Revolutionising Sixth Form Taster Days: A Digital Approach – Sam Gale, Ks5 Progress Manager, Central Foundation Girls’ School
Revolutionising Sixth Form Taster Days: A Digital Approach
For years, organising Sixth Form taster days has been a logistical challenge. From managing student registrations to ensuring they attend the correct sessions, the traditional process was often time-consuming and paper-heavy. However, with the rise of digital solutions like Applicaa, schools are transforming how they run these important events, making them more efficient, engaging, and transparent for students, parents, and staff alike.
The Evolution of Taster Days
Historically, Sixth Form admissions and taster days relied on a mix of paper-based and rudimentary online systems. Schools would send out registration forms via post, manually log reply slips, and assign students to sessions without much flexibility. The shift to digital has dramatically improved this process.
Sam Gale, who has worked in Sixth Form admissions for nearly 20 years, recently shared her experience of moving from a manual system to a streamlined, digital-first approach using Applicaa. With over 400 students attending their two-day taster event, the administrative burden was significant. By leveraging Applicaa’s automation features, they successfully eliminated the need for physical paperwork and provided a seamless experience for students and parents.
Key Benefits of a Digital Taster Day
1. Simplified Communication
Traditionally, students would receive event details via post, often missing key information due to exam stress or general disengagement. Now, with automated emails and parent notifications, everyone stays informed. Parents, in particular, appreciated being kept in the loop, ensuring their child attended on the correct days.
2. Student Choice & Autonomy
One major improvement was allowing students to choose their own sessions based on the subjects they had been offered. Previously, timetables were assigned manually, limiting flexibility. With Applicaa, students could tailor their own schedules, attending only the sessions relevant to their Sixth Form pathway.
3. Timetable Optimization
Using a dedicated options system, the school was able to recreate a timetable specifically for taster days. Students were restricted to choosing only the subjects they had been offered, ensuring they attended relevant sessions. Additionally, session capacity limits were set, preventing overbooking and making classroom management easier.
4. Efficient Registration & Attendance Tracking
Managing student arrivals was another significant challenge. Previously, schools relied on manual check-in lists, leading to long queues and potential errors. With Applicaa’s event features, schools could explore QR code sign-ins in the future, further streamlining the registration process.
5. Paperless Approach
Going digital meant reducing the reliance on paper timetables and handouts. While some schools still printed schedules due to mobile phone restrictions, others encouraged students to access their timetables online. This shift not only saved resources but also aligned with sustainability goals.
Overcoming Challenges & Looking Ahead
While the transition to a digital taster day was largely successful, there were some hurdles. Sam Gale noted that they still had to manually adjust timetables for subjects with multiple class groups, such as Biology. However, future software updates could help address this issue.
Another common challenge was dealing with students who turned up unregistered. Some schools pre-generated timetables for all invited students, ensuring they could accommodate last-minute attendees while maintaining security protocols.
Final Thoughts
Digital solutions like Applicaa are revolutionising the way schools manage Sixth Form admissions and taster days. By automating key processes, enhancing communication, and giving students greater control over their schedules, schools can provide a more efficient and engaging experience.
As more institutions embrace these tools, we can expect to see even greater innovation in Sixth Form admissions, making the transition from Year 11 to post-16 education smoother for everyone involved.
Have you transitioned to a digital approach for your school’s taster days? We’d love to hear about your experiences!