Barrow sixth form programme to find future medics

From September Barrow Sixth Form College will run a specialist programme to support university applications into highly-competitive medical degree courses.

The programme will identify students who are considering applying for medical school or have the potential to consider this career and support them through the often complicated enrolment process.

Careers advisor Samantha Roberts, who is leading the programme, said students often have the academic talent to pursue careers in these areas but can consider it too late, be put off by the process or find it too overwhelming.

Mrs Roberts said: “We have a strong track record of successful applications to these sought-after courses when students approach us

"But we think there are more students who, at 16, may want to consider applying and lack the confidence to do so. It’s often a career that they are more than capable of pursuing but they may not realise that it is achievable. As a college, our role is to raise aspirations and we will be focusing our efforts on identifying students early and getting them the support they need to be successful.”

The college will work with the schools to fast-track students who show the potential and the interest onto the medical applicant programme. They will hold a talk with parents of Year 10 and Year 11 pupils to make sure they have the right information to make decision on subjects. The programme will also support applicants to veterinary and dentistry courses. She said it will ensure the students’ UCAS personal statement really shines and reflects all the academic abilities, work experience and volunteering they need to secure an interview. There will be practice interviews to test clinical and personal skills and guidance on the clinical aptitude and biomedical admissions tests.

Last year, three students, Rudi Brabbs, of Silecroft, Thomas King, of Eskdale, and Kanha Kukreti, of Barrow,secured places at medical school. This year Jess Arnold, of Hawkshead, has a place to study medicine at Glasgow (see case study below).

Principal David Batten said: “Our new Honours programme is showing that we have some very academically able students who are doing particularly well in the sciences, are good communicators, compassionate and have the attributes needed for a successful career in medicine. “We know there is a shortage of skills in the medical profession in this area and this programme helps to ensure we are responding to that as a key part of this community. We want our students to aim high and have fulfilling and successful careers and if they are considering medicine we want to help them achieve it.”

Former Barrow Sixth Form College student Hannah Kolbe who is now a junior doctor with University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust and work at Furness General Hospital said: “I’d always placed the idea of being a doctor on a pedestal as something that I couldn’t achieve. It took until AS Levels and after long discussions with my tutors to realise I could do it and have the confidence to apply. I was very fortunate to have such valuable support at the sixth form college to pursue a life which is so rewarding and exciting.

“The idea that ‘I’m not good enough’ or ‘I don’t know anyone else applying’ shouldn’t put you off. If you have any thoughts that being a doctor is what you want to do, believe that you can do it. Your time at school and college goes by so fast and this new scheme is a great way to explore the idea of medicine as early as possible.”

Jess on path to medical career

JESS Arnold will start a degree in medicine at University of Glasgow Medical School in September.

The 19-year-old, of Hawkshead, achieved As in A Level chemistry, biology, maths and AS physics at Barrow Sixth Form College.

She received three offers after taking a year out and opted for Glasgow based on the university’s excellent reputation and the vibrancy of the city.

As well as her academic success, the sixth form helped Jess with the skills and confidence to make the move from the countryside to a city.

Jess said: “I liked it because the college environment is more informal than a school and the way you are treated is closer to university so it was a step up. It also has a great reputation for results.

“Coming from John Ruskin School there were only a couple of us but we made lots of new friends that we are still friends with. The tutors always seemed to be available and I had really great support applying for university.”

Jess is even more determined to succeed as it’s the second time of applying but with her grades under her belt she knew she could attract offers from top universities. She said: "Medicine is a really competitive process, you have to be very lucky to get in the first time. My plan was always if I didn’t get in the first time to take a year out and try again.”

She values the support from the sixth form’s careers advisor Samantha Roberts who helped her with her personal statement and kept in touch inviting her to relevant talks from medical schools and past students so she could stay up-to-date.

She said: “I’m really excited to start at university and I’d say to anyone don’t be put off by the competition. If you don’t get in the first time always keep trying, even if it’s your third time don’t give up if it’s what you want to do.”

Alongside work experience at FGH and Lancaster Royal Infirmary, organised through the college’s employment engagement coordinator Trish Mason, she has worked as a carer for adults at Leonard Cheshire Disability Trust's Holehird Care Home, Windermere and volunteered at St Mary’s Hospice.

She said: “I like seeing people improve and rehabilitate. A career in medicine has such job satisfaction it must be very rewarding to see how you have helped someone and their family in a very important way.”