Enrichment Experiences

OXBRIDGE APPLICATIONS

Oxbridge Applications, founded in 1999, provides world-leading advisory and support services to applicants for Oxford, Cambridge, and other highly-selective UK universities. They work with applicants privately as well as some of the leading schools across the country, including Wellington College, City of London School, Tonbridge School, Marlborough College, Rugby School, and many more. Oxbridge Applications is proud to partner with The Elm's Academy to provide support to students aiming for the most selective UK universities. Students receive an Oxbridge Applications mentor for one-to-one meetings across the summer to help plan their applications and build an effective personal statement, as well as access to their extensive resources for admissions test preparation and subject exploration. Students who apply to Oxbridge will also receive mock interview practice in the Autumn term to ensure they are comfortable and prepared to face the real thing.

FITZWILLIAM COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE

United Learning have a special partnership with Fitzwilliam College outreach team and we have special access to lectures and workshops ran by this prestigious college. Each year students have the opportunity to visit the college to experience life at one of the countries and most famous universities.

SURBITON HIGH SCHOOL

Terry McDermott, Director of Careers and Head of Oxbridge at Surbiton High (an independent school within United Learning), provides specialist support to our students applying to elite universities, including to Oxbridge.   This includes students undertaking the Morrisby Careers Profile, a 2 hour psychometric which is invaluable in helping students think about future career options. Students to undertake a university research task designed to get them really thinking about what degree subject might suit them and then each student is interviewed by Mr McDermott so he can discuss their ideas. They receive bespoke advice on a potential university application, including to Oxbridge where relevant.  In the autumn of year 13 when students are invited to interviews for certain subjects, Surbiton High supports with mock interviews where appropriate.

OFF THE CURRICULUM

Off the Curriculum (OTC) is an educational charity, working across London to support Sixth Form students from historically marginalised communities on their academic journey. OTC provides an enriching and holistic programme designed to encourage young people develop both technical- and soft- skills for future success. As a partnered school, all Sixth Form students at The Elms Academy have unlimited access to our two-year educational programme, which involves: a repeating eight-week seminar series, EDUCO - our online learning portal, and an Extended Project Qualification facilitation. The Elms Academy is the only school we partner with to support the delivery of the EPQ.

INTOUNIVERSITY

IntoUniversity are an educational charity who has worked with our school for many years. The Sixth Formers take part in workshops covering topics such as student finance, budgeting skills and life of a university student. Students also learn about all the factors they need to consider when choosing universities and degree courses. In addition, each student has access to a one-to-one session where they receive tailored support with their UCAS personal statement.

QUEEN MARY, UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

Queen Mary is one of the UK’s leading universities and a member of the Russell Group. Each year we take the whole of our year 12 cohort to visit the university for their undergraduate open day. This is an exciting opportunity where students experience life on campus and have chance to attend subject specific workshops and lectures.

PWC MENTORING PROGRAMME

PwC is a global consultancy whose accountants, lawyers, actuaries and coders help their clients improve their business. PwC partnered with United Learning to provide our Sixth Formers with a rigorous mentoring programme where students cover topics such as professional communication, data analysis and presentation skills. The programme has been designed to develop the key skills needed to succeed in business and the professional services. The mentoring programme culminates in summer work experience in the London PwC office. Mentoring (pwc.com)

NATIONAL AUDIT OFFICE – MOTIV8 MENTORING

We are very fortunate to be one of only two schools in London who benefits from the Motiv8 Mentoring programme run by the National Audit Office (NAO). NAO is a public sector organisation who scrutinises how government spends its money and it reports the results of its work to Parliament. The NAO’s people have a great reputation and include a wide range of professions such as financial accountants, researchers, IT engineers, graphic designers and business specialists. The Motiv8 Mentoring scheme aims to inspire students by introducing them to the world of work and by providing them with mentoring support and encouragement as they work towards their A levels or BTEC qualifications and think about their next steps.

DISCOVER

The Elms Academy benefits from a positive working relationship with the DISCOVER team, who are a group of specialist clinical psychologists employed in our local South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust to reach out to young people who find it hard to access psychological support. DISCOVER deliver a workshop programme titled ‘How To Manage Stress & Worry’ to our  sixth form students on an annual basis; the aim of which is to improve students' mental health and wellbeing, and to support them in dealing with life stresses including the academic demands of sixth form. The DISCOVER programme is designed to support 16-19 years old who are experiencing anxiety, stress, low self-esteem and low mood, by providing students with a range of psychological techniques and resources to improve issues known to affect this age group. Elms Academy staff work closely with the DISCOVER team to support students to access and engage fully with the programme, which is provided over the course of four months. More information about the DISCOVER team and their work can be found here www.slam.nhs.uk/discover

THE WELL CENTRE

The Wellness centre is a local clinic who we work with to offer free counselling to young people age 11-21, either in person or virtually. We also have a school counsellor at the Elms who is trained in a range of different therapies and offers a range of inhouse support services

KINETIKA BLOCO

Kinetika Bloco supports young people to progress from absolute beginners to successful professional musicians and dancers. Through the music, dance, design and leadership activities we enable young people to have creative engagement, determine company policy and direction and to follow pathways for leadership and career development and participate in society as mature and responsible individuals.

The Kinetika Bloco Leadership Programme is perfect for anyone wanting to develop leadership qualities that will help you manage yourself and advance your success in education and work. In this ten-week programme, for young people aged 14-25, experts will take you through some important aspects of leadership such as Confidence, Time Management, Financial planning, Public Speaking, Interview Techniques and Networking giving you practical tools to implement in your life, affecting positive change. 

NATIONAL CITIZENSHIP SERVICE

NCS is a government funded, Royal Charter non-profit that runs residential school holiday programmes for year 12 age students (15-17 years) offering volunteering opportunities, employability skills, life skills, team building, social cohesion and adventure activities. NCS visit The Elms Academy to deliver assemblies about the programme and it is a popular choice for our students.

ENVISION

Students who feel passionate about social issues and making a positive impact in their community can join the Envision programme. Envision is a social action charity who aims to empower young people to develop skills beyond the classroom during a 24-week programme. Students work in a team and together they design, plan and deliver a project that will result in making a positive change in a social issue they deeply care about. Throughout the programme, each team is paired with a corporate partner who provide coaching throughout the project. The key skills that students gain from the programme are teamwork, communication, problem solving and presentation skills.

D of E

Duke of Edinburgh Award is a charity for 14-24 year olds aimed to equip young people with the tools and essential skills for life and work. There are four sections students complete: volunteering, physical, skills and the adventurous expedition. At the Elms, we offer students the opportunity to complete the bronze and silver awards. This programme helps young people become more employable and stand out when applying for future opportunities. Students will also have, make friends and improve their self-esteem.content of the card