Registrations are now open! Our conference is perfect for colleagues who support or advise students considering their next steps after school or college. Colleagues in any position at a school or college are welcome, and the conference is free to attend.
St Mary’s Teacher and Adviser’s Conference will be taking place on Wednesday 3rd July 2024 between 10am and 3:30pm.
Our conference is perfect for colleagues who support or advise students considering their next steps after school or college. Colleagues in any position are welcome, and the conference is free to attend.
The conference aims to provide you with the latest information, advice and guidance to help you support your learners as they research their options post-sixth form or college. Sessions will include presentations and workshops delivered by St Mary’s staff and external speakers, including UCAS, the Student Loans Company and UniTasterDays.
Timetable
9:45am – Arrival and housekeeping
10am – Welcome from St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor
10:15am – Keynote from UCAS
This presentation will cover UCAS’s ‘Project Next Generation’, providing sector insights to help you deliver support and inspire young decision-makers. This session will also focus on the upcoming personal statement changes for 2026 applications, covering suggestions on how you can begin preparing for the implementation of this now. Finally, there will be a chance to provide feedback and discuss the recently updated teacher references process.
11:15am – break
11:30am – Preparing students for university interview.
With Farhana Irshad (BA Primary Education QTS) and Sarah Ali (BSc Physiotherapy)
Hear from colleagues who organise and conduct interviews at St Mary’s. This session will discuss interview preparation and the impact that support networks and schools have on an applicant's success.
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11:30am – Additional support available at university
Mandip Birk from Widening Participation and Outreach, joined by Student Services and current St Mary’s students.
Gain insights from Student Ambassadors and University support staff about the support services available at university for your learners; hear how you can support students both pre and post-university application.
12:30pm – lunch
13:00pm – Optional campus or sport and health facilities tour with Student Ambassadors
13:30pm – Supporting students to master the university journey: 5 key tips for school and college colleagues.
Jon Cheek, Founder and Director UniTasterDays.com
Jon will introduce the key things that students need to know about university – as well as tips for school and college colleagues when discussing them! This will be an interactive session, to include university sector updates and interactive voting clickers! As well as an overview of how UniTasterDays can support your school or college's university engagement.
14:30pm – Student Finance update.
Ben Rutter, Senior Regional Manager for Funding Information Services at the Student Loans Company
This session will provide an overview of the current essential eligibility, application and repayment messages relating to student finance in England, including the latest known eligibility and policy information on the Lifelong Learning Entitlement (LLE) with delegates encouraged to share thoughts and opinion on how this new funding model may impact their IAG provision and the students they support.
15:30pm – Any final questions and summary
15:45pm – Complimentary drink reception: an opportunity to network with SMU staff and delegates
Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day. If you have any questions, please do reach out to us at [email protected]
Book now and read about the day's speakers: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/events/2024/st-marys-university-teacher-and-adviser-conference-3rd-july-2024