To help all our students reach their potential and make an effective transition from school to higher education and work, Wimbledon College is committed to delivering a high standard of careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG).

We aim to

• support our students’ decision-making as they approach transitions and have to make choices,
• inform, encourage and inspire them as they consider their future options, and
• help them understand and develop their employability skills as they prepare for the world of work.

Staff

Jessica Town - Head of Sixth Form and Careers Leader

Martina Collett-Creedy - Careers Adviser

John Lonergan - Head of Year 13

Face to face Careers Interviews

We acknowledge the importance of impartial careers advice for all year groups and careers guidance is available to all students from our careers industry qualified careers adviser Martina Collett-Creedy. All students can make appointments for careers advice and guidance and drop in careers guidance is available on Friday lunchtime. All careers interviews are recorded on our SIMS database.

Work Experience

We recognise the value of work experience to introduce students to the world of work, give them contact with real employers and help them develop their transferable skills. We remain committed to providing all Year 10 students with a one week work experience opportunity. This experience is supported by preparation sessions when students consider CV writing, health and safety issues, interview skills and job applications. After the work experience, students work through evaluating activities to reflect and record their learning experience.

Careers Resources

Further and higher education resources are available in the careers office. In addition, careers opportunities relating to apprenticeships, HE courses, apprenticeship opportunities and labour market intelligence can be found in our Central Resource Library. Careers events, University open days, job vacancies, apprenticeship vacancies and work experience opportunities are shared at assemblies and on the noticeboards.

All students in Year 11, 12 and 13 have access to Unifrog, an online careers resource where students can easily explore university courses, apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes and Online Courses. Students explore their options and interests to support the development of their personal statement, CV production and competencies.

Whole School Careers Days

All year groups participate in a careers day in the summer term to prepare them for the world of work and consider future options to achieve positive careers outcomes. The careers day sessions include exploring industry sectors and labour market information, CV preparation, the key skills that employers are looking for, public speaking, teamwork, apprenticeship workshops , interview skills and money management. Employers are invited to these sessions to deliver valuable career insight talks and employability workshops. Students gain a valuable insight into the opportunities available in the current labour market. Students are encouraged to complete an evaluation form which is used to measure the impact of the careers day and plan for future     careers events.

Sixth Form Events

Throughout the sixth form years careers and work related activities are organised including external speakers and facilitators and trips to events with employers, HE and apprenticeship providers. Year 12 students visit UCAS events and are also encouraged to attend university open days and taster days.

Progression

The majority of our students remain with us for Sixth Form education and benefit from the specialist advice available for university entrance including Oxbridge, Russell Group Universities, Medical School and other post 18 options including school leavers programmes, higher level and degree apprenticeships and other specialist courses. 

http://www.ursulinehigh.merton.sch.uk/sixth-form/careers-and-university-applications/careers-programme/ -  this is the link to careers education at Ursuline High