Sixth Form Pathways at St Helen’s
Introduction to Pathways
Oxbridge Example Pathway
Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary (MDV) Pathway
International University Pathway
Apprenticeships and Employment Pathway
STEM and CAM (Centre for Advanced Maths) Pathway
Humanities and Liberal Arts Pathway
Classical and Modern
Pathway
Business, Economics & Finance Pathways
Creative
Introduction to Pathways
We are delighted to welcome you to the Sixth Form at St Helen’s. This a crucial time and the pinnacle of your school days We will inspire you to build on GCSE success as you choose subjects and plan next steps.
This is a guide to the pathways available to you when you join Years 12 and 13. Whatever your interests, passions and strengths, there is a perfect pathway for you. Not only will you receive exceptional teaching in your chosen subjects, but there will be a comprehensive programme of enrichment, academic support and co-curricular activities including -
One to one conversation regarding subject choices and futures in Year 11
One to one Futures conversations in February and June of Year 12
Personal Impact Programme – Autumn Term Year 12
Outreach – from Autumn Term Year 12
Sixth Form Lecture Series – from Autumn Term Year 12
Department Academic Enrichment Activities
Annual through school Careers Day, including alumni careers Sixth Form networking fair
Our team are here to support you including –
Senior Deputy Head – Pastoral – Ms Neelam Varma
Senior Deputy Head – Academic – Dr Nick Dennis
Director of Sixth Form – Ms Hayley Stein
Deputy Head – Academic – Mr James Bown
Deputy Head – Teaching & Learning – Ms Jess Payne
Director of Futures – Ms Katriona Whittingham
Deputy Director of Futures – Ms Susan King
Head of Year 12 – Mr Lewis Maddran
Head of Year 13 – Ms Alisha Hayyan
This Pathway offers support for those academically exceptional girls who wish to apply to Oxford or Cambridge. This is a very demanding pathway and we advise raising your ambitions early with the academic team to ensure all discussions and planning can be put in place.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Oxbridge ‘useful essay competitions’ list shared at start of Year 12
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, Personal Statement support
Uniprep + - Admissions test support, supervision-style Interview practice
Oxbridge application workshops (external) for potential applicants
- June of Year 12
Oxbridge Symposium – June of Year 12
Oxbridge interview practice days – December of Year 13
Mock interviews with departmental staff and other Leading Independent Schools e.g. MTS Northwood, Habs, NLCS etc –December of Year 13
*The Oxbridge application and planning dates meet the early application deadline for UCAS
This offers comprehensive support for girls aiming for all medical related degrees. This is a highly competitive choice and our St Helen’s team will help with all areas of choice, specialism and preparation Teachers inside the school and specialists outside will give a broad perspective of the different course available and career paths to follow within this fascinating spectrum
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, Personal Statement support
Uniprep + - Admissions test support, Interview practice, Mock MMIs Medic Portal Workshop – May of Year 12
Mock interviews with departmental staff other leading independent schools– When students invited to interview
*The MDV application and planning dates meet the early application deadline for UCAS
International University Pathway
Many of our girls may wish to explore universities in the US, Europe, Asia or elsewhere. St Helen’s has a long history of supporting students with their choices Other countries may offer different structures for their courses and curriculums. There are also considerations around language, culture and fees/scholarships/allowances which the team can support with. Going abroad is exciting and we can help ensure you make the right choice
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Individual meetings and personalised support from Director of Futures, with particular focus on relevant co-curricular activities,
Transcript preparation etc
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, writing support and training for
SAT/ACT admissions tests
Connecting students with mentors who have been successful in their applications to international universities
Standardised Test Preparation
Country specific workshops
Cross-cultural awareness training
Networking opportunities including global university fairs and international summer schools
Parental workshops on global university opportunities
Support for visa applications
For some girls the right pathway after Sixth Form might include going straight into the workplace whether that means a lab, a corporate or financial environment or any number of other options There are now many choices if you don’t think a degree is for you. Support is available from St Helen’s alumni, the wider community – and of course, the experience of our own staff.
In a challenging workplace, we want to help prepare and support you.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Individual meetings and personalised support from Director of Futures
Advice on applications including form-filling and practical elements
CV and LinkedIn profile building
Personal Impact Programme focusing on key skills needed to be successful including networking, practising video interviews and using the STAR method when answering interview questions
Advice on interviews and other preparation
Work experience and shadowing events
Employer talks and networking events
Employment insight visits to experience new and developing industries
Digital skill development and financial literacy
Mock assessment centre preparation including psychometric test and presentation guidance
Connecting students to mentors who can support with research and applications
STEM and CAM
(Centre for Advanced Maths) Pathway
This is designed for girls who excel and Maths and other STEM subjects. This builds a real passion for exploring these popular subjects and ensures that our St Helen’s girls stand out from the crowd Our results in these subjects are historically excellent but it is the extra exploration and passion for the subject which will ensure that you stand out from the crowd.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, Personal Statement support
Visit to Imperial’s Careers in STEM annual conference
After-school Maths Masterclasses to prepare students for the TMUA, MAT and STEM admission tests
Olympiad preparation
Research projects
Mathematical modelling and coding
Hackathon and coding competitions
Participation in the Comprehensive Oxford Mathematics and Physics Online School (COMPOS) run by the University of Oxford
https://compos.web.ox.ac.uk/
Support with lab placements and summer schools
STEM communication workshops
This is a broad and exciting field and the St Helen’s team, including our English department, History and Geography teachers and other specialist and relevant staff are on hand to help you prepare for the correct course From Creative writing through to Modern English Literature, from specialised fields and areas and periods in History and Geography – these are crucial choices We can advise on supplementing your in school study and academic enrichment with plays, performances, museum and gallery visits and so much more which will increase your broader knowledge.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January in Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, Personal Statement support
Writing workshops with award-winning writers and poets
Essay competition support
Critical thinking workshops
History of Ideas and ethics and global issues seminars
Model United Nations and other public speaking competitions
Classical and Modern Languages Pathway
For enthusiastic linguists and classicists – there are some exceptional courses at top universities depending on your interests and specialism. Choices can be made between Modern and Classical Languages and their history, culture, politics and other elements. The Modern languages department will guide you through the developments on from languages you are currently mastering here in school
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs, Personal Statement support
Careers panels
Creative writing in another language
Linguistics analysis workshops
Advice and guidance on internationally recognised language qualifications
This is a fast developing area and we will support you to choose the right course and to discover work experience and wider courses and fields of study to prepare you for this world Careers in this area span statistics, Economics, Business Studies, Maths, Further Maths and also can include Sales, Marketing, Communications and Design.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 1. Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs
Personal Statement support
Essy and research competition
Harvard Business School style case analysis sessions
Visits to Business Schools
Investment and Entreprenurial clubs
Guest speaker series
Behavorial economics workshops linking psychology and economic decision making
MBA style sessions on strategy, operations and marketing
Financial Literacy qualification advice
Creative, Performing and Physical Arts
Pathway
Highly specialised and highly rewarding our Drama, Art and Music departments will support and advise on these pathways. Encouragement to perform and produce will run alongside wider exploration to add to your breadth of knowledge in each sphere. The emphasis is on the production of appropriate portfolios and something unique alongside outstanding results.
The programme will include many bespoke elements including but not exclusively -
Departmental support for portfolios and devising performances
Uniprep and Uniprep + from January of Year 12
Uniprep – wider reading, MOOCs
Personal Statement support
Help with Audition Preparation
Help with Portfolio Preparation
Technology Workshops
Relevant Trips, Shows, Exhibitions and Productions
Year 12
Year 13
Summer Break - use wisely for work experience, courses, internships, projects and rest.
We are here to help you in this amazing journey to your future success. St Helen’s. Where Girls Succeed
admissions@sthelens.london enquiries@sthelens london 01923 843210 www.sthelens.london