Year 12 were lucky enough to visit the University of Kent on Thursday 7th March, for a much anticipated campus tour and insight into university life. 

They began by meeting the student ambassador team who spoke about their experience of applying to and attending university. Students were able to research courses, think about career paths and ask questions about the practicalities of life as a university student. After a detailed campus tour, Year 12 made use of the brilliant on site facilities before heading back to the lecture theatre for a discussion about the extra curricular side of uni living and a competition to create the most exciting student union group.

As a partner school to the University, we regularly have talks from the team who explain the entire UCAS process and encourage students to apply for their Succeed Programme.  We are really pleased that we have sent 7 students to take part this year, as we know places are so limited.  These students will be able to visit the University as well as take part in workshops and residential stays. We hope that visiting Kent has inspired our young people even more. 

We were thrilled to welcome local councillors Ricky Jones and Alina Vaduva who came and spoke to our students about democracy and what it means for them. 

As Attenborough students begin to turn 18 and think about voting for the first time, they welcomed the chance to hear about what voting means to young people and how they can make their voices heard. Ricky and Alina gave some really useful insights into what local councillors, MPs and the Government do for communities and why it is so important that young people get to have their say. 

We really appreciate Ricky and Alina giving up their time to speak to us and hope to invite them back to the Academy to further our relationships with the local councillor team.

Year on year we increase the number of students we help apply for university, and nothing makes us happier than seeing the excitement amongst year 13 as they begin to receive offers from their chosen institutions. 

This year we have sent off a whopping 67 applications, with some students already accepting offers.  We continue to support students in applying for student finance, thinking about accomodation and preparing them for university life. 

We understand that university is not for everyone, and ensure that students who are not choosing this pathway have equal opportunities to find an appropriate next step. 

We are lucky enough to have excellent links with several local and national companies who come and present to our students and give them a chance to apply for opportunities within their businesses. 

In several cases, the representatives are ex students, who take great joy in coming back to speak to students about what doors we can help open for them.

So far this year we have had talks from Hope Dance at Keston Reeves, Alex at Overbury Morgan Lovell and the team at the Ebbsfleet Development Group.

We have also been lucky enough to work alongside Marie Colgan from the Department of Work and Pensions, who has been providing careers advice and interview and CV writing skills.