We were excited to welcome back 12 NHEHS alumnae for our annual Alternative Prospectus evening, where they shared with our Sixth Formers what life as a university student is really like.

The event has proved hugely valuable in previous years, helping Year 13s finalise their shortlist of five courses for UCAS applications. Hearing advice from peers who were in their position not so long ago is always invaluable, and students will now be able to discuss their ideas further with their UCAS mentors ahead of the early application deadline later this term.

Our alumnae represented a wide range of universities, including York, Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, LSE, Leeds, Edinburgh, UAL (Art Foundation) and Exeter. They spoke about topics such as settling in, making friends, accommodation, lectures, placements and more. One student described the process of successfully reapplying after a gap year, another shared her experience of about what it’s like if you want to change course, while another has just completed a Fine Art Foundation and is off to study Architecture.

Subjects discussed included Politics and International Relations, Maths, Natural Sciences, Chemical Engineering and Dentistry. These first-hand accounts offered a level of insight that can be hard to access at open days or through university websites, giving our sixth formers the chance to ask the questions that really matter.

A big thank you to our wonderful alumnae – Flora, Lewhat, Olivia, Sophie, Chloe, Heather, Ariella, Diya, Maddie, Annika, Beatriz and Carmel – for giving their time and their wisdom to support the next generation of NHEHS students.