Careers Information

Students in Years 7 and 8 explore the world of work through their Skills for Life Curriculum. Year 7 Students take part in our Enterprise Challenge, where they cover topics such as; enterprise, how to write a business plan and how to effectively deliver a pitch.

Year 8 students get an in introduction to the world of work as it relates to young people and an introduction to Unifrog, a digital platform designed to help students make more informed study and career choices at key moments of choice and transition.

In Year 9 a great deal of the careers education, advice and guidance is linked to GCSE option choices. Students decide on their option choices by March of Year 9, and throughout the course of the year they work with both Form Tutors and teachers in arriving at their final decision. Time is spent in Skills for Life lessons discussing personal qualities, interests and goals which help students make decisions. Students also use Unifrog to build a picture of their career aspirations and subject choices, as well as to start to evidence an understanding of key employability skills. Students are given the opportunity to meet with the Connexions Advisor through their year group assembly, and also have the opportunity to do so in Skills for Life lessons and through small group work.  Parents and carers are invited to the school to discuss GCSE options and the Connexions Advisor is available to discuss options at this event and also at Parents' Evening.

Year 10 students complete a Work Experience Placement in June. This is organised by students and school and is run through Our Futures.  Students learn a wide range of transferable skills, enhance their self-reliance and become more confident. They experience the disciplines of going to work and a daily work routine and as a result, are able to make more informed careers choices. Year 10 students also take part in Enterprise Day, a bespoke day built around careers education, and the development of both employability and entrepreneurial skills

Year 11 students are given extensive support on Post-16 options through a diverse careers programme. Students and parents are invited to attend a Post-16 Careers Information Evening in October, where presentations are given on A Levels, Vocational Qualifications and Apprenticeships. In October, the school holds a Post-16 Information Evening where faculties deliver presentations about their subject area and A Level specifications. We also ask Year 12 and 13 students to talk with Year 11 students about what Sale Grammar Sixth Form is like and give presentations about new subjects at A Level.

All Year 11 students have an individual interview with the Connexions Advisor in the first term and follow up interviews can be made through their Head of Progress and Learning. Indeed, Year 11 students are able to drop into informal lunch time sessions with the Connexions Advisor. All Year 11 students have individual interviews with members of the Senior Leadership Team in January to discuss their plans for Post-16.

Year 11 students develop their work-based skills within the Skills for Life Curriculum. They use the Unifrog website to research their Post-16 options and develop their personal marketing skills through CV writing and through a soft skill audit. They are also informed through a dedicated POst 16 pathway assembly in the Autumn Term. Open Days and Open Evenings for local colleges and schools are displayed within the form notice board and students have a copy to take home.

Parents can also make appointments with the Connexions Advisor at Year 11 Parents' Evening, and the Connexions Advisor is present at Post-16 Careers Information Evening, Post-16 Information Evening and Exam Results day.

As the vast majority of our students intend to study at university after the completion of their A-Levels, throughout Year 12 much attention and focus is placed upon UCAS applications to ensure students select the right course and universities to apply to in Year 13. From the beginning of Year 12, we engage with higher education providers who visit school to speak to students about university life, how to make the most of Year 12 and how to select the right course for them. That said, not all wish to apply to university and we are keen to, and active in, introducing students to the many options available Post-18, whether that be apprenticeships or the world of work. 

In recent years, talks and interactive sessions have been run by a wide range of Russell Group universities that can focus on specific university courses, or on the development of wider study and employment skills vital for success at A-Level and beyond. In addition, a number of apprenticeship providers and representatives from a variety of employers have also spoken to students in the areas of, for example, engineering, law and accountancy. 

In addition, all students are given the opportunity to attend the Manchester Higher Education Exhibition, organised by UCAS, to explore a wide range of academic and career opportunities in March of Year 12. To encourage students to select the right universities for them, we also allow every student to attend two university open days per term in Year 12 and Year 13 and potential Oxbridge candidates can attend the annual Oxbridge Conference in March. Should a student require a Connexions appointment, the Head of Progress and Learning for Year 12 will always make the necessary arrangements in school to secure a one-to-one meeting with our Careers Adviser.

In June, all Year 12 Students take part in our 'UCAS Day', when students begin their formal UCAS journey. Interactive seminars focus on how to write an effective UCAS Personal Statement and the nuts and bolts of how to log on and complete UCAS Apply. This is then followed up with a UCAS Information Evening for Year 12 Parents, so that all are aware of the process we follow as a school and the information and advice students have been given.

In the Autumn Term, every Year 13 Student will have a UCAS Triage Appointment with Mrs Heathcliffe, Sixth Form Administrator and second meeting with Miss Mattox, Assistant Headteacher (Sixth Form) to discuss their UCAS application, course and university choices and Personal Statement to ensure all applications are competitive and carefully considered.

Early applicants are encouraged to arrange mock interviews with a wide range of pastoral and subject staff to help prepare them for the application process. During this term, Year 13 Students are offered a wealth of support from their Form Tutor, Head of Progress and Learning and Head of Sixth Form and the fortnightly Form Period acts as a vital part of this, with Form Staff offering individual support with Personal Statement writing and Post-18 decisions.

Those choosing not to apply to university are given individual support and guidance by the Sixth Form Pastoral team and we aim to continue to provide students with a range of additional apprenticeship and work opportunities so that informed choices are made by all.
The Sixth Form Pastoral Team is also on hand both on and after A-Level Results Day to provide additional support for students to ensure the successful transition from A-Level to Post-18.

Careers Programme Overview