Academic Counseling

Aim high, reach your potential

The driving force behind the Academic Counselling department is our steadfast commitment to helping students reach their true potential and becoming who they want to be. Securing a place at a competitive university is an integral part of this process and this requires much more than good grades in school. The academic landscape is one that is subject to many changes, and as a department we are adaptable and responsive to the changing needs of our students. For these reasons, we strongly encourage everyone to make use of the school’s Academic Counselling resources.

Our Academic Counselling provision is designed to provide:

• impartial advice during subject and career selection throughout all year groups
• essential information and resources that aid the students in the decision-making process
• guidance during the application processes of Universities in various countries
• support during a student’s academic journey – motivating, strengthening, supporting, encouraging

To do this, we make ourselves readily accessible to both students and parents, whilst also delivering a structured higher education and academic counselling provision at key points in our students’ academic careers:

In Year 2, we help students select a language between French and German.

In Year 3, we help students select GCSE options.  Currently, all students take 11 GCSEs, where 5 are optional subjects. A presentation is made to students in the morning, followed by two afternoon presentations to parents, run in Greek and English. We also produce the Years 4&5 Curriculum and Options booklet, in collaboration with the Academic Faculties. These presentations are followed by an extensive period of one-to-one appointments, where parents are usually present. The time set aside for year 3 is mid-January to end of February.

In Year 5, we help students select GCE A-Level options.  Currently, all students can take up to 5 GCE A-Levels, with 4.5 being the norm, and where all subjects are optional. A presentation is made to students in the morning, followed by two afternoon presentations to parents, run in Greek and English. We also produce the Years 6&7 Curriculum and Options booklet, in collaboration with the Academic Faculties. These presentations are followed by an extensive period of one-to-one appointments, were parents are usually present. The time set aside for year 5 is mid-January to end of February.

During the options season for Years 3 and 5, we help co-organise the Annual Education Fair with the Student Brotherhood Council, where students get student-to-student advice and are able to see textbooks and notebooks of students currently studying that particular subject. Moreover, we organize various career-related activities throughout the year that allow students to improve their decision-making skills and make informed decisions with regards to their subjects, taking into account the world of work.

In Year 6, we help students make the final adjustments to their curriculum, and prepare for University applications, which take place in Year 7. We deliver presentations relating to competitive admissions at top Universities such as Oxford and Cambridge as well as to demanding courses such as Medicine and Law. Moreover, we advise students on how to constructively spend their summer going into Year 7 with summer work, extensive reading and suitable programmes in order to present a more competitive application package to Universities in the forthcoming application season.

Finally, in Year 7, we assist students with every aspect of the University applications process. Our students are encouraged to apply to any country they want and to as many countries as the wish. The provision of services is abundant and it includes personalized career and advising session on a one-to-one basis with the student (parents are also welcome) to discuss grades, potential, course and university options Moreover, we offer workshops on personal statement writing, presentations for studying in various countries, open house visits by past graduates who share their experiences as well as University visits. Our provision for interview preparation for various courses is a point of pride for our department and the exceptional results of our students in all areas, including Medicine and the Flying Start PwC programmes are a testament to that. We are also the first school to have delivered a full-fledged MMI training circuit for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science in 2017. We close off the year with helping students see to every need relating to their move from the Academy to University such as accommodation, financial matters and pre-departure briefings.