The Programme supports students throughout the competitive Oxbridge applications. Leweston provides students with information about applying to these elite courses in Years 10 and 11, encouraging the super-curricular activities which are vital for success. While in the Sixth Form, students are given detailed guidance including extensive help with the personal statement, support making entries for assessment tests, and mock interviews with subject specialists. Click here for full details of the Leweston Oxbridge Programme.
The school then reflected on the highly fascinating careers presentation from Lieutenant-General Sir James Dutton, who visited Year 11 students at Leweston on 23 February.
James spoke to the students about his personal career experiences which include serving 38 years in the Royal Marines in a mix of policy, training and operational appointments, notably tours in support of the police in NI and the Falklands war in 1982. Appointments following the terrorist attacks on the USA in 2001 were focused on Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2010, he joined the US firm Bechtel, spending two and a half years establishing and running a national infrastructure development project in Gabon, West Africa. In 2013, he was appointed as Governor and Commander in Chief of Gibraltar, representing HM The Queen. Back with Bechtel in 2016, he returned to Africa, latterly running development across the continent until 2021. Most recently, Leweston was delighted to welcome James as one of the School Governors.
Included in his talk, James discussed the importance of the students’ upcoming exams when applying for the next stage in their careers but that there are other important factors to also consider. He spoke of leadership skills, not only in the military but also in civilian life, teamwork and taking enjoyment from the work that they decide to go into. Everyone found the talk very interesting which was showcased with a Q&A at the end of his presentation.
During Careers Week, Leweston was delighted to share the news that Anne, Year 13, received an offer to study Philosophy and Economics at London School of Economics. Anne says “I’m really looking forward to studying Philosophy and Economics next year at LSE. This would be the start of my philosophy journey and I believe this opportunity will take me to the next level in my economic course.”
The Saturday preceding Careers Week, Careers Adviser, Mrs Hutton, and Head of Sixth Form, Mr Ryan-East, took Year 12 students to the University of Exeter. One of the Exeter student ambassadors was Old Antonian Kamila F, who is in the first year of her degree, Exercise and Sport Sciences. Everyone loved the opportunity to catch up with Kamila and hear about her experiences of Exeter University.
The students had a tour of the Streatham Campus including a visit to the gym and the Students’ Guild. Year 12 saw some of the accommodation and spent time in the Forum, where there were information stalls. The day finished with a talk from a Recruitment Officer where the students learnt more about the university, accommodation, societies, the best way to research different degree courses and the other Exeter campuses.
Leweston also welcomed Deputy Governor Ben Broadbent, Economist and Deputy Governor to the Bank of England, on Friday 10 March, for the first Leweston Lecture of 2023. Having studied at the University of Cambridge and Harvard University, Dr Broadbent has been an Assistant Professor of Economics at Columbia University, an Economic Adviser to HM Treasury and a Senior European Economist at Goldman Sachs. As the current Deputy Governor (Monetary Policy) Dr Broadbent has specific responsibility for the monetary policy, including monetary analysis, banknotes, and data and analytics transformation. He has shared responsibility for the international macroeconomic analysis, strategy, and engagement. Dr Broadbent gave an insightful talk to students, staff, parents and the wider community about his education and career, whilst focusing on the current economic environment.
To conclude National Careers Week, Leweston would like to thank the Leweston community for the careers support provided to students.