TheWordFactory - are you about? I'd like to call on your expertise, if I may...

[Hakluyt]

Several students from my ds's school applied for RG universities this year for the first time. None of them got places- and I discovered yesterday that the Head of 6th was not aware that Business Studies was not a facilitating subject. Neither it seems is the Head (although her own daughter went to Cambridge).

I am a Governor, and we have a Teaching and Learning sub-committee meeting tomorrow. Is there anyone we can get in from outside to talk to staff/students about this?

I am so cross with myself about this- it didn't cross my mind that an ambitious head teacher who is genuinely committed to improving outcomes for her students wouldn't have had this covered.........

Assume you're familiar with Informed Choices? www.russellgroup.ac.uk/Informed-Choices/

Yes, thanks, Titchy- what I can't get my head round is that the SMT don't seem to be....!

Maybe ask an admissions tutor from your nearest RG uni to come and give a talk? It's in their best interests too!

Mornin'

Yes I agree with the above - contact your local university or two and ask to speak to anyone in outreach or widening access/ participation (different establishments call this different things).

I bet they would be happy to come in and speak about this (and other stuff).

Could I just ask what sort of subjects your students took alongside BS. I'm aware that whilst it isnt a FS it's often accommodated if it's shouldered by the usual suspects.

Is your nearest London?

Also, are you sure it was the BS that was the sticking point?

Was everything else in order?

I'm not completely sure of all my facts- the Head said BS was the problem at Governors but there wasn't the opportunity to dig deeper- I intend to do so, but I'm arming myself in advance! Yes, London is our nearest- it will be interesting to see whether they venture into deep, dark Secondary Modern territory!

I don't want us to run before we can walk- as I said, we're only just starting to send anyone to university at all. And our local university is well thought of, and as much of a stretch as many of our kids can think of just yet. But I don't want anyone missing out because of crap advice. Thank you- all contributions gratefully received.

Sounds like an excuse by the SMT to me if the kids had two RG facilitating subjects then BS would be OK as the third A level.

Not ideal. But OK.

I would take a look at the subjects the kids applied to do, and see how their A level choices matched the subject criteria which the Unis publish on their website.

Well done for taking some control, though.

Have a look at the oxford guide for teachers

There is loads there about how to get Oxford involved in your school and how to get high quality advice. Oxford's outreach work is a good resource for any kid considering a RG Uni

this is the main webpage for resources

If we're not talking about too many students, it may be worth someone calling the RG universities in question and asking the direct question as to why they've been rejected.

If you explain to the admissions department that you're a sec mod, really trying to improve, and looking for feedback, you may very well get some detailed help.

I suppose what you need is a two pronged campaign.

First, you need to find out what's happened to these applications.

Second, you need to arrange some contuning education about applications.

Worth getting in touch here?

www.qmul.ac.uk/undergraduate/schools/index.html

Hak I don't think Business Studies on its own is the issue. It just doesn't wash. Don't be fobbed off. It's overwhelmingly likely to be the overall grades, possibly coupled with issues re. school references if the teachers really are uninitiated with ucas stuff, and also perhaps problems with personal statements if no-one leading applications is properly informed as to what is required. That said, it's not rocket science. My guess is the grades don't match those of the general level of applicants' grades to that university. That's different of course from the minimum grades advertised on the website, or the standard offer.

Be careful what you post on here re. governor stuff. It's not a great idea......

None of the students are getting the grades to get into any course at a RG uni?

I hope you are aware that the RG is simply a group of unis that got together to lobby government at the Russell Hotel and then found themselves with a lazy shorthand brand for quality, in spite of absolutely no such criteria for membership, so a few others joined the gang. Huge variety of courses in terms of usefulness, prestige (by whatever measure), league tables etc etc at both RG and non RG . Some of your students may be getting on to better courses at non RG......and some may be looking for more vocational courses .

Bit shocked though at the A level offering at our next most local School, at the most local 17 A levels, at that school 7 , obviously they can move but I worry some might not even realise their own potential.

"Be careful what you post on here re. governor stuff. It's not a great idea......"

Say more?

Hak I'm not sure what Molio was referring to specifically but my first thought on reading your OP was that you and the school must be very identifiable in RL, given your particular circumstances. What you say does suggest that the SLT are less than competent re university transfer.

I know you posted on here for all the right reasons but if I was the Head I'd be less than happy that this was being discussed on a public forum.

Exactly what Marni said. Because you're such a long time poster and your DS's school is likely to be easily identifiable, I would just be very guarded about info which has come to you in your capacity as governor, as you could possibly get sacked.

I haven't, and wouldn't, said anything that isn't in the minutes.

But I guess the parents don't know hak? Dunno. Your call.

If you decide to take it off board feel free to PM me.

Thank you, Word. Our minutes are available to all unless specifically confidential, which this bit wasn't. But I think I know what my next steps are going to be. I might take you up on your kind offer in the near future -when my proposed next steps don't work!--

No worries.