On Wednesday 5th March 2025, we will take all Year 12 students to the UCAS Higher Education Exhibition at the Manchester Central Convention Complex. The purpose of the visit is for students to be able to carry out further research on the options available to them in Higher Education. Most of the country’s universities are represented at the event and it is a unique opportunity for students to speak directly to Admissions Officers and student representatives about the different courses on offer and to collect useful documentation. Opportunities for apprenticeships are also covered. All students are expected to attend.

Year 12 students will begin their UCAS applications this June and therefore need to have a good idea of their five chosen courses and universities or apprenticeship schemes, by this time. Their Personal Statement will also have been completed by then, at least in draft form.

We will then be having lunch and going on to have a tour of the Manchester Museum where some students will have the opportunity, if they wish, to take part in a specialist workshop ‘Collection Bites. African Traditional Musical Instruments and Dances’ – both excellent super-curricular activities to speak about in their UCAS Personal Statements and potentially, a further research opportunity for the Independent Learning Projects they are currently working on.

We will travel to and from Manchester by school minibus. We will leave school at 9.30am and return in time for the school buses at the end of the day. Students are able to order a packed lunch from school, or they may purchase something while on location. We will leave Manchester around 2.30pm so students may, with prior written permission, remain in Manchester and make their own way home.