We are very fortunate as a school to have pupils supported by LEAPS in their journey to Further or Higher Education (college or university). The information below has been taken from their website to highlight everything they offer to pupils who are eligible from Lornshill Academy. More information on LEAPS and what they offer can be found by clicking the button to the sid.e

LEAPS:

We currently work with state secondary schools throughout South East Scotland, which we divide into our Group 1+ schools, our Group 1 schools and our Group 2 schools.

Schools in Group 1 (Lornshill Academy) typically have rates of progression to higher education that are below the national average. For this reason, these schools are normally entitled to participate in all aspects of the LEAPS programme, from S4 to S6.

Activities

S4 Workshop

This workshop runs over a school period. In a group, you will explore different aspects of higher education and student life with the help of a current university student, our ‘uni experts’. You might get chatting about student social life, what learning is like at university, or another topic that springs to mind!

This event usually takes place between November and February.

S5 Introduction to Higher Education

This presentation explains who we are (the LEAPS team!), what we do, and also outlines LEAPS eligibility criteria. The session is for students who may have the potential to go on to higher education and provides an overview of what higher education is, including key information relating to entry qualifications, application procedures, exit points and articulation (moving from college to university study).

Focusing on a timeline, you are advised of opportunities to collect information to make an informed decision about post-school higher education options and are introduced to the LEAPS S5Hub – our online resource for S5 students.

This presentation takes place in August or between November and February.

S5 Interviews

This is a one-to-one thirty-minute interview with a member of the LEAPS team. We’ll offer you individual advice and guidance on higher education entry requirements and focus on course choices for S6. We’ll also look at other opportunities you could explore such as work experience or summer opportunities to help you with any applications you are thinking of making.

This is for students who have the potential to achieve a minimum of 3 Highers over 2 sittings, and therefore the potential to go on to higher education.

This interview usually takes place between January and March.

S5 Conference

The S5 Conference is a campus-based event designed to help you take steps towards higher education. It is the chance to collect information and advice about future courses (our exhibition), what you need to get in (entry requirements), how best to prepare (what you need to do), meet current university students (find out what student life is like) and chat to staff from local universities and colleges (friendly people there to help you!)

The Conference is delivered by LEAPS staff, university students and colleagues from partner organisations, higher education institutions and related agencies. https://media.ed.ac.uk/media/1_2777g4hi

The S5 Conference usually takes place in March.

Location:

A university campus in Edinburgh

S5 Parents' & Carers' Information Evening

Parents and carers of S5 LEAPS-eligible students are invited to attend our S5 Parents' & Carers' Information Evening, which usually takes place in spring each year. Students are also welcome to attend. Presentations include the support LEAPS offers; choosing and applying to higher education courses; student life; student funding; and college options.

You will have the opportunity to speak with representatives from the LEAPS team, some higher education institutions (including our partner universities), and current university students.

This event usually takes place in March.

Location:

A university campus in South East Scotland

S6 What is LEAPS? Talk

This short presentation reminds you about the support LEAPS offers to LEAPS-eligible students in S6.

We’ll highlight events and opportunities will be offering you throughout the year to help you with your higher education journey, including our S6 pre-UCAS guidance interview.

This presentation usually takes place between August and September.

S6 Pre-UCAS Application Interview

The LEAPS pre-UCAS application interview is offered to all final-year LEAPS-eligible students and is an opportunity to discuss your application to college or university, including potential course choices, experience and achievements to date, and the personal statement. We will also confirm LEAPS eligibility at this interview, so it is vital not to miss it.

The interview is either undertaken by a member of the LEAPS team or by an advisor from one of our partner institutions and you must complete the online survey form here in advance of the interview (this survey opens in August each year).

The interview may be followed up by a pre-application enquiry to a university on your behalf to reassure you of a likely offer and any conditions that might need to be met.

Find out more about the interview in our S6 Blog post.

The pre-UCAS application interview usually takes place between August and early November.