University Gateway

Developing independent and accomplished learners

Our patron, Jack Petchey’s approach “If I think I can, I can” continues at University Gateway where we support you to ensure that you can. I am very proud of our University Gateway students and the successes of our first cohorts. With a large proportion of students choosing specialism-related subjects and a quarter securing Russell Group university places (including Oxbridge) I have no doubt they will inspire younger students towards their chosen career paths.

Our unique ‘Petchey Pathways’ allow you to continue with your favourite subjects and offer new subjects that support youraspirations. We aim to ensure that you achieve academic success as well as providing opportunities to stretch you as an individual with a thorough understanding of citizenship and your responsibilities to the local and world communities. There will be a plethora of opportunities to gain experiences and

skills to help your development into well rounded adults.

It is a delight to see our UG students enjoying the independence of their new extension and outstanding ICT provision. The study area, café and fitness suite complement the established seminar rooms, specialised classrooms and roof terrace and offer a distinct learning space for those moving from Year 11.

The transition to UG can be challenging as you will be expected to show initiative to broaden your knowledge of your subjects beyond what is taught in lessons. However, the high quality care, guidance and support structure in UG is designed to help you cope with this new and exciting stage of your learning career.

University Gateway progress is consistently good and here some work of very high quality was seen showing, for example, these students’ well developed analytical and reasoning skills.

“” Ofsted 2012

Welcome from our Principal

Ms Olivia Cole BA (Hons) MBAPrincipal

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I wanted to join a sixth form that understood my ambitions and where I’d feel supported to grow both academically and personally.

The Petchey Academy’s University Gateway was the obvious choice.

Courses are personalised and led by experienced teachers. I love the independence of having our own building with a separate study area, classrooms and café!

Student Principal 2013

Whilst providing a good all-round education, The Petchey Academy specialises in Health, Care & Medical Sciences. This will open up a broad range of career and life opportunities which have not previously been readily available to young people in Hackney.

We have many links and partnerships with Medical, Health and Social Care industries, including major teaching hospitals. A number of medical and health institutions make significant

I feel lucky that I was able to stay on at Petchey. I want to study Medicine at Cambridge and University Gateway is preparing me well to reach that goal.

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contributions to the curriculum, such as the Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) programme and the University of East London which provided the academy’s Clinical Skills Laboratory.

Other special relationships include:

• Clare College, Cambridge• Queen Mary, University of London• University of East London• King’s College, London

Our Specialism and you

Current UG Student

University Gateway offers an innovative and creative Key Stage 5 provision. The‘Petchey Pathways’ help you to create a personalised route to the top universities through the Cambridge Pre-U Diploma and A Levels. Each pathway provides you with a programme of bespoke seminars and experiences for a real insight into different careers or university courses.

We have also had outstanding success with BTEC Level 3 courses (equivalent to three A

Our Pathways1: Access to Medicine2: The Science of Sport, Exercise & Health3: Leaders of the Future4: Literary Criticism & Human Expression5: Pathway to Engineering6: Business, Economics & Entrepreneurship

Teaching in all phases is good... consistently so in the University Gateway where challenge and expectations are particularly high.

Levels) in key vocational subjects with 100% A*-C pass rates and over half of students with straight A*-A grades.

Our expert care, guidance and support systems facilitate your progression through the challenging two years. Our strong house system continues at UG, where the house names from Year 7-11 are replaced with one of the world’s leading universities: Berkeley, Cambridge, Harvard, Oxford, Princeton and Stanford.

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Tailored courses

Ofsted 2012

In conjunction with Inspire! our first year UG students are allocated a career focused work experience placement in Year 12. Students with an interest in languages have the opportunity of a two week work experience abroad.

Case Study: “Although I had a telephone interview before starting, I had no idea what to expect and I found it a bit daunting the first day”. At the end of his first week, one of the directors hinted that a job offer might be forthcoming. “We were impressed by Matthew’s general attitude and personality. He made sure he engaged with everyone in the office and he didn’t shy away from anything. He even volunteered to give a presentation and it was one of the best we have seen. He is also the most smartly dressed person in the whole office.”

Despite feeling flattered by the prospect of a job, Matthew chose to continue at UG and go to university first.

Career Academies UK is a national charitythat supports employers, schools and colleges to raise the aspirations of 16 to 19 year olds. Students follow a rigorous two-year curriculum equivalent to at least three A Levels including a six week internship, exposure to industry mentoring and professional experience.

University Gateway is the only sixth form in London & the South East to offer a Career Academy in Sports Science.

Work Experience

Career Academy

Broadening your horizons

In July 2012 a group of students relished the opportunity to be part of University Gateway’s first World Challenge expedition to India, which enhanced life skills, challenged students to move outside their comfort zones, and developed students’ entrepreneurship. Every other year students are able to opt in to an experience like this.

University Gateway is an exciting opportunity, not just for students to develop academically but also to improve their leadership skills. UG students are encouraged to undertake prestigious positions such as Student Principal, Communications Manager, Events Manager and Chair of the Student Well-Being committee.

By acting as strong role models to the lower years through, for example, peer mentoring, first aid training and coordinating the Student Council, UG students learn vital skills of leadership and organisation that are valuable in life and attractive to employers and higher education establishments.

University Gateway students also have the opportunity to project manage academy events such as fundraising and citizenship activities to raise awareness of national and local issues.

World Challenge

They seek ardently to prepare students well for life and learning, and for progression on to higher education.

“”Ofsted 2012

Leadership opportunities

Where will your expedition take you?

All students who attend The Petchey Academy are welcomed into University Gateway. Students from other schools in Hackney and from other boroughs are also encouraged to apply. All applicants need to fulfil the following criteria:

Cambridge Pre-U, AS & A Level courses: 6 A*- C grades including GCSE English & Maths, with B grades in relevant subjects.

Diploma courses: 5 A*-C grades including GCSE English & Maths.

Application forms are available to download from our website and should be completed and returned to : “UG Admissions”The Petchey Academy, Shacklewell Lane, Hackney, London E8 2EYe: mail@petcheyacademy.org.uk

Admissions

www.petcheyacademy.org.uk/universitygateway