Careers planning starts before students enrol at College and forms part of the admissions process. Here are some examples of how students are made aware of possible progression pathways before becoming students:

  • Partner School days:  Year 11 Oxbridge evening, Year 10 days, Subject Inspiration days, Year 8 and 9 gifted and talented days
  • Year 11 Applicants’ events:  these usually include talks by former students and other outside professionals
  • One-to-one Admissions interviews:  these cover career aims and suitable programmes of study

Once students are enrolled at College, they receive the following careers input:

Autumn Term

  • The Careers department provides guidance on subject choice at Choices Day and at Interview
  • Students have an introduction to the Careers department in tutorial, including registering on Unifrog and being made aware of the requirement to complete work experience
  • A virtual “Welcome to Careers” meeting is held for parents.
  • Students on the Aspire Programme complete a unit on developing an academic interest to help them decide what they would like to study at university 
  • MVD Society begins for students who are interested in applying for Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry
  • Careers in Health Programme starts for students interested in other health-related careers such as Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy etc.
  • Work experience drop in sessions are run to support students with finding work experience.

Spring Term

  • Get Ahead Day in March gives all Lower Sixth Students the opportunity to engage with around 100 universities, employers and apprenticeship providers at the College’s careers fair. During the day students discuss their career plans as part of a one-to-one Independent Learning Plan (ILP) interview with their tutors. Tutors ensure that all students have work experienced planned. Notes of these discussions are recorded on the College’s database. Students in need of more expert guidance can book a one-to-one careers appointment on the College portal.
  • A virtual Beyond Reigate Information Evening is run for parents to explain the different routes available to students when they leave College and the support College gives students
  • Employer workshops are run with employers and alumni and lunchtime talks are held during National Apprenticeship Week.
  • Oxbridge events are held to help the most able students decide if they would like to make an Oxbridge application
  • Students on the Aspire programme complete a unit on researching higher education courses and universities 
  • MVD society continues for students who are interested in applying for Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry.  Events such as ‘Operating theatre live’ are offered to students, and the work experience co-ordinator helps students to find appropriate placements

Summer Term

  • Progression Day gives students the help they need to make a start on their UCAS application or CV. Students are also given advice from universities on writing personal statements and departments deliver sessions on progression routes in their subjects
  • Students select their upper sixth tutorial pathway
  • A Careers Fair is held and attended by 25-30 companies and organisations
  • A further Oxbridge event is held to advise students on making a successful application

Autumn Term

  • Students opt to join one of our Upper Sixth tutorial pathways to support them with their progression plans
  • Two parent Zoom meetings are held, one for parents of students applying to universities (via UCAS) and one for applying for other routes
  • Personal statement feedback sessions and UCAS drop in sessions are run in the Careers Department for those needing additional support with their UCAS application
  • Careers staff run help sessions for students not applying to university on researching their options, CV-building and Interview skills

Spring Term

  • Students who have applied to UCAS are advised on how to reply to the offers they receive and what to do on results day
  • Students interested in applying for apprenticeships are encouraged to attend a range of talks during National Apprenticeship Week and a trip to the National Apprenticeship Fair

Ongoing

  • A Careers Bulletin is emailed to all students every week 
  • Students are able to book a one-to-one careers interview with Careers staff
  • Students who need help arranging an experience of the workplace can make an appointment with the College’s work experience co-ordinator
  • Subject staff make students aware of opportunities for further study, apprenticeships or employment relating to their subjects
  • Tutors support students in making decisions about their progression choices