Higher Education, Careers & Progression

At KAS we help to prepare our Sixth Formers for life after school by providing high quality, impartial careers information, education and guidance. With a student-centred approach, our careers guidance helps students make choices that are right for them.

Each student will receive individual advice throughout their time in the Sixth Form to ensure that they have chosen the correct programme of study that will enable them to realise their aspirations post A level. We monitor the needs of all students in order to guide them through the whole higher education process, whether this is University, Art Foundation, Drama School, Music Conservatoire or other programmes in the UK or abroad. We also help prepare students for the world of work, should they choose not to follow the path of higher education. Students taking a gap year receive assistance to plan a meaningful experience.  Year 12 and 13 students have regular guidance meetings as a whole year group, in form and on a one-to-one basis.

Higher Education applications and life after KAS

We offer regular workshops as part of our ‘Life After KAS’ programme on subjects such as choosing a course, researching universities, overseas applications, finding open days and writing a personal statement. Students and parents are given specific guidance to support them with this. They are also supported individually through their application process, teaching them how to use the UCAS ‘Apply’ programme or complete other forms.

In July of each year, all Year 12 students attend the ‘Life After KAS’ day. The event, held onsite, allows students hear from external experts on gap years, paths into employment, apprenticeships
and university admissions. The conference includes a hands-on personal statement writing workshop and an intensive UCAS application clinic session. Oxbridge applicants are supported by the Head of Department of their chosen subject and their tutors.

Several subject based super-curricular reading groups are offered for students applying to Oxbridge and aspirational universities. Topics are chosen to match students’ interests, such as the History Salon historiography seminar and the STEP Maths prep group. Oxbridge candidates also receive guidance on developing the independent plan of work required to prepare them as competitive candidates.

KAS also supports applications to the US and other overseas universities.

Support from the wider school community

The parent body and Old Alfredians play a very important part in the programme. We collect information on the occupations of our parent body and use them to help with careers where relevant. Our ‘Connections Series’ talks see parents and Old Alfredians come in to present master-classes in their specific field. Old Alfredians are frequently invited to share their experiences and support students.

Work Experience

All Year 12 students complete work experience week in June. Placements can be self-generated or arranged in collaboration with KAS. This is a key part of the Sixth Form program, and an excellent opportunity for students to gain professional experience in workplaces and learn from experts in their intended university or career fields. Recent placements have included: Adidas HQ, Germany; Barclays Bank; Complete Fiction Film Studio; Investec; Kearsley Airways Limited, Aeronautical Engineering Team; Price & Myers Architecture; Royal Court of Justice; UCL Bioscience Lab.