Lead Practitioner: Karis Osborne email: kosborne@shepwell.walsall.sch.uk Tel: 01902 632719
Our aim is:
To equip pupils with the necessary decision making skills about future
progression and their destination when they leave Shepwell School,
to provide pupils with current information on courses at post 16,
to give opportunity for maximum exploration of future careers including
work experience/work related learning for every pupil,
to decrease the possibility of pupils making incorrect transition choices,
to understand how the ‘world of work’ works.
to keep up-to-date with new careers emerging from technological
advances,
to ensure all Year 11 pupils have at least one post-16 pathway
guaranteed when leaving Shepwell School,
to ensure pupils are tracked beyond Shepwell School and that they do
not become NEET (not in education, employment or training),
to ensure pupils are well equipped for the next stage of their education,
training or employment.
Career_Information_Access_Policy_Statement_Sept_18 (1)
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx
Careers Guidance / Next Steps
The Shepwell School considers this to be an important part of the young person’s educational planning, in liaison with school especially at KS4. We have access to an independent advisor who is available to offer advice and support to the young person. We also include careers as part of our British Values programme. The Headteacher will assist with personal statements for university, and college applications. Across the service we encourage discussion about future aspirations to inform personalised education programmes.
Work Experience
In consultation with parents / carers, young people and their school we may be able to facilitate work experience. Examples of work experience that our pupils have undertaken include placements at the Education Development Centre, Pets R Us and The Beauty Salon.
Where to Begin
If you are unsure about your future career, a good starting point is to identify your skills and interests. Take the BuzzQuiz on www.icould.com What does your personality predict about your future career: www.bbc.co.uk/guides
Take a Skills Health Check. This takes a few hours but gives in depth advice: www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
Employability Skills
When you have an idea of the type of career you want, do some research to discover the skills that are needed to fulfil that job. The Prospects website has a list of many different job profiles and includes information on the skills required to fulfil that role: www.prospects.ac.uk . Think about where you have already acquired these skills, maybe from work experience, a role you have taken on in school, extra-curricular activities, and also make a plan of how you are going to develop the skills you don’t have yet. For example, if you need to work on your confidence skills, volunteer to take part in an assembly.
Top 10 Employability Skills
1 GOOD ATTENDANCE AND PUNCTULAITY
2 GOOD COMMUNICATION SKILLS
3 ABLE TO WORK AS PART OF A TEAM
4 DO YOU ENJOY LEARNING NEW SKILLS
5 GOOD ORGANISATIONAL SKILLS
6 ABLE TO BUILD AND SUSTAIN FRIENDSHIPS
7 OPEN MINDED AND PRACTICAL
8 ABLE TO SUPPORT OTHERS
9 GOOD KNOWLEDGE OF CURRENT AFFAIRS
10 WILLING TO DEVELOP YOURSELF & VALUE DIVERSITY
Useful Websites for now and for the future:
Finance
https://www.gov.uk/student-finance – Government website giving information on student finance for university and higher education.
Student Life
http://www.nus.org.uk/ – Student rights, finance advice, links to other organisations. Also provide NUS card for special student discount offers.
https://www.myunidays.com/GB/en-GB/content/about – Special student discount offers
Gap Year
www.yini.org.uk – year in industry provides talented young people with paid degree relevant work placements.
www.yearoutgroup.org – Association of gap-year providers offering information on opportunities in the UK and overseas.
www.gapwork.com – Information about gap year jobs, volunteer placements and seasonal work abroad.
Studying Abroad
www.erasmus.ac.uk – European study opportunities as part of a UK degree course.
www.fulbright.co.uk – Information and advice about studying in the USA.
www.acu.ac.uk – Website for the association of commonwealth universities – provides information on studying abroad.
www.braintrack.com – Links to over 8300 higher education institutions in 194 countries.
www.hotcoursesabroad.com – Details of part-time and holiday jobs aimed at students.
.
Job Search
www.e4s.co.uk
https://www.gov.uk/jobsearch
www.jobsite.co.uk
www.monster.co.uk
www.fish4jobs.co.uk
www.totaljobs.com
www.jobs.nhs.uk
https://www.indeed.co.uk/
Local Council Job Websites
www.walsall.gov.uk/jobshop
www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/jobs
www.jobs.sandwell.gov.uk
www.birmingham.gov.uk/jobs
www.staffordshire.gov.uk/jobs/
General Websites
www.allaboutlaw.co.uk – All about law, careers, sixth form to employment.
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk – information on careers within the national health service.
www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk – Information about apprenticeships, what you can study, how to apply, who offers apprenticeships and more.
www.apprenticeships.org.uk – Information about apprenticeships.
www.kent.ac.uk/careers – Useful information on graduate careers and decisions, you can enter after studying various HE subjects.
www.whatcanidowithmydegree.nhs.uk – Provides up-to-date information about careers and career prospects within the national health service.
www.allaboutcareers.com/
https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/
https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/ – Lots of great advice on alternatives to university
https://www.shaw-trust.org.uk/ – Careers advice specially tailored for disabled pupils
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
https://www.milkround.com/school-leavers/jobs/ Careers advice for school leavers
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ – Fantastic overall careers advice, with job profiles giving lots of information of different careers http://www.futuremorph.org/ – Carer opportunities in science and maths
Education, Course and Application Information
www.ucas.com – Contains official information on all undergraduate courses including course search, applying and tracking your application.
www.ukcoursefinder.com – If you are completely undecided about courses you can complete study interest questionnaire, which will generate suggestions for degree courses.
www.hotcourses.com – Websites to help you find a course, college or university, plus student reviews.
www.unistats.co.uk – Official website to help you compare subjects and institution in the UK.
www.push.co.uk – Independent guide to the U.K universities.
www.opendays.com – List dates to university open dates and gives the opportunity to book a place online.
www.purepotential.org – Student forum, sampled UCAS personal statements, interview questions and lots more.
www.skill.org.uk – National bureau for students with disabilities.
www.independent.co.uk/student – Information about careers planning, gap year, getting into university and student life.
www.guardian.co.uk/education/higher-education – University ranking tables and subject profiles.
www.cukas.ac.uk – Conservatories UK admissions service. applicants to most practical music courses in specialist conservatories will need to use this website.
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk