Is there a Doctor in the House Event (Autumn 2019 - Spring 2020)

This is a four session programme aimed at Year 11 and Year 12 students who wish to read medicine at university.  It gives an overview of what it is like to become a doctor, including feedback from medical practioners at different stages of their career.  It highlights the key challenges that students might face when applying for a place at medical school and gives them practical advice on strengthening their position as a medical applicant.  The course also looks at the best way to approach the personal statement, volunteering and important considerations when applying for medicine.

The first session (November 2019) involved a presentation by Medic Portal, together with presentations and Q&A from three alumni:

A student in their third year at Imperial College

A recently qualified doctor in their foundation year

A consultant with over 10 years experience.

In Spring 2020 we offered two workshops to support the students, each one focusing on an important aspect of the application process:

UCAT & BMAT tests

Multiple mini interviews

Unfortunately two of our workshops were cancelled because of COVID:

The Personal Statement & Application

The Interview

Aims

AIM

To provide relevant and up-to-date information about making a medical application to ensure that students are both well informed and well advised about what is involved when applying for this very competative field.

 

This event was very successful and attracted 80 attendees, 85% from state schools

Background

The partnership developed throrogh several meetings between Deputy Head of Kingston Academy and Assistant Head at Kingston Grammar School exploring a number of opportunities. 

KGS initially approached TKA to offer some additional Latin teaching. 

The development of a more robust partnership has taken two years

Resources

The critical factor key to the success of the relationship is to try different things.  Not all will succeed, but a willingness to explore different opportunities is key.

We also believe that collaborative projects are more effective with a common goal, where both schools benefit in some way.

Pupil Involvement

Year 4 students upwards

Frequency

This was the first event.  We have now formalised a more robust structure for the events.

 

See the work on FUTURES.