Program Overview

---

Introduction to the Be Ready Programme

The Be Ready Programme is designed to support students in their educational journey, from Key Stage 3 to Key Stage 5, and beyond. The programme offers a range of sessions, talks, and workshops tailored to meet the unique needs of each school or college.

Making the Be Ready Programme Work for You

We are committed to adapting our sessions to meet the specific requirements of your school or college. Our team is dedicated to working collaboratively with you to provide an impactful and beneficial experience for all involved.

Flexibility

We understand the challenges faced by staff when arranging external presentations and recognize that each school and college has unique needs, contexts, and schedules. We are committed to being as flexible as possible in accommodating your requirements.

Session Duration and Quality

While we aim to be flexible, we kindly request that you consider both the minimum and maximum recommended session durations. These guidelines are set to ensure that the learning experience remains valuable and focused.

Key Stage 3 (Explore)

Be Ready Explore offers Key Stage 3 students fun, interactive experiences that explore each core theme. Sessions are designed to spark curiosity, introduce new concepts, and hone essential skills.

KS3 Sessions

• So who am I?
  • Core Theme: Professional Development
  • Objectives covered: Reflecting
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk or Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 25 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• How do I reach my goals
  • Core Theme: Professional Development
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• What can I do with my future?
  • Core Theme: Professional Development
  • Objectives covered: Aspiring
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk or workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Meet the students
  • Core Theme: Professional Development
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• Discover university
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30-45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• What does it mean to be a student?
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging
  • Talk/Workshop: Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 45 mins - 1 hr
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• Getting organised
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Organising
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30-45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Communicating as part of a team
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 45 mins - 1 hr
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Discovering communication skills
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 45 mins - 1 hr
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7

KS3 Objectives & Outcomes

Professional Development

• Reflecting: Students will have identified some of their strengths, interests, and qualities. They will begin to recognise how these attributes align with various educational and career contexts, and have a deeper understanding of where their strengths and interests can be applied.
• Understanding: Students will have an improved knowledge of the Key Stage 4 and post-16 qualifications available to them and will recognise how certain interests, skills and qualities may fit with different qualification routes.
• Aspiring: Students will have a broader knowledge of different jobs and career paths, the qualifications they require and the skills and qualities that can be useful in pursuing them.

University Focus

• Belonging: Students will have a better understanding of what it means to be a university student and how this can differ depending on course and context, they will be able to recognise similarities and differences between themselves as students and university students.
• Understanding: Students will have a better understanding of what a university is, how it differs to their current studies, and discover different aspects of university life and living.

Skills Focus

• Communicating: Students will know how to use clear and effective verbal communication skills, the importance of listening skills and the importance of positive body language when working with others.
• Communicating: Students will understand the importance of communication skills when working in a team and be able to identify the importance of different roles and skills within a group.
• Organising: Students will have improved their understanding of the skills they need to best achieve their home learning, including time management, organising work, and how to keep on top of homework.

Key Stage 4 (Develop)

Be Ready Develop offers the opportunity for students in Key Stage 4 to build on their knowledge of each of the core themes and empowers them to chart their own path and next steps.

KS4 Sessions

• What can I do after my GCSE's
  • Core Theme: Professional Development
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• What is it like to live at university?
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Money matters at university
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 35 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• University, what is it all about?
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Meet the students
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 50 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7

KS4 Objectives & Outcomes

Professional Development

• Reflecting: Students will have a deeper understanding of their own skills, interests and qualities and of how they can use them to achieve their goals.
• Understanding: Students will have deepened their understanding of Post-16 options through exploring different educational routes and qualification types that are available.
• Understanding: Students will have a broader knowledge of different types of educational institutions, which qualifications they commonly offer, and ways they compare in regards to student experience and teaching and learning styles.
• Aspiring: Students will have a better understanding of different career paths through exploring real world examples.

University Focus

• Belonging: Students will have improved their understanding of what it means to be a student through exploring what being a part of a university community can offer them.
• Understanding: Students will have a deeper knowledge of university through exploring the benefits of university, the courses that are available, and by challenging their views of what it's all about.
• Understanding: Students will have a better understanding of university life by investigating the challenges university students may face and the solutions that are on offer.

Skills Focus

• Communicating: Students will have improved their verbal and non-verbal communication skills
• Communicating: Students will know techniques to effectively prepare for an interview.
• Communicating: Students will have developed their written communication skills for a professional context.
• Organising: Students will have developed their independent study skills and improved their revision technique.
• Researching: Students will have a better understanding of how to find sources of information to support their research needs.
• Researching: Students will have developed their understanding of the origins and implications of bias in sources of information.

Key Stage 5 (Decide)

Be Ready Decide offers Post-16 students a wide range of experiences to tailor their knowledge and hone specific skills.

KS5 Sessions

• Getting it right - choosing your university and course
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 50 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 2,7
• Getting to grips with the UCAS application process
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Applying
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 50 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• Making the most of the UCAS timeline
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Applying
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 50 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7,8
• Student finance & why it shouldn't put you off (de-mystifying student finance)
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 50 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Why Bath
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 25 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 2,7
• What is it like to be a university student
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• An introduction to personal statements
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Applying
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• Planning and writing a competitive personal statement
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Applying
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk or Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 50 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7,8
• Meet the students
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Belonging and Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk or Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 50 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• How can university make you more employable? (Including placements and study abroad options)
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: Understanding
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 2,7
• Making the most of your time in 6th form to boost a university application
  • Core Theme: University Focus
  • Objectives covered: University Focus
  • Talk/Workshop: Understanding
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 45 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• Why do an Extended Project Qualification?
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 20 - 35 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 7
• How to take notes and keep them organised
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Organising
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Presentation skills for success at university and beyond
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Academic writing
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Referencing & plagiarism
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Communicating
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Finding and evaluating sources
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Researching
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk or Workshop
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Effective revision
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Organising
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 45 - 60 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7
• Time management
  • Core Theme: Skills Focus
  • Objectives covered: Organising
  • Talk/Workshop: Talk
  • Min - Max Time: 30 - 50 mins
  • Gatsby Benchmarks: 3,7

KS5 Objectives & Outcomes

University Focus

• Belonging: Students will be able to make decisions about the right course and university options for them, they will also discover what is distinct about the University of Bath.
• Belonging: Students will explore ways they can tailor their university experience to make the most of their career prospects on graduating.
• Understanding: Students will be able to make informed decisions based on an understanding of everyday life and living at university, and from gaining insights into specific subject areas and what it is like to study them.
• Applying: Students will be well placed to take advantage of their time in Sixth Form to be able to make an informed and competitive application to university.
• Applying: Students will understand what is necessary to write a competitive personal statement and be familiar with techniques to help them put pen to paper.

Skills Focus

• Communicating: Students will have an improved understanding of how to deliver presentations and will be better able to deliver them.
• Communicating: Students will have a greater understanding of how to network effectively as well as how to use networking opportunities to achieve personal goals.
• Communicating: Students will have a deeper understanding of formal writing and what is required to meet academic standards.
• Organising: Students will have a greater ability to take notes and manage their time effectively.
• Researching: Students will have a greater ability to find appropriate sources for their research and improved evaluation skills.

Parents/Carers

We are dedicated to offering comprehensive support to parents and carers as they support their children through the process of choosing, applying and transitioning to higher education.

Empowering Parents and Carers

Our primary focus is on providing informative talks that equip parents and carers with essential knowledge about what students can anticipate at each stage.

Supporting Your Initiatives

We are happy to support your events, including Parents Evenings, Open Days, and any other parent/carer initiatives you organise where our insights and experience can be of value.

Teachers

We aim to offer schools and colleges as much support as possible in providing their staff with up to date, practical advice and guidance on relevant Higher Education topics.

Support for Teachers

For new and less experienced staff we offer practical sessions on:

• Writing references
• Supporting students with personal statements

For all staff we can offer updates on all aspects of HE as needed.

Additional Support

We are happy attend inset days, twilight sessions, or any other initiatives you may run throughout the year.

Additional Resources

In addition to the Be Ready support for teachers, the University offers:

• Additional training and support through our Teacher Champion Programme
• Resources for helping students apply to university
• Recognition of teachers through the annual Teacher Champion Awards