


13th July 2025
At The Parent Guide to Post-16, we know how confusing the UCAS journey can be.
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We're hosting our 3rd annual UCAS Summit this July to bring together support for both students and parents, completely for free.Â
SUPPORTING YOUR TEEN THROUGH Y13:
Insights from a Sixth Form Leader
With Emma Fisher
Emma Fisher is a sixth form specialist with over ten years’ experience helping students thrive in Year 13.
 She'll join Paul to unpack the common challenges teens face as they step into their final year of school, from managing deadlines and academic pressure to staying motivated and emotionally balanced.Â
In this parent-focused session, she’ll share practical, realistic tips to help make that all-important first term smoother, more focused, and a lot less stressful!
The Talks...
It's going to be JAM-PACKED full of great advice, and it's all completely free.
(If you'd like to support the event, you'll get the option to purchase the recordings so you can make certain you don't miss a single drop of the awesomeness!)

FAQs
Do I have to register for each child / parent?
No - your ticket covers everyone in your family who wants to attend. Â Doesn't matter if you're all watching on different devices either - we just need one parent to send the details to.
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Is this really free?? Â Why?!
It really is! Â We want to help as many parents as we possibly can, so we're putting this on for free.Â
We're hoping enough of you decide you'd like to buy the recordings to support the Summit so that we can cover the costs of the event and keep doing it every year.Â
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How do we watch the summit?
The summit will be livestreamed, and you'll be sent a link in advance.
You'll be able to comment, although we can't guarantee we'll be able to read all of them while we're live!
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What if I can't make it to the whole thing live?
The live event is totally free, but if you miss something for any reason, you can purchase the recordings before, during, or for a short while after the event.  Â



No need to get all dressed up and drag yourself along to a venue either - this is completely online. Â You can rock up in your PJs with a bucket of popcorn, and no-one will know...Â
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It's from 2pm - 6pm, and we're packing it FULL of useful information!Â
We've brought together some amazing speakers to cover some of the most important topics for you and your teen.  Â
They'll be sharing insights and tips gained from years of experience, and it's all about helping you.Â

INSIDE UNIVERSITY LIFE:
Applying, Living & Thriving at Leeds
With Mhairi Sharp
Thinking about applying to university?Â
Mhairi Sharp from the Leeds University outreach team is joining us to help demystify the process.Â
In this friendly and informative session, Mhairi will walk you through what makes a standout application, what to expect from first-year accommodation, and give a quick lowdown on bursary options at Leeds.Â
Plus, you’ll get a taste of what makes Leeds such a fantastic place to study, live, and thrive.Â
Whether your teen is set on Leeds or just exploring their options, this is a must-attend!


INSIDE OXBRIDGE:
How To Stand Out And Succeed
With Pravahi Osman
Paul will be joined by Pravahi Osman for a no-nonsense Q&A on what it really takes to secure a place at Oxford or Cambridge.
They’ll break down:
✅ What makes a personal statement stand out (and what gets skimmed)
✅ What to expect from the infamous interviews
✅ How extra tests like the LNAT, UCAT, TMUA etc actually factor in
✅ What top universities are really looking for—and how to show you’ve got it
This is your chance to get honest answers, insider tips, and practical advice that cuts through the confusion.
It’s one of the most competitive routes out there—but with the right guidance, it’s absolutely doable.


EARN WHILE THEY LEARN:
The Truth About Degree Apprenticeships
With Jaguar Land Rover apprentices
Ever wondered what a degree apprenticeship actually looks like in the real world? Â
At this year’s UCAS Summit, we’re handing the mic to three real-life Jaguar Land Rover engineering apprentices—and they’re ready to spill the beans.
They’ll talk you through what a degree apprenticeship really involves, the upsides (earning while learning = yes please) and exactly how to stand out when you apply.Â
Plus, they’ll share what it’s like behind the scenes at JLR and answer those burning FAQs you didn’t even know you had.
If your teen’s even thinking about this route—or you’re just trying to figure out what the heck a degree apprenticeship actually is—this session will save you hours of Googling!


PERSONAL STATEMENTS THAT POP:
How To Help Your Teen Get It Right
With Paul Hughes
Writing a cracking personal statement can feel like trying to bottle personality, passion and potential in just 4,000 characters - no easy feat.Â
In this hands-on session, Paul will walk you through what makes a university personal statement sing (and what makes admissions tutors switch off).Â
He’ll cover what to include, what to avoid, and how to support your teen without writing it for them.Â
Come away with clear, practical tips to help your child get ahead before UCAS season really kicks off in September.Â
Hint: This is one for your teen to be watching over your shoulder!


FROM SOMEONE WHO'S JUST BEEN THERE - Y13 TIPS
With Lilla May Milanovich
Fresh out of Year 13 and still standing, Lilla May joins Paul to share her honest, hard-won advice on navigating the chaos of the final school year.Â
From coursework crunches to UCAS pressure, she’s been through it all—and come out the other side smiling.
In this practical, down-to-earth session, Lilla May will chat about what really helped her manage the stress, stay on top of deadlines, and - crucially - get that UCAS application in without the last-minute panic (spoiler: it involves starting early and beating your tutor to the punch).
If your teen’s heading into Year 13, this is the kind of real talk they, and you, don’t want to miss.

UNDERSTANDING PREDICTED GRADES & PERSONAL STATEMENTS
With Melanie Kidd
Supporting your teen through the university application journey?Â
Melanie Kidd from UEA is here to guide you through some of the key pieces of the puzzle.Â
In this parent-focused session, Mel will break down why predicted grades matter, how they translate into offers at UEA, and what role they play in the bigger picture.Â
She’ll also unpack the all-important personal statement - why it still counts, what’s changed in the process recently, and how your child can approach it with confidence.Â
A must-watch for any parent keen to feel a little more in-the-know.



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