UCAS Guidance for ex-LaSWAP Students
We frequently take requests from ex-students to provide references for UCAS. Please read the guidelines below carefully before requesting a reference or support with a UCAS application.
Requesting a reference:
- References are written by your base school’s UCAS coordinator or Head of Year. Please do not contact subject teachers or tutors about UCAS references.
- To request a reference, contact your Year 13 Head of Year or UCAS coordinator by email. Explain clearly which course/s you are applying for and at which universities.
- Please start your UCAS application as an independent candidate. Before you contact us to request a reference make sure that you have completed the following sections:
- Admin sections (personal details, address etc)
- Diversity and Inclusion
- More About You
- Education (including both GCSEs & your LaSWAP A Levels/Vocational qualifications)
- Choices
- Do not send reference requests from UCAS before making your Head of Year/UCAS coordinator aware that you are requesting one!
- Your Head of Year/UCAS coordinator will provide further instructions and support. They may ask you for information about your application in order to tailor your reference effectively.
Who is eligible?
In most circumstances, LaSWAP schools will only provide a UCAS reference service for the following academic years:
- 2023 / 2024 (2024 leavers)
- 2023/ 2023 (2023 leavers)
If you left LaSWAP earlier than this, providing a reference will be at the discretion of your Head of Year. Please contact them to discuss further.
From September 2025, we will provide references for 2024 and 2025 Leavers.
INTERNAL LaSWAP DEADLINE DATES 2025/26:
Reference requests must be received by the following dates:
- Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Science: Friday 12 September 2025
- UCAS Conservatoires: Friday 12 September 2025
- All other applications (excluding those above): Friday 24 October 2025
If we receive a reference request after these dates (depending on the course you are applying for) we cannot guarantee that we will be able to meet national UCAS deadline of 15 October 2025 or 14 January 2026.
Contacts:
- Acland Burghley School:
- o Ms Pearcey lpearcey@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
- La Sainte Union School:
- o Mr Oates soates@lsu.camden.sch.uk
- o Ms French dfrench1@lsu.camden.sch.uk
- Parliament Hill School:
- o Mr Taylor-Mitchinson mtaylormitchinson@parliamenthill.camden.sch.uk
- o Mr Jones sjones@parliamenthill.camden.sch.uk
- William Ellis School:
- o Dr Smith smith@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
- o Mr Mangham mangham@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
If you have any general questions about UCAS, please email Ms Pearcey quoting your full name and the year you left LaSWAP in the email subject header.
PLEASE NOTE: We cannot guarantee your UCAS reference will be completed by the external UCAS deadline if you have not provided LaSWAP/your base school with enough time to write it.