“Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life."

Purpose:

The purpose of our careers programme is to make sure all of our students are prepared for the next step on their journey, whether that be higher education, an apprenticeship or employment. Throughout our careers programme, we aim to raise students' aspirations, challenge stereotypes and develop their knowledge of the world of work to make sure they have access to the very best opportunities. 

Careers programme:

In Year 12 and Year 13, students have a careers interview where they receive impartial guidance on their future options and the pathways that they will need to embark upon. These interviews are carried out by our external careers advisor, John Knight, from Changing Education. Students are also provided with information on specific careers including their roles and responsibilities, salaries and opportunities for progression. The careers advisor also produces an individual action plan for each student to help them to move forward. 

Every Friday, students also complete a range of careers related activities linked to:

• CV writing               
• Preparing for interviews 
• Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeship
• Gap years
• Entering the workplace
• University selection and course options
• Student life
• Budgeting and finance
• Professional networking
• Goal setting

Unifrog:

Our sixth form students also have access to an invaluable careers resource called Unifrog. This package develop students' knowledge and understanding of their next steps, whether that be through assisting them in their University, further education or job applications or helping them to build their CVs. Unifrog also allows students to develop their skill set and personal profile by providing them with the opportunity to take part in extra-curricular online courses which are recommended by Universities and employers called MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). For students who are unsure of their next steps, Unifrog also allows them to match their skills and interests to a huge range of careers allowing them to discover the specific roles and responsibilities, salaries and entry requirements associated with each career. 

Career Ready Sixth Form Programme: 

We have also partnered with Career Ready to provide our sixth form students with an extensive employability programme including masterclasses, mentoring and experiences of the work place which prepares our young people for the world of work. At the start of the programme, students are also provided with their own mentor from the world of work who acts as a source of support and guidance; this is someone who they meet with on a monthly basis. Following on from a series of work place visits and masterclasses, students complete the course with the opportunity to undertake an internship or work placement with local or national organisations from Career Ready's network of employer supporters - a potentially life changing experience for our students!

Further information on the Career Ready programme can also be found on https://careerready.org.uk/career-ready/

UCAS:

Students who are interested in applying to University are supported through the UCAS application process by our sixth form chapter leaders and sixth form manager. This also includes the support of local universities and Higher Horizons in terms of providing personal statement writing support, application completion tips and general information on student finance, student accommodation and budgeting.