QPHS magazine - Spring Term 2026 - Magazine - Page 29
STUDENT FINANCE
Cracking the cost of University
We were delighted to welcome
Sean Williamson, Head of
Outreach at the University of
Chester to speak to our Year 13
students during their WPD lesson
on 10th February 2026.
Mrs Watts reminded students that
applications for Student Finance
opened in March and strongly
encouraged all Year 13s to
research their options and apply
as soon as possible.
Sean provided clear, up to date
information on tuition fees, student
loans, maintenance loans,
scholarships and bursaries for
students entering university in
2026. The session helped
demystify student finance and
gave students a realistic picture of
living costs while studying.
For more information, please visit:
www.gov.uk/studentfinance
Students found the talk both eyeopening and reassuring.
I was surprised that students
across the UK spend an average
of £1,104 per month, with
nearly half going on rent. The
talk really made me think
about budgeting!
Year 13 student
NEXT STEPS
Guided Choices Evening
It was fantastic to see so many of our
Year 9 students and their families attend
their Guided Choices evening in January.
At Queen9s Park High School we are
committed to ensuring every student
succeeds. Year 9 is a particularly
important stage, as students begin to
consider the next steps in their education
and the subjects they will continue to
study with us.
The Guided Choices evening gave
families the opportunity to learn more
about GCSE option subjects and speak
directly with subject teachers about what
each course involves before students
make their final choices.
In addition, students and parents were
able to meet representatives from a wide
range of employers, independent training
providers, Further Education colleges,
and T Level, Apprenticeship and
Traineeship providers. These
conversations encouraged students to
think ahead and helped families better
understand the many Post-16 pathways
available.
It9s fantastic to see so many students
thinking carefully about their future
pathways. Thank you to The Pledge, the
WCNW Chamber of Commerce, and the
employers and businesses who helped
support our students as they explored
careers linked to their option choices.
Mrs Watts, Careers Lead
