Pupils
Searching for career inspiration and ideas? Here you’ll find useful information and tools to help you plan for your future and meet your aspirations.
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Information about events and opportunities for students can be found on your Careers Notice Board. This is updated regularly, so check in, so you don’t miss out!
As part of the Careers programme, pupils in Year 7 to 11 will have opportunities to take part in workshops, hear from guest speakers and attend aspirational visits to further and higher educational sites.
For more Careers Information, Advice and Guidance visit:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home
https://www.essexopportunities.co.uk
http://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
http://www.plotr.co.uk
http://www.careersbox.co.uk
http://www.icould.com
http://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
http://www.studential.com
https://www.mooc.org
Key Dates:
National Apprenticeship Week: 10th - 16th February 2025
National Careers Week: 3rd - 8th March 2025
Year 10 Work Experience:
30th June - 4th July 2025
In Year 10, pupils will be going out into the community to undertake work experience placements. This provides our youngsters with a real practical experience of what to expect when entering the workplace.
Further Education at College and Sixth Form
Are you thinking of Further Education at College or Sixth Form? There are a range of subjects and qualifications you could opt for.
The academic route is A levels. You will typically study three complimenting subjects for 2 years. Each Subject studied will end in an examination. You could then continue on to higher education at University or enter the world of work, embarking on your chosen career.
The vocational route includes a range of qualification types including BTEC, NVQ, CACHE, UAL. You will be focusing on one particular subject or industry. These courses are very practical and you may be required to attend a work placement too. These courses are mainly coursework-based, although some do include assessments for some units studied.
T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
- Attend as many College and Sixth Form Open Evenings as possible. These are usually with in the first term of Year 11. You can find dates and times advertised on the college/6th form websites, in the career’s office and in your tutor bases. You will be given these dates.
- Choose subjects you enjoy, excel in or that will support your next steps and career aims.
- Spend time researching the courses that are available, there are many new subjects/courses that might interest you.
- Make sure you know what the entry requirements are and if you can achieve them.
- Consider the distance how you will travel each day.
- Ask about a bursary. You may be eligible for financial support to help with the cost of travel or study equipment.
- Ensure that the College or Sixth Form can provide the additional support you require.
Sixth Forms & Colleges:
USP College www.uspcollege.ac.uk
South Essex College http://www.southessex.ac.uk
Writtle University College http://www.writtle.ac.uk
South Essex College Southend learning@southessex.ac.uk
The Basildon Upper Academy https://www.basildonupperacademy.org.uk
Beauchamps Sixth Form mainoffice@beauchamps.essex.sch.uk
The Billericay School info@billericayschool.com
The Bromfords School office@bromfords.essex.sch.uk
The King John's School kjs@thekjs.com
The Fitzwimarc School info@fitzwimarc.com
Mayflower High School educate@mayflowerhigh.essex.sch.uk
Westcliff HS for Boys office@whsb.essex.sch.uk
Westcliff HS for Girls generalenquiries@whsg.info
St. Bernard's High School office@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Shoeburyness High School office@shoeburyness.secat.co.uk
St. Thomas More High School office@st-thomasmore.southend.sch.uk
The Swayne Park School admin@sweynepark.com
Southend HS for Girlsoffice@shsg.org
Cecil Jones enquiries@ceciljones.net
Southend HS for Boys enquiries@shsb.org.uk
Chase High School chasehigh.school@chasehigh.org
Belfairs Academy enquiries@belfairsacademy.org.uk
First Intuition https://www.firstintuition.co.uk
Chelmer Valley High School school@chelmer.essex.sch.uk
Chelmsford County High School for Girls office@cchs.co.uk
Greensward Academy contactus@greenswardacademy.org
The King Edmund School adminoffice@kes.essex.sch.uk
Shoeburyness High School office@shoeburyness.secat.co.uk
St Bernard’s High School office@stbernards.southend.sch.uk
Apprenticeships
If classroom-based learning is not for you, you may want to consider an Apprenticeship.
HERE’S HOW IT WORKS: You will work, typically, for 4 days a week, whilst being paid and then take part in formal training one day a week, either in the workplace, at a local college or with a training provider that will lead to a recognised qualification.
Links for live apprenticeship vacancies:
www.amazingapprenticeships.com
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
www.thelightbulbapprenticeships.com
www.seetec.co.uk
www.southessex.ac.uk
www.nationalapprenticeshipweek.co.uk
Traineeships
What does a traineeship offer? Traineeships are a work-based education. You will be trained in the skills needed for a particular job. Usual training programs with work experience for young people are unpaid.
Links for Traineeship providers:
GOV.UK www.gov.uk/find-traineeship
J&E Training, Hairdressing Academy www.j-etraining.com
Changes Training Academy http://www.changestraining.co.uk
Eden Training, Health and Social Care www.edentraining.co.uk
Vocational Training Service www.vts.ac.uk
Central Training Group www.centraltraininggroup.com
Hall of Ivy www.hallsofivy.co.uk
Life Skills www.learnaliving.co.uk
TCHC Group www.tchc.net
The Princes Trust www.princes-trust.org.uk
Volunteering
Volunteering is a great way to support your community whilst gaining vital skills essential to the world of work.
For local opportunities got to:
www.ngagethurrock.org.uk
www.volunteeressex.org
https://www.essex.gov.uk/jobs-and-apprenticeships/volunteering
- Volunteer work adds value to your CV.
- You can gain confidence and develop your social skills.
- It may lead to paid work.
