On this page you will find comprehensive information about the sessions, objectives, and outcomes offered at each level of the Be Ready Programme: Key Stages 3-5, Parents/Carers, and Teachers.
For an explanation of how the programme is structured please visit our Be Ready Programme page.
Making the Be Ready Programme work for you
Tailoring Sessions to Your Needs
We are committed to adapting our sessions to meet the unique needs of your school or college. We encourage you to contact us directly to explore session details in-depth and discuss how they can be best tailored to suit your specific circumstances and requirements.
Whether you have questions about the content, scheduling, or any other queries regarding the programme, please don't hesitate to get in touch. Your input is essential, and we look forward to working collaboratively to provide an impactful and beneficial experience for all involved.
Flexibility
We understand the challenges faced by staff when it comes to arranging external presentations, and we recognise that each school and college has unique needs, contexts, and schedules. With this in mind, we are committed to being as flexible as possible in accommodating your requirements. We are more than willing to engage in discussions and explore options to tailor our sessions to best suit your specific situation.
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.
It is essential for us not to compromise the quality of the content by diluting it, nor to stretch it beyond a relevant point. Sessions are designed to meet specific outcomes and to be impactful and relevant to your audience.
Talks, Workshops, and Gatsby Benchmarks
Our sessions encompass a combination of talks and workshops to cater to different group sizes and engagement levels. Talks are sessions that we can offer to audiences of any size, while workshops are designed for smaller groups of up to 30 students.
The key distinction lies in the level of interactivity and personalisation offered. Workshops allow us to engage directly with individuals and groups, fostering their learning through hands-on activities and discussions. We endeavour to include interactivity in our talks, especially for younger year groups, however, they lean more towards imparting key information and adopting a lecture-style approach, particularly suitable for larger audiences.
As part of the Be Ready programme, we also extend our support to schools and colleges in meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks. Please refer to the session details to discover which specific benchmarks are covered by each session.
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 of curiosity, introduce new concepts, and hone essential skills. They are filled with self-discovery, opportunities to meet university students, and to discover the variety of career possibilities and pathways that lie ahead.
KS3 Sessions
| Session | Core Theme | Objectives covered | Talk/Workshop | Min - Max Time | Gatsby Benchmarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| So who am I? | Professional Development | Reflecting | Talk or Workshop | 25 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| How do I reach my goals | Professional Development | Understanding | Talk | 35 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| What can I do with my future? | Professional Development | Aspiring | Talk or workshop | 35 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| Meet the students | Professional Development | Belonging and Understanding | Talk | 35 - 45 mins | 7 |
| Discover university | University Focus | Understanding | Talk | 30-45 mins | 7 |
| What does it mean to be a student? | University Focus | Belonging | Workshop | 45 mins - 1 hr | 7 |
| Getting organised | Skills Focus | Organising | Talk | 30-45 mins | 3,7 |
| Communicating as part of a team | Skills Focus | Communicating | Workshop | 45 mins - 1 hr | 3,7 |
| Discovering communication skills | Skills Focus | Communicating | Workshop | 45 mins - 1 hr | 3,7 |
KS3 Objectives & Outcomes:
Professional Development
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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 recongise 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
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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 recongise 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
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Please contact us to book sessions or speak to the team.
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. Sessions are centred around equipping students with a deeper knowledge of Post-16 education as well as higher education including; exploring the amazing range of course and provider options, developing powerful and effective application skills, and connecting with current university students.
KS4 Sessions
| Sessions | Core Theme | Objectives covered | Talk/Workshop | Min - Max Time | Gatsby Benchmarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| What can I do after my GCSE's | Professional Development | Understanding | Talk | 35 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| What is it like to live at university? | University Focus | Belonging and Understanding | Talk | 35 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| Money matters at university | University Focus | Understanding | Talk | 35 - 45 mins | 3,7 |
| University, what is it all about? | University Focus | Understanding | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Meet the students | University Focus | Belonging and Understanding | Workshop | 50 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
KS4 Objectives & Outcomes
Professional Development
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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 exprience and teaching and learning styles. |
| Aspiring | Students will have a better understanding of different career paths through exploring real world examples. |
University Focus
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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 its 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
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Please contact us to book sessions or speak to the team.
Key Stage 5 (Decide)
Be Ready Decide offers Post-16 students a wide range of experiences to tailor their knowledge and hone specific skills. Within this level two themes can be explored, University Focus and Skills Focus. Sessions revolve around enabling students to make the most of Sixth Form and to best prepare them for their next steps. They will be empowered to make informed and personalised decisions about their future.
The sessions will equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to create effective and competitive UCAS applications, as well as to make a smooth transition to university so they can hit the ground running, ensuring their success not only at university but also beyond. Be Ready Decide allows students to thrive and excel in the exciting journey that lies ahead.
KS5 Sessions
| Session | Core Theme | Objectives covered | Talk/Workshop | Min - Max Time | Gatsby Benchmarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Getting it right - choosing your university and course | University Focus | Belonging and Understanding | Talk | 30 - 50 mins | 2,7 |
| Getting to grips with the UCAS application process | University Focus | Applying | Talk | 30 - 50 mins | 7 |
| Making the most of the UCAS timeline | University Focus | Applying | Talk | 30 - 50 mins | 7,8 |
| Student finance & why it shouldn't put you off (de-mystifying student finance) | University Focus | Understanding | Talk | 30 - 50 mins | 3,7 |
| Why Bath | University Focus | Belonging and Understanding | Talk | 25 - 45 mins | 2,7 |
| What is it like to be a university student | University Focus | Belonging | Talk- | 30 - 60 mins | 7 |
| An introduction to personal statements | University Focus | Applying | Talk | 30 - 45 mins | 7 |
| Planning and writing a competitive personal statement | University Focus | Applying | Talk or Workshop | 50 - 60 mins- | 3,7,8 |
| Meet the students | University Focus | Belonging and Understanding | Talk or Workshop* | 50 - 60 mins | 7 |
| How can university make you more employable? (Including placements and study abroad options) | University Focus | Understanding | Talk | 30 - 45 mins | 2,7 |
| Making the most of your time in 6th form to boost a university application | University Focus | University Focus | Understanding | 30 - 45 mins | 7 |
| Why do an Extended Project Qualification? | Skills Focus | Communicating | Talk | 20 - 35 mins | 7 |
| How to take notes and keep them organised | Skills Focus | Organising | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Presentation skills for success at university and beyond | Skills Focus | Communicating | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Academic writing | Skills Focus | Communicating | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Referencing & plagiarism | Skills Focus | Communicating | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Finding and evaluating sources | Skills Focus | Researching | Talk or Workshop | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Effective revision | Skills Focus | Organising | Talk | 45 - 60 mins | 3,7 |
| Time management | Skills Focus | Organising | Talk | 30 - 50 mins | 3,7 |
KS5 Objectives & Outcomes
University Focus
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| Belonging | Students will be able to make decisions about the right course and university options for them, they will alsodiscover 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
| Objectives | Outcomes |
|---|---|
| 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. |
Please contact us to book sessions or speak to the team.
Parents/Carers
Empowering Parents and 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. Our primary focus is on providing informative talks that equip parents and carers with essential knowledge about what students can anticipate at each stage.
We find it most effective to engage parents and carers at critical junctures in their children’s educational journeys, including in key stages 3 & 4, as well as during Sixth Form.
Our aim is to demystify the often-complex application process and address any potential misconceptions regarding student finance and the benefits of a university education. We also offer insight into how parents/carers can support their children 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.
Sessions we are commonly asked for include:
- De-mystifying student finance
- Personal statements
- Why go to university?
- What is it like at university?
- Choosing a university and course
Please use the session information in the key Stage 3-5 sections above as a guide to what we can offer.
In addition the University offers:
- Information and advice for parents of children considering university
- A virtual experience of the University
- Visits to the University
Please contact us to book sessions or speak to the team.
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.
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.
We are happy attend inset days, twilight sessions, or any other initiatives you may run throughout the year.
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
Please contact us to book sessions or speak to the team.