Teachers and Careers Advisers Conference

13th Annual Teachers and Careers Advisers Conference

“Preparing your students for success”

Friday 1st May 2020, 09:00am – 3:15pm

8.30am Registration & Refreshments

9.15am Conference Welcome - Simon Jenkins, Head of Student Recruitment, Edge Hill University

9.30am Plenary: HE Sector Overview - Dr John Cater CBE, Vice Chancellor, Edge Hill University

10.30am Refreshments

10.45am Workshop Sessions 1 - Delegates choose from:

a) Developments and the future of Degree Apprenticeships

This workshop will focus on how these pathways have developed since 2015, how we can support young people to access these opportunities and what the future may hold for Degree Apprenticeships.

Sean Threlfall, Operations Manager (Governance) Greater Manchester Aim Higher

b) Supporting Applications into Medicine

Medicine is one of the most competitive undergraduate courses in the UK. This workshop will explain the application process from clinical aptitude tests and UCAS to multiple mini interviews and associated timelines. We will provide the resources to help you support your students through this process. We will also present information about our Widening Access to Medicine (WAM) programme, Foundation Year for Medicine and the MBChB degree course at Edge Hill University Medical School.

Dr Jayne Garner, Senior Lecturer for Medicine, Programme Lead for Widening Access to Medicine, Edge Hill University

c) UCAS update: Applications, sector changes and adviser resources

This session will provide a brief overview of key trends and changes in the current progression to HE picture and will discuss the essential elements required for successful UCAS applications. You will also be updated on fundamental messages about UCAS future developments and provided with new resources which can be used to support advisers and your students alike.

Alan Jones, Professional Development Executive, UCAS

d) Student Finance for 2020 Entry

This session will provide an overview of the funding available for students entering Higher Education in 2020/21 including details of fee and living cost support, the extra funding for students with additional needs and also new funding for NHS courses starting in 2020. Updates will also be given that can be shared with your students including best practice application advice, the role for parents, payment of funds and repayment processes.

Kevin McMullan, Funding Information Team - Student Loans Company

12.00pm Buffet Lunch - Sages Restaurant

We will also be running optional tours of our new Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre at 12noon and 12.30 (departing from Business School foyer). Tours will last 30 minutes.

1.00pm Keynote: Insight into The Graduate Labour Market

Charlie Ball, Deputy Director of Research at The Higher Education Careers Services Unit (HECSU), will be providing an insight into the Graduate Labour Market. Looking at the trends which are taking place at a local and national level, Charlie will identify key growth areas in the graduate labour market, the employment opportunities which exist for students, the roles which employers are struggling to recruit for and what skills graduate employers are looking for.

Dr Charlie Ball, Head of Higher Education Intelligence, Prospects

2.00pm Workshop Sessions 2 - Delegates choose from:

e) Supporting your students through their UCAS application

This session will provide advice on how to support your students through the UCAS application process from start to finish. The Education Liaison Team will deliver an insight into what makes an application stand out with some useful handy hints. You will discuss and compare with colleagues how your school or college approaches the UCAS process as a whole. At the end of the session you will have practical tips to share with your students about the structure and content of their Personal Statement and overall application.There will also be the opportunity to put your questions to our panel of admissions tutors.

Education Liaison team, Edge Hill University

(f) The Benefits of Placements and Work-based Learning

This session will give an overview of the sorts of placement and work-based learning opportunities your students can expect from university and more importantly will explore the vast benefits of these programmes. If you’ve had a student asking how to get the most out of their university experience, then this talk will give you a keen insight into two of the many ways that university can offer more than just a degree. This session will also look at the work placements ‘gap’ and provide the chance to speak to employers and current students to find out their perspective.

Work Related Learning Team, Edge Hill University

(g) Supporting students’ mental health and wellbeing

This practical, thought-provoking workshop introduces delegates to best practice approaches and builds awareness, confidence, and capacity to support children and young people to develop wellbeing at school. Participants explore the strategic role they play in the promotion of positive mental health and wellbeing for the early prevention of mental health problems and the enhancement of learning.

(h) Student Panel Q&A (Current Students)

Based on your feedback, we’re providing you with an opportunity to ask questions to the people who really matter: our students. Quiz them on courses, question them on destinations, query them on tips for applications. This is your opportunity to get your questions answered from our panel of students from a wide variety of courses and with an even wider variety of destinations.

i) UCAS update: Applications, sector changes and adviser resources

This session will provide a brief overview of key trends and changes in the current progression to HE picture and will discuss the essential elements required for successful UCAS applications. You will also be updated on fundamental messages about UCAS future developments and provided with new resources which can be used to support advisers and your students alike.

Alan Jones, Professional Development Executive, UCAS

3.15pm Tea & Coffee and Depart

A chance to meet Edge Hill University staff, current undergraduate students and Student Loans Company representative, Kevin McMullan.