Careers Guidance

YEAR 12
Careers Education and Guidance (CEG) in the sixth form is delivered through one period per week for each student, taught usually in three separate groups. The course is designed to deal with post-18 decision-making, including the full range of Higher Education opportunities. Students' needs are tailored, both through group sessions and other workshops, where students can research their own ideas using programmes such as Higher Ideas. Other topics to be covered include: work experience, job applications, letters and CVs and interview preparation.

1.Induction Day. (at the end of the GCSE period for the next year's Lower Sixth) This includes a briefing about the structure of careers at Sion and the importance of planning for the future. There is also an opportunity to deal with queries concerning 'AS' level choices and qualifications required.

2. Centigrade Scheme. This is computerised Higher Education course profiling and Sion was a pilot school in the project. The debriefing of students when their reports are sent through is assisted by the Sixth Form tutors.

3. Higher Education Fair. This takes place every spring at Sussex University, usually in late March. Students attend and have the opportunity to meet with admissions' tutors and to start identifying likely post ‘A' level courses and places.

4. Summer Term Initiatives. 2 & 3 above introduce the new Higher Education cycle. The year group is then briefed about the whole procedure of courses and places, gap year options and the timetables involved in special lessons with a ‘strategic handout' - (see scheme of work)

5. Setting up UCAS accounts online. This takes place usually in June, once the new cycle goes ‘live' on the UCAS website. The aim is for all students to have their forms available for completion before the end of Year 12.

6. Processing Oxbridge Applications. This takes place after the confirmation of ‘AS' results, but suitable candidates will have been identified earlier from informal teachers' meetings.

7. Work Experience in the Lower Sixth. This is arranged by students themselves, as required. It can also be arranged in Year 13.

8. Higher Education Information Evening. This is designed to brief parents about the course that students have received in careers and to enable parents to appreciate the pivotal role they play in post-18 decision-making.

YEAR 13
The sixth form CEG course extends into the autumn term of Year 13. The course details are included as part of the scheme of work for the sixth form course. Specifically the following events are overseen:

1. Completion of Application Forms. This is completed electronically using ‘UCAS Apply' during the first half of the autumn term. Guidance notes will be issued for the completion of the Personal Statement.

2. References. These will be drafted by the tutors and grade predictions obtained from the subject teachers. The Careers Co-ordinator is the school's designated named referee and oversees the UCAS process in conjunction with the Head of Sixth Form.

3. Mock Interview Practice. This is arranged with the Head of sixth Form for each student, as and when necessary. Guidance notes are provided in advance

4. Records of Applications. These are kept for each student and date back to 1987. Hard copies of all UCAS applications are also kept.

5. Grant Forms. These are distributed when they arrive at the school in February. Students will be informed of the closing date for submission of completed forms.

6. Meetings. These are arranged with individual students and parents to discuss choice of degree and subsequent career opportunities as required. They take place on an ad hoc basis throughout the year, but are recorded formally.

7. Non-H.E. Applications. Students not applying for Higher Education are also counselled and advised. Specific work experience may need to be arranged for them.

8. Post 'A' Level. Guidance is available when the results come out in August and every Higher Education applicant is guaranteed assistance until his/her situation is made clear.