Top Tips to Ace Your Cadbury Interview
Firstly, don’t worry about your interview!
Interviews are short, friendly one-to-one meetings where you get to discuss your strengths and ambitions with a member of Cadbury staff. If you’re really nervous then you can have a parent or guardian to join you for support.
Why do colleges ask for interviews?
At this stage the interview is more of a consultation, where we can both make sure you’re selecting the right courses to meet your aspirations – it’s also your opportunity to ask questions too!
What if I can’t make my appointment?
If you miss your appointment, don’t worry, we’ll be happy to rearrange at a time more convenient for you. Email [email protected] or call 0121 458 3898.
Still a bit anxious about your interview?
Don’t worry, we’re here to help! Here are our Top 5 Tips for your interview:
1) Be prepared
Take a look at the website, read the course briefs and familiarise yourself with the courses you’re applying for.
2) Prepare your answers
Most Colleges will ask the same type of questions such as ‘why do you want to study the subject?’ and ‘why do you want to attend this College?’ – all questions you will know the answer to!
3) It’s your opportunity to ask us questions too
Do you want to know about the timetable? What about enrichment opportunities or more about a particular course? Asking a smart and well thought out question not only shows you are interested but gives you more information about what you’re applying for.
4) Arrive on time
Plan your journey and try to arrive a little early, as being late can leave you feeling stressed or flustered. If you are running late don’t panic, we’ll still complete your interview.
5) Be yourself
Remember nobody is here to catch you out! Interviews are designed to help you get all the advice and guidance you need, so be honest and make the most of it.
T Level, A Level and/or BTEC: What Are My Choices?
Here at Cadbury Sixth Form College we offer a wide range of Level 3 programmes combining A Levels and BTECs, as well as T Levels and several Level 2 courses if you need to improve on your GCSE grades. Picking the right route for you post-GCSEs is important, so it’s good for you to understand the different types of qualification on offer to work out which route works best for you.
If you’re unclear about which route to opt for, here are some things to consider when choosing your options after school:
– What do your current studies at school tell you? Do you love Maths and working with numbers and theories, or are you creative? Do you enjoy more hands-on learning? Thinking about what you are good at can help you choose the best route.
– Select subjects you enjoy – studying a subject you are genuinely interested in will greatly improve your chances of succeeding at college.
– What are your plans for the future? Whether you intend to go to university, on to an apprenticeship or straight into employment, different routes may require you to study specific courses at college – so make sure you do your research.
– Seek advice – ask our Careers Team questions weekly via our web chat facility or discuss your choices with a member of staff at interview.
– Visit the Sixth Form – attend Open Days, Taster Sessions and Applicant Days to meet your subject teachers and current students.
What’s the difference?
All of our Level 3 programmes are equal to A Levels and are accepted by universities if that’s your goal. What’s important is matching your ambitions and strengths to the options available to ensure you get the best results for you.
A Levels
A Level courses are predominantly assessed by examinations, although some subjects may have a coursework component as well. All A Level courses are linear, meaning examinations are taken at the end of two years. These are Level 3 courses, ideally suited for progression into University or Higher Level Apprenticeships.
To study an A Level course you will need a minimum of five GCSEs (with two at grade 6, and three at grade 4). Due to the advanced level most subjects will have additional individual entry requirements.
BTECs
Because BTEC courses are vocational in nature they are more practical routes of academic study. Each course will have a larger coursework element to the assessment method. All our BTEC courses are studied at Level 3, meaning they are ideally suited to progression to University or Higher Level Apprenticeships. BTEC courses come in different sizes and are the equivalent to either one, two or three A Levels.
To study a BTEC Level 3 course you will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4. BTECs can also be studied alongside A Level courses if you meet the entry requirements, making them an extremely flexible option that can be tailored to your demands.
T Levels
T Levels are an alternative to A Levels, apprenticeships and BTECs. Combining academic study of A Levels with a focus on vocational skills can help students into skilled employment, university or higher level apprenticeships. Each T Level includes an industry placement of at least 45 days giving students valuable experience in the work place.
5 Great Reasons Why You Need to Sign Up for Talk & Tours Now
Due to high demand we will be hosting a series of Talk & Tours at Cadbury Sixth Form College to help you plan your next move when you leave school. Our next events will be happening on Tuesday March 5, 4-7pm, and Saturday March 9, 11am-3pm.
Here’s why you need to book your place now!
- The Personal Experience: You’ll get a real feel for where you’ll be studying in September when you come to campus.
- Our knowledgeable student ambassadors will be there to share their own experience and insights with you and take you on a personal tour of the college.
- You’ll get to experience life through the eyes of a current student, ask all the questions you need answers to, and see all the facilities we have to offer you.
- We’ll cover many different areas on the tour including our brand new £10 million Science City campus, Psychology, Law and Art rooms, plus the IT suite, learning centre, drama theatre, science labs for Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Forensic and Biomedical Science. You’ll also be shown the individual study pods and learner coaching spaces. We’ll visit the Media, Film, Design and Photography areas for some creative and cinematic inspiration, before the tour concludes in the Eat Central dining area.
- Careers advisers and Student Mentors will also be there to offer specialist advice and guidance to help you navigate your next steps. It’s important to do your research and understand what’s involved in studying certain subjects and which professions they lead to before you commit to your final choices. We can give you lots of support with this.
Remember also that you can apply there and then at Talk & Tours, if you haven’t already. If you have applied but your plans have changed since you signed up, you can still update your choices.
Whether you have favourites in mind, or would like to try something brand new like Psychology, Law, Politics or Criminology, Talk & Tours offer you the perfect time to apply and continue your career journey.
So come and join us, and book your place here.
Older News & Event Articles
With Cadbury Sixth Form College Summer Talk & Tours just around the corner, now is the perfect time to kick-start your future career plans and join us this June.
Our on-campus Talk & Tours on Thursday June 15, 5-7pm, and Saturday June 17, 10am-2pm, are designed to give you all the information you need on our 50+ courses, and are the last events you can sign up for before college starts in September.
They are informal events with great opportunities to see our first-class facilities and meet some of our current student ambassadors who can accompany you around the building. You can ask them questions as you go, as they’ve got lots of insights and advice to share about life at Cadbury.
Have a further look at why this could be the perfect place for you by exploring behind the scenes and visiting our teaching spaces and social areas, libraries and learning centres. You can also see the progress of our brand new £6.6million Science City building project, where we are creating exciting digital, coding and robotics possibilities.
Arrival
When you arrive on campus, you’ll be met by our friendly Meet & Greet team. They’ll sign you in and show you where you need to go next.
Talk
Here is where our senior staff will answer all your questions and explain the Cadbury experience in detail to future students and parents, from how courses are delivered, and what to expect on your first day, to how to become a successful graduate.
Tour
Ambassadors will show you around the campus facilities and different departments, so you get a real feel for where you’ll be studying and see the subject areas you’re most interested in.
Tickets
So if you are looking for some summer inspiration to start your own success story, book your Talk & Tours spot here.
*Your booking already includes spaces for your family and friends. You just need to book for yourself. Have your ticket QR code ready to reduce your waiting time.
A Level students at Cadbury Sixth Form College have been celebrating record results today, with an increase in the pass rate for the third year running.
Alongside university acceptances, the results have enabled students the chance to embark on a broad range of opportunities. These include further education, apprenticeships and work placements across the city and throughout the UK.
Excellent results were also secured for students studying T Level courses, with a 100% pass rate and 85% students achieving high grades.
Florida Lucau achieved A*AA and will be moving on to University of Birmingham to study Biochemistry
Arun Thirugnanarajah got AAA and will be studying Law at the University of Nottingham
Lucy Greetham achieved A*A*A* and is taking a planning to take a gap year before moving on to study Graphic Design
Alongside moving onto prestigious universities across the country, a number of students have secured high profile apprenticeships.
Sherika Graham achieved A*AB and will be taking up an apprenticeship with tax, audit and advisory firm Grant Thornton
Fatima Faouaz achieved BBC and will be starting as an apprentice with accountants Trevor Jones.
T Level students Lucy Webb and Jessica Cartmell both achieved Distinctions. Lucy is planning to study Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University and Jessica plans to study Counselling at Newman University.
Principal of Cadbury Sixth Form College, Julia Stevens, said: “I’d like to personally congratulate all our A Level students at Cadbury Sixth Form College; they should be incredibly proud of the results that have been achieved today. Whichever path our students choose to follow – whether it’s university, apprenticeships or work placements – I’ve no doubt that they have a bright and exciting future ahead of them.
“I’d also like to thank our dedicated team of teachers and support staff, who go above and beyond to ensure every single student receives the support and guidance they need to achieve their full potential. It’s been a hugely rewarding year at the College and I’m so pleased to see the class of 2023 secure such exceptional results.”
More than 50 different A Levels, T Levels, BTEC Diplomas and Subsidiary Diplomas are delivered by Cadbury Sixth Form College’s specialist faculty. The team is committed to not only preparing pupils for the transition to university, but also helping them to build a strong skill set for the workplace, within an enriching and supportive learning environment.
So you’ve just had your results. What’s next for you?
Whether you know where you’re heading or not, knowing about the different routes open to you is a great place to start.
There are many ways to get your dream job, and T Levels are one of your options.
If you’d like to know what a career is like while you continue to study, T Levels just might be for you.
What’s a T Level?
A T Level is a nationally-recognised qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds that takes 2 years to complete. Leading businesses and employers helped design T Levels to give you the knowledge and skills you need. They’re roughly equal to 3 A Levels.
What you’ll do on a T Level course
You’ll spend 80% of your time in the classroom and 20% on a minimum 9-week placement with an employer. This means you’ll learn what a real career is like while you continue your studies.
The very first cohort of Cadbury T Level students have secured excellent results this year, with a 100% pass rate and 85% of students achieving high grades.
Lucy Webb and Jessica Cartmell both achieved Distinctions.
- Lucy is planning to study Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University
- Jessica plans to study Counselling at Newman University
Grades you need to take a T Level
To study T Levels at Cadbury you’ll need GCSE grade 4 or above in Maths and English (plus Science for the Health T Level)
Subjects you can take
Digital Design & Development
Education & Childcare
Health
After your T Level
A T Level is worth the same UCAS points as 3 A Levels. You can use UCAS points to apply to university or another type of higher education. You can also use your T Level to do a related higher level apprenticeship or start your career.
If you’d like to chat or get advice about T Levels or your future, come and see us in campus during our opening times.
