Aim High - Competitive Careers Programme

At Leyton Sixth Form College we want to encourage our students to think deeper, further, and more critically.

Our aim is to nurture academic excellence and creative talents to enable our students to realise their potential. A key aspect of this is encouraging students to be ambitious about what they can achieve both at college and beyond.

To this end we have devised a tailor made programme of study developed with the help of specialists in specific professional fields, all of whom have extensive experience of supporting students in their career development.

Students completing the Competitive Careers pathway will be challenged academically to ensure that they achieve the very best results whilst also developing essential professional skills which will enhance their university application and provide them with a competitive edge in terms of future employment opportunities.

Currently the programme is focused on the following career pathways:

  • Veterinary Science, Medicine, Dentistry (and related fields)
  • Nursing
  • Law
  • STEM
  • Creative Industries

Veterinary Science, Dentistry and Medicine

You will need to study A Level Biology and Chemistry.

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

  • Tutoring and preparation for the UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UKCAT) and the BioMedical Admissions Test (BMAT)
  • Work experience placements
  • Opportunity to apply for the Sutton Trust ‘Pathways to Medicine’ programme
  • Participation in national programmes such as the Nuffield Research Placements
  • Attending courses at Villiers Park in Cambridge such as, Neuroscience: Understanding the Brain, Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics, Forensic Science and Medicinal Chemistry

Nursing

You will need to study at least one of the following: Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care, Extended Diploma in Science, A Level Biology, A Level Psychology

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

Opportunity to apply for the Care Academy which includes the following elements:

  • Work Experience
  • Clinical Skills
  • 6Cs of nursing
  • Ethics
  • First Aid
  • Dementia training

Attending courses at Villiers Park in Cambridge such as, Psychology: Social and Forensic Psychology and Biology: Cell Biology and Genetics

STEM

You will need to study at least one of the following: Extended Diploma in Engineering, Subsidiary Diploma in Engineering, A Level Physics, A Level Maths, A Level Further Maths

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

  • Opportunity to take part in the prestigious ‘Pathway to Engineering’ project in collaboration with Atkins Engineering
  • Trips and visits to high profile engineering companies
  • Opportunity to take part in the European Space Agency competition ‘CanSat’ and the UK Space Design Regional Heats
  • Attending courses at Villiers Park in Cambridge such as Computer Science: Logic to Application; Mathematics: Chaos or Clear Cut? , Environmental Chemistry;  Exploration of Space; Physics: How the Universe Lives and Dies; Built Environment and Sustainability
  • Gain a STEM leader award

Law

You will need to study at least one Humanities A Level and/or A Level English

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

  • Taking part in the Model UN and Big Voice mooting competition
  • Competing in the national Bar Mock Trials
  • Attending courses at Villiers Park in Cambridge such as Psychology: Social and Forensic Psychology, Law: Criminal Issues, Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Supported preparation for the National Admissions Test for Law (LNAT) exam
  • Undertaking work experience in prestigious placements

Economics, Business and Finance

You will need to study either A Level Economics or Business (or both) and, preferably, A Level Mathematics

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

  • Taking part in the ‘Barclays Beyond’ programme
  • Work experience placements at City accountancy firms
  • Attending LSE and SOAS masterclasses
  • Attending courses at Villiers Park in Cambridge in Philosophy, Politics and Economics
  • Public speaking training and participation in debates

Creative Industries

You will need to be study at least one visual arts A Level, A Level Media Studies, A Level Film Studies or UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production

Here are examples of just some of the activities you could take advantage of:

  • Opportunity to apply for the prestigious ‘Pathway to Creative Media’ in partnership with Wieden + Kennedy
  • Guest talks and master classes from leading professionals
  • Opportunity to take part in the WorldSkillsUK national competition
  • Opportunity to apply for the Hoxton Finishing School for digital excellence
  • Gain a Creative Arts leader award