Careers & Work-related Learning

Our Careers Team 

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.

Rebecca Mar-Gerrison, Careers Administrator, offers support to the careers function and is the first point of call for student and employer queries.

Please feel free to contact us via email careers@bournside.gloucs.sch.uk, or telephone 01242 235555.

Careers guidance

We are available to talk to students and parents throughout the year, either at PTC meetings or in person. If as a student you are unsure of your next steps and would like an appointment with us, please contact us, ask your tutor to email or simply drop into the Careers Hub. Parents and carers are also welcome to email us on behalf of your child. We will be in school in August to support students and parents during results weeks.

Careers newsletter

We produce a weekly Careers Newsletter to keep parents and students up-to-date with the latest career information and guidance. You can view the latest newsletter here.

Our aim

We aim to introduce you to all of the possibilities and options available to you beyond Bournside. Our goal is to build your knowledge and confidence so you can make informed choices about your future. We believe a strong programme of Careers Education, Information, Advice, and Guidance (CEIAG) and Work-Related Learning (WRL) is important and it:

  • prepares you for the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences of life
  • supports you to achieve your full potential
  • empowers you to plan and manage your own future
  • provides comprehensive information on all of your options
  • raises aspirations
  • promotes equality, diversity, social mobility, and challenges stereotypes
  • supports you to sustain employability and achieve personal and economic wellbeing.

How do we do this?

  1. 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.
  2. We apply the Gatsby Benchmarks in all that we do within Careers at Cheltenham Bournside School.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. We aim to prepare you for greater independence and self-reliance by providing support for managing your time, finances, and wellbeing.
  8. We recognise that effective careers guidance contributes to raising aspirations, improving motivation, and overcoming barriers to success.

Careers-and-Provider-Access-Policy.pdf (bournside.gloucs.sch.uk)

School resources

Unifrog
Login via your school email address and password. University, Apprenticeships, MOOCs, Competencies, CVs, Personal Statements, Activities
eCLIPS
A comprehensive guide to different careers. Requires a login. Please request via the Careers team.
Careerpilot
Full of careers information, quizzes and videos. Please login via your school email and password (set during during your E4L lessons).

 

Researching your future

 

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).

We are respectfulWe are supportiveWe are purposefulWe are curiousWe are ambitiousWe are proud