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Preparing students for their future opportunities
This page contains careers information for students, employers and parents. It also includes links to resources and the latest BSG careers policy and the link to the Baker clause provider access statement is here.
Careers Programme
Our careers education and guidance provision aims to prepare all students for the vast range of opportunities open to them for their future and the changing nature of the world of work. Students are encouraged to develop an understanding of themselves, their strengths and skills to assist them in their future choices on leaving school. In line with the government’s statutory strategy and Gatsby Benchmarks measures, the careers education and guidance programme is embedded across the departments and delivered both through the PSHE (personal social and health education) and separate careers activities. Impartial guidance interviews are available with our qualified Careers Advisor.
Careers Staff
Mrs Nicola Ruby is the Careers Leader. She holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Careers Guidance and is supported by the Senior Leadership Team. Mrs Ruby offers impartial careers and higher education advice and guidance and is available for individual appointments for all years. She works with the PSHE co-ordinator and Head of Sixth Form to devise the careers education throughout the school. For further details please contact nruby@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk.
Careers Leader
Link Governor
Information for Students
Year 7 to 11
Careers education starts from year 7 where students complete activities that help them learn about the wider world. This continues in Year 8. In year 9 students take part in a business project where they learn about setting up a business and the roles involved. They also take part in an employability skills workshop where they learn about work related skills to help prepare them for their year 10 work experience. Students explore their interests and GCSE option choices through PSHE and have the opportunity for individual guidance if appropriate. In Year 10 students complete work experience preparation which includes writing a CV and interview preparation. They have the opportunity to have a mock interview with a local employer to help them prepare for their work experience in the summer term. The annual careers convention in October is open to all students and parents from year 9 upwards. Over 50 organisations including universities and employers attend with talks on a wide range of careers. Whilst the majority of Year 11 move into the Sixth Form, we ensure that we help them explore their post 16 through PSHE. We organise external speakers to help them explore their future opportunities.
Sixth Form
In years 12 & 13 the programme is tailored to informing them of their post 18 choices and preparing them for their next steps. The future planning day allows students to hear from a variety of speakers about their options including a gap year, applying for university, writing personal statements and apprenticeships. Employability talks give them an understanding of the key skills required for university and the world of work. Specialist talks and university visits take place throughout the year including an Oxbridge conference. Interview practice is available from governors and staff to help especially for those applying for Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary Science. Students are advised to have at least one careers interview to help them explore their options and help them plan their next steps. Our students enter a wide range of opportunities after Sixth Form; to see the full list of destinations click here: Leaver Destinations.
Information for Teachers
Careers Education is delivered as part of the wider PSHE (Personal Social and Health Education) and Core Studies programme. This is integrated into each year with external speakers such as employers and universities offering talks on preparing for the world of work and future pathways such higher education. The school has excellent links with many local businesses and universities, many attending the careers convention each year.
Students are encouraged to develop their employability skills through completing work experience and a mock interview in Year 10 and sixth form as well as through many volunteering opportunities including the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
Careers is linked to curriculum subjects with clubs such as coding, STEM and Geography encouraging students to develop wider skills and linking them to careers.
The Careers Advisor arranges impartial advice and guidance for all students in years 11 and sixth form.
The school careers department are committed to achieving the Gatsby 8 Benchmarks by which schools measure their CEIAG provision. https://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance
Information for Employers
We have developed good links with local employers who play an important role in raising awareness of the changing world of work through the various activities that take place. Students take part in enterprise activities through a Midas project in year 9 and a business breakfast in year 10 where they are able to speak to local employers. Year 10 have a mock interview with an employer prior to their work experience. Employer visits are organised for students to learn about the workplaces and the opportunities for their future.
Work experience takes place both in Year 10 and Sixth Form. We are always keen to hear from employers who are able to offer work experience placements for our students. Please contact us if you are interested in getting involved: workexperience@bsg.bournemouth.sch.uk
Information for Parents
We understand how important parents are in the careers education process. Each year we hold a post-18 options evening to raise awareness of the variety of options available after sixth form. Parents are welcome to attend the careers interviews and discuss their daughter’s career plans at parents evenings. The annual careers convention is a good opportunity for parents to talk to local employers and find out more about the wide variety of career opportunities. The resources section below contains links to a number of websites which you may find useful in helping guide your daughter.
New 2022/23 parents careers guides – register today to receive your FREE copy
Employability skills, a guide for parents & carers
Alumnae
Rebecca left BSG in 2021 to start a degree apprenticeship at BAE Systems. As part of this programme she is working towards an Aerospace Engineering degree at Plymouth University. She is a member of her company’s STEM Courage programme, as well as giving mentorship to Arkwright scholars.
Natasha left BSG in 2017 to join Superior Seals and their degree apprenticeship programme. As part of this programme she is working towards a Chemistry degree at Southampton University. She has been awarded ‘The South West Engineering Rising Star’ award and is now in the final for a this national award, a fantastic achievement. Read the article
Tilly left BSG in 2017 to start an apprenticeship in Financial Services at JP Morgan. Whilst completing this she has had a remarkable impact in raising awareness about apprenticeships and been nominated for a national award. She has gone on to to complete her apprenticeship with distinction and has now secured a permanent role within JP Morgan. Read the article
I left BSG sixth form when the COVID lockdown hit in 2020. I found myself struggling to want to leave home to go to university during such uncertain times so I decided to take a gap year where I found out about degree apprenticeships and never looked back. I’m now a thriving member of my company Ageas, helping out with recruitment processes. Diversity and inclusion issues, planning IT-wide events, alongside my day-to-day job and achieving a first in my first year at university.
Resources
General Careers
The National Careers Service provides information, advice and guidance on learning and work opportunities. Call 0800 100 900.
Amazing Apprenticeships provides information on the different apprenticeships including a parent pack.
Not Going To Uni provides information on alternatives to higher education.
Unifrog is a careers platform for students in years 9-13 where they can research their pathways and career ideas. They can also use it to submit their university applications. Each student has been assigned a form code which they can use to create an account.
With physical work experience placements difficult to secure due to the current COVID restrictions, here is a resource providing virtual work experience opportunities.
University Choices
http://www.ucas.ac.uk
Information on applying to university and course search.
https://discoveruni.gov.uk
Compare different universities and courses.
https://university.which.co.uk
Search and compare course using different criteria.
Specialist Areas
http://www.fulbright.org.uk
Information on studying in the USA.
https://www.astarfuture.co.uk
Information on studying abroad.
https://www.uniq.ox.ac.uk
Summer school at Oxford University.
https://www.undergraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/events/summer-schools
Cambridge University Summer Schools.
https://www.etrust.org.uk/the-year-in-industry
Professional placements working in industry.