At this stage in your education, it’s a great time to start thinking about your skills, interests, and hobbies. While you don’t need to make any decisions yet, exploring different careers and understanding how school subjects connect to jobs can be really helpful.

Things You Can Do Now

• Explore different career paths – Look at different jobs and sectors to see what they involve.
• Think about your interests and strengths – What subjects do you enjoy?
• Take part in school clubs and activities – These can help build useful skills for the future.
• Talk to people about their jobs – Ask family members, teachers, or visitors at school about what they do.

Useful Websites to Explore Careers

• BBC Bitesize Careers – Discover job profiles and advice.
• National Careers Service – Find out about different jobs, skills, and career paths.
• Job of the week - Watch videos on different careers.
• Take a quiz to see what careers might suit you.
• Panjango – Virtual work place tours.

Who Can Help?

If you have any questions about careers, speak to your form tutor, careers advisor, or head of year. You can also visit the school library for more career-related books and resources.

Start exploring now – your future is full of possibilities!

 

Preparing for Your Future

Even at KS3, it’s never too early to start thinking about your future! The choices you make now - especially your GCSE options, can have a big impact on your career path.

• Guided Choices' booklet sent home  (Add booklet)

Here’s what you can expect:

• Preparation begins in Form Time and with options assemblies.
• Careers activities during your Personal Development (PD) lessons.
• Support choosing your options (the subjects you’ll study in year 10 and 11).
• Opportunities to track your achievements and plan your future steps.

• Careers advice from a Personal Advisor.
• Getting involved in the More Able Programme and Higher Education Progression Programme (HEPP).
• Accessing resources through the school website and library.
• Taking part in the Year 9 Options Preparation and Options Evening.
• Keeping track of your career progress with your Education to Employability Passport.

How to Choose Your GCSE Subjects

Picking your GCSE subjects is an important decision. Use the resources below to help you make informed choices:

• BBC Bitesize - Choosing Your GCSEs – A guide to making the right choices.

Exploring Career Ideas in KS3

At this stage, your main focus should be on exploring different careers and learning about your strengths and interests. Here are some great tools to help:

• iCould – Inspiring career videos showcasing a variety of jobs.
• Take a Careers Quiz, based on your personality.
• National Careers Service Skills Assessment – Identify your skills and match them to potential careers.
• Careers Box – Employer-led career films offering job insights.
• Success at School – Information on different careers and how to get there.
• National Careers Service – Find out about different jobs, skills, and career paths.
• Job of the week - Watch videos on different careers.

How Careers Link to Your Subjects

Every subject you study at school can open doors to all kinds of careers you might not have even thought about yet! While some jobs need specific qualifications where you can find out here, most industries offer a range of roles that connect to every subject you study.

For example:

• English Sure, careers in journalism and teaching are obvious, but did you know that excellent communication skills are also super important for jobs in marketing, law, and even game design?
• Maths & Science: These subjects are key for careers in finance, engineering, medicine, and IT, but they also play a huge role in other fields like music production (think audio engineering), and sports analytics!
• Art & Design: When people think of art, they often picture painting or graphic design, but did you know that creativity is essential in careers like architecture, product design, video game development, and even special effects in movies?
• Geography: It’s not just about reading maps! Geography skills are super useful for careers in town planning, environmental conservation, sustainability consultancy, and even disaster management – pretty cool, right?
• History: Beyond learning about the past, history helps you develop analytical and research skills that are valuable in careers like law, public relations, and heritage management.

So, next time you’re in class, think about how the subjects you’re studying could link to careers you’re interested in – you might be surprised by how many exciting opportunities there are!

Whatever your interests, there are many different pathways to explore! Use Unifrog to search for careers linked to your favourite subjects. 

Also don’t be afraid to reach out - your teachers and school staff are here to support you every step of the way!

And if you are looking for some Career Advice you can reach out to Mrs Morse found in the Sixth Form Department. 

Exploring Career Ideas in KS4

At this stage, your main focus should be on exploring different careers and learning about your strengths and interests. Here are some great tools to help:

• iCould – Inspiring career videos showcasing a variety of jobs.
• Take a Careers Quiz, based on your personality.
• National Careers Service Skills Assessment – Identify your skills and match them to potential careers.
• Careers Box – Employer-led career films offering job insights.
• Success at School – Information on different careers and how to get there.
• National Careers Service – Find out about different jobs, skills, and career paths.
• Job of the week - Watch videos on different careers.

How Careers Link to Your Subjects

Every subject you study at school can open doors to all kinds of careers you might not have even thought about yet! While some jobs need specific qualifications where you can find out here, most industries offer a range of roles that connect to every subject you study.

For example:

• English Sure, careers in journalism and teaching are obvious, but did you know that excellent communication skills are also super important for jobs in marketing, law, and even game design?
• Maths & Science: These subjects are key for careers in finance, engineering, medicine, and IT, but they also play a huge role in other fields like music production (think audio engineering), and sports analytics!
• Art & Design: When people think of art, they often picture painting or graphic design, but did you know that creativity is essential in careers like architecture, product design, video game development, and even special effects in movies?
• Geography: It’s not just about reading maps! Geography skills are super useful for careers in town planning, environmental conservation, sustainability consultancy, and even disaster management – pretty cool, right?
• History: Beyond learning about the past, history helps you develop analytical and research skills that are valuable in careers like law, public relations, and heritage management.

So, next time you’re in class, think about how the subjects you’re studying could link to careers you’re interested in – you might be surprised by how many exciting opportunities there are!

Whatever your interests, there are many different pathways to explore! Use Unifrog to search for careers linked to your favourite subjects. 

Also don’t be afraid to reach out - your teachers and school staff are here to support you every step of the way!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you are looking for some Career Advice you can reach out to Mrs Morse found in the Sixth Form Department. 

 

Year 12

At the start of Year 12, students are given the opportunity to develop their extra-curricular experiences by signing up to and completing a ‘Brookfield Enrichment Programme’ course through the Stellar Programme to help them gain extra skills and work experience.

There is early identification of those students contemplating Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science applications so guidance can be tailored specifically. A trip is organised to the University of Oxford for our most able students.

During assemblies and form time, Year 12 students are encouraged to think about and plan their future Post 18 careers paths. They should research personal development opportunities, including those run by organisations, companies and universities. It is important they attend University Open Days and Taster sessions at their earliest convenience this year.

Throughout the year, a number of guest speakers present Post 18 progression opportunities to students, including companies, university representatives, student finance, current professionals and other agencies.

Students are recommended and selected by subject staff to attend Villiers Park residential's to further their understanding and experience degree level study.

Once Y12 students have finished their mock exams, they follow our Post 18 Options course. This is a 7-week carousel programme which outlines to students the options available to them Post 18. It includes information about Higher Education as well other Post 18 pathways and qualifications including Apprenticeships. Each student receives a Gold Post 18 Course Booklet which contains lots of important information and guidance, as well as sections to complete during each of the seven guidance sessions as outlined below. Admissions Tutor: a whole year group talk in the hall by the Sheffield Hallam University Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer – Rachel White, focussing on the Admissions Process and Personal Statements.

• UCAS Apply: Students register with UCAS. The Gold Post 18 Course Booklet details this process.
• Student Ambassador: a form group Question and Answer session with a current Sheffield Hallam Student Ambassador giving students the opportunity to get a student view of what University is really like.
• Personal Statement: guidance on how to plan, write and structure a Personal Statement, with advice coming straight from The University of Sheffield’s Head of Admissions.
• Library: Students are shown where they can access necessary Post 18 progression information in our Library. Students are shown the Post 18 Careers literature we have in school including prospectus’ and also the many useful websites they can use to research their future career path.
• Non-University Pathways: a talk delivered by one of the Sixth Form Leadership Team in form rooms about alternative pathways. It includes information about Foundation Degrees, Apprenticeships, HNC’s, HND’s, NVQ’s and Gap Years.

These 7 sessions are designed to give students support and information about all the options available to them so they can make informed choices. Students continually receive details and information about upcoming Post 18 events and opportunities in Assemblies, via Form Tutors and the Sixth Form Leadership Team and on the Careers display boards in the Sixth Form Study Area. These are updated regularly and include opportunities for all Post 18 Progression routes.

Post 18 Transition Day: Year 12 students also have a further day to continue with their Post 18 research.

UCAS Early Applicants: Throughout June and July; students who are seriously contemplating Oxford or Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science work closely with the Sixth Form team so they can be fully prepared for the early UCAS application deadline. Specialists support programmes across the Redhill Academy Trust also support early applicants.

Parents Post 18 Information Evening: This is an evening specifically for parents of Y12 students, informing them about our Higher Education programme, what is available Post 18 and looking at how they might help you in the process. On this evening we give out a Key dates list and a ‘Finance booklet for Parents,’ giving information and advice on student finance. A step-by-step guide to undergraduate student finance is also available at www.gov.uk/get-undergraduate-student-loan

Students are continually encouraged to attend University Open Days, ask for guidance as appropriate and to continue their research into their Post 18 route during the summer holidays so when they return as a Year 13 in September, they have an idea of what they want to do following the completion of their A Level studies.

A full list of University Open Days for 2022 can be found at www.opendays.com/calendar/?month=nov

 

Year 13

Every week, students have a regular Life 360+ sessions during form time. This is their designated time to continue with their Post 18 planning, with Form Tutors, Careers Advisors and the Sixth Form Leadership Team continually on hand to support students with their UCAS applications, Personal Statements, alternative pathways and any other Post 18 progression including Apprenticeships.

Students follow a Driver Safety programme in the run up to Christmas.

All Year 13 students now follow the Personal Development Programme.

All students are given the option of Post 18 interview practice and further guidance.

The Careers and Guidance Officer, Rachel Morse will meet with all students who are not going to university, looking at job-seeking skills, interview techniques and CVs etc.

Guest speakers are organised throughout the year to deliver further information during assemblies including Student Finance.

Students are coached on their ‘next steps’ including tracking their University applications, looking at University Accommodation and Finance, Apprenticeship and Job applications and what happens on results day, including Clearing, Confirmation and Adjustment