Sixth Form Pathways Guide 2025

Sixth Form Pathways at St Helen’s

Contents 4-5

Introduction to Pathways

6-7

Oxbridge Example Pathway

8-9

Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary (MDV) Pathway

10-11

International University Pathway

12-13

Apprenticeships and Employment Pathway

14-15

STEM and CAM (Centre for Advanced Maths) Pathway

16-17

Humanities and Liberal Arts Pathway

18-19

Classical and Modern Languages Pathway

20-21

Business, Economics & Finance Pathways

22-23

Creative, Performing and Physical Arts Pathway

24-25

Timeline

Our Pathways | 3

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 Our Pathways | 5

Oxbridge Pathway 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

6 | Our Pathways

Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary (MDV) Pathway 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

8 | Our Pathways

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

Our Pathways | 11

Apprenticeships and Employment Pathway 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

12 | Our Pathways

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

Our Pathways | 15

Humanities and Liberal Arts Pathway 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

16 | Our Pathways

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

Our Pathways | 19

Business, Economics & Finance Pathways 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

20 | Our Pathways

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

Our Pathways | 23

Timeline What do the six terms of your Sixth Form journey look like?

Take a look at the six terms in St Helen’s Sixth Form – whatever your pathway.

Year 12 Autumn term - Year 12 · Settling into Sixth Form · Focus on study skills · Personal Impact Programme – run by Futures department · Outreach programme begins

Year 13 Summer Break - use wisely for work experience, courses, internships, projects and rest.

Autumn Term – Year 13 Spring Term – Year 12 UCAS launch – pupils and parents Uniprep and Uniprep+ begin – fortnightly Students encouraged with wider reading, MOOCs, Work experience 1:1 talks with students about HE next steps and future pathways – organised

by Futures team with support from Sixth Form team and SLT, as appropriate.

Summer Term – Year 12 Personal Statement Support in Uniprep University Lunch – meet with Alumni to speak about their university experiences Year 12 Exams will inform UCAS PGs – to be released in June - Year 12 UCAS Day – Begin UCAS form, enhance PS with feedback

24 | Our Pathways

Final preparations for submission of UCAS Form Early applicants - internal deadline September Regular applicants – Internal deadline after October half term Interview preparation where necessary (Late November/Early December)

Spring Term – Year 13 Study for A Level Exams Transitions to University in PSHCE – Money management, Cooking, Relationships

Summer Term – Year 13 Exams

We are here to help you in this amazing journey to your future success.

St Helen’s. Where Girls Succeed Ms Hayley Stein Director of Sixth Form hayley.stein@sthelens.london Ms Katriona Whittingham Director of Futures katriona.whittingham@sthelens.london

Ms Neelam Varma Senior Deputy Head: Pastoral and Wellbeing neelam.varma@sthelens.london

Dr Nick Dennis Senior Deputy Head: Academic and Co-Curricular nick.dennis@sthelens.london Mr James Bown Deputy Head: Academic james.bown@sthelens.london

Ms Jess Payne Deputy Head: Teaching & Learning and Pupil Progress jess.payne@sthelens.london

Our Pathways | 25

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@sthelensnorthwood @sthelensnorthwood