Aspire Programme
Our Aspire programme is designed to provide targeted support to help students achieve their first-choice destinations.
Aspire is a bespoke programme designed to empower students to reach their potential by better understanding themselves and their future options. With input from stakeholders, including universities and employers, students are better equipped to make informed decisions about post-18 destinations. Students are enrolled on the Aspire programme based on their GCSE profile.
Through Exploring Possibilities and Career Planning, students better understand all of the options open to them after Aquinas, identifying careers that may suit their interests and qualities. Aspire students are also given extra guidance on how to get the most out of the college’s After Aquinas event, where there will be a wide range of universities, employers and apprenticeship providers.
Aspire also gives students insights and hands-on experience of Recruitment and Selection Processes, through activities including Assessment Centres and techniques such as the STAR technique to respond to interview questions. These activities are designed to give students a competitive edge, helping them to understand their transferable skills and how to market themselves to universities or employers. Aspire also includes Personal Development activities which draw on cognitive neuroscience, positive psychology, and behaviour change theory designed to raise self-awareness of personal strengths and barriers, helping students to maximise their learning and realise their potential to reach their first choice destination.
The Aspire course has been so beneficial for me as I have learnt many things from it that I wouldn’t have learnt in any other courses. I have acquired some extremely useful tips to help me become more of a resilient and organised person as well as developing an open mindset to ensure I don’t always give up easily to difficult tasks. In addition, I have learnt some helpful ways to prevent procrastination as well as studying in an effective way. We have also started to create a LinkedIn profile to aid with our future careers, etc. Overall, I have really enjoyed this course because I have changed so much(in a good way).
The Aspire programme was useful as it helped me build my confidence and develop career opportunities.
I found it useful as it gives you the knowledge that you must know when applying to university or for jobs, it helped me to be more responsible and to manage myself.
Very useful, as it shows life after aquinas and the different paths and ways to be the best that you can.
Latest From Aquinas
Aquinas College features in national report that showcases outstanding performance in GCSE Maths and English Resits. The report, Making the grade: 10 recommendations to help students make progress in GCSE maths and English resits, is based on the approach taken by 11 sixth form colleges in England where post-16 students perform very strongly in these […]
Just before half term, we hosted a fantastic Sports Careers Event, giving students the opportunity to explore the exciting range of careers available within the sports industry! Through insightful talks and networking opportunities, students heard from professionals working in sport, including former Aquinas teacher and Stockport County coach Dave Conlon. A brilliant opportunity to make […]
Aquinas College came alive with vibrant colours, rhythmic music, and enticing aromas as students and staff gathered around with our Youth SVP to celebrate Culture Day on 20th October. The event served as an opportunity to work for the common good through a fundraiser for our Charity of the Year, MacMillan, and a joyous showcase […]
The Creative Media Practice team at Aquinas College has been recognised at the recent Sixth Form Colleges Association (SFCA) Awards, receiving nominations in two categories: Innovation & Change and Skills & Employability. The nominations celebrate the team’s innovative approach to teaching and learning, particularly its commitment to developing meaningful partnerships with external organisations and providing […]
