The Careers Department at the Senior School supports pupils with careers information, advice and guidance, to assist pupils with knowledge of their subject interest, strengths and abilities and their preparation for the next step after Sixth Form.
The vast majority of pupils go on to university. However, pupils are now considering other options; Degree apprenticeships were introduced by the Government in 2015 and offer pupils an alternative route to achieve a full bachelor’s or master’s degree as part of their apprenticeship. Gresham’s Careers assists individual pupils in exploring the options of apprenticeships, and employment, linking with employers and OG Foundation employers who offer apprenticeship opportunities.
Gresham’s Careers plays an important role in the school’s STEAM programme, particularly through the organisation of the annual STEAM Week in November. The week features a range of talks and interactive workshops for pupils across all year groups, designed to showcase future careers and the skills needed in sectors that draw on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics.
Careers education is delivered as part of the Year 12 Wellbeing programme, helping pupils develop a clear understanding of future employment opportunities, the range of careers available to them, and the subjects, qualifications and skills required to pursue different pathways. It aims to raise aspirations, strengthen motivation and support pupils in achieving their full potential.
- Careers Education is delivered as part of the PSHE curriculum to help pupils develop knowledge of future employment, the variety of job roles and the subjects, qualifications and skills that are needed. Careers Education and Guidance raises aspirations, increases motivation and raises achievement.
- A comprehensive and varied selection of visiting professionals from the local community and OG Foundation give informed talks on their job role, their education and professional pathway and future opportunities to widen pupils’ knowledge of job roles and employment and to give aspiration, inspiration and knowledge of work experience opportunities, contacts and future employment.
- Career events are organised for all year groups to have an opportunity to meet Higher Education establishments from the UK; Europe, USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Middle East.
- Careers trips and events are organised to give pupils insight into a wide range of employment sectors and provide opportunities to engage in interactive activities, meet representatives from higher education and apprenticeship providers, and explore future employment opportunities.
- Work experience is encouraged in both Year 11 and Year 12 for pupils to have opportunity to gain insight into the work place, experience job roles, meet new people and expand their skill base.
- Providing an up-to-date Careers Library with resources to carry out individual career research, and access to online subscriptions of careers programmes enabling further support and guidance with effective decision-making e.g. Morrisby online, UniFrog.
Gresham’s pupils receive provision of career-related learning from Year 7 through to Year 13 in order to inform and educate them every step of the way, through their senior years at the school. This provision is grouped under the headings: Careers Education; Individual Guidance; Tutoring and Mentoring; Work-related learning and Careers Information.
Years 7 and 8
Pupils are supported via the academic tutor system in reviewing their future aspirations and their transition to the Senior School. A variety of enterprise activities are held each year for pupils to identify and develop their teamwork and leadership skills. Careers Education is delivered through the PSHE curriculum each term.
Years 9, 10 and 11
Throughout Years 9, 10 and 11, pupils receive Careers Education sessions through trips, events, an annual careers fair and the opportunity of one-to-one careers guidance. All pupils have access to the UniFrog online careers platform and receive a weekly careers newsletter. Pupils partake in anual aspiration reviews, identifying progress, and discussion takes place regarding potential plans for their future.
Sixth Form
Pupils entering the Sixth Form receive consistent and experienced support and guidance on the UCAS process with the Deputy Head (Academic), UCAS coordinator and Careers Coordinator.
Pupils partake in annual aspiration reviews, identifying progress, and discussion takes place regarding potential plans for their future with their Tutors and Houses Masters/Mistresses.
The UCAS and Careers coordinator work collaboratively, visiting all Houses to offer support in post Sixth Form destinations and in organising workshop sessions for UCAS registration and with speakers talks/workshops to help pupils who are looking at alternative pathways to university.
There is access to one-to-one advice and career guidance working along side the careers online platform UniFrog which offers a broad scope of support with next steps plus an online psychometric assessment. All Sixth Form pupils receive a weekly careers newsletter and regular updates on the Teams noticeboard of virtual employer and training events they can sign up for.
Through the academic year pupils are invited to attend a variety of careers events to support and help pupils with next step decisions including –
In the Michaelmas Term – the Head of Careers organises the Academic Enrichment lectures which are compulsory for all year 13 to hear from a diverse range of subject speakers to broaden knowledge and understanding and challenge thinking. The annual STEAM Week also provides pupils with the opportunity to explore the growing range of careers and industries that draw on Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts and Mathematics, through an engaging programme of talks and interactive workshops.
The UCAS and Head of Careers organise a variety of talks to help pupils with different option paths and to assist with the UCAS registration and application process.
In the Summer Term, the UCAS coordinator and Head of Careers organise for all of the Lower Sixth pupils to attend the UCAS Discovery event at the Norfolk Showground to meet universities and their ambassadors plus to meet Degree Apprenticeship providers for example The Dyson Institute, The Armed Forces, The Royal Institute for Chartered Accountants.
Lower Sixth pupils, and their parents, attend the Lower Sixth Futures Conference which is based at the School, where workshops are provided to showcase the variety of post sixth form options available including university, degree apprenticeships, alumni community of Old Greshamians, the arts and creative opportunities, the Armed Forces and making good use of a Gap year.