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Higher Education and Careers

 At St Augustine’s Priory we understand that, for many students, making decisions about the future can be somewhat overwhelming. In support of our Mission Statement of ‘Our Girls will Change the World’ all our staff aim to provide students with the best advice and guidance to support their decision-making from year 7 through to university choices or apprenticeships to develop the skills needed in today’s fast changing world.   

Head of Careers

Our pupils are supported at every stage of their development by our highly experienced and knowledgeable staff. Careers information and advice is led by our Head of Careers, Mrs Kate Toynton. Mrs Toynton has an extensive background in teaching and working with young people. Mrs Toynton reports directly to Ms Louise Hales, current Head of Sixth Form and Assistant Head.

The Career’s Programme

The role of the Careers’ Programme is to help all pupils build a solid foundation for their future careers through supporting them to identify their skills and interests, aptitudes, and abilities.  

Throughout their time at St Augustine’s Priory every student will experience:   

  • Individual academic mentoring sessions with internal and external providers 
  • Subject-specific career related information 
  • Bespoke preparation for apprenticeships, UCAS and university admissions tests  
  • Dedicated programme of support for Medicine and Dentistry 
  • Curriculum Vitae preparation 
  • Specialised interview practice 
  • Tailored support for overseas applications, including accessing scholarships and financial support 
  • Digital resource provision 
  • Access to Unifrog platform 
  • Subject portfolio preparation sessions 
  • Form time focus on Careers 
  • Careers Spotlight – contacts with alumni and other employers provide opportunities for careers insights and advice through events and meetings 
  • Participation in Enterprise events 
  • Links with universities 

 The Careers Programme is modified and updated annually as necessary in the light of pupil feedback. 

Download the school’s Careers Education, Information, Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) policy. 

 

Careers Programme

Gatsby Benchmarks

The Gatsby Benchmarks, which are outlined below, are embedded into the curriculum at St Augustine’s Priory:

  • A stable Careers Programme.
  • Addressing the needs of each pupil
  • Learning from Career & Labour Market Information.
  • Linking Curriculum Learning to Careers.
  • Encounters with Employers & Employees.
  • Experiences of Workplaces.
  • Encounters with Further & Higher Education.
  • Personal Guidance.

Resources for Parents 

Parents, carers, and guardians play an important part in career choices and there are many on-line resources readily available to help parents when discussing options with their children. Please find below a link to some of those resources should you require them: 

Parental Guidance: This site offers a range of general careers information and advice and is produced and updated by the Careers Writers Association. 

National Careers Service:  This government website is a national resource for all ages and stages and has useful sections on many topics including skills development, volunteering, gap year planning, career research, work experience, and support for people with disabilities entering education or work.  

Career Mag for Parents: Published by Careermap, this online magazine supports parents with advice and guidance on careers and further education choices. 

UCAS University Guide for Parents: UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is the UK’s shared admissions service for higher education. There is lots of information on the UCAS website for making post-18 choices including this guide specifically aimed at parents. 

Apprenticeships (including Degree Apprenticeships) 

Amazing Apprenticeships  Amazing Apprenticeships is a leading apprenticeship organisation working with education and employers. Their website contains lots of excellent resources including monthly ‘parent packs’ and podcasts. 

RateMyApprenticeship.co.uk This site bases its information on ratings from apprentices. It has a parent’s guide section among lots of other useful information. 

 

Work Experience

Students in Year 12 participate in Futures Week in June where they have the opportunity to commence exploring UCAS and their future pathways as well as carrying out a work experience placement.
Students research and secure their own placements within their fields of interests and receive support in doing this. We are extremely grateful to all of our parents who have supported our young people through offering work placements.
Recent placements have spanned a wide range of industries including working with barristers, immigration lawyers, paediatrics at Imperial College, Bloomberg, BT and Coca Cola.

Labour Market Information (LMI)

What is LMI? 

Labour Market Information essentially provides the facts and figures about job markets. It is used to present an overview of a career in the past, present and future. 

Gatsby Benchmark 2 requires schools to ensure that students “Learn from Career and Labour Market Information”. 

At St Augustine’s Priory, students are invited to attend Career Talks from a range of sectors.

All students receive sessions on how to use the platform Unifrog and research specific career pathways alongside their skills with the aim of supporting their future decisions.

 

How can LMI support students’ decisions?

Labour markets are constantly changing and therefore so are the skills required. It is useful for students to be able to research the data from labour markets to support them in their future choices.

  • Which industry is expanding? 
  • Where are the most jobs I am interested in? 
  • How much can I expect to earn?
  • What qualifications do I need?

 

Using LMI tools, we are able to analyse markets and answer such questions. Information is available locally, nationally and even globally. 

This short presentation from Unifrog explains the importance of LMI.

 

How can I access this information?

The UCAS website has a vast amount of information including a careers’ quiz, discovering employers and facilities for browsing jobs by industry and job role.You can also access virtual work experiences and apprenticeship guides, volunteering opportunities and interview preparation. Prospects and the National Careers Service websites also give an insight into different job sectors. 

Unifrog has an excellent Careers Library which provides up to date information on an extensive range of careers. Find out how to use the Careers Library.

The Careers Library provides students with:

  • Salary Information for the London area
  • Number of Job Opportunities in the London area
  • Percentage Growth of the sector in the London area

Graduate employment prospects are one of the factors often used to select university courses.  

High Fliers research publish reports about the graduate market compiled from interviews with over 12,000 graduates who left university the previous year. 

The Edge Foundation produces a regular series of Skills Shortage Bulletins exploring skills shortages across key areas of the economy. 

 

Careers Programme at St Augustine’s Priory

Year 7 – Aims and Objectives: To start identifying areas of strengths and potential pathways based on what I enjoy and subjects I am progressing well in. 

  • Enrichment Project: My Careers Project. Interview friends/family about their career pathways. 
  • Form Time Activities to include: Who am I?, Dream Jobs, What is a Career?, What is an Entrepreneur?, Work Life Balance
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Apprenticeship V University Assembly 
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 8 – Aims and Objectives: To continue to develop my areas of interest and to focus on where my skills may be suited 

  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Competition/Project during Careers Across the Curriculum Week
  • Apprenticeship V University Assembly 
  • Form Time Activities to include: What are my interests, Applying for Jobs, Challenges & Rewards at work, Create the Life you Want, What does Success Mean to me?
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 9 – Aims and Objectives: To assess my skills and knowledge to make choices for KS4 which will support my future pathway. 

  • Invited to at least 3 Career Industry Talks
  • Choices Session using the platform Unifrog ahead of GCSE options
  • GCSE Options Evening 
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Form Time Activities to include: What are my skills, What comes after school, Decision Making KS4, Taking Control of your Career,Managing Money
  •  Apprenticeship Week Assembly
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 10 – Aims and Objectives: To continue to assess the subjects I enjoy and my skills to start considering Post 16 Pathways

  • Invited to 5 Career Industry Talks 
  • Apprenticeship Week Assembly
  • Analysing skills and personality using Unifrog 
  • Post 16 Choices and Pathway Session
  • Subject Speed Dating session with Sixth Form
  • One to One Career Interviews with Bryony Thomas Consultancy
  • Form Time Activities to include: Employability Skills, Choices, choices, Choosing your Post 16 Pathway, Researching Volunteering and Paid work, Apprenticeships V University
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 11 – Aims and Objectives: To continue to research and confirm my Post 16 Pathway as well as researching Post 18 options. 

  • Invited to 5 Career Industry Talks 
  • Analysing skills and personality using Unifrog
  • Apprenticeship Week Assembly 
  • Form Time Activities to include: Employability Skills, Choices, Choosing Pathways, Volunteering & Paid work, Apprenticeship V University.
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Priory Sixth Open Evening 
  • Personal academic and wellbeing mentor throughout the year
  • Interview with Senior Management to support Post 16 Choices
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 12 – Aims and Objectives: To begin researching Post 18 Pathways and to develop a CV ahead of the Work Experience Programme. 

  • Invited to 5 Career Industry Talks 
  • Analysing skills and personality
  • using Unifrog Form Time Activities to include: Personal Guidance, Post 18 Choices, Careers Goals, Networking & Enterprising
  • Apprenticeship Week Assembly 
  • One to One Careers Interview with Bryony Thomas Consultancy
  • UCAS programme delivered through weekly sessions including Oxbridge, Medicine and Veterinary Science applications.
  • University Trips. 
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • MOOCS and Online Courses programme.
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

Year 13 – Aims and Objectives: To confirm my Post 18 Choices. 

  • Invited to 5 Career Industry Talks 
  • Form Time Activities to include: Personal Branding, Interviews, Managing Transitions, Preparing for an Assessment Day, Working Freelance and Self Employment.
  • Apprenticeship Week Assembly 
  • Continuation of UCAS programme focusing on applications and Personal Statement.
  • Careers Across the Curriculum Week – discovering career opportunities in each subject area.
  • Festival of Learning with Keynote Speaker
  • Biennial Careers Fair

 

Careers Calendar

September

  • Launch of Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13 

October

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Career Talk
  • GCSE Options session using Unifrog Year 9
  • MOOCS and Online Courses Launch to Year 12 

November

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Career Talk
  • Careers across the Curriculum Week
  • GCSE Options Evening Year 9

December

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Career Talk

January

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13

February

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Career Talk
  • One to One Interviews with Bryony Thomas Consultancy for Post 18 options (Year 12)
  • Apprenticeship Week 

March 

  • Careers Fair for all students with industry experts
  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Career Talk
  • Women in Work Careers Event
  • Post 16 Choices session to Year 10
  • Subject Speed Dating Session for Year 10 with Priory Sixth
  • UCAS – University and Apprenticeship Fair – Year 12 

April

  • Careers Form Time Programme Year 7-13
  • Futures Interviews with Senior Management for Year 11 

May

  • Careers Enrichment Project Year 7

June

  • Futures Week – UCAS Programme Year 12 
  • Work Experience Year 12 
  • One to One Interviews with Bryony Thomas Consultancy for Post 16 options (Year 10)

 

 

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