Further Education

All Sixth Formers meet regularly with their Tutor who, for the two years in the Sixth Form, is responsible for advising, monitoring progress and helping pupils to make full use of School resources. The Tutor will help tutees with study and time management skills. In addition, Sixth Formers have access to the Director of Studies, the Careers Department, their teachers and their Housemaster or Housemistress. The Head of Sixth Form oversees the university admission procedures and provides advice on careers and universities. The UCAS procedure begins in the Lower Sixth, with specialist support including personalised guidance, mock interview practice and expertise with UCAS and international applications (including the USA, Canada, Europe and Asia).

Higher education support and talks are organised, internal sessions and external presentations from UK and international universities and organisations to help inform them about the process of choosing and applying for university, apprenticeships, gap years or employment. Lower Sixth pupils are widely encouraged to attend virtual tours and Open Days at universities of interest. Potential Oxbridge candidates are reviewed during the Lower Sixth and we offer specialist support for Oxbridge candidates and those applying for Medicine, Veterinary Science and Dentistry. Leysians go onto many universities including many of the traditional and highest-ranked universities in the UK and overseas.

Careers Support

Careers support is delivered through a combination of tutorial advice, the PSHE programme, and direct support from the Careers Department and Head of Sixth Form. Individual interviews are available for all pupils with a member of the Careers Team to help build their knowledge and assist them to make confident choices for their future. Curriculum learning is linked to careers and, throughout the year, guest speakers representing a variety of professions, visit the school in order to offer pupils advice and a greater understanding with regard to specific careers. Alumni talks from our OLs provide valuable insights from former pupils who are leaders in their field and provide pupils with the opportunity to connect with our most successful and inspiring alumni.

The Careers Department organises Twilight Skills Workshops as well as an annual Careers Forum, at which pupils have the opportunity to find out more about a number of different careers. The Careers Forum exhibition comprises approximately 40 organisations and companies which include companies offering apprenticeships and gap year experiences as well as traditional professions, jobs and institutions. Careers provision at The Leys is designed to help prepare pupils successfully for the next stages in their education and working careers.