Careers
The Sixth Form is a time to build on all your experiences to date - to think, to plan and to prepare for life after school.
Careers guidance is carefully planned in the Sixth Form to support pupils and parents alike.
Careers and Professional Development forms a key part of the Portfolio programme and integrates with Horizons - the Sixth Form Lecture Series. The world of work presents many challenges and the building blocks for success start here so that Tormead girls are highly sought after and valued.
We make use of ISCO and Connexions to support our own careers work. Almost all the girls go on to read for degrees at university.
UCAS
The vast majority of the girls that leave Tormead go on to study at University. Approximately 10% of each Upper Sixth year group will be offered places at Oxford or Cambridge, the rest will attend a huge variety of Universities and Art Colleges.
The UCAS (University Admissions Process) is therefore a very important part of the service we provide at Tormead. From the moment they join the Sixth Form the girls are aware of the process but it is during Bridge Week - held towards the end of the summer term in Lower Sixth - that the girls start their UCAS application.
Individual advice is given on writing the all important Personal Statement. We give guidance over the choice of courses and application procedures. Mock interviews are held and girls are encouraged to attend university open days.
Oxford and Cambridge Applications
Girls who wish to apply to Oxford or Cambridge are given extra support in the form of advice on course and college choice, supplementary Oxbridge lessons with subject staff, and interview preparation (including 'mock' interviews and an annual workshop conducted by a professional interview coach).
Applicants to the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge still apply electronically through UCAS, and while offers are still made in the same way, there are several additional aspects involved in the process.
As demand for Oxbridge places has increased greatly over the past few years, several written examinations have been introduced in order for university tutors to be able to identify the strongest applicants: among those recently sat by Tormead girls are the ELAT (or English Literature Admissions Test), the HAT (History Aptitude Test), and the BMAT (BioMedical Admissions Test). Furthermore, each successful applicant is interviewed by at least one college before being offered a place.
For these reasons, below are some links to websites which provide some insight into the Universities, Oxbridge admissions and current media coverage.
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
Media articles