Careers, UCAS and Enrichment

We provide our Pupils with maximum exposure to careers related experiences as well as guidance meetings throughout Year 12. Maida Vale School builds on the Gardener Schools Group’s established links with local and city-wide organisations including businesses, community groups, arts foundations, scientific institutes and museums. A two-week work experience placement in Year 12 contributes to Pupils making informed decisions about their futures.

We closely tutor and guide our Pupils throughout the UCAS process over the course of the Sixth Form. Our staff have a wealth of experience and contacts at universities guarantee that Pupils know how to apply for the country’s most prestigious institutions. We also provide careers advice and guidance through outside speakers from universities and industry experts.

Enrichment – Beyond Exam Grades

Admission to the best universities and the most demanding courses in the country requires more than just high grades alone. A successful applicant must stand out from the crowd and our enrichment programme combines numerous different elements which deliver these opportunities. Our Individuals in Society course produces engaged young adults, preparing them for the “real world” and includes seminars on body language, emotional intelligence, nutrition and personal finance. We inform our Pupils about the dangers of the adult world and how to make informed choices to survive in it.

The Extended Study Project (EPQ)

All Pupils are encouraged to complete the Extended Study Project in addition to their A Level studies. Pupils apply the independent learning skills they have been taught in a real-life context and cover an area of learning that they decide on independently. The EPQ can be used towards university admissions, counting as half an A-Level.

Duke of Edinburgh Award

The Duke of Edinburgh Award is an integral part of the life of Pupils at Maida Vale School. We are convinced of the value of the experiences it provides for our Pupils. We encourage our Pupils to take part so they can demonstrate to universities and employers that they can operate outside their comfort zones and can cope with any challenge thrown at them.

Leaders in the Community

Our Sixth Formers are seen as leaders, are treated as young adults, and provide an example to the lower year groups of the school. Our Head Boy and Head Girl lead a Sixth Form Headship Team which liaises with the School Council in Years 7 to 11 to direct charitable activities, suggest improvements and volunteer within the community. We have forged links with local primary and SEN schools which allow Pupils to help those less fortunate than themselves and contribute to the world beyond the school gates.