A Levels at Bury College A unlock your academic potential Academic Excellence Bury College is renowned for A Level “Studying at Bury College has been success and has a proven track record great for my confidence. I received of achievement. Each year hundreds a lot of support from my tutors of A Level students progress to who have helped me to achieve good grades university or employment in pursuit and I will look back of their dream careers. fondly on these two years.” As an A Level student at Bury College, you are part of the Bury College Sixth Form, which Chloe Abeki, a former offers you exceptional support, guidance and pupil of Parrenthorn High School, celebrated outstanding encouragement and allows you to make a A Level results. Chloe achieved three successful transition from school to college. A* grades in Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics and has progressed to Durham University to study Chemistry. Changes to A Levels The government has introduced changes to A Levels and new versions of all programmes are being introduced in phases between September 2015 and September 2017. The new A Levels are known as reformed A Levels and by September 2017 all A Levels will be in the new version. These changes will have implications for those students who wish to re-sit their exams and for their final grades. Many Bury College students go on to study at leading Russell Group universities, with learners progressing to The University Progression of Manchester, The University of Sheffield, Newcastle University, The University of Nottingham, University of to prestigious Birmingham, University of York, University of Liverpool, University of Leeds, University College London, The University universities of Edinburgh, University of Bristol and University of Exeter. The range of subjects studied at university is wide, with Medicine, Law and Maths proving particularly popular. Whatever your interest, you will receive strong support from our tutors and throughout the application process. Recent examples of university success include students who went on to: • Loughborough University to study Physics with Sports Science • University of Warwick to study History • The University of Manchester to study Chemical Engineering • Durham University to study Chemistry Oxbridge successes Examples of recent successes include: Aimee Molineux who gained Bury College is proud to have an impressive a place at the University of track record of Oxbridge successes. Oxford to study Japanese and Oriental Studies. The former Haslingden High School pupil achieved A grades in A Level German, English and Psychology. Aimee said: “I am very happy with my results and to achieve my dream of studying at the University of Oxford. Everybody at Bury College made my time studying enjoyable and helped me to reach my goal.” Dipesh Morar secured a place at the prestigious Christ’s College, Cambridge after gaining A* grades in A Level Biology and Chemistry and an A grade in A Level History. The former Little Lever School Accredited to Bury College University Centre pupil is now studying Medicine. mance levels so they can apply for the best universities “As a student on the Mentoring for Supporting your studies and follow the most prestigious and rewarding careers. Excellence programme I have enjoyed attending many trips to different universities. I As an A Level student you will benefit from Academic recently visited Durham Mentoring Support. This is an opportunity for you to University for a six day seek advice and guidance from your tutor during residential where I was supportive one-to-one meetings six times per year. given a direct insight This support will allow you to review how your work into university life and is progressing and receive hints and tips on areas experienced seminars to improve. This is a personal approach to help support and group discussions. The trip was a your success. great way of making new friends and In addition, Bury College offers the Mentoring for to familiarise myself with a university Excellence programme, a successful scheme which environment. My confidence has grown supports our highest achievers to reach their full as a result of this trip and I feel really potential. Each year a select group of our students take excited by the prospect of progressing part in the programme which targets students who onto Durham University.” have achieved a minimum of 6 GCSE grade As. Every Bethany Williams, a former pupil of student on the programme is offered support and spe- Oulder Hill Community School, studying cialist guidance with personal tutorials from one of the A Levels in Ancient History, English college’s senior managers. The programme of activities Literature and Sociology. is designed to raise students’ confidence and perfor- Medicine: Pathways to success • Presentations from former Bury College students who have gone on to study medicine and are qualified doctors Opportunities to bring subjects to life help • Visits to medical institutions such as Christie Hospital support the success of many Bury College • Visits and talks from practising accident and students. If you are considering a career in emergency professionals a specific field such as medicine, law, social Law: sciences, teaching, or have a clear career aim, • Talks from practising professionals who work for our academic tutors and manager mentors can some of the largest business services organisations help to organise appropriate work experience, in the world or work place shadowing to help prepare you for • Placements with barristers’ chambers for suitable that type of work. candidates In addition, we can put on a programme of • Visits to the courts to see professionals in action visits, speakers and activities related to specific Teaching: careers that can help inform students about their chosen career. • An opportunity to complete a work experience placement in a school which will help with the These programmes require up to ten hours of UCAS application process commitment from students, and are opportunities to bring together groups of • Gain a variety of skills which will enable you students with the same career aims to meet, to prepare lesson plans and evaluate your own discuss and learn from experts and each other. teaching performance Examples of some of these activities include: • Chance to gain an understanding of the resources available for use in the classroom “I have really enjoyed studying at Bury College. I have received fantastic support from my tutors who have taught me that anything is within my reach.” Alex Nunns, who is a former Oulder Hill Community School pupil and is studying A Level Geography, Environmental Studies and Biology, has secured an offer at the University of Oxford to study Geography. “I really enjoyed my trip to Blencathra as part of my A Level Geography studies. It was a great opportunity to bring my subject to life and the trip has given me a better understanding of my course content. In my opinion, Bury College is the best option for a student if they wish to progress to university.” Natan Chromik, a former pupil of Castlebrook Academic trips and visits High School, studying A Levels in Geography, Psychology and Sociology. In order to broaden your skills many of our A Level • National and international field trips to New York, courses offer you the opportunity to attend a wide Rome, Sicily, London, the Lake District and Paris. range of academic trips and visits. • Visits to locations of interest including These could include: Manchester Art Gallery and Albert Dock. • University visits including Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester and Durham. Working with top universities Pathways to progression Each year outstanding A Level students are selected to attend prestigious overnight events at universities. You can benefit from attending summer schools at universities The annual events are designed to encourage with support from Bury College, which can provide you with and inspire high-achieving young people to a unique opportunity to explore your interests in different succeed academically in their chosen career paths courses. Please note, places are limited. and to consider their options for the future. The University of Cambridge summer school An all-expenses paid overnight stay at the university where you are given an insight into university life, which includes a tour of the city and presentations from lecturers. Manchester Access Programme A scheme which supports your entry to The University of Manchester. Those who complete the summer school also benefit from 40 UCAS points towards their University of Manchester offer as well as an annual scholarship upon registration on a University of Manchester course. Van Mildert College, Durham University The Van Mildert College, Durham University, invites Bury College students to attend a very personal visit which includes lectures, question and answer opportunities and tours of the campus and city. Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge. Photo courtesy of Clare Cotterill, recent Murray Edwards College graduate and amateur photographer. Bury College aims to provide you with the best Computing enthusiast Dean Barlow has gained hands-on start to your career and has a dedicated Work work experience at Centu, a Bury based development Gaining skills for Experience Placement Co-ordinator to help you and consultancy agency and is now looking forward to your career gain experience which can be vital for your CV progressing in a career within the industry. and UCAS application. During the placement Dean shadowed members of the A Level English Language, English Literature and team and further developed his knowledge of how to Psychology student Emma Hughes completed programme a computer and undertook bespoke HTML a work experience placement at Heaton Park training. The former The Elton High School, who is studying Primary and Nursery School where she worked A Levels in Physics, Maths and Computing said: with year 1 and 2 students. Whilst on her placement Emma supported pupils with their spelling and “I really enjoyed the placement, it was interesting to gain basic counting skills as well as helped the classroom an insight into the computing industry and see first- teacher.