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Vision:

All students will Learn about the world of work. They will develop the essential skills, knowledge and understanding of what opportunities are available to them. So that they have the confidence and ambition to Dream big about their future regardless of personal barriers, so that they can become successful citizens and Achieve their full potential.

Helping You Plan Your Future

At Sharples School, we understand that navigating post-16 options can feel overwhelming. That’s why we offer a comprehensive careers programme designed to support you in making informed decisions about your future. Our dedicated Careers Advisor, Oona Banner, provides impartial guidance throughout key stages of your education, this included Year 9, Year 10 and Year 11. The advice you will receive will support you to make decisions on your GCSE Choices, Work Experience and Mock Interview Feedback and then 1:2:1  impartial guidance throughout your final year, helping you explore potential career paths and educational options.

Unveiling Your Future: A World of Possibilities Await

Today’s students have more choices than ever before, and Sharples School’s Careers Programme reflects that by providing a comprehensive roadmap to navigate your post-16 journey. We go beyond simply listing options; we actively engage you in exploring them.

Here’s what you can expect:

  • Careers Fairs: Meet representatives from universities, colleges, training providers, and businesses directly. Ask questions, gather information, and discover exciting career paths you might not have considered.
  • Work Experience: Gain firsthand experience in a real work environment. This valuable opportunity allows you to test your interests, develop essential skills, and build your network.
  • Guest Speaker Sessions: Learn from industry professionals, alumni who have carved successful careers, and experts who can share their insights and experiences.
  • College, 6th Form, and University Visits: Immerse yourself in different learning environments. Explore campuses, attend talks, and get a feel for the atmosphere to see if it aligns with your goals.
  • College Taster Days: Sample specific courses offered by colleges, get a glimpse of the curriculum, and interact with faculty and students to see if it’s the right fit for you.
  • Mock Interviews: Hone your interview skills through realistic simulations. This valuable experience will boost your confidence and prepare you to excel in real-world interviews.
  • Industry Day Visits: Get a behind-the-scenes look at various workplaces. Witness firsthand how different industries operate and gain insights into potential career paths.

We believe in empowering you to make informed decisions about your future. Sharples School’s Careers Programme equips you with the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to succeed in any path you choose.

Students

Preparing You for Life Beyond School

Our careers programme goes beyond just exploring careers. We also aim to develop the essential skills needed to thrive in the 21st-century workplace. Through a series of engaging activities, you’ll gain valuable experience in self-awareness, decision-making, and research.

Committed to Your Success

We are committed to meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks, ensuring all students receive high-quality careers education, information, advice, and guidance (CEIAG). This means we’ll:

  • Help you develop self-awareness and independent thinking.
  • Guide you through the decision-making process.
  • Provide you with up-to-date information on your options.
  • Offer resources to support your research and evaluation.
  • Connect you with our guidance team for personalised support.
  • Foster a culture where you can set ambitious goals aligned with your interests.

At Sharples School, we believe in empowering you to take charge of your future. Our careers programme is here to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to make informed decisions and achieve your full potential.

Careers Staff

Careers Advisor:
Oona Banner (O.Banner@sharplesschool.co.uk).

Raising Aspirations and Work Experience Coordinator:
Miss Patel (n.patel1@sharplesschool.co.uk)

SLT Careers link:
Mr Jackson (S.Jackson@sharplesschool.co.uk)

Useful Websites

UNIFROG www.unifrog.org/  All students have been given their login details. See Mrs N.Patel if you don’t have one

GMACS www.gmacs.co.uk/    The Greater Manchester Apprenticeship & Careers Service (GMACS) helps young people explore and design their next steps before leaving school. The site brings together different stages of the career planning process, helping students navigate the choices open to them and develop the tools to start working life. It showcases what Greater Manchester can offer and provides a direct way to apply for courses, jobs and apprenticeships.

XELLO www. gmacs.login.xello.co.uk/ Xello helps you explore career possibilities, pathways and personalised lessons. Get help creating an online action plan to achieve school, career and life goals. And then review and adapt your plan to reflect your progress.

BBC BITESIZE CAREERS: https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers

The National Careers service  – navigate from here to their collection of 750+ Job Profiles.

Film clips of hundreds of people telling you about their careers.

Science, Technology Engineering and Maths Careers.

Health and Medical Careers.

Engineering Careers.

Comprehensive information about the whole of the Construction sector. The “Learn about Construction” tab has an interactive careers map, personality quiz and role finder

www.careerpilot.org.uk

Use the Careerometer to compare the average wages, working hours and predicted trends for up to three UK jobs.

https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide – Search and apply for apprenticeship opportunities.

www.ucas.com/further-education – Options after GCSE.

www.informedchoices.ac.uk – Guide by the Russell Group of universities to making decisions about post 16 education.

www.ukcoursefinder.com – Research courses and university options.

A Levels

Advanced level qualifications (known as A levels) are subject-based qualifications that can lead to university, further study, training, or work. You can normally study three or more A levels over two years. They’re usually assessed by a series of examinations.

You normally need:

  • at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4/A* to C
  • at least grade B in the specific subject(s) you want to study

However, the specific requirements needed to study A levels will vary across schools and colleges. It’s important to check what you will need with the school or college you are looking to study at.

  • If you’re thinking about going to university, most higher education courses require specific A levels or combinations of A levels (or alternative level 3 qualifications).
  • If you’re not sure what career or job you want to do, studying a selection of A levels can be a good way of keeping your options op

Choosing A level subjects

The most important criteria for choosing A levels subjects are:

  1. Looking at what you are likely to enjoy and be good at. If you enjoy a subject or have an ability in it already, you are more likely to do well.
  2. Are there any particular subjects and/or grades you may need? If you have a particular career, job, or further study in mind, you may need to choose specific A levels in order to meet entry requirements.
  3. How open you want to keep your future study and career choices?

What you can do after A levels

Many people ask ‘What can I do with my A levels?’ here are some answers:

  • Here is a great place to start looking at all the options open to you.
  • Continue on to university – A levels are the most common qualifications studied to get into higher education.
  • Keep your options open if you’re unsure about what you want to do in the future.
  • Look for employment – they’re valued by employers because they show a good level of education.
  • Go on to vocational or work-based qualifications, such as a higher apprenticeship.

T Levels

All this info below is hidden under the toggle,  Click the toggle to reveal the info

T Levels are two-year technical qualifications which have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses to meet the needs of different industries

  • You will complete a 45-day industry placement as part of your qualification
  • T Levels are equivalent to three A-levels and have UCAS tariff points

https://gmacs.co.uk/technical-education-t-level

https://www.boltoncollege.ac.uk/t-levels/

https://burycollege.ac.uk/courses/t-levels/

BTEC

BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content. There are over 2,000 BTEC qualifications across 16 sectors, including:

  • Applied science Art and design Business Childcare Construction Engineering Media Health and Social Care Hospitality ICT Land based Performing Arts Public Services Sport Travel and Tourism

Who are they for?

BTECs are designed for young people interested in a particular sector or industry but who are not yet sure what job they’d like to do.

You could study a BTEC at Level 2 or 3, either alongside academic qualifications or as part of a wider programme (such as an apprenticeship). You can also study a BTEC as a standalone course.

The different types of BTEC

BTECs are broken down into three main levels of study:

  1. BTEC Firsts are available from entry level to Level 2 (similar standard to GCSEs). These offer an introduction to work in a vocational sector. Combined with other qualifications, these can enable you to go on to further study, to an apprenticeship, or into employment.
  2. BTEC Nationals are available from Level 3 (similar standard to A levels). Many of these are well regarded by universities, further education colleges, and employers. A BTEC National qualification can lead to employment, continuing study, or professional development programmes.
  3. BTEC Apprenticeships are available at Levels 2 to 5 across more than 25 sectors

How do they work?

BTEC qualifications are flexible – you can take one alongside (or instead of) GCSEs and A levels in schools and colleges. They’re also usually studied full-time, either in college or jointly between a school and a college.

BTECs are divided into units, which cover specific areas of knowledge, skills, and understanding required by the particular sector or industry.

  1. Every BTEC student takes the core units, which provide a broad foundation and understanding about the sector.
  2. There is a range of optional units to choose from which enable students to focus on particular interests and plans they have for next steps into further study, an apprenticeship, or employment.
  3. The course involves a series of assignments which can be written or activity-based, for example creating a film clip, planning and putting on a performance, or creating a business plan. Students complete some assignments individually and some as part of a team. For some BTEC courses, students can also apply their knowledge and skills through work experience

What are the entry requirements for a BTEC?

Entry requirements vary depending on the school or college and the particular BTEC course you are interested in. You may need up to five GCSEs at grade 9 to 4, or A* to C.

What can you do next?

BTEC Nationals

On successful completion of a BTEC National qualification, students can progress to employment or continue their learning in the same or related areas of study, in higher education and professional development programmes.

Some BTEC National qualifications are recognised as technical certificates and form part of the apprenticeship framework. They can attract UCAS points but if you are thinking of going to university or on to higher education, it is important to check whether the universities offering the courses you want to apply to accept BTEC Nationals.

BTEC Firsts

These enable you to go on to further study at Level 3 (for example BTEC Nationals), to do an apprenticeship, or to go into employment

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships mean you can earn a salary and gain a qualification at the same time. There are

What do I need to do for an apprenticeship?

  • You have to be over 16 years old.
  • Entry requirements vary, and you may need up to five GCSEs at grade 9 to 4/A* to C — including English and maths.
  • You’ll need to show you have the ability to complete the programme — what’s required varies across training providers, employers, and job roles.

An apprenticeship usually takes between one and three years to complete. They’re made up of three parts — all completed on the job, online, or in a classroom.

Why do it?

Each apprenticeship trains you for a specific job, so it’s worth finding out as much as you can about that job, as well as the career and progression route your apprenticeship could lead to. You’ll be earning while you qualify and will also gain good work and training experience, which will support your applications for other jobs.

Earn while you learn

All apprentices receive the national minimum wage, paid holiday, and bank holidays.

  • Learning is completed on a day-release basis — one day a week — or in a block-release of several days at a college or training provider.
  • This enables you to develop the knowledge and skills you need, while the employer provides the practical experience to put those skills to the test.
  • Training could be classroom-based or in the workplace.

Your employer provides on-the-job training and pays your wages.

  • All apprentices should work at least 30 hours a week, alongside experienced staff, gaining job-specific skills and earning a wage.

The qualification

Apprenticeships are at least 12 months long — they lead to a national, recognised qualification and follow a ‘framework’ developed by Sector Skills Councils. Most include:

  • national vocational qualification (NVQ) — e.g. Level 2 for intermediate level apprenticeships, Level 3 for advanced level apprenticeships
  • knowledge-based qualification — such as a higher national certificate (HNC), higher national diploma (HND), or foundation degree
  • functional skills qualifications — e.g. in maths, English, or ICT
  • technical certificate — such as a BTEC or City & Guilds progression award

Applying for apprenticeships

Take a look at the National Apprenticeships Service (NAS) for useful information and tips on apprenticeships.

If an apprenticeship is advertised by a training provider, check if the opportunity includes the job, or if you need to find the job element with a local employer. Training providers can give you help, advice, and guidance on finding appropriate employment.

Parents

Strengthening the Partnership: Parents and Careers

At Sharples School, we believe strong relationships between parents/carers, students, and the school are key to a successful future. Parents/carers play a vital role in supporting their child’s career development, and we’re here to partner with you every step of the way.

Here’s how we collaborate:

  • Information at your fingertips: We offer a wealth of career information through resources and events. Attend our Year 9 Options Evening and other parent evenings throughout the year to learn about diverse career paths and explore how to support your child’s exploration.
  • Expert guidance: Our Senior Leadership Team and dedicated Careers Advisor, Oona Banner, are available to answer your questions and provide personalised guidance.

We understand that navigating career choices can be a journey for both students and parents. By working together, we can empower them to make informed decisions and pursue their dreams.

Useful Links & Resources

 

Employers / Providers

Partnering for Success: Shaping the Future Workforce

At Sharples School, we believe in fostering strong relationships within our community. We understand the importance of collaboration between education and the working world to ensure students graduate with the knowledge and skills employers seek.

Why Partner with Us?

  • Shape Future Talent: Play a vital role in shaping the future workforce by providing students with up-to-date career guidance and insights.
  • Connect with Top Prospects: Engage with a motivated and talented pool of students eager to learn about your industry and explore career opportunities with your organisation.
  • Invest in the Community: Make a positive impact by supporting the next generation and contributing to the success of our students.

We Welcome Your Participation:

We offer a variety of ways for employers and providers to get involved:

  • Careers Fair Participation: Connect with students directly and showcase your organisation at our annual Careers Fair.
  • Mock Interview Volunteering: Help prepare students for success by participating in our mock interview program.
  • Guest Speaker Sessions: Share your expertise and inspire students by delivering engaging talks about your industry and career paths.
  • Work Experience Opportunities: Provide valuable real-world experience by offering work experience placements to our students.

If you’re interested in supporting use, please email – careers@sharpleschool.co.uk

 

Teachers

Understanding the Importance of Careers Education

Career education is an integral part of our support to pupils at Sharples School. All of our staff recognise that the careers education helps students to:

  • Develop self-awareness and understand their strengths and interests.
  • Explore the world of work and the different pathways available to them.
  • Make informed decisions about their future.
  • Develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, and communication.

Embedding Careers Education into the Curriculum

Our teachers strive to embed careers education into their curriculum by adopting the following:

  • Cross-curricular links: Integrate careers-related activities into various subjects. For example, discuss job roles in maths, science, or history lessons.
  • Real-world connections: Link classroom learning to real-life careers and industries.
  • Work experience: Facilitate work experience opportunities for students to gain practical experience.
  • Enterprise education: Develop entrepreneurial skills and understanding of the business world.

Developing Students’ Career Awareness

  • Career assemblies: Organise assemblies with guest speakers from different industries.
  • Career profiles: Create profiles of successful individuals from various backgrounds.
  • Industry visits: Arrange visits to local businesses and organisations.
  • Online resources: Utilise online tools and platforms to explore career options.

Providing Effective Careers Guidance

  • Individual guidance: Offer personalised support to students based on their interests and abilities.
  • Parent engagement: Involve parents in the careers education process.
  • Collaboration: Work closely with careers advisors and other professionals.
  • Up-to-date information: Stay informed about labour market trends and emerging careers.

Key Stages and Career Focus

  • Key Stage 3: Develop self-awareness, explore different career paths, and understand the world of work.
  • Key Stage 4: Focus on making informed choices about post-16 options, including apprenticeships, further education, and employment.

Essential Resources

Remember: Effective careers education is a collaborative effort involving teachers, students, parents, and external partners. By working together, we can equip young people with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the world of work.