Our Enrichment programme is designed to enhance UCAS personal statements and CV’s whilst giving students the time to gain valuable, hands on employability skills such as team work, presentation skills and problem solving.
Prospective employers and admissions tutors value work experience and involvement in extra-curricular activities. This programme gives student the opportunity to take part in valuable activities to make them stand out and enrich their Sixth Form experience.
We recognise that employers and universities are now looking for much more than just academic or vocational qualifications. Therefore, we offer an extensive range of enrichment opportunities which will not only enhance the quality of their CV or UCAS applications, but will also equip them with vital skills such as teamwork, leadership and independence. Enrichment is a compulsory part of Sixth Form.
Every Tuesday at Longbenton High, our students follow a timetable of valuable and engaging enrichment activities. At the start of each Tuesday(8.35-9.30) we deliver PSHE sessions linked to topics and issues affecting young people in addition to welcoming guest speakers from a range of backgrounds .Students are then expected to take part in other programmes detailed below. They also have the freedom to source their own work experience or voluntary placement which is hugely valuable.
Some of the regular and past speakers include: Further Education - Newcastle, Northumbria, Sunderland, Durham, Oxford, and Cambridge University
Careers – Apprenticeship providers, Nestle, Connexions, Tyne Met College and Unifrog
MOOC – Massive Open Online Courses are a fantastic opportunity for students to trial a subject that they may be thinking about taking at university. They are free online courses, created by universities to allow students to sample topics outside of their A-Level curriculum. Many students refer to MOOCs in their personal statement and are praised by admissions officers for their commitment to wider study.
Villiers Park – The Villiers Park Educational Trust Scholars Programme is a two or four-year programme of mentoring, masterclasses and residential events, which supports highly able students to fulfil their potential and gain places at top universities or on other suitable progression routes.
In-class support – Many of our students choose to support teaching staff in their lessons. This can involve small group work or 1-1 support. This is beneficial for all parties involved as students gain in confidence, whilst developing their leadership skills.
‘Think Law’/'Think Engineering Programme - Think Law/Engineering is a CILEx and Career Ready initiative that aims to enable young people from diverse backgrounds to access careers in the legal sector but can also benefit those students hoping to go into the business or finance sector. Think Law provides ongoing engagement between employers and students over a sustained twelve-month period. The programme provides a combination of masterclasses, work place visits and mentoring interventions, enabling young people to navigate their way to a career in legal services.
Unifrog - all Sixth Form students have access to the on-line research tools enabled by Unifrog. Students can produce, research and explore a range of activities linked to CV’s, applying to university, apprenticeship, MOOC’s etc to help with future career plans post-18.
EPQ - Year 12 students are given the opportunity to complete an Extended Project Qualification linked to a topic of interest. They will be supported by a staff mentor in school who will guide them through the process. This is something that can enhance their CV's/personal statements and may be linked to future employment or degree courses. The EPQ allows them to explore an area of interest, through intensive research, which can then be discussed in interviews, or used to indicate their passion for a particular subject at degree level. The qualification can also be used to gather additional UCAS tariff points.