Making Medics at
Felpham Community College
At Felpham Community College, we have an excellent track record in supporting our students to become successful medical school applicants. Former students are currently studying at medical schools across the country from Exeter and Bristol, to Sussex and York. We also have a number of former students enrolled on BioMedical science and veterinary courses nationwide.
Building on our success in supporting students to enter this field, we are now launching our Making Medics pathway – a specialist route that aims to enrich your studies at A-level with opportunities to broaden your portfolio and hone the skills that will secure you a university place on the course of your choice.
Brighton and Sussex Medical School Support
As the BSMS hub school for West Sussex, we offer a programme of sessions that support your applications to Medical School, engaging you in ethical debates, following patients from diagnosis to treatment and beyond and offering you first hand experiences of MMIs – Multiple Mini Interviews – as you prepare for interviews.
Medical Masterclasses
Throughout your time at sixth form, your studies will be complemented by a selection of workshops which may include any of the following:
Immunology
Laboratory culturing
Gene therapy
Toxicology and drug behaviour
Neuro biology
Advanced human biology and physiology
Operating Theatre Live
Advanced dissection
Hands on suturing, injections and taking blood.
You will enjoy talks from visiting speakers and will be able to gain some hands-on experience to foster your passion for medicine.
Work Experience and Volunteering
We can help you to undertake a wide range of work experience in GP practices, veterinary practices and other NHS organisations – where this is not always possible, we can signpost you to some excellent online work experience opportunities, including the award winning BSMS Virtual work experience.
We encourage all students to be involved in some form of volunteering. Useful volunteering for Medical applications includes care homes, charity shops and working with children. You can also become involved in FCC’s charity committee and school council – each will offer you the chance to give something back to the community and to develop your leadership and teamwork skills – essential skills for anyone pursuing a career in medicine.
Support with Entrance Exams
Depending on which universities you to apply to, you will need to sit either the BioMedical Admissions Test or the University Clinical Aptitude Test. The universities use the results from this as one of their indicators as to who to invite for interview. You will be directed to support materials and given the opportunity to sit a mock exam so that you become used to the timings of the papers.
Some examples of the universities requiring the different entrance examinations are listed below:
| BMAT | UCAT |
|---|---|
| Cambridge University | University of Birmingham |
| Imperial College London | University of Bristol |
| Oxford University | University of Exeter |
| Brighton and Sussex Medical School | King's College London |
| University College London | University of Nottingham |
In terms of examinations, it is worth checking the website for each university you are considering as they may require certain grades in certain subjects at GCSE.
Support with Interviews
Alongside the MMI practice with BSMS, you will receive the opportunity to sit a longer mock interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team - as you do not have a second chance to make a first impression, these can be invaluable in helping you to develop the communication skills you need to make a positive first impression and to be able to confidently discuss your views and ideas.
Online Support
We have worked with former students who are now successfully studying at Medical School to compile a bank of resources that support you from deciding what and where you would like to study, all the way through to securing a back-up plan that addresses the fact that many medical professionals do not gain a place on their first application. 28,690 students applied for just 9,500 places across Great Britain in 2021!
Alongside the interview practices and university visits, you will be supported in producing a personal statement and completing your applications. You will have access to the medic portal, Alumni and professional mentors.
Once you have received your offers and sat your exams, you will also be invited to attend a seminar on how to survive your 1st year at Medical School with some of our former students.
Interested in applying?
If you are interested in joining the Making Medics pathway you should:
- Apply to study A-Levels in biology, chemistry and another of your choice
- Email a letter of application to makingmedics@felpham.org.uk (click here to see details) by June 7th 2024
- Be prepared to discuss your letter at interview with our Making Medics selection panel