St Mary’s University Teacher and Adviser Conference - 3rd July 2024

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 at a school or college are welcome, and the conference is free to attend.

Our 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 from UCAS, the Student Loan's Company and UniTasterDays.

Lunch and refreshments will be provided throughout the day.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Meg at schools.colleges@stmarys.ac.uk

Timetable

• 9.45am – arrival and housekeeping
• 10am – welcome from St Mary’s Vice-Chancellor, Anthony McClaran
• 10.15am – keynote from UCAS.

UCAS update

Delivered by Kim Eccleston (Head of Strategy) and Carolyn Mindos (Reform and Principal Reform Lead).

UCAS Update: In this session Kim Eccleston and Carolyn will share the latest data on admissions trends, process updates for the 2025 entry cycle and share the latest news on the new Historical entry Grade Tool Free School meals Waivers Scheme and Personal Statement developments.

Preparing students for university interview

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.

• 11.30am – additional support available at university.

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
• 1pm – optional campus or sport and health facilities tour with Student Ambassadors.
• 1.30pm – supporting students to master the university journey - 5 key tips for school and college colleagues.

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.

• 2.30pm – Student Finance update.

Student Finance update

Delivered by 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.

• 3.30pm – any final questions and summary
• 3.45pm – complimentary drink reception: an opportunity to network with SMU professional and academic staff and fellow delegates.

About the speakers