Richmond School
Departments | Careers
CAREERS EDUCATION IN RICHMOND SCHOOL
Welcome to the Careers Department at Richmond School.
Within these pages and their links we endeavour to provide information and guidance for our students which will help them with the decisions they have to make during their school education and beyond in order that they are all helped to maximise their potential.
Careers Education is currently delivered to students via their Lifeskills programme (Skills for Life in Sixth Form), tutorial time, assemblies and other one-off group or individual sessions. Careers Education and Guidance runs throughout the key stages of each student’s education and recognises the key milestones which require extra support. We also operate in close contact with Tutors, Heads of Year and Pastoral Managers.
The staff responsible for Careers Education and Guidance at school are currently as follows:
Miss Christine Ball (Head of Careers)
Mr Andrew Gardner (Work Related Learning Coordinator)
Miss Hannah Clark (Administration)
Mrs Beverley Dawson (IGEN Careers Adviser)
Mr Mark Corcoran (IGEN Careers Adviser)
All of whom can be contacted by email via the link above.
Current transitional arrangements because of the building programme mean that we have a small Careers Library within a classroom (SG7) in the Sixth Form Centre. From September 2011 we hope to be in a more accessible place for all students.
Any group tutor will forward messages to Miss Ball.
CAREERS EDUCATION PROGRAMME - a brief overview
Within the Lifeskills programme students in Year 7 have two sessions in which they start to look at the world of work.
Sessions in Years 8 and 9 focus on decision making and choices at 14+ as there are now option choices in each year.
In Year 10 there are Occupational Group workshops focusing on information and guidance as well as the entire Work Experience programme.
In Year 11 students are prepared for their choices post 16. Currently all of our students have the opportunity for a one-to-one guidance interview with an IGEN Careers Adviser. In the Autumn Term we have an evening for students and their parents dedicated to investigating all of the choices available to students at post 16. As well as being supported in their applications to our own Sixth Form, students are supported in their applications to other colleges and organisations - this last year there was a visiting speaker and a visit to Darlington College and also to the Outdoor Careers Fair in Harrogate. Applicants to our own Sixth Form have an interview with a senior member of staff soon after their application in order to discuss relevant courses. This is then followed post results, by an interview in September.
WORK EXPERIENCE IN YEAR 10
This is a massively important part of careers education in Year 10 with lots of support being provided in preparation for a two week block of work experience in late June/early July. There is a huge range of opportunities available to students including placements in education, engineering, leisure and tourism and retail.
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Top Tips for Parents |
Top Tips for Students |
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If your child has any medical condition that could affect the placement, please record this on the WE4 form. |
Attend every day and always arrive in plenty of time. |
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Please sign and return paperwork promptly. |
Treat everyone with consideration and be polite at all times. |
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Talk to the school about any concerns you may have. |
Be enthusiastic and show a positive attitude to your work. |
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It takes time for young people to settle into their placement. |
Wear appropriate clothing for the placement. |
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Encourage your child to be positive even if the placement is not quite as expected. |
Listen carefully to instructions and if you are unsure about anything…ask! |
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Speak to the school about any problems during the placement, not to the employer. |
Think before you act and work safely. |
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Ring the school and the employer as early as possible if your child is unable to go to work. |
If you have a problem with work talk to your supervisor or contact school. |
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Discuss the placement and encourage your child to complete their journal. |
Complete your work experience journal throughout the placement – while things are fresh in your mind. |
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Your child may get very tired working as an adult for the first time and will need your support. |
If you are not able to attend work, for whatever reason, please call the school and your employer immediately.
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Sixth Form Work Experience– As well as some of the opportunities students have for work experience on the courses they choose, they may also opt in to undertake voluntary work to gain more specific/relevant experience in preparation for employment or university. Typical placements include primary education, veterinary practice, nursing and childcare.
CAREERS EDUCATION IN THE SIXTH FORM
The school has a thriving Sixth Form Centre and a good deal of the work carried out by the Careers Department involves sixth formers.
During Year 12 students will participate in a block of careers lessons aimed at helping them to focus on whether they should be considering university or employment after their sixth form studies. Students also have the opportunity to refer themselves for a careers interview. This gives them the opportunity to discuss their personal needs with one of our IGEN Careers Advisers (formerly Connexions).
Towards the end of Year 12, the school hosts a careers event involving a variety of workshops covering aspects of higher education, further training and/or employment and taking a gap year. Typically around 25-30 guest speakers including a number of universities and ex-Richmond Sixth Form College students take part in this successful event.
During Year 13 a detailed programme of careers education and guidance is operated in the Autumn Term. The majority of our Year 13 students will apply to university and extensive support is in place to facilitate this. This support includes direct staff guidance as well as tailored printed material issued to everyone.
Some students decide that university is not for them whilst in Year 12 and a separate programme of support is operated by the IGEN Careers Advisers. The focus of these sessions is on preparing letters of application, curriculum vitae writing and job searching.
An increasing number of students are choosing to take a gap year before going to university. We also offer advice and guidance on the opportunities available.
As university entrance becomes ever more competitive we aim to help as many of our students as possible gain offers from appropriate institutions. In order to assist with this we run a “Redbrick Group” at lunch times during the Spring Term in which students in Years 11 and 12 are prepared for applying to more competitive institutions. There are also specialist sessions for potential medics and vets. Some students also benefit from vocational work placements set up for some of their private study time.
AT HOME - Assistance with Decision Making for KS3 and 4 Students
There are many helpful websites which students can use to start to give them ideas about what they might do in the future. However it is important that any students or parents using these realise the origins of the information and its potential bias!
www.U-Explore.com - this is a new interactive site which includes interviews and videos of lots of different careers. Students will need to attend a lunchtime session in order to log on and register with the site, after this they can have access from home.
www.fasttomato.com is a website which includes an interactive “matching” quiz and lots of information leaflets.
www.connexions-direct.com/jobs4u has access to information sheets about different careers.
www.connexions-direct.com/itsyourchoiceis an on-line magazine about making options choices and about careers in general. Lots of colour, interesting articles, case studies etc.
www.careersadvice.direct.gov.uk offers downloadable leaflets and information.
If students wish to check subject choice against any university choices then they need to visit www.ucas.co.uk.
www.futures4menorthyorks.comis the on-line area prospectus for researching post 16 courses. There is also a link within it to find out about courses in other areas should you be moving home.
www.getconnectednow.co.uk offers more general information about careers.
In addition, those more helpful to older students include:
www.icould.comhas careers films about different work areas.
www.direct.gov.uk has a “Next Steps” section which includes a skills health check quiz.
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk is for those who are not interested in higher education.
www.ukcoursefinder.com and www.coursediscoveronline.co.uk help with HE course choice.
More direct university information can be found at the UCAS dedicated site or on the individual university websites.
There are also:
www.opendays.com to assist with fact finding visits.
www.unistats.comto help look at application statistics.
INFORMATION TO PARENTS REGARDING SPECIFIC TRANSITIONAL POINTS
A Summary of Careers Information for Parents of Year 9 Students
When students have to select their option choices they are inevitably encouraged to begin thinking about the implications that these choices might have on their eventual careers. Whilst this is something that in most cases they should not worry about, nevertheless it provides a good opportunity for students to begin some serious research about the types of jobs and careers which might be available to them. Also having an eye to possible careers and the qualifications required for them can be a motivating factor for doing well and is something to be encouraged.
Subject Choice: There has been quite a lot of publicity recently regarding university entrance and “preferred” subject choices. Frequently this choice refers more to A Level subject choice than to GCSE subjects. However it is fair to say that with places at university becoming ever more competitive, students should consider their GCSE option choices in the light of eventual university application. The following is a synopsis from the recent document “Informed Choices” downloaded from the website of the Russell Group of Universities. It is referring to Pre-16 qualifications:
“When applying to a competitive university and especially for a very competitive course at a competitive university, it is important that you consider all aspects of the entrance requirements, including the GCSE level requirements.
Universities may ask for a specific number of GCSEs, for example a number of medical courses ask for five (or more) A* grades.
GCSE English is very often required at grade C at least …. Maths is only slightly less commonly asked for. Occasionally, a university will require a foreign language for entry to a course, for example, University College London is introducing such a requirement from 2012 entry.
For many courses a grade B, at least, in English is needed for Science and Engineering courses. Equally, courses in Business and Psychology will ask for a grade B in Maths and sometimes Sciences. It is important to check university websites for specific detailed requirements.
…….for a degree in English, universities often look for applicants to have a GCSE in a modern or classical language.”
Other comments refer to subjects such as English, Maths and Science which are core subjects and consequently not within our “options”.
Comments in this report which have been reported in the newspapers referring to “soft” subjects relate to A level subject choice.
Overall students and their parents should not get unduly concerned regarding the implications of subject choice for options. What is important is that students choose subjects that they will be happy to do, that they will work hard at and consequently gain their best possible results in.
Parents’ Information for Year 12/13 Students Applying for Higher Education
This year we are running an information evening for Parents of Year 12 students in June. More details to follow.
Year 12 students are prepared for their UCAS through Skills for Life sessions and their tutorial programme. There is also the Careers Day in June.
Students receive a lot of support from careers staff and the pastoral staff in Sixth Form with regard to their university application. We expect that students try and complete their research during the summer of Year 12 so that they are ready to submit their UCAS application early in the Autumn Term of Year 13.
As well as the individualised assistance to students, subject staff also compile information which is passed to the group tutor so that a personalised reference can be written.
All UCAS forms are checked by tutors and careers staff before being sent off. This is in order to maximise students’ chances of gaining realistic offers.
CONNEXIONS
Connexions Careers Advisers are available in all schools and colleges to help you to make a plan for what you would like to do in the future. Talk to your school/college Careers Co-ordinator to find out how to arrange a meeting.
To make careers information, advice and guidance more accessible , the following services are available:
• Call the ask-a-careers-adviserservice on 0845 0349577 between 5pm and 9pm on Monday to Friday to talk to a Careers Adviser
• Text ask to the ask-a-careers-adviserservice on 81066
• Email the ask-a-careers-adviserservice at getconnectednow@northyorks.gov.uk and a Careers Adviser will contact you
• Look on the Get Connected Now ask-a-careers-adviserFacebook page to find out what is new
• Visit www.getconnectednow.co.uk -- the website that links you with careers, learning and work.
If you have internet access, you can explore Get Connected Now at any time. You will find several pages of information:
• Did you know – answers to all kinds of questions you might ask about your options
• Qualifications and Pathways – explore the different routes you might take
• Local courses – find out where you can access courses
• About work –find the answers to such questions as “How many hours can I work?” and “what will I get paid?”
• Careers –information about hundreds of different careers
• Make preparations – including help to revise for exams, write your CV, work experience, volunteering and much more
• Links to over 250 useful websites
• A listshowing the careers and opportunities section of nearly 200 national and local company websites
• The National Apprenticeship Service current vacancies
• Labour Market Informationrelating to the local area including a link to the website LMI YNY (Labour Market Information York and North Yorkshire)
There is also information about events and news, and a section for your parents/carers to help them to support you.