February 2012
CAREERS CONVENTION- THURSDAY 2ND FEBRUARY
Excellent opportunity to talk to former pupils who have had to make decisions similar to those you are all making. A lot of expertise returning on 2nd February to this biennial event.

January 2012
TASTERS- UNIVERSITY OF LONDON
This is of great interest for our L6th but if you click here, you will be able to register for news of tasters offered by the University of London. Obviously this programme is something many universities offer and it is an excellent opportunity for pupils to find out more about courses/ teaching styles/ facilities as well as put themselves in the shop window with admissions tutors.

INSIGHT INTO HOW THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE ALLOCATES PLACES
For a fascinating article about how decisions were made for Cambridge places at one college in this year's season, please click here.

December 2011
REVIEWS- 5TH YEAR
We have spent the last few weeks talking to most of our 5th Form pupils about their choices beyond GCSE. What a fantastic set of students with so much enthusiasm and very exciting plans! Please ensure you believe in your ability and do your very best to make those plans happen! The dozen or so pupils who have not been able to talk to us will have that opportunity in the New Year after the Mocks but please come and see us before this if you wish or email.

November 2011
WORK EXPERIENCE... and A COMMENT RE LAW
It is looking as if Work Experience for pupils (inc L6th) will need to be arranged outside school term dates. Anyone looking at work experience with a firm of solicitors should note that this tends to be offered only for those aged 16 and over. You will usually need to apply direct to the firms. We would suggest doing that now or certainly early in the New Year for summer placements. Obviously there are other options for work experience but if you want something formal, early application is vital. Many undergraduates will also be seeking similar experience.

FEES FREE FOR ALL?!
So what do we think of the supposed free for all with degree fee reductions later this year? Too early to assess individual offers and teasers, but I am certain the first consideration is that you should be applying only to the courses you really, really want to study.

CV CHALLENGE- 5th Year
Well done to those pupils who entered this competition. The first focus group to discuss the entries has happened and the winner will be announced by the end of this month.
 
October 2011
PwC INSIGHT DAY IN BIRMINGHAM- Thursday 27th October 2011
For more details of this excellent opportunity for L6th/ U6th pupils to find out more about PwC, selection procedures and their student programmes, click here. We would suggest emailing Nicola Evans direct too for more information as it is not easy to navigate from that link to the event on 27th October.

BIG BANG FAIR TICKETS
Calling budding young scientists and engineers! Free tickets for the Big Bang Fair (March 15-17th 2012 at the LG Arena, Birmingham), open to 5-19 year olds, are available via the Big Bang Fair website. Click here to book your place.

LOCAL POLITICAL INTERNSHIP
If you are a L6th or U6th pupil interested in a local internship programme run by local MP Geoffrey Robinson, please contact us for further information. Those, especially former pupils or gappers, looking for a more substantial placement are encouraged to investigate options at Westminster with MPs; former pupil Adam Clarke has contacted with details of 3 month placements offered by Scottish Liberal Democrat MP, Alistair Carmichael. Click here for further information, if interested.

DELOITTE- BRIGHTSTART POST 18 PROGRAMME
Deloitte has sent information regarding 2 Open Evenings in November at its Birmingham office. On Monday 14th and Monday 28th November (5- 6.30pm), 6th form pupils may attend to hear more about their Post A Level Brightstart scheme. You need to pre-register with Deloitte, so if you email MGAW, he will pass this information to Deloitte. You will need to arrange your own travel.

ARE GRADUATES FIT FOR WORK?
The Daily Telegraph has published a report from employers bemoaning the quality of British undergraduates. We see dynamic young people daily here at Bablake but a former pupil, Sarah Corrigan is spot on when she says: 'In my experience these days employers aren't just looking for transferable skills. They want you to have significant work experience in their specific field as well as your qualifications etc before they even look at your application! If possible, I'd encourage people to do work experience, placements or internships during their summer holidays while at university to prepare them to be more employable on graduation because if not, they could find themselves having to do it after graduation to get into their desired field.'

ASPIRING WRITERS AND JOURNALISTS?
Many of the nationals are offering the chance to have your best work printed and some have some excellent prizes too. Check out the Guardian (Travel writing) and the Mail on Sunday in particular. Be quick as the deadlines are within the next month. If you want to see your words in print, why not write for our school website and magazines or send stories (fact or fiction) to your local newspaper: e.g. Heena Pala in our 2nd year is having her book reviews regularly printed in the Coventry Times.

ICT COMPETITION
If you are keen on developing websites, creating digital animations or mobile phone apps, then read on! The British Computer Society and Coventry University are asking for 11-19 year olds to submit one of the above by February 3rd. You must register by Friday November 18th though. For more information, please click here. Bablake entered its online student magazine successfully in 2010 and it would great to support this competition once again.

SOLICITOR OR BARRISTER
Excellent article from the Independent, written by former Etc editor Russ Thorne, on 'A Career in Law': click here.

UCAS CHANGES?
The Sunday Times has written about possible changes to the UCAS applications system for 2014 at the earliest or certainly by 2016. An official announcement from UCAS is expected by the end of this month.

September 2011
THE IMPORTANCE OF WORK EXPERIENCE
Comment from the Press Association: 'Many employers believe Work Experience is becoming more important than A Levels.' Certainly a combination of both would be super news.

ENGINEERING YOUR FUTURE
The L6th is invited to experience a real life science, engineering and technology project via the Engineering Education Scheme (EES). Bablake works with Arup on this project and universities look very kindly on the exercise which usually leads to a Gold Crest award. Mr West, Head of DT, asks pupils to download the 'Information for Students' leaflet off the EESE website. Pupils need to register online, print their registration forms, obtain parental signatures and then hand the paperwork to Mr West by 4pm Wednesday 26th September. Deadlines matter... and late applications will not be accepted!

6TH FORM MEDICAL CONFERENCE AT LIVERPOOL MEDICAL INSTITUTION
Well rated by former pupils. To apply for this conference, held on Monday 19th- Tuesday 20th December, please print an application form from www.lmi.org.uk and return this direct to LMI with the relevant payment. There is usually a 3 day conference at Coventry's University hospital in the Spring term, which has also received excellent reviews from former pupils. It costs less, but is not residential. Medical schools do not require attendance at any of these conferences, but pupils gain useful tips and confidence from them.

ASPIRING FUTURE SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS?
Useful information re the EES (Engineering Education Scheme), YINI (Year in Industry), Headstart and other opportunities may be viewed on the EDT website. This will be of especial interest to L6th pupils.