CAREERS
Stonehenge Careers Programme
The Stonehenge school is fully committed to providing all our students with a comprehensive programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) and work related learning. Starting in year 7, we ensure that by the time our students leave us, that they are ready and prepared for the future. All our students should have had experiences, opportunities and information to help them make informed decisions relating to further education and employability.
We believe that this is a whole school commitment which involves input from all school staff, former students, the business community and employers as well as a whole range of education providers – colleges, 6th Forms, universities and training providers. Our Careers programme is in line with the Government’s statutory careers strategy (Gatsby benchmarks) and is reviewed and updated through feedback, evaluation and completion of the Compass Audit tool.
Beyond the careers program outlined below, each of our students will have a one to one careers interview with our Level 7 Careers Advisor. Priority for interviews is given to those students who are PP, SEND or in danger of becoming NEET. This gives these students the opportunity to discuss their future plans and gain advice about how they can achieve their goals.
Employer and Parent Engagement
The Stonehenge School is very keen to develop improved links with the employers, businesses, other organisations and parents who work within our local community. Through your involvement, support and personal experience, we feel our students will be able to gain a greater awareness and understanding about the world of work and the careers and opportunities available to them in the future, helping to broaden horizons and raise aspirations. There are also benefits for your organisation in terms of potential recruitment of our talented students as future employees, apprentices or volunteers.
We are aiming to develop a database of contacts and possible offers of help. Any contribution you or your organisation can make can make a significant difference. Some examples of support offered might be careers talks to students, work experience placements, help with mock interviews, workplace visits, mentoring or notifying us of upcoming opportunities within your organisation.
If you would like to help, please contact Miss Bowie (Head of Careers and Work Related Learning) on 01980 623407 or
colvinc@stonehenge.wilts.sch.uk
Careers Staff
Take a look at the Careers Newsletter –
Stonehenge School Newsletter Edition 1
Careers Lead: Mrs Caroline Colvin, email: colvinc@stonehenge.wilts.sch.uk
SLT Link: Mrs Fiona Staker, email: stakerf@stonehenge.wilts.sch.uk
Careers Programme Years 7 – 11
Year 7
| Session | Delivery Model | Delivered by | Link to Gatsby Benchmark |
| Futures Assembly | Termly Assemblies | Various | 5 |
| Alumni Assembly | 3 x Year Assembly | Former Students | 3/ |
| Summer Careers Fairs | Drop Down day | Various | 5/ 7 |
| The Real Game | Through Tutor time PSHE | Tutors | 3/ 4
To be introduced during the spring term of 2020 |
Year 8
| Session | Delivery Model | Delivered by | Link to Gatsby Benchmark |
| Futures Assembly | Termly Assemblies | Various | 5 |
| Alumni Assembly | 3 x Year Assembly | Former Students | 3 |
| Careers Pilot | Drop Down Day | Teachers | 2/ 4 |
| Options advice | PSHE sessions | Tutors and HODS | 1/ 3/ 4/ 7 |
| STEM Visit | External Provider | Various | 4/ 5/ 7 |
Year 9
| Session | Delivery Model | Delivered by | Link to Gatsby Benchmark |
| Futures Assembly | Termly Assemblies | Various | 5 |
| Alumni Assembly | 3 x Year Assembly | Former Students | 3 |
| STEM visit | School trip | University staff | 4/ 5/ 7 |
| Sparsholt College visit | School trip | College staff | 4/5/7 |
Year 10
| Session | Delivery Model | Delivered by | Link to Gatsby Benchmark |
| Futures Assembly | Termly Assemblies | Various | 5 |
| Preparation for working life unit | PSHE
sessions |
tutors | 2/ 4 / 5 / 6 |
| CV writing workshops | PSHE | Tutors | 4 |
| How to apply for my first job | Drop down day | Teachers | 4 |
| How to read a payslip | Drop down day | Teachers | 4 |
| Andover College visit | School visit | College staff | 4 / 7 |
| Practice interview day | CSW one to one interviews with employers | CSW and employers | 8 |
| Meet the Navy Catering | Navy to do as Master Chef activity | Navy catering staff | 5 |
| Army activities Day | Drop down day | Army recruitment staff | 5/ 6 |
| Work experience placements | One week placements | Various employers | 6 |
Year 11
| Session | Delivery Model | Delivered by | Link to Gatsby Benchmark |
| College assemblies | assembly | Local colleges | 7 |
| Aspirational (aim higher)
sessions |
Via Careers Advisor | Mrs T Beard | 2 / 3 / 4 / 7 |
| One to one careers advice meetings | Via Careers Advisor | Mrs T Beard | 8 |
| Meet the Navy Catering | Navy to do as Master Chef activity | Navy catering staff | 5 |
Online Careers guidance and information
The Stonehenge school work alongside an online careers guidance and information service. All students have access to the website. It uses a range of different careers information providers to give a comprehensive guide to potential future careers.
Please follow the link below to explore the site.
InvestIN Live & Online Summer Internships
SIXTH FORM FAQ
I am uncertain about which sixth form I should apply to. What should I do?
If you are not yet sure, apply to more than one sixth form provider. Many students submit applications for two or three institutions and make their minds up in the summer.
I have been told that I may not get in to my first choice of sixth form as they may be over-subscribed. Is this true?
This may be true for certain students. However, a good Stonehenge student will have a first class CV and personal statement, will have made use of opportunities from interview experience and will present themselves as exceptionally well prepared. This, in addition to good GCSE grades, will always secure a place. Do remember that as a post-16 student you are worth about £5,000 to any institution.
I have to choose four A subjects. I am reasonably certain about three, but I don’t know what else to choose. When do I have to make up my mind?
Schools and colleges will want to know what you think you want to study next September at this stage, so that they can plan their staffing for courses in advance. However, you will not be held to the choices you make now. There are plenty of opportunities to change your mind:
- at any point later in the year, post-application, just contact the school or college and alter your subject request
- in the summer at post-16 induction days it is possible to change courses
- after your GCSE results are published in August you may decide that you want to change one or more of your subjects, based on your exam performance
- during the first fortnight of your A level or equivalent study in September it is almost always possible to make a change if you realise you have made the wrong choice
NB: In the first few weeks of the Autumn term it is also possible to change school or college – one or two students do this every year.
What happens if I don’t get the grades in August?
Contact your chosen sixth form provider and ask about entry. It may still be possible for you to take up your place. Of course, if you don’t achieve a level 4/5 grade in English or Maths, you are likely to be asked to re-sit as a condition of entry to A level courses.
I have put in my application for sixth form. What happens now?
Schools and colleges operate in slightly different ways, but in general the following will occur:
- you will be invited to attend an interview at the school or college. You will be expected to discuss your predicted academic performance, the reasons for your choice of course(s) and other areas of achievement
- you will be given a conditional offer of a place at the school or college, pending your GCSE results
- you may be invited to a taster or induction day at the school or college in June (after the end of GCSE exams). At this point, it is a good opportunity to try out different subjects and hopefully firm up your choices for September
- you may be invited for a final interview after your GCSE results have been published (usually at the start of the September term) so that you can make a firm decision about the course(s) you will begin in September
I’m really struggling to decide on which is the best choice for me. My friends are mainly going to one school but I favour another college. What should I do?
It really must be your choice. Remember that this is a stepping stone to the next stage, whether that is to university, further training or employment. The really important thing is that you decide which institution is going to provide what you need in in order to achieve your goal in the future. Ask to see a list of destinations of leavers and do look at Ofsted reports for schools and colleges, as both can be helpful. Remember to find out:
- If it is a top university you’re aiming for, how many students get into the best universities?
- If it is a pathway to a vocational apprenticeship or a specific career route you seek, what help will you receive from the institution to help you achieve your goal?
It really must be your choice. Remember that this is a stepping stone to the next stage, whether that is to university, further training or employment. The really important thing is that you decide which institution is going to provide what you need in in order to achieve your goal in the future. Ask to see a list of destinations of leavers and do look at Ofsted reports for schools and colleges, as both can be helpful. Remember to find out:
- ·If it is a top university you’re aiming for, how many students get into the best universities?
- ·If it is a pathway to a vocational apprenticeship or a specific career route you seek, what help will you receive from the institution to help you achieve your goal?