After such an interesting summer in relation to applications to Higher Education, it looks like we will be facing greater challenges following the Comprehensive Spending Review and the Browne Review into the funding of Higher Education and student finance.

I genuinely believe that it has never been more important that Higher Education works in partnership with schools and colleges to ensure that your students are in an excellent position to progress in their educational careers. This issue focuses on some of the tips that we feel is important to support applications to Higher Education.

The Schools and Colleges Liaison team are available to you and your students, and those of you who have worked with us before, will be aware of our fun and interactive sessions.

We are happy to deliver sessions in your school or college, or you may simply have a question that one of my team can assist you with.

If you have any queries as to how Leeds Trinity can support you, please do not hesitate to contact me personally at r.rattray@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Rob RattraySchools and Colleges Liaison Manager

Newsletter for schools and collegesIssue 2

Autumn 2010

Leeds Trinity University College – a great university community

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

Welcome

Many of you will personally know, or perhaps know the name of somebody who was unfortunately unsuccessful in their application to Higher Education this year. For many of us, it can be declared ‘a sign of the times’, however we are aware that this is of little comfort to those affected by this.

I hope this information will be useful to support your students so that they may avoid disappointment.

1. Be realisticBy our very nature, Higher Education will generally make more offers than it has places for, which means that if our offers are accepted we will stand by this. If applicants are not realistic in their predictions and under achieve their offer, it is less likely than before they will be accepted come results time.

2. Work/Voluntary experienceIt has been the case for a long period of time that Higher Education has demonstrated some preference for experience, particularly in Education and Health-related fields but this is becoming more prevalent, for vocational courses particularly.

3. Tutor’s referenceWrite this after completion of the personal statement to plug the gaps, it is important that the Admissions Tutor receives the full picture.

4. Consider all routesIf that applicant is unsuccessful in one particular route, make sure they are aware of all of their options (PGCE/SCITT etc).

5. Reading listsDevelop a full understanding of the course beyond module descriptors.

Of course, there is no magic formula to guarantee an offer, but if you and your students consider these options, their applications will benefit from this.

How to avoid disappointment

Rob Rattray

Schools and Colleges Liaison

Writing effective references

1. Why this course? Possibly the most difficult question to answer without the response… “Because I like it”. The more research the student does on the course the better.

2. What has been their academic journey?Students should evidence their decision with examples of their current academic abilities. Consider the course outline/modules as a job description and how their skills can relate.

3. How do their social and extracurricular activities link to their course? Universities are about more than academic achievements. Make sure students include any wow factors – what makes them different! From languages, sports, voluntary work, to running around a field on a Saturday morning with a rubber sword (LARP).

4. What transferable skills do they have?“I once worked for a large organisation. I dealt with the day to day interface with its customer base and helped with the smooth flow of financial transactions”… supermarkets never sounded so good! We often see students make light of their skills. This is their opportunity to impress.

5. Let it flowThe personal statement is never an easy document to write. It can often take many drafts and a lot of long evenings. Do not copy and paste, the Personal Statement will not be easy to read - so be prepared to rewrite from scratch.

A professionally oriented master’s level programme taught at Leeds Trinity University College.

• Designed for serving teachers - developed to support reflective and evidence based practice

• Manageable - a part-time programme taught after-school and at weekends with online resources support your learning and study

• Relevant - provides opportunities to debate current developments and the latest research with other professionals

• Flexible - designed to meet your professional and personal development needs

For more information please contact Liz Cairns (CPD Administrator)0113 283 7100 ext 379 / e.cairns@leedstrinity.ac.uk

MA in Education

James’

top tipspersonal statement

Rob Rattray delivers sessions for staff on this topic in schools and colleges - please do not hesitate to ask! Consider the following: 1. Can you forge links with Admissions Tutors personally so you know exactly what they want?

2. Provide an introduction to your school/college (this should be written centrally)

3. Provide context to the mechanisms of your school/college that may explain specific choices of subject availability

4. Reinforce the points that the student has made and provide examples

5. References should represent a spectrum of opinion from colleagues, but should be completed by staff members who know the individual

6. Do not copy and paste, each reference should be purely about that individual

Leeds Trinity University College is an independent higher education institution offering foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in a range of subjects including Business, Education, Humanities, Journalism, Media, Psychology and Sport.

ContactLeeds Trinity University Colleget: 0113 283 7150e: schoolsliaison@leedstrinity.ac.ukw: www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/scl

Open days 2011Wednesday 29 JuneSaturday 10 SeptemberSaturday 22 October

www.leedstrinity.ac.uk

James Kennedy