References

School UCAS Reference

Purpose

The reference is used by admissions tutors to gain a better sense of suitability of the applicant for the course and for university life.  It also sets an applicant's academic achievements, which are outlined elsewhere on the form, and motivation in context.

What sort of things are said in a reference?

The reference may address such things as

• Pupil's strengths in each subject with a focus on skills particular to each subject and the course applied for
• The way the pupil has approached their learning and the progress they have made over recent years
• The context of their subject choice
• Their enthusiasm for their chosen course which may be demonstrated at school or beyond it (through work experience, wider reading or other activities)
• The wider character and personal attributes of the pupil which will suit them for university study and the course or career path chosen
• Any personal or circumstantial difficulties which may have affected a pupil's performance or education

Who writes the reference at St Peter's?

Each pupil's housemaster or housemistress writes the UCAS reference.  They draw heavily on subject comments which a pupil's Lower Sixth teachers write specifically for the UCAS reference.  The reference is also read by members of the UCAS team and The Head Master before it is sent.