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

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

James Skinner - Assistant Headteacher & Careers Lead
Bernadett Parrish- Careers Advisor

Kate Dixon - Careers Link Governor

A Career Hub is run by Ms. Parrish in the Careers Room for weekly drop-in sessions. Every Monday (KS3), Tuesday (KS4), Thursday (KS5) between 3.10-4 pm. During this time, you can talk to her about all things Careers related. 

 

For any further careers enquiries please email us at careers@wimbledoncollege.org.uk

How is Careers taught at the College?

Below are summaries for each year group of the Careers work that is done.

Figures (Year 7) – Exploring our strengths

In Figures, we want boys to explore their academic, personal and extra-curricular strengths. As part of our PSHE programme, boys use Unifrog resources to identify their strengths and consider ways in which they may be helpful when entering the world of work. We look at the term ‘career’, and get boys to consider the paths that they have available to them. In PSHE boys identify skills that they have need to be a good employer and a good employee. In the summer term, boys are given the opportunity to showcase some of the skills that they have learnt by taking part in the Careers and Enterprise day, where they are set a business and teamwork challenge.

Rudiments (Year 8) – Looking to the future

Boys in Rudiments build on what they studied in Figures, and begin to think about the how future decisions they make can impact upon their lives. They have the ‘Pathways 1’ assembly which takes a tentative look into the different choices that they have coming up and the variety of pathways that can be taken. In PSHE, boys use Unifrog resources to consider what is meant by a successful career and also study career terminology.

On Friday’s boys have a ‘Future Friday’ session during tutor time, this is where they look and listen to those in different sectors of employment and consider Labour Market Information to discuss future job prospects. In the summer term boys engage in an enterprise challenge and see how there are many different components to running a successful business.

Lower Grammar (Year 9)  – Making Choices

In Lower Grammar boys make their GCSE Option choices. They have a dedicated GCSE Options Evening where they hear from subject specialists and have the opportunity to discuss subjects and the benefits of studying these when considering their futures. Those boys who need additional support are offered this by the Head of Line and SEN Department in order to ensure they are making the best decision for their futures.  Boys have PSHE sessions and assemblies to draw attention to those subjects that they may not have studied in Figures and Rudiments.

We are privileged to have Alumni speakers visit to share their experiences and this allows boys to further consider the GCSE Options that they are wanting to take.

Grammar (Year 10) – Preparing for the world of work

Boys in Grammar get their first their experience of the workplace, as in July they embark on a week of work experience. They are supported by our Careers Advisor and have PSHE sessions to ensure they have the skills needed to make a success of their week and are aware of employer’s rights and responsibilities.  We also focus on ensuring that all boys are starting to think about their post 16 choices and have external FE colleges come to visit and we arrange visits for those boys who show an interest in this pathway.

Syntax (Year 11)  – Making informed decisions

In assemblies and PSHE sessions, boys explore the different routes that are available to them after studying their GCSEs. They have a Sixth Form Open Evening where they learn what Wimbledon College can offer, as well Ursuline High School, who offer a wide range T Level courses including adult nursing, business support and digital production. Boys also receive a dedicated meeting with our Careers Advisor, feedback about their session and next steps are given to the boys and a copy sent to parents about how they can support their son’s in their future endeavours.

Poetry (Year 12) – Investigating post 18 options

Throughout Year 12, students listen to a range of guest speakers from across the spectrum of work. They listen to those who have set up businesses to those who work for global companies. Students are encouraged to ask questions to discover more about their journeys. In the summer term the Sixth Form Team with the help of an apprenticeship provider, deliver a ‘next steps’ presentation to talk students and parents through the UCAS process as well as how to apply for an apprenticeship. A University Day visit is arranged in the summer term, where students are taken to a local University to hear about what University lifer is like. Students also have a week of work experience to help focus them further on the post Sixth Form path they wish to take.  All students also receive a one to one interview with our career’s advisor in school.

Rhetoric (Year 13) – Applying for the next step

In the final year of school, preparations for taking the next steps are usually well under way. There is additional support from our on-site Careers Advisor for those that need it. Those who are a little more unsure of taking their next steps are offered the opportunity to go to a University and Apprenticeship Fair in September and ask questions of those in attendance to try and help them to decide what to do next. As part of the PSHE programme, students continue to learn the importance of managing finances and understanding the rights of employees and employers. There are also ongoing talks from members of the alumni to help inspire future career choices.

Destination Data

As boys leave in Syntax and students leave in Poetry, we collect destination data. This helps us to inform our careers programme and develop our action plan for the following year. Our Year 13 destination data can be found on this section of the website.

Baker Clause

We are fully compliant with the Baker Clause, and our aim is to ensure that boys are learning in an institution most suited to their learning abilities and needs. From Rudiments (Year 8) boys learn about different schools such as UTCs as well as opening our doors to FE Colleges. We take some boys in Lower Grammar and Grammar on trips to Colleges to see vocational learning in action and have a taste of these type of courses. In Grammar and Syntax, we deliver a pathways assembly to highlight the different routes available to boys and ensure we display any information we receive about College Open Days on our Higher Line notice board. We also work closely with other local schools and boys hear about T Levels and what the course entails. In the Sixth Form we ensure that we try and broaden the exposure to as many schemes and opportunities available to students. The use of Unifrog, University and Apprenticeship Fairs and one on one interviews with our Careers Advisor means that they have exposure to lots of resources to help them make the best decision for their futures.

Our students are

  • Prophetic
  • Learned
  • Faith-filled
  • Generous
  • Grateful
  • Hopeful
  • Curious
  • Attentive
  • Prophetic
  • Learned
  • Faith-filled
  • Generous
  • Grateful
  • Hopeful
  • Curious
  • Attentive