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Planning for the future is a significant part of education at BWS, with a comprehensive careers programme enabling students to find out about all options including higher, further and technical education and apprenticeships. This is fully supported by access to a qualified guidance professional throughout the school year for all Year groups ensuring that students receive expert advice at the time that they want it. Our provision is fully aligned to current statutory guidance from the Government and we are implementing the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.
To discuss any aspect of careers provision including provider access within school, please contact Mrs Sally Armstrong at saa@bishopwordsworths.org.uk or call the main school number.
Mrs Sally Armstrong MA QCG RCDP
Careers Leader & Adviser
saa@bishopwordsworths.org.uk
Sally Armstrong is responsible for the leadership and management of careers delivery at BWS. She is a fully qualified, experienced, careers adviser and has worked in schools across the region. She has an MA in Educational and Vocational Guidance, the Qualification in Careers Guidance, the Level 6 Diploma in Careers Leadership and is a registered careers professional with the Careers Development Institute.
The BWS Careers Programme begins with an Introduction and Overview in Year 7 and each year becomes more detailed with activities and employer engagement throughout. In the Middle School students are supported at their first key transition point with information and advice, and guidance interviews as needed. In Years 10 and 11 students engage in a carousel programme of 7 weekly sessions. Students from Year 7 onwards can arrange a guidance interview to ensure they are making informed decisions about their next steps.
The Sixth Form Careers Education provision covers all post -18 options. BWS hosts the largest HE and Careers Convention in the region each year outside UCAS. Universities and Colleges, employers, apprenticeship providers and voluntary organisations are in attendance, with a series of seminars for students on Higher Education. Information on apprenticeships and school leaver programmes is available with an opportunity to talk with alumni who have successfully chosen this route. Available opportunities are promoted throughout the year on Teams and Instagram (@bwscareers) and support is offered to assist with CV writing, application and preparation for interviews as needed. Sixth Form Students are able to arrange guidance interviews at any point during Years 12 and 13.
Once an applicant reviews and submits their application it arrives in our school system for processing. This includes checks and adding references and predicted grades. Consequently, there are internal deadlines which need to be met for an application to arrive at UCAS in good time for their two main dates of October 15th 2024 and January 29th in 2025.
These are:
|
UCAS October 15th |
BWS 23rd September |
|
UCAS January 29th |
BWS 14th January |
For questions regarding the programme please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Following the talk for parents and guardians on 2nd March please find a copy of the Powerpoint presentation below, the tables I mentioned regarding the maintenance loan and parental contribution, and the useful links are here:
Information from the government: gov.uk/student-finance Application: gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance
Student Finance England information: studentfinance.campaign.gov.uk/
Money Saving Expert: moneysavingexpert.com/students/
Information about Disabled Students' Allowance: gov.uk/disabled-students-allowance-dsa
NHS Learning Support Fund: nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
UCAS Information for Parents: ucas.com/student-finance-england/student-finance-guidance Scholarship hub: thescholarshiphub.org.uk/
Throughout their time at BWS, parents/carers are invited into school at significant transition points to find out about their son’s options. In addition, you are welcome to contact Mrs Armstrong at any time if you have questions relating to careers matters at Bishop’s.
Useful resources for parents:
Apprenticeships: Rate My Apprenticeship Parent Hub
Higher Education: UCAS
Bishop’s enjoys considerable input from local and national employers which is invaluable and we are very grateful for all the support we receive which enables us to deliver the statutory requirements in providing at least six encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships. Each February we host a large Higher Education and Careers event and Apprenticeship workshops; if you would like to become involved in these or in any other way in school please contact Sally Armstrong for further information.
The Bishop Wordsworth’s Careers Policy can be accessed here
The following pages contain information and links on post 14, post 16 and post 18 options for students and some key links for parents.
Labour Market Information in the South West and other areas of the UK
Information about the Gatsby Benchmarks that inform careers provision in schools.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service which manages most university applications in the UK.
A comprehensive careers site which we utilise in school for the careers education programme with information and links for each academic Year group
A useful test producing ideas for careers, apprenticeships and courses.
BWS careers information subscription - email Mrs Armstrong for the password.
Information about Apprenticeships
Information about the exciting roles available in the technology sector
General careers site with job information, videos plus advice on career options and the world of work