Universities & careers
Universities, Colleges and Gap Years
More than 72% of Rydal Penrhos School leavers went on to Higher Education in September 2011, studying subjects as diverse as medicine, economics, law, languages and fashion design; with a large proportion at Russell Group universities. Business, economics, management, marketing, accounting and finance courses remain the most popular areas that our pupils apply for. View the current list of University offers for Upper Sixth form pupils by click by clicking this link.
The majority of our pupils decide to apply to their chosen university once they have received their exam results and take up their place in the September/October of that year. However, the school is also happy to advice on how to plan a gap year prior to commencing further study. We recognise the value of a properly planned gap year and encourage our pupils to take advantage of the huge range of opportunities available, enabling them to broaden their horizons and bring invaluable assets to their CV.
The routes to Higher Education:
- Industrial Conference
- University Open Days
- ‘Centigrade’ careers programme – can be helpful in providing a starting point to help pupils narrow down their choices
- Mock interviews
- Higher Education seminars
- Job shadowing
- Work experience
- UCAS electronic application assistance
- Careers Conference
- Personal research (UCAS website)
Careers
Careers guidance is offered from the outset through the PSHE programme. Guidance focuses on making correct choices and is particularly relevant in Year 11 as pupils begin to prepare for the selection of their Sixth form programme of study. The Head of Careers, Mr Mike Farnell, oversees this process, liaising with the Head of Middle School and the Head of Sixth form, as well as the Head of PSHE to ensure continuity across Key Stages.
The Head of Sixth form and Head of Careers organise regular careers fairs at which guest speakers – often former pupils – come to talk to current pupils about their areas of work and how to succeed in their future professions.
Rydal Penrhos pupils have accomplished great things after leaving the school, excelling in careers as diverse as law, medicine, business, acting, journalism and sport. We have a dedicated Rydal Penrhos Society, which helps to keep pupils in touch with one another and to support the school as a whole. Please contact Sarah Ritchie on SJRitchie@rydal-penrhos.com with any questions or queries about the Society or visit the Rydal Penrhos Society website