Careers Programme
Here at Vanguard School, we know that good careers education and advice has a significant role in preparing and enabling our students to lead successful, fulfilling lives as well as making a successful transition into adulthood and the world of work. As options for young people become more varied and complex, it is vital that we support students to develop the knowledge and skills they need to make informed choices for their future.
The careers education programme takes a whole-school approach by complementing the rest of the school curriculum but also involving parents, carers, teachers, external careers guidance providers, employers and other agencies.
There are a wide range of careers support available at Vanguard School including:
- Visits to further and higher education institutions (colleges / universities)
- Visits to apprenticeship providers and accessing work experience placements
- Personalised careers advice from a qualified careers adviser in school
- Creating opportunities for students to develop transferrable life and social skills
- Sessions and activities on specific career pathways such as healthcare, teaching, business, etc. as well as post-16 and post-18 educational options.
- Careers Resource Corner - based in the school library and online which is accessible to all students, parents/carers and staff
- Access to Unifrog - the complete careers destination platform
The Careers Education Programme is led by:
Zarko Zahariev - Careers Education Lead
e: zarko.zahariev@vanguardschool.org.uk
t: 0208 059 6310
Vanguard School supports careers development through high quality and personalised work experience opportunities. We enjoy high quality relationships with a wide variety of external organisations and local businesses to provide opportunities for students to experience the workplace. We are always looking for additional opportunities to inspire and educate our students about the world of work. If you think you could support with the provision of delivering careers sessions, please contact the Career Education Lead (Zarko Zahariev) or contact the school office on 0208 059 6310.
Up-to-date information will be provided via email, post, via tutors and on this webpage. Students are encouraged to attend taster days and open days with a guideline of missing no more than 4 school days to careers events.
The School will assess the impact of its careers programmes on students by completing an annual student survey and analysing destinations data in line with activities that they have taken part in at school. In addition, the views of parents and students will be surveyed after key events e.g. the Annual Careers Fair, work experience opportunities.
Students are encouraged to research their chosen career pathways carefully with an extensive range of information provided in school, online and via individual organisations/institutions. There are a number of useful websites to support students in their careers research below.
Downloads
Useful Career Websites
General Advice on Careers
- https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/ - offer free and impartial information, advice and guidance to help you with your decisions about careers, courses and work.
- https://icould.com/explore/#careerpaths – focusing on career pathways available after leaving secondary school (post-16)
- www.brightknowledge.org – information about career pathways and subject specific careers (e.g. sport science, architecture, law etc.)
- https://www.careersbox.co.uk/ - videos on career pathways
- https://www.gov.uk/access-to-work - publicly funded employment support programme that aims to support people with additional needs to start or stay in work
- https://www.prospects.ac.uk/ - careers advice related to post-16 career choices
Applying to College/Sixth Form/Further Education
- https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses - information for education, employment or training after leaving secondary school (post-16)
- https://www.gov.uk/1619-bursary-fund - 16 to 19 Bursary Fund – those with an EHCP can access this grant
- http://www.londoncolleges.com/our-colleges/ - colleges in London for post-16 provision
- https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/students/subjects - brand new 2-year qualifications as an alternative to A-Levels, other post-16 options or an apprenticeship - combining classroom learning and industry placement
Apprenticeships
- www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk – lists all apprenticeship vacancies nationally.
- www.notgoingtouni.co.uk – advice on apprenticeships, foundation degrees, jobs + gap year.
- https://amazingapprenticeships.com - information related to apprenticeships
- https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk - information related to apprenticeships
Applying to University
- www.purepotential.org - independent organisation which raises the aspirations of thousands of sixth-formers every year, encouraging them to apply to and achieve offers from excellent universities and leading employers.
- www.ucas.com – directory of all higher education courses available in the UK and loads of other useful information post-18
- www.unistats.com –compare and review universities and courses using statistics.
- www.whatuni.com – student articles, advice, information, open days and university comparisons.
- www.unionview.com – videos of universities showing the buildings, accommodation, students and clips of actual teaching methods.
- www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk , www.education.guardian.co.uk and www.timesonline.co.uk/education – league tables to compare universities and subjects.
Summer Schools
- www.suttontrust.com – summer schools to encourage widening participation in universities.
- www.headstartcourses.org.uk – courses for any science and maths students to encourage them to consider science, maths or engineering at university.
Student Finance
- www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance – apply for your student loans and maintenance grants through this site. Also more info and advice on student finance including a calculator which can help you find out what financial support they are likely to get.
- www.slc.co.uk – the student loan company.
- www.scholarship-search.org.uk – Allows you to search all universities for available bursaries and scholarships. Also a budget calculator and loan predictor.
- www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students – info on bursaries for healthcare and social work students.
Volunteering, Work Placements and Gap Years
- www.do-it.org.uk - Do It (Volunteering)
- www.london.gov.uk/what-we-do/volunteering/search/ - Team London – volunteering opportunities in London
- https://timebank.org.uk/ - Timebank (Volunteering)
- www.vinspired.com - vInspired (Volunteering)
- https://www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry
- www.careers.cityoflondon.gov.uk/entry-level-talent/work-experience/ - City of London (Work Experience)
- www.gapyear.com
- www.campamerica.co.uk
- www.gapyearcanada.com