Post 18 options – St Joseph's College

Best Next Steps Week

In early June, we host a ‘Best Next Steps’ fair evening for both students and their parents / carers. Typically more than 35 universities, colleges and apprenticeship providers attend the event alongside a range of guest speakers in a variety of specialisms including UCAS applications, Student Finance, Oxbridge applications, Degree Level Apprenticeship information and Medicine. It is a fantastic opportunity for our students and their families to understand more about options, courses and the processes involved.

Following this, students will attend ‘Best Next Steps Week’ which usually takes place during the last week of the academic year for Sixth Form students. Alongside mock interview practice and feedback, this involves at least 3 days of intensive support for students exploring opportunities beyond A-Levels, and will allow the Year 13 team to start gathering information about student intentions.

Best Next Steps Week guides students by offering a wealth of information about their post 18 options including the UCAS application process, personal statement preparation, key deadlines, and information on student finance. It also supports students interested in applying for higher degree apprenticeships, students who are looking to go straight into employment, or interested in taking a gap year.

Employment and Gap Year Handbook

Sixth Form Apprenticeships Booklet for Students and Parents

Sixth Form University Handbook For Students and Parents

UCAS Predicted Grades

UCAS predicted grades will be determined by the professional judgements of teachers and are primarily data driven alongside consideration of academic behaviours
They should be aspirational but achievable

UCAS predicted grades will be based on –

Performance in the summer term examinations as a key determining factor as these will be the most complete assessment of material

Professional judgement and experience of teachers in those subjects
The following factors may also be taken into consideration:
Assessment data from exams / tests and assessments carried out throughout the year
Classroom performance and engagement with / approach to the subject
Any extenuating factors which may have led to under-performance in the June exam

UCAS predicted grades will not be influenced by or based on –

Specific university or college entry requirements
A student’s promise to work harder in order to achieve a higher grade

More information on UCAS Predicted Grades will be communicated to Year 12 students and their parents / guardians in the summer term

Personal Statements

Students will have the opportunity to speak to advisors on writing a competitive personal statement during Best Next Steps week. We urge students to start planning their personal statements immediately over the summer by reflecting on their personal skills, experiences, and ambitions, and what they could organise in the near future to help make their application more competitive, such as work experience or volunteering. It would be wonderful if parents can help students with their personal statements by offering to proof-read their (many) drafts too! We encourage all university applicants to have drafts of their personal statements ready for their form tutors in September.

It is worth noting that the personal statement format is now structured by the three questions listed below which should guide students through providing the information relevant to universities and colleges. Each question has a minimum count of 350 characters with an overall limit of 4000 characters (including spaces) for all three of the answers provided.

Why do you want to study this course or subject?
How have your qualifications or studies helped to prepare for this course or subject?
What else have you done to prepare outside of education, and why are these experiences useful?

The UCAS website has excellent guidance which can be found on the following link

The new personal statement for 2026 entry | UCAS

Early Applicants

It is important to be aware that different courses have varying applications and deadlines. For example, most Medicine / Dentistry / Veterinary / Conservatoire courses, and courses at the universities of Oxford and Cambridge have an earlier deadline date. In order to support students who have expressed interest in any of these courses, students will receive key information on areas including understanding GCSE entry requirements, A-Level grade expectations, entrance tests, key deadlines, UCAT and the importance of work experience/volunteering opportunities. We would advise early applicants to be starting their personal statements as soon as possible in order to meet the earlier deadline.

Success Stories

William Tittensor

William Tittensor from Newcastle Under Lyme joined our sixth form after completing his GCSEs at Clayton Hall. After working exceptionally hard for 2 years, William has gained three A* grades in Sociology, Politics and History. William will now embark on a career in the police force.

Ndlela Sibanda

Ndlela Sibanda from Stoke on Trent came into our sixth form after going through school from Year 7. Ndlela has been an outstanding member of the school community, especially his contribution to the music department. His personal determination and academic rigour have enabled him to achieve 2 A grades in Chemistry and Maths, and a Distinction* in Performing Arts. Ndlela is going to Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts to study music.

Wajeeha Manal

Wajeeha Manal from Stoke on Trent came into our sixth form after going through school from Year 7. After working exceptionally hard for 2 years and having her sights set on the University of Cambridge, her dream of reading Law at Cambridge is now a reality. Wajeeha gained 3 A* grades in English Literature, History and Maths, and an A grade in Physics.

Biben Benny

Biben Benny from Stoke on Trent came into our sixth form after going through school from Year 7. Biben’s aspiration to study Medicine at Newcastle University is now a reality after 2 years of outstanding commitment to his studies. Biben gained an A* grade in Biology, and 2 A grades in Chemistry and Maths.

Luke Johnson

Luke Johnson from Newcastle Under Lyme joined our sixth form after completing his GCSEs at Clayton Hall. After working exceptionally hard for 2 years, Luke has gained outstanding set of results: A*A*A* in Economics, History and Maths. Luke is going to the University of Bristol to study Economics.

Georgina Hull

Georgina Hull from Staffordshire has been an outstanding member of school community since she joined in Year 7. She chose English Literature, Fine Art and History for her Sixth Form studies. She has been an exceptional asset to our school as Head Girl and she has gained an incredible set of A Level results: A*A*A. She has accepted a place at the University of St Andrews to study Art History.

Hamdh Wahab

Hamdh Wahab from Stoke on Trent joined our sixth form after completing his GCSEs at Ormiston Meridian. After working exceptionally hard for 2 years, Hamdh gained an incredible set of A level results: A*A*A* in Maths, Further Maths and Physics. Hamdh is going to the University of Manchester to study Mechanical Engineering.

Jessica Dawson

Jessica Dawson from Newcastle Under Lyme joined our sixth form after completing her GCSEs at Clayton Hall. After working exceptionally hard for 2 years, Jessica gained an outstanding set of A level results: A*A*A*A* in Maths, Further Maths, Physics and Chemistry. Jessica is going to Lancaster University to study Physics with Particle Physics and Cosmology.

Another set of fantastic results!

94%

Of our students achieved English and mathematics GCSEs at grades 4 or greater (secure pass).

80%

Of our students achieved English and mathematics GCSEs at grades 5 or greater (good pass).

37%

Of all grades achieved at GCSE were grade 7 or higher.

41%

Of our students achieved grade 7 or higher in 5 or more GCSE subjects.

93%

Of our students were entered for the EBACC

OUTSTANDING

St. Joseph’s College is graded ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted.

Achievements

Best Next Steps Week

Sixth Form