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, Director of Learning or UCAS coordinator by email. Explain clearly which course/s you are applying for and at which universities. You can find email address on our Key Staff page or below.
- 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 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:
- 2024 / 2025 (2025 leavers)
- 2025/ 2026 (2026 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.
INTERNAL LaSWAP DEADLINE DATES 2026/27:
Reference requests must be received by the following dates:
- Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Science: Friday 18 September 2026
- UCAS Conservatoires: Friday 18 September 2026
- All other applications (excluding those above): Friday 23 October 2026
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 2026 or 13 January 2027.
Contacts:
- Acland Burghley School:
- Ms Pearcey lpearcey@aclandburghley.camden.sch.uk
- La Sainte Union School:
- Mr Oates soates@lsu.camden.sch.uk
- Ms Boyd hboyd@lsu.camden.sch.uk
- Parliament Hill School:
- Mr Taylor-Mitchinson mtaylormitchinson@parliamenthill.camden.sch.uk
- Mr Jones sjones@parliamenthill.camden.sch.uk
- William Ellis School:
- Dr Smith smith@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
- Mr Mangham mangham@williamellis.camden.sch.uk
If you have any general questions about UCAS, please email Laura Pearcey giving your full name, base school 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 given LaSWAP/your base school enough time to write it.