Careers and Futures
The workplace and professional landscapes continue to change rapidly, and we are clear on the need to prepare students for both traditional and non-traditional careers and future paths. Entrepreneurship is promoted across different areas of College life and all students follow a structured pathway so that;
- They have the knowledge and information they need to make informed decisions at key points in their school life which are likely to influence later career choices (including with GCSE & sixth form options and university (UK and overseas) or degree apprenticeship applications)
- They have the practical and soft skills required for post-sixth form applications and the workplace
- They recognise and engage in opportunities to gain work related experience and qualifications
- They can engage in personalised coaching and mentoring and the opportunity to draw on our alumni and professional connections
Our careers provision is evaluated against the Gatsby Benchmarks for good practice and all students have access to the Unifrog platform which provides a wealth of online resources and tools to research careers, and to support in university and degree apprenticeship applications.
Recent leavers have ventured into disciplines such as architecture, law, medicine, business, fashion design, the creative arts, ICT, chosen apprenticeships with others choosing to carve out their own unique paths including setting up their own enterprises.
Careers Programme
In Bounds (Year 7 & 8), careers lessons form part of the PSHE programme. Students take part in enterprise days designed to develop practical skills, and are encouraged to engage with the UniFrog platform to start researching different careers and to log activities creating a digital portfolio of careers related experiences.
In Divisions (Year 9, 10 and 11), taught lessons continue as part of PSHE programme with a focus on developing financial literacy and money matters, informing GCSE and post-GCSE options and subject choices, and working to develop their own CVs. Students have the opportunity to take online psychometric careers assessments and start working towards practical work-related qualifications. Using Unifrog they will build a digital portfolio of careers related ‘Activities, Competencies and Interactions’, ensuring they are reflecting on opportunities and learned skills across the different areas of College life and outside.
In Rhetoric (Year 12 and 13), the focus increasingly moves to students preparing for university (both UK and international) and other career-related programmes such as degree apprenticeships. This involves guest speakers from universities and industry, university visits, a UCAS convention and our own Careers fair. Practical skills are developed through service and leadership opportunities and taking part in focused workshops for instance on interview skills. Students use UniFrog to research appropriate pathways and prepare applications and throughout Rhetoric, students have regular support from their Tutor and Heads of Year to guide them through their options and the process.
Coaching & mentoring
Our College Careers Officer Mrs Thomas is an accredited coach, who provides one-to-one mentoring, supporting students in their pursuit of academic and career goals through a holistic approach which encapsulates life skills, personal growth and development. This is available to all students in the College, taking a goal-focussed approach and encouraging students to take responsibility for their learning and promoting independence. Coaching sessions can be spent identifying short, medium and long term goals, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses and exploring relevant opportunities and strategies to move forward. These are often of equal value to students that are clear in their goals, but also those who are unsure of their future.