University and Onward Routes

On Monday 8 June, the UCAS team accompanied by Sixth Form tutors took the Lower 6 to the Norwich UCAS Convention to continue their journey of exploring their future after Norwich School. With over 100 universities present, our pupils could speak directly with university representatives and find out more about courses, entry requirements, halls of residences and student life. The convention also allows our pupils to see how many others want to go to university as well as learning more about different universities from Dundee to Exeter as well as about degree apprenticeships. Our pupils are now starting to get all the information they need to apply successfully in the autumn. We encourage them to go out on Open Days to see the universities at first hand and later in the month, there will be more guidance on filling out the UCAS form and how to write the important personal statement. Norwich School’s successful record with university applications over many years Is a key part of our Sixth Form offer.

Business Breakfasts is a brilliant programme helping our young people better understand the potentially intimidating world of work. Before the start of school and over a working breakfast, the school brings in seasoned professionals to speak about their specialisms. The content is veritable gold dust. Generously sponsored by our partners at SG Wealth Management , the Trinity Term events have been both inspiring and informative. There have been three in the series so far this half term. SG Wealth Management kicked the series off with their very own Director of Business Services, Fran Kemp FPFS. Her lucid, engaging talk aimed to demystify the important role wealth advisors play in managing their clients’ complex finances professionally and trustworthily. She impressed the pupils with the range of skill sets needed and the range of backgrounds and specialisms that financial advisors have, ultimately boiling down to relationships built on confidence. She held a large audience captivated and the Q&A afterwards prompted some very smart audience questions. The second session was an introduction to the legal profession from our neighbours in The Close, Leathes Prior Solicitors . Experienced Partner, Chris Goodwin, had been convinced from an early age to become a lawyer and explained his traditional route through a law degree. In contrast former Norwich School pupil, Alex Robinson, now working with Chris at Leathes Prior, explained how his route into law via a history degree, Masters, then law conversion had transpired and how it is possible to become a lawyer from various starting points for those not going down the law degree route or even those with a non-University route. This theme was followed up by the third talk in the series delivered by the charismatic Dale Willis founder of My Great First Job , a non-profit organisation dedicated to helping young people transition from education to employment. Speaking to parents in the pre-work breakfast session and then to our pupils during the school day, his focus was on the value of increasingly popular Degree Apprenticeships as a viable and very cost-effective alternative to the traditional tuition-fee heavy university route. He explained all the ins and outs of being in paid work whist obtaining a degree paid for by the employer. It’s not for everyone, but for those prepared to make that paradigm shift the outcomes can be life-changing. Business Breakfasts will resume after half term and pupils are strongly encouraged to be curious and open minded and to come along to learn. Thanks go to Mrs James for organising and to our inspiring speakers for giving of their valuable time, as well as to SG Wealth Management for having the vision to sponsor this transformational initiative.