Last week, our Year 12 students took part in two University and Careers (UAC) Days – a packed and purposeful programme of talks and workshops designed to help them prepare for life beyond Sixth Form. From UCAS applications and interview techniques to gap year planning and managing personal finances, the sessions offered valuable insights and practical advice.

Day One began with a session led by Mark Harris from the University of Gloucestershire, who spoke about how to make informed decisions around higher education and choosing the right course. This was followed by an informative discussion on apprenticeships with Sarah Fullerton.

Students then had time to research their own post-18 options, before hearing from a group of The Cotswold School alumni.

• Hannah Rowley (OC 2023) shared her experience at Loughborough University, from application through to settling in.

• Katherine Marsden, Izzy Howard, and Charlie Dodridge (OC 2023) spoke about their gap year adventures, offering practical advice on funding, planning, and staying safe while travelling.

The day concluded with Petya Zhechkova from the University of Sheffield, who offered helpful guidance on how to make the most of university open days.

Day Two opened with Emma Goodman, a CV and Interview Mentor, who delivered a session on how to approach interviews with confidence. This was followed by Niamh Lewis from Oxford Brookes University, who provided advice on writing a strong personal statement.

Later in the morning, Mr Sweetlove gave a practical and engaging workshop on managing personal finances, and Mr Hillier ran a session on building a portfolio for students applying to creative courses.

In the afternoon, we welcomed Laura Millward from Reed Recruitment, who explained how recruitment agencies can support young people in securing their first jobs. The day ended on an energetic and reflective note with Dale Hancock from Dale Vincent Coaching, who delivered an interactive workshop to help students identify and manage stress – an important session as they look ahead to their final year of A-Levels.

A big thank you to all our guest speakers for their time and insights, and to our Year 12 students for their excellent participation and enthusiasm throughout both days.