Careers & Work-related Learning
How do we support our students?
At Bournside we are proud of our Careers offer. We have a well-resourced Careers Hub which provides students with information and access to a fully trained careers advisor and support staff, who are happy to support and talk with students, parents and staff. One-to-one and group work activities take place throughout the year for year 10 - 13 students.
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Karen Heppleston, Careers Leader, brings a wealth of careers-related experience to the main school and our Sixth Form to support you with making informed choices about your future.
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Rebecca Mar-Gerrison, Careers Administrator, offers support to the careers function and is the first point of call for student and employer queries.
- To contact the Careers Team, please email careers@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk or call 01242 235555.
The team works to introduce students to all of the possibilities and options available to them beyond Bournside. Our goal is to build knowledge and inspire confidence so individuals can make informed choices about their future, whatever their goal may be. We believe a strong programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) and Work-Related Learning (WRL) is important in order to:
- prepare you for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of life
- support you to achieve your full potential
- inspire you to plan and manage your own future
- provide comprehensive information on all of your options
- raise aspirations
- promote equality, diversity, social mobility, and challenges stereotypes
- support you to sustain employability and achieve personal and economic well-being.
How do we do this?
- We run a programme of career activities through Years 7-13, with the aim of building your knowledge and understanding of the opportunities available, whether in further education or a work-based training programme.
- We apply the Gatsby Benchmarks in all that we do within Careers at Cheltenham Bournside School.
- All teachers apply the skills and knowledge for their area, linking curriculum learning with careers. STEM subject teachers highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths, and all subject teachers emphasise the importance of succeeding in English and Maths.
- We recognise the importance of you understanding the work environment and the expectations of you as future trainees, students, and employees. We therefore focus on ensuring you recognise the culture, behaviours, and skills sought by employers and universities/colleges to give you the best start at being an effective contributor and fulfilling your potential.
- We are committed to maximising the benefits for all students using a whole school approach which involves Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) from qualified Advisors and support from school staff. We also work with employers and other local agencies to support you into your next steps.
- We recognise our statutory duties (adhering to the latest Statutory Guidance) and ensure that all students have equity of access to impartial careers advice and guidance.
- We aim to prepare you for greater independence and self-reliance by providing support for managing your time, finances, and wellbeing.
- We recognise that effective careers guidance contributes to raising aspirations, improving motivation, and overcoming barriers to success.
How do we assess the impact of our provision?
The impact of individual interventions is largely assessed via student feedback. We also monitor access and uptake to the interventions offered to different groups of students. The overall effectiveness of the careers programme at Bournside is assessed by undertaking a questionnaire with students – we will use the Careers and Enterprise Future Skills Questionnaire. We also assess the provision through the use of Compass+ which allows the school to monitor where we are and plan for future events and activities.
Other indicators include:
- The proportion of students successfully completing a work experience programme
- The percentage of students who have a Post 16 provision in place by the summer
- Post 16 and post 18 destination data
- Post 16 NEET data
- Progressions towards the Gatsby Benchmarks through Compass+
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The eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are: A stable careers programme Learning from career and labour market information Addressing the needs of each pupil Linking curriculum learning to careers Encounters with employers and employees Experiences of workplaces Encounters with further and higher education Personal guidance |
Click on the expanders below for more information:
Useful websites
How can pupils, staff and parents find out more?
The careers department have created a comprehensive list of web resources to support the delivery of careers across the school:
POST 16 RESOURCES
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Explains the options and choices available to you Post 16 including Sixth Form, College and Apprenticeship. Also includes which courses may help you out in future careers. |
A good site to look at what a particular degree could lead to – useful when thinking about what A levels to take and also what you might need to study at university. |
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Helping school leavers get jobs and understand the career paths available to them. Find everything from current apprenticeships and school leaver programme opportunities, to the latest school leaver job news, and advice. |
The Russell Group’s guide Informed Choices provides students with information, advice and guidance about their post-16 subject choices |
Post 18 Resources
UCAS
Information and advice on courses for university, alternatives to university, finance, as well as applying for courses and much more.
Applying to University - learn about everything involved (ucas.com)
Prospects
Site looking at undergraduate and post-graduate choices, plus lots of information on job advice, job sectors and work experience. Short but really good test for A level students looking at options.
Explore your career options and see where your chosen degree could take you.
Open Days
Opendays.com - university and college open days - home page
Guardian League Table 2024
The Guardian University Guide 2024 – the rankings | University guide | The Guardian
The Times UK University Rankings
UK university rankings 2024 | The Times league table | The Times and The Sunday Times
High Fliers
Information on Graduate jobs, particularly looking at top employers and careers.
The Student Room Uni Guide
See where your A-level choices will take you.
Which Degree Courses Do Your A-Levels Suit? - The Uni Guide
DiscoverUni
Search and compare undergraduate courses in the UK.
Discover Uni Home | Discover Uni
Scholarship Hub
Search and apply for UK scholarships, grants or bursaries for university.
Helping you find UK scholarships | The Scholarship Hub
The Complete University Guide
Independent UK university rankings, course information and expert advice for every student.
QS Top Universities
Worldwide rankings, courses and where to study.
QS World University Rankings, Events & Careers Advice | Top Universities
EUNICAS
European application service, course listings and where to study.
Study in Europe | European Universities Information | EUNICAS
The Student World
Worldwide advice, institutions and events.
A Star Future
Advice, course listings, worldwide.
Fulbright Commission
Dedicated site about studying in the USA including step-by-step guidance on what you need to do.
Job sectors
It is important that your study programme is right for you so that you leave Sixth Form with the qualifications, knowledge, skills and personal qualities you need to enjoy a successful future. Use the Job Sectors below to search for jobs, qualifications, and Labour Market Information (LMI).
