Careers

    In the Sixth Form, careers education and guidance continues to combine its personal and individual focus with group and whole year presentations.

    There is a well-structured Careers and Higher Education guidance programme in which each student receives individual advice and counselling to ensure that they are aware of all the opportunities available to suit their talents.  There are university-style seminar discussion groups with visiting university academics which help provide our Sixth Formers with an understanding of the transition to higher education.  We also coach 'lifeskills' such as interview preparation, management training, leadership challenge, public speaking and personal profiling.

    The Higher Education resources room is well equipped with the recommended guides, university prospectuses, software and handbooks, to build up a firm foundation for career and course choice. ECCTIS/Discover and KUDOS, as well as CD ROM resources, are available on the multi-media computers. The resource room is open all day, Monday to Friday. Students are encouraged to make early decisions with regard to university course and career choice. This enables them to take advantage of early completion of their UCAS forms and to arrange suitable work experience during their holidays. In addition, students are encouraged to attend carefully selected open days and appropriate 'taster days'. There are usually two school visits to 'local' university open days (e.g., Universities of Birmingham, Aston, Manchester, Liverpool and Aberystwyth) designed to give students an insight into different types of institutions: civic, city-campus, collegiate.

    Outside speakers are invited from the universities into the School to give formal and informal presentations and advice.

    Information is also available on areas of interest such as gap years, interviews and financial management.

    Sixth Form Tutors get to know their tutees exceptionally well and deliver a Higher Education programme which includes presentations and advice on topics such as how to compose and complete personal statements, the UCAS application system, clearing, time-management, how to stay out of debt etc.

    There is continuing support for students post-A level results. Help and advice is given to support any student caught up in the clearing process.

    Indeed, all students are encouraged to maintain contact with the Head of Sixth Form after they have left the School: requests for advice and support with regard to course changes, job applications and references are always welcomed.