Sixth Form Newsletter 20 September 2019
Head of Sixth Form’s Key Dates AUTUMN TERM 2019 Tuesday 1st October Welcome Secondary Open Evening 5:45-8:30pm Wednesday 2nd October Welcome to this week’s newsletter. Late start at 9:25am I have been impressed with the student learning in lesson and the Monday 7th October Years 13 - Autumn Mock examinations focus shown in the SFSC. Teachers have been pleased with both begin the Year 12s and Year 13s- well done! Tuesday 8th October I wanted to highlight some key dates for this term: Sixth Form Open Evening 5:45-8:30pm On Tuesday 1st October we have our Secondary Open Evening and so we will have a later start on Wednesday 2nd October. We will begin at 9:25 and not 8:25 that day. On Tuesday 8th October we have our Sixth Form Open Evening so we will have a later start on Wednesday 9th October. Again we will begin at 9:25 and not 8:25 that day. On Wednesday 16th October at 5pm we will host two information events for Year 12 students, parents and carers. One event is a BTEC information evening for students taking the Business or Applied Science course. Ms Clarke, Mr Cranwell and I will go through how the course is assessed so that everyone is aware of expectations. The second event is for students who are aspiring to apply to Oxbridge or Dentistry, Medicine or Veterinary Science as these applications have highly specific requirements that need consideration from the start of Year 12. It is imperative that any student who is considering making an application for these courses attends with their parents and carers as key information will be given at this event. The event will be led by Ms McEvoy and Mr Singh.
With best wishes, Ms Alibhai, Vice Principal and Head of Sixth Form Dates for the diary • INA Oxbridge/DMV deadline 30th September • Year 13 mocks: 7th October- 18th October • Oxbridge/DMV deadline: 15th October • Year 13 Reports: by 15th November • School internal UCAS deadline: 6th December • UCAS deadline: 15th January • Final Year 13 Mocks: 10th February- 28th February • A levels start: provisionally 11th May
• A level results day: 13th August 2020
Good Personal Statements
• Show a real passion for studying the subject • Have tangible examples of where the candidate has shown an interest in the subject beyond the standard curriculum • Show that the student has researched the courses that they applying for and can reference this • About 10-20% can be about extra curricular, but the vast majority should be referencing super curricular • Getting the grade is not enough!
2 Geography Opportunities A Level Study Day 2 December 2019, 10.45am-3.30pm Please arrive for registration at 10.15am Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR From £20.00 per person Packed lunch provided for teachers and students. For more information, go to https://www.rgs.org/events/autumn-2019/a-level-study-day/ GIS Day in partnership with Esri UK 19 November 2019, 11.00am-3.00pm Doors open at 10.30am Royal Geographical Society (with IBG), 1 Kensington Gore, London, SW7 2AR From £5.00 per person For more information go to: https://www.rgs.org/events/autumn-2019/gis-day-in-partnership-with-esri-uk/
QUEEN MARY University of London Autumn Open Day - 5 October 2019 Find out what life at Queen Mary is really like by attending our Open Day. Students will have the chance to speak to current students, listen to taster lectures and explore our lively campus.Make the most of the Open Day by: • Talking to academics and current students • Visiting on campus accommodation • Exploring our world-class facilities • Meeting the Students’ Union and learn about societies • Discovering the East end of London Register here to attend: http://bit.ly/2kdq66L
3 Mile End Institute: Post-Truth Revisited - Matthew d’Ancona 24 September 2019, 18:30–20:30 About this Event Two years ago, Matthew d’Ancona (Editor and Partner at Tortoise Media and Guardian and Evening Standard columnist) published an acclaimed book on Post-Truth - prompted by the Brexit vote and Trump’s victory. In this session, he’ll ask whether things have got any better since 2017, and how the all-important debate on misinformation and ‘facts versus feelings’ has evolved.
Mile End Institute: Rory Stewart MP ‘In Conversation’ 16 October 2019,19:30–22:00 About this Event Rory Stewart has served as Secretary of State for International Development, Prisons Minister and Chair of the Defence Select Committee, and was a candidate for the Conservative leadership in 2019. He previously served in the Foreign Office and as a regional governor in Iraq. In 2002 he walked across Afghanistan, the basis for a major book on The Places In-Between. He now sits as an independent MP after the Conservative whip was removed on 3 September 2019. Free to attend, but you need to register on Eventbrite.
Is the British Constitution in crisis? Who is to blame? How can we fix it? 2 October 2019, 18:30–21:00 About this Event This interactive session will debate the health of the British constitution, the challenges it faces and the case for constitutional reform. Expert panellists will include Dr. Catherine Haddon (Institute for Government), Professor Sionaidh Douglas-Scott (Anniversary Chair in Law, QMUL), David Allen Green (Financial Times and Preiskel & Co LLP) and Dr. Robert Saunders (School of History, QMUL), to assess the case for a written constitution, the struggle between Parliament and Government, the historical precedents for the current crisis and the collision between direct democracy, parliamentary democracy and party democracy. Free to attend, but you need to register on Eventbrite.
4 Science without borders 09 Oct 2019, 18:00–21:00 Imperial Lates celebrate the latest in science and engineering at Imperial College London - bringing the public together with world leading minds in their respective fields, who not only love what they do, but also love sharing their work with new audiences. A perfect evening’s entertainment for adults of all ages and backgrounds. Anyone with a curious mind is welcome to get hands on with our research, brought to life through live demonstrations, creative workshops, interactive experiments and inspiring talks. Pick the brains of the people behind the ideas, innovations and breakthroughs to discover how their work could impact our society and change our futures. Register for this Imperial Lates to receive a preview of the full programme of live demonstrations, workshops and talks, and help us track attendance numbers. Please note that registration alone does not guarantee seats for our talks, tours or workshops. However those who have pre-registered will be given the first opportunity to book places on anything with limited spaces.
Black holes, entropy and strings 14 Oct 2019, 19:00–20:30 Professor Jerome Gauntlett, Chair in Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics Summary They are predictions of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity, our best theory of gravity, and they have recently been directly observed using gravitational waves. By incorporating quantum theory we know that black holes have entropy, a concept that was first introduced to understand the properties of heat. This remarkable fact is considered to be a key clue for elucidating the fundamental laws of physics, which may well involve string theory. This event is organised by Friends of Imperial. If you wish to attend, let Ms Joy know as soon as possible and she should be able to arrange free tickets for you.
5 (Dis)solving the world’s problems 02 Oct 2019, 17:30–18:30 The field of sustainable processing, which uses chemical and biological process to turn waste in wealth, can play a critical role in the circular economy, prolonging the lifespan of the products we produce - even contaminated or toxic materials. Construction wood, treated with metals like chromium and arsenic to preserve it from rotting away, might seem too complex for recycling and destined for landfill. However, chemical engineers like Jason Hallett, Professor of Sustainable Chemical Technology at Imperial College London, are challenging conventional wisdom on the limitations of green solvents such as ionic liquids by taking an economic approach to chemistry, tackling chemical problems where cost is most prohibitive. By focusing on key steps, such as making the critical biocatalytic reactions that turn wood into sugar cheaper, his team developed a whole new approach to biomass deconstruction. Free to attend, but you need to register on Eventbrite.
What can the NHS learn from healthcare in low income countries? 09 Oct 2019, 18:30–20:00 Did you know that a condom, a catheter and a piece of string can be used to create a life-saving medical device? The Bangladeshi obstetrician Dr. Sayeba Akther has deployed these three low-cost and widely available materials to create an intrauterine balloon tamponade, which can stanch bleeding following childbirth, providing a lifeline for many women in rural Bangladesh. Across parts of Uganda, doctors use small snippets of mosquito nets to treat hernias, with no difference in health outcomes compared to the more expensive surgical mesh used in the U.K. Should the NHS be considering these interventions as well? Referred to as frugal innovations, these low-cost interventions and solutions are often the ingenious ideas of local entrepreneurs who have been doing more with less for longer. Many of these frugal innovations have the potential to spill over from low-income settings into high-income settings, challenging the idea of western dominance in healthcare, and proving that we have much to learn from innovators in resource-scarce settings. However, there are several unique barriers to adoption in the NHS, which means that these innovations are often discounted at an early stage. Mark Skopec is part of a team of researchers in Imperial’s Department of Primary Care and Public Health identifying ingenious new approaches to healthcare from across the globe. In his Science Café talks at Imperial Lates: Science without borders, he will explore what we can learn from low- income countries when it comes to healthcare, and why we evaluate research from certain contexts differently. He will argue that to truly benefit from a two-way exchange of global knowledge, we must address our implicit biases against research and innovation from the developing world. Talks will start in the College Café at: 6:30pm - 7:10pm - 7:45pm
6 Private Law and Financial Justice 25 September 2019, 6:00pm–8:00pm This event brings together experts in the UK and EU to discuss the ongoing concerns relating to financial justice for individuals and whether these are sufficiently addressed in financial law and regulation. The Financial Conduct Authority consulted on a duty of care earlier in 2019 and has published a response that arrived at no conclusive policy steps forward. The concerns in financial justice range from the adequacy of protection in common law and regulation to access to justice. The panel below will offer their thoughts on these concerns in light of their recent work. Topics and Speakers: Swaps litigation in Europe - Prof Dr Danny Busch, Chair in Financial Law, University of Nijmegen Lessons from the English Swaps Mis-selling Litigation - Prof Gerard McMeel, University of Manchester Access to Justice in Financial Transaction Disputes- Tribunal? Financial Ombudsman? Thoughts on the Need for Reform - Richard Samuel, Barrister, 3 Hare Court Chaired by Professor Iris Chiu (UCL Laws)
Free to attend, but you need to register on Eventbrite.
Shoshana Zuboff: The Age of Surveillance Capitalism 23 September 2019, 6:30pm–8:00pm
Shoshana Zuboff has been called “the true prophet of the information age” by the Financial Times. She is the Charles Edward Wilson Professor Emerita at Harvard Business School and Faculty Associate at the Berkman Center for Internet and Society at Harvard Law School.
The Age of Surveillance Capitalism reveals a world in which the sovereign forces in today’s economy are advertisers, manipulators, shadowy assemblages of state and private actors whose goal is to predict our behaviour, and change it. Their tools are surveillance, provocation and addiction. In this talk, Zuboff traces the currents that led to our present quandary and asks how human autonomy and freedom can be saved before we sleepwalk over the brink. There will also be a panel discussion moderated by IIPP Director Mariana Mazzucato with Carole Cadwalladr (The Guardian) and Paul Hilder (Datapraxis), who were recently featured in ‘The Great Hack’. This will be followed by a drinks reception. Free to attend, but you need to register on Eventbrite.
7 Work experience opportunity - LAW
In October 2019, Travers Smith, a leading corporate law firm in London, will be holding a one-week work experience scheme for Year 12 students from lower income groups. On the Travers Smith PRIME Scheme, you will learn about the world of law and business. You will get the chance to use your presentation skills, learn how to negotiate and improve your interview technique and CV. But that’s not all, you will also have the chance to get involved in a whole range of activities to help you fulfil your potential. You will have the opportunity to learn more about the legal profession. However, a law firm needs much more than lawyers for it to function. A law firm also needs departments such as Accounts, IT, Human Resources and Business Development. On the PRIME Scheme, you will learn that there are lots of different career paths available both within and outside the legal sector. The PRIME Scheme is an excellent opportunity for you to get a taste of what it’s like to work in a professional office environment and put your skills to the test. If the PRIME Scheme sounds like something that you would enjoy, make sure you complete the application form below! All reasonable travel expenses will be covered. About Travers Smith Travers Smith is one of the leading corporate law firms based in the City of London. The firm has over 500 lawyers and approximately 700 staff in total. It works for a range of different clients, many of whom you will be familiar with – Metro Bank, Shazam, Pret a Manger and Virgin Active to name a few. Travers Smith is divided into a number of different departments. These are listed below. The largest of these, and the department for which the firm is best known, is the Corporate Department. The Corporate Department focuses on the buying and selling of companies. For more information about Travers Smith, please visit: http://www.traverssmith.com/ How to apply To be eligible for the Travers Smith PRIME Scheme you must: • Be in Year 12 • Meet at least one of the following criteria: • Being eligible for free school meals in the last six years (i.e. pupil premium) • Growing up in a household in which no parent or guardian attended university. • Experiencing other forms of disadvantage, such as spending time in local authority care The Travers Smith PRIME scheme runs from Monday 21st October – Friday 25th October 2019. Participants will be expected to attend for all five days. Phone interviews for the Travers Smith PRIME programme will take place on Monday 30th September, between 2pm and 5pm. Applicants will be expected to be available for a phone call on that day if they are selected for interview. To apply for a place on the Travers Smith PRIME Scheme, please click here Applications will close on Sunday 22nd September at 11.59pm. If you have any questions about the work experience placement, please contact Alex:alexander.olive@ rarerecruitment.co.uk.
8 Why are self-confident ignoramuses so often believed? Why are thoughtful experts so often given the cold shoulder? And why do apparently irrelevant details such as a person’s height, their relative wealth, or their Facebook photo influence whether or not we trust what they are saying? These are just some of the questions that behavioural experts Steve Martin and Joseph Marks tackle in their new book Messengers: Who We Listen To, Who We Don’t, and Why which they will discuss in this talk. Joseph Marks (@joemarks13) is Doctoral Researcher, University College London. Steve Martin (@scienceofyes) is the CEO of Influence At Work and author of Yes! 50 Secrets from the Science of Persuasion. Paul Dolan (@profpauldolan) is Professor of Behavioural Science and Head of the Psychological and Behavioural Science Department at LSE. This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre-registration required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
Animal advocacy has made significant progress in recent decades, with the welfare of animals now enshrined in national and international law. But what should we do when cultural or religious traditions appear to conflict with these notions of animal welfare? How does Western influence in non-Western societies affect the scale and type of animal exploitation? And in a world where racism is rife, can we practice animal advocacy while avoiding cultural imperialism? David Grummet is a Senior Lecturer in Theology and Ethics at the University of Edinburgh. Angie Pepper is a Lecturer in Philosophy at the University of Birmingham. Varun Uberoi is a Senior Lecturer in Political Theory and Public Policy at Brunel University. Danielle Sands (@DanielleCSands) is a Fellow at the Forum for Philosophy and a Lecturer in Comparative Literature and Thought at RHUL. This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre-registration required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
9 In this event about his new book Guy Standing leads us through a new appraisal of the commons, stemming from the medieval concept of common land reserved in ancient law from marauding barons, to his modern reappraisal of the resources we all hold in common. Accelerated by Margaret Thatcher and then even more so in the austerity era, our Commons have been depleted illegitimately. The commons belong to all commoners, and include the natural resources, inherited social amenities and services, our cultural inheritance, the institutions of civil common law and the knowledge commons. The rights of commoners were first established in the Magna Carta and the Charter of the Forest in 1217. This presentation will draw on a new book to show how all forms of commons have been taken in the neo-liberal era, through enclosure, commodification, privatisation and, most shockingly, colonisation. It will highlight how this has increased inequality. It will conclude by outlining the key components of a 44-Article Charter of the Commons that could be an integrated part of an ecologically progressive politics in Britain and elsewhere. This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre-registration required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
Four top thinkers from the world of international relations - John Ikenberry, Linda Yueh, Kori Schake and Michael Cox in the Chair - will here debate the idea of ‘Anglo- America’, what the relationship between the USA and UK has meant for the world in the twentieth century, and how a retreat by both from the world - and perhaps from each other - will impact on the international system. “There is general agreement amongst scholars of IR that the international system is passing through a major and potentially disturbing transition. There are at least two component parts of this: one leading to a real questioning of the liberal order more generally; and another which is asking very serious questions about the longer-term viability of the so-called - but still significant- ‘Special Relationship’ between the United Kingdom and the United States. The two processes are closely connected. Thus, Brexit and Trump taken together present a genuine threat to the props that have hitherto supported the global economic order. A weakening of these two props in turn poses a threat to the stability of the Transatlantic relationship. And a diminution in the ties binding the Atlantic area together are bound to weaken the leadership of the West.” – says Professor Michael Cox. This event is free and open to all with no ticket or pre-registration required. Entry is on a first come, first served basis.
10 What: Discover a truly immersive experience at Accenture Decoded, which puts you at the heart of a genuine investigation into a high-profile leak of one of our major clients. We’re looking for fresh- thinking and enthusiastic young minds to help us answer the all-important question: who is Ed1son? Hold your nerve and test your wits as you come together to develop skills that can be applied in the real world and are introduced to inspiring people from Accenture. You will work in teams of eight to crack codes, solve problems and search through clues to come to their conclusion. As well as learning about consulting and technology in a way that’s never been seen before, you will find out about a variety of different career opportunities, in particular Accenture’s apprenticeship scheme and Horizons gap-year programme, as well as being dealt some career inspiration from current apprentices and interns.
When: 19th November, 9am-5pm Where: East Tobacco Dock, Tobacco Quay, Wapping Lane E1W 2SF Who: 15 pupils in year 13. At least 50% of pupils attending must be girls. Anything else? Breakfast and lunch will be provided. Travel expenses can be reimbursed on request. Students don’t have to be accompanied by a teacher, but a phone number for each pupil is required if they’re travelling alone.
IMPERIAL STEM Potential programme STEM Potential supports up to 90 students in their KS4 and KS5 studies via lectures, and subject- specific workshops. What does STEM Potential involve? STEM Potential students attend around five events each academic year at our South Kensington Campus, including: • masterclasses in science, engineering and maths subjects • lectures • university experience taster days At Year 12 and Year 13 students take part in subject specific workshops relevant for the STEM subjects they are undertaking at A-level. They are paired with a current Imperial undergraduate e-mentor to provide them with online support and information. STEM Potential students also receive support with their university applications through general application information and workshops on personal statements and university interviews. 2019 / 2020 Year 12 students will attend five sessions between December and May. These sessions will happen on Saturdays, February half-term and Easter break. All students will also attend an evening launch event in December (after school) and can bring a family member with them. How do I apply? Applications for the 2019–20 academic year will open by 13 September 2019. Contacts For more information about STEM Potential please email the STEM Potential team. [email protected]
11 NOV Computer Science in Action
Computer Science in Action is the ultimate enrichment day for Key Stage 5 computer science 27 students. In five lively sessions experts from academia and industry will explore relevant 2019 topics that complement the curriculum. These sessions will motivate students to excel and give them ideas about future careers. An additional talk on examination success will equip students with the tools to succeed, and each student will receive a revision guide to take home.
• Smart cities • Algorithms + Data Structures == Animation • Robots that Work Together • Distributed Methods for Big Data • Computer Science and AI: Where next?
Emmanuel Centre, London 9 – 23 Marsham Street £23 + VAT * London, SW1P 3DW Plus one COMPLIMENTARY staff ticket per 10 students. *VAT may be reclaimable please check with your finance department
ttp is the leading provider of inspirational, informative, Education in Action study days for A-level, IB, BTEC and GCSE students.
Award-winning, world-class speakers Cutting-edge content Thought-provoking demos and presentations Examination hints, tips and guidance Modestly priced to offer access to all Complimentary staff ticket for every 10 students booked Bookings can be amended up to 28 days before the event day
12 NOV 27 2019
Smart cities / Matthew Leeke
Matt will explore how state-of-the-art Matt is the director of undergraduate machine learning algorithms and the smart studies at the University of Warwick. His devices we use daily can solve some huge research addresses a variety of issues societal problems. relating to the design of dependable systems.
Algorithms + Data Structures == Animation / Jon Macey
Jon will explore the algorithms and data Jon Macey is a senior lecturer in structures that make animation possible, Computer Animation at the prestigious introducing students to the programming National Centre for computer animation and maths behind animation. at Bournemouth University where he teaches programming.
Robots that Work Together / Amanda Prorok
What happens when robots work together to Amanda Prorok is an Assistant Professor achieve complex tasks, and how do we at Cambridge University, and a Fellow of program our robots to work together Pembroke College. Her research lab efficiently? Amanda will explore new designs algorithms for coordinating algorithms for coordination that solve some systems composed of multiple of the most pressing problems in transport autonomous robots. and logistics.
Distributed Methods for Big Data / Rebecca Tickle
Huge volumes of data are generated and Rebecca Tickle is a PhD student in the collected every day, creating new challenges School of Computer Science at the for data analytics. In this talk, we will look at University of Nottingham. Her research the distributed data structures and algorithms area is the application of computational that make it possible to extract valuable intelligence to improve data mining. information from big data.
Computer Science and AI: Where next? / Dave Cliff
The rate of progress in computer technology Dave is a Fellow of the British Computer over the last 50 years has been phenomenal, Society and a Fellow of the Royal Society but we are close to hitting unavoidable limits. of Arts. In 2013 he co-wrote and This forces us to think of new approaches presented a one-hour documentary TV and to draw inspiration from biology. programme called
The Training Partnership Gilmoora House | 57-61 Mortimer Street | London W1W 8HS 020 3008 6441 | [email protected] www.thetrainingpartnership.org.uk
13 Ladder to Law
We believe everyone should have access to a career in Law, so our bespoke work experience programmes are designed to do just that.
Deadline Sunday 6th October
Our Programmes
Ladder to Law Students in Year 12 can apply for the Ladder to Law Development Programme which provides support to students throughout their A Level studies. In addition to a work experience placement at Hogan Lovells, successful applicants will be assigned a lawyer mentor, visit Russell Group universities, and take part in development activities, such as public speaking sessions. They will also receive advice and support on their university choices and UCAS applications in Year 13. Ladder to Law includes a year round schedule of events with applications open from September each year.
Who can apply? Who do I need to contact?
The Year 12 and 13 Ladder to Law programme is open to students Applications for the Ladder to Law development programme can who are attending states schools in the UK and are from lower be submitted at: laddertolaw.app.contextualrecruitment.com income backgrounds (e.g. eligible for free school meals between Please note that you have to meet the following criteria to apply: age 11 and 16, or grew up in a household where no parent/ guardian went to university.) • In Year 12 at a UK state school • Eligible for free school meals between the ages of 11 and 16 (i.e. pupil premium) How many spaces are there? OR • Grew up in a household where no parent/guardian had attended The Ladder to Law development programme is open to Year 12 and university 13. Each partner school with a sixth form has up to one place on For any questions please email Alexander Olive the programme reserved for its students, with a maximum of 24 ([email protected]) places on the programme. The other places on the programme are open to students from lower income backgrounds who attend a state school in the UK.
www.rarerecruitment.co.uk
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