study/summerschool/Pre-University/‎

   The King's College London Pre-University Summer School is a high quality and intensive academic programme open to high-school students (16-18 years) ...

5. Summer Schools, Goldsmiths, University of London

   www.gold.ac.uk › ... › Marketing, Outreach and Recruitment › Outreach‎

   Goldsmiths has expanded the range of Summer Schools available for July 2013. All the information about our Summer Schools, including what you will gain ...

6. Summer School, Goldsmiths, University of London

   www.gold.ac.uk/cucr/summer-school/‎

   Designed for photographers, artists and urbanists whose work address notions of urban space and culture, the international Summer School provides a highly ...

University Taster Days

http://www.unitasterdays.com/

University Open Days

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UCAS personal statement Mind Map

UCAS Apply In Pictures (and Buzzword)

Our BUZZWORD is "bluewater2015"

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Undergraduate = degree, you will be applying for these

You are applying for September 2015 not 2014

 

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The Benefits of Higher Education - Be Inspired

Looking for a career and aren't sure about going to Uni?

Are you leaving school and looking for a career?

Are you...

* Doing A Levels or equivalent and aren't sure about going to Uni?

Below is a list of companies that recruit young people every year for apprenticeships or sponsored degrees.

***Many companies offer a wide variety of jobs. So if you're looking for a job in Admin, for example, also look under other areas such as construction, engineering or retail as they will also hire administrators***

Deadlines and start dates vary according to the company. Check individual sites regularly for vacancies.

Accounting/Administration/Business/Finance/Management

Aon Apprenticeship SchemeA Levels required.

Aviva Insurance Underwriting ApprenticeshipA Levels required (300 points). Nationwide.

Barclays Sponsored degree
A Levels required

Barclays Apprenticeship Scheme
GCSEs required.

BDO School Leavers Scheme
A levels required

Boots Advanced ApprenticeshipA Levels required.

Deloitte School Leavers Programme
A Levels required. Ongoing recruitment.

Ernst & Young Accountancy Programme
A Levels required.

Henley Business School/PwC Sponsored DegreeA Levels required.

HSBC Apprenticeship Programme
GCSEs required

Logica Sponsored Degree - BA Honours degree in Business Management
A levels required

KPMG Sponsored Degree
A Levels required.

National Audit Office - Chartered Account Scheme
A Levels Required. Based in London.

PwC Sponsored Degree
A Levels required.

Remit
Business Admin - GCSEs required, grades not specified

Tesco Management Training Scheme
A Levels required.

Visa
In accounting, business and technology

Animal Care
British Eventing - Equestrian

Hartbury College - Equestrian

Armed Forces
Army
Royal Air Force
Navy

ConstructionB Constructive

BESTNationwide. GCSEs required.

CarillionNationwide. GCSEs required.

CITBNationwide. Some GCSEs required.

Electrical and Engineering
Discover Engineering - link to companies that offer apprenticeships

Balfour Beatty - Engineering

JTL - Electrical, Engineering and Plumbing

BAA - Engineering

Remit - Motor Vehicle Apprenticeships

Kwik Fit - Motor Vehicle Apprenticeship

Royal Mail - Engineering and Vehicle

Funeral Care

Co-op - Funeral service apprenticeship

HairdressingSpan HairdressingNo formal qualifications required.

Saks HairdressingNo qualifications required. Ongoing recruitment.

Rush HairdressersNo qualifcations mentioned.

Hospitality & Catering

Compass - Catering and Chef
Nationwide

McDonaldsNationwide.

Hospitality Industry TrainingChef & Catering apprenticeship - GCSEs required.

Whitbread
Nationwide.

IT
Aviva IT Database Analyst ApprenticeshipA Levels (300 points) required. Nationwide.

CapGemini
GCSEs or A Levels required

IBMNationwide. A Levels required.

Logica
Business and IT Sponsored Degree in Reading. A Levels required.

MicrosoftBerkshire. GCSEs required. Click here to view their Apprenticeship films!

Pearson (formerly Zenos)Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Engineering/Electrical/MechanicsAmey
Intermediate to higher apprenticeships

ArquivaNationwide. GCSEs required.

Atomic Weapons EstablishmentNo qualifcations specified.

BAAGCSEs required.

BAM Nuttall Civil Engineering & Surveying
GCSEs required.

Balfour BeattyNationwide. 5 GCSEs required.

BP Trainee Officer ProgrammeNationwide. A Levels required.

BTNationwide. GCSEs required.

British Gas Nationwide. 4 GCSEs required.

EDF Energy Apprenticeship
GCSEs required.

E:ONNationwide. GCSEs required.

JTL Nationwide. No qualifications specified but GCSEs preferred.

Laing O'Rourke Advanced Apprenticeship
GCSEs required.

Network Rail Advanced Apprenticeship
GCSEs required.

NG BaileyNationwide. GCSEs incl. Engl/Maths/Science.

National Grid Advanced Apprenticeship
GCSEs required.

Persimmon HomesNationwide. 5 GCSEs required.

Remit Motor Mechanics
Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Thames Valley Water4 GCSEs required.

Virgin MediaNationwide. GCSEs required.

Media
ITV ApprenticeshipsOpportunities in media and business administration.

Retail/Customer Service

Co-op - vacancies in legal, HR, food, motors & much more

John Lewis Partnership (includes Waitrose)

SuperdrugApplications ongoing

RemitGCSEs required - grades not specified

Sea/Marine
Yachting Apprenticship with UKSAApplications ongoing but deadline for bursaries is the end of April

Travel/LeisureHays Travel
Nationwide. GCSEs required.

Thomas CookNationwide. GCSEs required.

Thomson
Nationwide. No formal qualifcations required.

Other
DHLNationwide.

***TOP TIPS***

• Closing and enrolment dates may change so check with the individual organisation

• Also here is a link to a site that advertises school-leavers programmes throughout the year.

• Keep an eye on our job search page, Notgoingtouni and the National Apprenticeship site that advertise local vacancies throughout the year

• Follow us on Twitter or facebook for regular updates on all local opportunities.

Not Going to Uni

Being an Apprentice - Case Studies (what's it like?)

Statement 4 Psychology

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When I first read an article on the internet at the age of thirteen about colours and the impact they have on human emotions, I knew that psychology was a subject that could help me to make sense of the vast complexity of human beings and human behaviour. From that day on I read any magazine, article or journal post I could get my hands on, eager to know more about human cognition. I want develop a further understanding of psychology, which is why I have applied to study the subject at undergraduate level.

My everyday interactions with a diverse range of personality types is stimulating, particularly to think that the way a person acts is due to a mixture of life experiences, socialisation and genetics. It puts a smile on my face to see my revision guide come to life when a person ticks every box in the Type A personality category. When getting to know a person better I have often identified what I believe is their childhood attachment type and this has made it easier to understand them because, just like Bowlby’s Attachment Theory suggests, our attachments give us a template for all future relationships. This drive to understand human behaviour is what makes me an appropriate candidate for a psychology undergraduate degree. I have enjoyed studying Psychology, Sociology, Media Studies and English Literature at A level and learnt a number of skills that I would take with me into higher education, Media Studies is 50% coursework and I have developed discipline, organisation and time keeping skills which would help me to meet deadlines and revising for my exams has shown that I am capable of personal learning. From English and Sociology I have gained essay writing and research skills as well as realising the importance of argument and supporting subjective interpretations of concepts, themes and ideas. Studying Psychology at A level has not only made me certain that psychology is a suitable career path but it has also taught me to be open minded and to never make judgments before having some evidence.

In 2009 I gained insight into adolescent development when I gave a presentation to Jeffery Hall at the Institute of Education, University of London. In order to do so we had to carry out some research into learning preferences in secondary schools and the evidence suggested that students prefer visual stimuli to complement their lessons as it is easily encoded. From the autumn of 2012 I have started volunteering as a break-time leader at York Road primary school, my peers and I construct educational games which teaches them to tell the time, for example. This experience along with five years of babysitting experience means that I can easily interact with children, an advantage when studying child development. I also co-run a homework club open to year 9 students to help them with their English homework.

Aside from finding Psychology incredibly fascinating I want to go to university as it will be a valuable life experience. It would be the first step into adulthood and I would look forward to meeting new people. I also take part in amateur dramatics and have been in numerous musicals and pantomimes at secondary school. Being the first member of my family to ever take an interest in higher education I hope that I will inspire my younger sibling to achieve their ambitions and instil in them the belief that with hard work, anything is possible.

When I think into future and what I picture myself doing I could not think of anything more fulfilling than to be making a positive difference in somebody else’s life. A psychology degree would be the first step to becoming a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.  As said in Shakespeare’s Hamlet "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so." I believe that understanding cognition is one way to understand the sources of some illnesses and that helping people to rationalise with their beliefs plays a vital part in treatment, an area I would like to learn more about in my degree.

Statement 3 Engineering

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I want to study Aeronautical Engineering because I want to be able to make a difference in the way that we as humans travel across the world. Engineering is being able to make what seems impossible into a reality. Just over a century ago a manned flight was considered an unrealistic dream, where as in today's world commercial jets are just another method of transport. I want to be a part of the new technological developments that change the world for the better. I feel that going to university will enhance my knowledge and understanding of how the industry works and develop my engineering skills. It also opens many avenues to discover, with the possibility of becoming more involved with roles such as an aircraft designer or even a pilot. The part of the course that interests me the most are the practical elements. I feel that I am skilled on machinery and have been privileged to have experience of using industry-standard machinery in my school, so I have gained an advantage in how to operate these machines.

At GCSE Engineering and Mathematics were by far my strongest subjects, but I have found an even deeper appreciation for engineering at A-level, where the course challenges you to think in order to solve problems. I enjoy the topics in Maths that have practical applications; trigonometry and Pythagoras can be used in simple tasks such as marking out a football pitch, for example, and it is the multitude of applications that Maths can be used for that constantly surprises and stimulates me. One task I have enjoyed has been to design, raise money and build a car to race in the GreenPower national competition. Racing against companies such as Bentley and Land Rover meant a specific focus on the consideration of aerodynamics, how the drag and wind resistance would affect the speed of the car and how the shape of the finished car would affect the wind flow. Aerodynamics is as fundamental a consideration for a successful racing car as it is for an aircraft and, as engineers, we are required to scrutinise the cars to ensure they comply with the thousands of regulations we have to obey. I have especially enjoyed designing the car and adhering to regulations such as the need to have clear headroom between the roll bars and the driver’s helmet. This requires extensive calculations as if you create the roll bar slightly too small then you will have to rebuild the whole design or employ smaller drivers.

Being Head Boy at The Leigh Technology Academy, I am required to chair the school council. Good communication skills are vital as I am dealing with both students and teachers. This role also requires me to attend senior school council, which requires me to bring new ideas to the panel to ensure the Academy improves academically and pastorally. I am also a Member of ‘Dartford Youth Council’ representing the Academy; this requires me to attend meetings at the Council Chamber once a month.

I also took part in an Academy Business Challenge where students are placed into a ‘non-friendship group’ and allocated a local business and a problem, devising solutions, to present to a panel of external judges on the final day. This was a good experience and has definitely helped to boost my confidence and improved many of my interpersonal skills. We worked well as a team and we succeeded in presenting and thinking of effective ideas for the final solution for the company, finishing third overall.

I believe that success, as an engineer in this day and age, requires technical competence and a combination of management, leadership, communication and business skills. Leadership and communication are skills I have developed through my involvement with refereeing, my role as Head Boy with technical competence developed over the course of my post-16 studies. It is my hope that studying engineering would serve as a solid base for a successful career in the field, developing new technology for safer and more economical ways methods of air transportation.

Statement 2 Criminology

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I want to study Aeronautical Engineering because I want to be able to make a difference in the way that we as humans travel across the world. Engineering is being able to make what seems impossible into a reality. Just over a century ago a manned flight was considered an unrealistic dream, where as in today's world commercial jets are just another method of transport. I want to be a part of the new technological developments that change the world for the better. I feel that going to university will enhance my knowledge and understanding of how the industry works and develop my engineering skills. It also opens many avenues to discover, with the possibility of becoming more involved with roles such as an aircraft designer or even a pilot. The part of the course that interests me the most are the practical elements. I feel that I am skilled on machinery and have been privileged to have experience of using industry-standard machinery in my school, so I have gained an advantage in how to operate these machines.

At GCSE Engineering and Mathematics were by far my strongest subjects, but I have found an even deeper appreciation for engineering at A-level, where the course challenges you to think in order to solve problems. I enjoy the topics in Maths that have practical applications; trigonometry and Pythagoras can be used in simple tasks such as marking out a football pitch, for example, and it is the multitude of applications that Maths can be used for that constantly surprises and stimulates me. One task I have enjoyed has been to design, raise money and build a car to race in the GreenPower national competition. Racing against companies such as Bentley and Land Rover meant a specific focus on the consideration of aerodynamics, how the drag and wind resistance would affect the speed of the car and how the shape of the finished car would affect the wind flow. Aerodynamics is as fundamental a consideration for a successful racing car as it is for an aircraft and, as engineers, we are required to scrutinise the cars to ensure they comply with the thousands of regulations we have to obey. I have especially enjoyed designing the car and adhering to regulations such as the need to have clear headroom between the roll bars and the driver’s helmet. This requires extensive calculations as if you create the roll bar slightly too small then you will have to rebuild the whole design or employ smaller drivers.

Being Head Boy at The Leigh Technology Academy, I am required to chair the school council. Good communication skills are vital as I am dealing with both students and teachers. This role also requires me to attend senior school council, which requires me to bring new ideas to the panel to ensure the Academy improves academically and pastorally. I am also a Member of ‘Dartford Youth Council’ representing the Academy; this requires me to attend meetings at the Council Chamber once a month.

I also took part in an Academy Business Challenge where students are placed into a ‘non-friendship group’ and allocated a local business and a problem, devising solutions, to present to a panel of external judges on the final day. This was a good experience and has definitely helped to boost my confidence and improved many of my interpersonal skills. We worked well as a team and we succeeded in presenting and thinking of effective ideas for the final solution for the company, finishing third overall.

I believe that success, as an engineer in this day and age, requires technical competence and a combination of management, leadership, communication and business skills. Leadership and communication are skills I have developed through my involvement with refereeing, my role as Head Boy with technical competence developed over the course of my post-16 studies. It is my hope that studying engineering would serve as a solid base for a successful career in the field, developing new technology for safer and more economical ways methods of air transportation.

Statement 1 Primary Education

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I have applied to study Primary Education because I would love to pass on the knowledge I have been given onto others. I have chosen to study to become a Primary school teacher as I have always admired and looked up to my teachers and I would strive to pass on my knowledge such as they did to me, to the next generation. The biggest inspiration for me was my year six teachers who made each lesson fun and interesting which made it easier to take in the information and remember it.

Since leaving my old primary school I have returned to help on many occasions. More recently, I have completed two weeks of work experience in a year three classroom. In addition to this I also helped out in a year seven Science class at my secondary school where I got to help out with experiments as well as being paired with a student to help them with their work, as well as leading and taking part in group activities in tutor time.

The opportunity to complete work experience in a primary school has helped to make my mind up that this profession was the right one for me. I had the chance to build my confidence by leading activities in various lessons with a variety of student groups and ability levels, helping me to be more patient and understanding towards the students. It also helped me to recognise when students needed help and when to offer my assistance in the most appropriate way, picking up on non-verbal cues and signals. While being at the primary school I got to read to the children, I also got shown the plans and what needs to be put in each plan. I had the opportunity to work one to one with multiple children giving them the extra help they needed in some subjects. With some of the activities the children got very excited and I had to help control the volume and behaviour in the classroom.

In Post 16 I am studying Travel and Tourism, Sociology, Media and Film studies, a wide range of subjects which allows me to expand my knowledge in lots of different areas. I'm enjoying the creativity of Media as I get to let my imagination run wild with ideas for our videos and practical assignments. I have enjoyed learning how to use new equipment and I have adapted ways to study and develop skills which are good for me such as colour coding and brainstorms.

After getting a range of experience in both secondary and primary schools with different aged groups I have decided that I am better suited to working with primary school students. I think this is the perfect age range for me as they are so willing to learn new things. During my work experience I got to see how much the students enjoyed learning while doing different activities I think this is where some of my hobbies could be incorporated to keep lessons fun and interesting for them such as creating videos, art displays and hands on activities such as conscience alley. From speaking to some of the teachers at both types of schools it is evident that there are a lot of hours needed to be put in after the school day for preparation and planning for the upcoming lessons as well as marking; I feel I could rise to the challenge of this and keeping up to date with other responsibilities within the school community. While in 6^th form I have adapted to doing my coursework for deadlines and revising when possible but still having time for my family and friends.

During my work experience I was able to read to groups of children and I was amazed at how captivated they were by the story. I have good numeracy and literacy skills and enjoy a variety of other subjects. I am comfortable leading activities and working with new people. I'm a good communicator and a hard worker, a good team player which I have developed from doing sports over the years. I enjoy working with children as they look up to the older generation with a thirst for knowledge.

I'm looking forward to expanding my knowledge and learning how to teach to a class with children with different abilities and needs.

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School Leavers Guide - what are your options?

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Gap Year & Volunteering

www.projects-abroad.co.uk
www.gapyeardirectory.co.uk
www.gapadvice.org
www.csv.org.uk

Learning… Or time to start earning?

There's more to life after A-levels than uni - could an apprenticeship, a gap year or even a full-time job be right for you?

iCloud - A Levels where next?

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