Careers Programme

The Careers Service is here to help all students explore the opportunities available after they complete their studies, whether they intend to progress to employment, higher education or take a gap year. Careers is a whole college commitment involving our Careers team, teaching staff, Guidance Support Tutors and Senior Management. You can view our Careers & Guidance Policy here.

We offer

A varied and interesting careers programme consisting of events, guest speakers and external visits.
Personal guidance specific to individual student needs and aspirations.
Support with gaining work experience and part-time work.
Current information about the labour market.
Regular contact with employers, training providers and universities.
Help to develop employability skills through CV workshops, mock interviews and careers guidance sessions.

The S6F Careers Programme offers support with:

Higher Education

Students have the opportunity to attend two Higher Education fairs at College. Over twenty universities from around the UK attend to offer advice on courses, applying, interviews, finance and student life. The first is in September, the second in May. Parents are invited to the latter.

In addition, we run:

A series of university talks throughout the year at college. Areas covered can include: student finance, choosing a degree, personal statement writing, summer schools and student life.
Help with completing a UCAS application, including Personal Statement guidance and deadline reminders.
Mock Interview practice.
Regular updates about university open days, widening participation programmes, summer schools and admissions tests.
Visits to universities and HE events.

ASPIRE

This group is designed to support students applying for competitive degree courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine, or to competitive universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Durham or York. The group is open to all students and aims to inspire, inform and give students the best possible chance of securing an offer.

The group launches each year in October and consists of:

University talks
Former student talks
Mock interviews/interview preparation
Summer School advice
A visit to the University of Oxford
Application advice and guidance

Apprenticeships & Employment

For students wanting to progress onto an apprenticeship or employment, we offer:

An annual Careers & Apprenticeship Fair in March where over 40 employers will be in college to speak to students about employment opportunities.
The Careers team offer CV checking, mock interviews and support with job searches and applications.
Regular updates about employment and apprenticeship vacancies are emailed to students.

Gap Year & Volunteering

The Voluntary Work Fair in March provides students with the opportunity to speak to local organisations and apply for volunteering vacancies.
In the careers office students can find information about gap years, working abroad and volunteering.
We have links with Project Trust and Raleigh International who organise expeditions abroad.

Work Experience

Work experience is vital for those wishing to go straight into employment and essential for entry on to some degree courses.

In June, all lower sixth students take part in a Work Experience week (VIP week) to help explore the world of work.
Placements can be arranged in conjunction with college to help students gain industry experience and to enhance employability skills.

Here you can access the Work Placement Policy

Personal Guidance

Students can book 1:1 personal guidance with our Careers Advisers to discuss career plans and goals.
Appointments can be booked through Guidance Support Tutors, or direct with the Careers team.

Careers Resources

Careers is located in the Guidance Support Office. We have a large number of resources relating to university, employment, gap year, part-time work and work experience.

Provider Access Policy

Here is our Provider Access Policy

Careers Resources

Exploring careers

Unifrog Personality Profile - Learn more about yourself and explore the careers commonly associated with your closest personality types

Unifrog Careers Library - Find the best careers for you, linked to your college subjects or a keyword, then save your favourites

Prospects Career Planner - Career Planner matches your skills, motivations and desires to a career that could be perfect for you

Choosing a degree

Unifrog Subjects Library - Find the best subjects for you, then save your favourites here

Prospects, How to choose the right degree - With so many university courses to pick from, deciding what to study can be a long process - so start by narrowing down your degree options

UCAS guidance - Advice on choosing a university course

UCAS course search - Search degrees, apprenticeships and information advice on UCAS

Unifrog UK University Search

Oxbridge

Any students interested in Oxford or Cambridge are advised to join the college’s Aspire enrichment group. Aspire attendees will receive guidance about various aspects of competitive university applications, including Oxbridge, and the opportunity to visit Oxford and Cambridge for free.

Applying to Oxford - Information on Oxford University's admission process

Applying to Cambridge - Information on Cambridge University's admission process

Unifrog Oxbridge research

Gap Year

Unifrog Gap Year Guide

UCAS guidance - Information and advice on gap years

UCAS ultimate guide - More indepth information on gap years including videos

Prospects guidance - This includes planning advice as well as suggested gap year projects and destinations

Study Abroad

Prospects guidance - Top 10 study abroad tips

UCAS guidance - Discover whether studying abroad is right for you

NHS Careers & Opportunities

NHS Health Careers Quiz - To find the NHS careers that best suit you, all you need to do is answer some simple questions. Good luck!

Step into the NHS - Take the Career Mapper quiz to find out what jobs in the NHS might suit you.

NHS Work Experience & Outreach Opportunities - this digital brochure is updated continuously with upcoming events and activities for individuals, schools and colleges