Post-18 pathways support

Post-18 pathways support, including preparation for University admission, a further education course, or an application for a degree apprenticeship or employment, is an important feature of Solihull School Sixth Form, and we offer a dedicated team focused on facilitating applications to UK and international universities, as well as other pathways chosen by our students. 

All students in Lower Sixth receive a Post-18 Pathways Meeting during the Summer Term, which is designed to support decision making around their post-18 options.  Students are supported to identify their most appropriate post-18 pathway, via discussions with our Director of Futures.  Support includes helping students with awareness of academic and vocational courses available to, and suitable for, the student, in conjunction with projected academic attainment and career aspirations.

University admissions

As our most popular post-school pathway, university admissions support is co-ordinated by our Director of Futures, Mrs R S Chillcott.  Solihull students are well supported when researching and making applications for UK and/or international universities.  Sixth Form students use Unifrog to inform and support their university applications, and enjoy weekly Unifrog sessions from the January of the Lower Sixth year, building on the foundations set in Middle and Lower Schools.  Students also enjoy protected curriculum time to begin their UCAS applications, with a comprehensive programme of UCAS support in place.  UVI students can access UCAS drop-in sessions weekly during the Autumn Term of Upper Sixth, and our UCAS team is on hand at other times to support students in selecting and applying for the right undergraduate degree courses for them.  University visits are encouraged, with students able to request leave of absence to attend Open Days during school hours.

Oxbridge and MedVet programmes

Specialist support is offered to those students applying to the universities of Oxford or Cambridge, as well as those applying to read Medicine, Dentistry, or Veterinary Science. This support is headed up by Dr S Foster, our Oxbridge and Medics Co-ordinator.  Students enrol on the Oxbridge and/or MedVet programmes in the Lower Sixth and receive specialist support, including access to top-level academics, invitations to lectures, and mock interviews.  Support continues throughout the Sixth Form, with a programme of curricular and co-curricular sessions available.

International study

We encourage our students to look to Europe, the USA and beyond when considering their next steps.  Increasing numbers of our students are looking at overseas universities; they may want to stand out from the crowd, immerse themselves in a new culture, pursue sport or music at a high level, or simply have an adventure.  For any students considering applying to university outside the UK, bespoke one-to-one support is available from Mrs A Fallis, International Universities Co-ordinator

Degree apprenticeships and vocational pathways

Increasingly popular for those students keen to gain valuable work experience alongside their studies, a degree apprenticeship enables young people to gain a full undergraduate or master’s degree while they work.

Degree apprenticeships take three to six years to complete, depending on the course level, with the majority of time spent working with part-time study at university. Highly competitive to secure a place on, Solihull School is developing bespoke support to help pupils succeed in these highly coveted pathways.

There is also a wealth of other vocational pathways open to pupils, which Mrs Chillcott, our Director of Futures, can explore with students who have particular areas of interest - helping them to identify and apply for study or employment that is right for them. 

Alumni support

University admissions support is not only available to current students, but also to former students, known as Old Silhillians.  Members of our alumni community who decide to apply to university post-A Level results, or who decide to change course during their early years of study, are welcome to contact Mrs Chillcott, who will guide them through their applications: Futures@SolSch.org.uk.