We encourage all Sixth Form students to explore their post 18 options, whether that is University, apprenticeships, employment, a Gap year or other education or training. Opportunities for exploring future choices are available throughout the two years of Sixth Form.  

Sixth Form students are able to seek permission for up to five absences per academic year to attend visits to explore these post 18 options. They are able to go to university open days, taster lectures, work experience opportunities, careers fairs and discovery days.

In the Summer, we have an Enrichment Week when Year 12 students are given the opportunity to begin their UCAS journey. In this week we visit a university to have a day in the life of a university student and participate in lectures, students also have careers talks, team-building activities and talks from universities.

Students attend sessions on how to write effective personal statements for both university and Apprenticeship applications. Each person applying through The Universities and College Admission service (UCAS ) receives individual form tutor support, support from the Careers Leader, Sixth Form Manager and a one-to-one meeting with the Director of Sixth Form. Students seeking an alternative route will be invited to attend an individual guidance interview with our Careers Advisor and discuss their plans for their next steps with the Careers Leader.

Students receive bi-weekly careers bulletins through the Headlines containing information about university open days, summer schools, subject taster lectures and virtual work experience opportunities.  Sixth Formers have their own Microsoft Teams Careers Page where information regarding career events such as summer schools, taster days, online lectures and masterclasses, apprenticeship and job vacancies etc is published and shared.

Careers support is delivered through Form Time Activities, assemblies and through our PSHE curriculum. The PSHE curriculum for Year 12 and 13 is tailored to meet their needs.

Additional careers support that Year 12 and 13 students receive includes the following:

• On-site Academic and Industry speakers
• Talks from former students (Alumni)
• Opportunity to have an appointment with the Careers Advisor
• Support in sourcing work placements for Year 12 Work Experience
• Personal Statement and CV Preparation
• Tailored support for Oxbridge and other competitive entrance courses such as Medicine
• The opportunity to have a second Mock Interview
• The opportunity to attend Careers Fairs
• UCAS Discovery Day

Mrs Knight gave our sixth form the opportunity to take part in Law Enrichment, to take part in a mock trial, a visit to a Crown Court and expand our knowledge on law and ethics further. Mrs Knight also constantly reminds us about UCAS deadlines and the importance of staying organised. 

- Raby, Year 13

 

My careers support has been very beneficial. I have always known I wanted to work in the health or social care field and through the help of the careers team and my placement job in a neurological rehabilitation ward I was able to secure five offers to study social work at university. I was very lucky to have access to a careers adviser in the sixth form to talk about the process of university from interviews to how to apply for student finance. The careers adviser was always happy to talk about all my worries for the future and always tried to reassure me through every step of the process.

- Ava, Year 13

 

Our Careers Leader was so helpful. She made me feel positive and assisted me whenever I needed help with my UCAS application, I felt fully supported by her.

- Anon, Year 13