{"id":17557,"date":"2025-10-31T08:11:15","date_gmt":"2025-10-31T07:11:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.holymary.es\/vith-form-british-madrid\/guidance-and-support\/"},"modified":"2025-11-26T12:13:29","modified_gmt":"2025-11-26T11:13:29","slug":"guidance-and-support","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.holymary.es\/en\/vith-form-british-madrid\/guidance-and-support\/","title":{"rendered":"Guidance and Support"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Holistic Guidance and Student Support<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Academic and University Guidance<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mentoring and Academic Support<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

At Holy Mary, we take great pride in preparing every student for life beyond school \u2014 guiding them step by step toward admission to leading universities in the UK, Spain, the US, and across Europe.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Our team has many years of experience supporting students through this process<\/strong>, and our structured programme begins in the second half of Year 11, continuing throughout Years 12 and 13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each student receives personalised, one-to-one support from our University Guidance Counsellor and teaching team<\/strong>. Together, we help students reflect on their ambitions, identify suitable courses, and build a clear plan to reach their goals. This includes tailored guidance on writing CVs, personal statements or letters of motivation, and preparation for interviews<\/strong> \u2014 from highly competitive universities such as Oxford and Cambridge, to specialised fields like Medicine or the Creative Arts, where portfolio submissions are required.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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To strengthen their research and planning, students and parents are given access to Unifrog, a premium online platform offering global university information, course comparisons, and career guidance tools. The school also assists with the careful preparation of references, recommendation letters, predicted grades, and transcripts \u2014 all written with detailed input from teachers who know each student well.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students benefit from a variety of enrichment opportunities throughout the Sixth Form years. They attend local and international university fairs, meet visiting university representatives on site, and participate in online taster lessons and virtual fairs. We also invite guest speakers from universities, as well as parents and alumni, to share their personal journeys<\/strong> \u2014 helping students see that success can follow many different paths.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every year, we organise residential trips for students to visit other countries and cities, providing them with rich cultural experiences that broaden their academic horizons and support their curriculum and university choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Through expert mentoring, global resources, and real-world experiences, every Holy Mary student leaves school confident, well-prepared, and ready for the next step.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Community Service Opportunities<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n

Our Sixth Formers make a tangible difference to the lives of younger students while developing leadership, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Our Community Service Programme gives Sixth Form students the opportunity to give back to the school community<\/strong> by supporting primary school classes. Many of our students have been part of Holy Mary since their own primary years, making this a meaningful way to contribute and reconnect with the younger year groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sixth Formers assist in a variety of lessons, including core subjects as well as specialist areas such as PE and Computer Science, helping younger pupils develop practical skills, confidence, and a love of learning. Their involvement provides valuable support to teachers and creates positive role models within the school community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, our Sixth Formers gain hands-on experience, strengthen leadership and communication skills, and develop a strong sense of responsibility \u2014 all while making a tangible difference to the lives of younger students and enjoying the experience. This programme embodies the values of teamwork, empathy, and community engagement that Holy Mary encourages in every student.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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University Guidance Programme<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Holy Mary, we have created the University Guidance Programme, or Programa de Orientaci\u00f3n Universitaria (POU), to help our students make the best decisions when choosing their future universities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below are the main activities we carry out throughout the school year to guide our students:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  • Parent talks:<\/strong> university and professional experiences.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Alumni talks:<\/strong> insights into university life and their experiences during Year 12 and Year 13 at the school.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • University presentations:<\/strong> degree offers, entry requirements, Erasmus opportunities, etc.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Visits to university fairs:<\/strong> degree programmes offered by Spanish and international universities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Individual guidance sessions.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    Residential trips<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    Learning beyond the classroom brings knowledge to life, turning theory into experience and curiosity into understanding.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    Learning outside the classroom is a key tool for teachers to bring their subjects to life. It allows students to experience theoretical concepts studied in lessons within real-world settings, and to access case studies and examples on a global scale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The History Department has taken students to destinations such as Moscow, Krakow, Belgium and Berlin<\/strong>, while Geography students have travelled to Iceland and Naples<\/strong>. These trips enrich the learning experience, giving students first-hand knowledge<\/strong> that deepens understanding and helps them formulate informed responses under exam conditions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Residential trips also strengthen the teacher\u2013student relationship<\/strong>, leading to greater engagement and enthusiasm for learning.The school aims to provide one subject-oriented residential trip each year<\/strong> for every student in the Upper School.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Spiritual Guidance<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Much is written and spoken about the distinctive ethos of Holy Mary British Catholic School. This ethos is a fundamental part of our daily provision and is made real in the lives of students, teachers, and families within our school community.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Holy Mary, Our Queen and Mother, is our Patroness. Through Her love, we recognise that Jesus Christ is at the centre of our Catholic faith. His values and attitudes are modelled by adults and students alike, and students are encouraged to make them their own, fostering a sense of pride in their faith and identity.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n

    At Holy Mary, students are encouraged to live the values of Jesus Christ with pride, faith, and integrity.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    During Sixth Form, the spiritual life of Holy Mary plays a key role in students\u2019 personal development. Our mission is to help students grow as individuals with strong principles and values<\/strong>. In Year 12, students have the opportunity to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation<\/strong>, supported by special preparation and a pilgrimage to Fatima, Portugal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Our three diocesan priests provide ongoing faith support <\/strong>through weekly religion lessons, spiritual guidance, confession, and the Eucharist. In addition, all students attend an annual spiritual retreat, <\/strong>offering a chance for reflection, peace, and silence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Pastoral Care<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
    \n

    At our Sixth Form, student well-being is a top priority, grounded in our Catholic values of compassion, respect, and community. Our pastoral team provides personalised support, ensuring every student feels confident and cared for throughout their academic journey.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

    We offer a strong network of tutors, mentors, and counselors who are always available to provide guidance\u2014whether academic, emotional, or personal. Regular one-on-one meetings, well-being workshops, and a supportive school environment help students navigate challenges while growing in faith and character.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    By fostering a culture of care, inclusivity, and resilience, we prepare our students not only for academic success but also for life beyond school, guided by the principles of our faith.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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