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Alumni

Harriet Cosgrove

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
Technology Analyst Degree Apprentice at Barclays

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
Business, Biology and Chemistry

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIPDID YOU ATTEND:
Level 3 Project Administrator Apprenticeship with AstraZeneca/Macclesfield College.
Level 6 Digital & Technology Solutions Degree Apprenticeship with Barclays/MMU – specialising in Cyber Security.

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
Level 3 Project Administrator – Distinction
Working towards Digital & Technology Solutions Degree (Cyber Security)

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
I was helped a lot by the supportive staff throughout deciding my career options
post A-Levels as I struggled to decide what was the best option for me. I also
received a lot of support in preparation for my interview with AstraZeneca.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Do past papers/learn mark schemes to learn exam questions and techniques.
Keep going back over topics that you haven’t done in a while to keep fresh
in your mind.

Viane Urgelles

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
Third year Nutrition Sciences student

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
Biology, Chemistry and English Language

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
University of Chester

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
BSc (Hons) Nutrition Sciences

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
All of my teachers and form tutors were so supportive and were always happy
to offer their extra time. My teachers helped me whether it was understanding
subject content better, marking extra pieces of work/essays, understanding the
options available after sixth form and helping me perfect my personal statement.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Past paper exam questions are the best when it comes to understanding what
the examiner expects from you
Never be afraid of asking for extra help from your teachers if you’re unsure
because they are always willing to help and they want to see you succeed
Find and understand your learning style so that when you revise it will be easy

Victoria Fletcher

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
Intercalating (complete a degree in a year) in Psychology at Kings College London Medicine student (3/5 years done)

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
Biology , Chemistry , Mathematics

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
University of Leeds (Medicine 3/5 years done)
Kings College London (Psychology intercalating degree)

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
Medicine & Surgery degree

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
Sixth form filled me with confidence to peruse my highest goals!
It also provided an opportunity for being Head Girl in a place where I knew how
the school worked & the teachers within it, which ended up being an experience
that I loved, and looked great on my personal statement.
It was so comforting having teachers that genuinely cared when you got
offers to university and got your results.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Use the time you spend physically in school to your advantage – especially in ‘free
periods’ or after school. I found revising at Sixth Form and relaxing at home the
best split for productivity.

Jason Kilshaw

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
Currently still a student, Qualified Teacher Status (QTS)

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
English Language, Product Design, Geography

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
University of Chester, Primary Education

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
Working towards a BA in History and Archaeology

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
The allocated enrichment time at St Nicholas Sixth Form allowed me to achieve my position, as it allowed me to gain valuable school experience which has helped me with my University applications, and has helped me to decide on a teaching career. The teachers at St Nicholas were outstanding and gave me an example of something to aspire to be.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Work hard, but also treasure and enjoy your time in Sixth Form

Ronan Eves

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
5th year Medical Student

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
Biology, Chemistry, Sports Science

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
University of Edinburgh

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
MBChB Medicine (ongoing)
BSc in Sports Science Medicine (achieved)

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
All my teachers were very supportive of my goal to study medicine and really
encouraged me to push myself as much as possible.
Also, the small class sizes and familiarity of having been taught by many of the
teachers previously in high school, meant that they were very willing to answer
questions after class and offer extra help.
Furthermore, multiple teachers read my personal statement and provided
very helpful feedback.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Work consistently throughout the year, so you don’t need to cram at the end.
Learn the mark schemes and do lots of past papers.
Ask your teachers questions to further your understanding.
But make sure not to neglect your mental health/hobbies – continue to socialise
and engage in extra-curricular activities e.g sport.

Sophie Clare

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
I am currently working as a Singer/Performer at Disneyland Paris

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
Geography, Theatre Studies and English Literature

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
I attended The Institute of Arts Barcelona (Affiliated with LJMU)

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
I have a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
During my time at St Nics, I partook in Theatre Studies where I learned the
basic theatre training in regards to acting technique and practitioners. This gave
me a great foundation to move on into my theatre training, with lots of special
memories with my teachers. However, due to the fact of how competitive the
Musical Theatre industry is, I felt I had to work twice as hard as my peers when
accepted into a prestigious drama school, for the reason of my lack of training
prior. I look back at my time so fondly, and remember the great social
environment that helped me make friends that I still speak to every day. I am
also very grateful for the education I received here, especially due to the school
musicals that gave me so much insight into professional stage life.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Keep your creativity! Don’t force yourself into being a good grade on a piece of paper. Squeeze all of the information out of teachers before you leave. Ask them all of the questions. Make sure you’re prioritising your mental health when it comes to exam season.

Elizabeth Summers

 

WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT JOB/POSITION:
Student at the University of Exeter, and an Intern with the Royal Albert Memorial Museum

WHAT A LEVELS DID YOU TAKE:
History, Art, Philosophy and Ethics

WHICH UNIVERSITY/APPRENTICESHIP DID YOU ATTEND:
University of Exeter

QUALIFICATIONS GAINED OR WORKING TOWARDS AFTER A LEVELS:
Working towards a BA in History and Archaeology

HOW DID ST NICHOLAS CATHOLIC SIXTH FORM HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR AMBITION:
St. Nicholas always provided me with a certain level of care and support, both in
my studies and on a personal level, that I have found becomes rarer the higher up
in education you go. The level of attention and genuine want to help their
students the teachers have at St. Nicholas, both in the sixth form and the lower
school, is currently yet to be beaten in my case! I think this is what makes St.
Nicholas so special; the warmth of the people and the school is something I will
always remember – I always felt completely supported in my studies and choices,
and the encouragement I received massively built up my confidence and belief in
myself and my abilities, especially during my time in Sixth form.

TOP TIPS FOR SUCCESS AT A LEVEL:
Don’t worry about how everyone else is learning and revising, or how everyone
else is telling you you should be learning and revising. Whatever works for YOU is
the right way, however complex or simple those methods may be. I was always a
very simple reviser, and it never did me any harm!
Also, even if you are not a fan of using a revision timetable (which I never was!),
it helps to at least write out what you wish to achieve or cover per day/revision
session. However be careful not to set unrealistic targets, as failing to meet them
could cause a lack of motivation. Start small, and if you wish to do more than
planned then that is a great achievement, if not you have still completed
your target for the day.

We would love to hear from other alumni. If you would like to share your journey with us, please email head of Sixth Form, t.bradley@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk