Overview of our careers programme by year group
Below is an overview of what students can expect to happen as part of their careers education and work-related learning programme in each academic year. In addition to the overview below, students also benefit from additional one-off events and activities such as visiting speakers, competitions and online events through the year as opportunities arise. Many of these are promoted through the Sixth Form newsletter and LGS Futures bulletin.
The impact of our programme on students is evaluated using a range of information, including:
- student feedback on their experience of and learning from careers activities and events
- gathering informal feedback from external partners and from parents
- student destination data post-16 and post-18.
Year 7
Students in Year 7 are introduced to the world of work and Higher Education through a session delivered as part of our PCS curriculum.
Students also have the opportunity to find out about careers in the NHS by entering the annual 'Step into the NHS competition'.
Every other year, students in Year 7 can also attend our LGS biannual careers fair where they are able to speak to a range of employers and providers of higher, technical and vocational education.
Year 8
In Year 8, students spend a day in the summer term learning from labour market information and how changes in the job market have been influenced by changes in society and technology. They also learn about the importance of emotional intelligence and the soft skills they need to develop to be an effective team member in the workplace, while reflecting on the links between curriculum and careers.
Careers education is also delivered through the PCS curriculum where students will learn about choices, pathways, the world of work, employment rights and responsibilities.
Students are introduced to the Unifrog platform, which provides a wealth of careers-related information and guidance.
Students in Year 8 have the opportunity to find out about careers in the NHS by entering the annual 'Step into the NHS competition'.
Every other year, students in Year 8 can also attend our LGS biannual careers fair where they are able to speak to a range of employers and providers of higher, technical and vocational education.
Year 9
The knowledge developed through Year 7 and 8 are built upon through the Year 9 careers programme.
Students are made aware of how to access various online platforms and resources to conduct their own research into careers and other training and education pathways.
Aston Martin deliver a presentation the whole year group, and students have opportunity to enter a competition organised by AkzoNobel, another company we work with. These events are aimed to raise awareness of careers in the STEM industries.
In the spring term, students benefit from a session delivered by our Careers Advisor on how GCSE subject options can be informed by future career aspirations. Around the same time, each student is mentored by a staff member who supports his/her research into different subject choices so that they select GCSEs that complement their talents, interests and goals.
Careers education in Year 9 is also delivered through the PCS curriculum, where students will learn about entrepreneurial skills and further employment rights and responsibilities.
Every other year, students in Year 9 can also attend our LGS biannual careers fair where they are able to speak to a range of employers and providers of higher, technical and vocational education.
Year 10
As part of their ‘Raising Achievement at GCSE’ presentation at the start of Year 10, students hear about the skills and attitudes that competitive universities and employers look for when they recruit and about ways in which students can start to develop those attributes now.
Students are encouraged to explore the world of work via work shadowing visits (organised through parents, family and friends), and/or through volunteering with local charities after school or at weekends.
During the year students will explore a range of different industries, the job opportunities available in those industries and the skills they will need to develop to be successful in various roles. This is delivered through the tutor programme and complemented with guest speakers delivering assemblies.
In the summer term, students participate in a ‘Work Ready’ event where they learn how to write an impactful CV and covering letter and how to manage the job selection process successfully. This learning is integrated into our PCS programme.
Students also have the option to complete an online assessment from the Morrisby Organisation, which measures aptitudes and work preferences to arrive at a personalised profile of suggested careers and associated study options.
We invite a representative from the government-funded provider 'Amazing Apprenticeships' to speak to students about the opportunities to apply for an apprenticeship following their GCSEs or Sixth Form studies.
Every other year, students in Year 10 can also attend our LGS biannual careers fair where they are able to speak to a range of employers and providers of higher, technical and vocational education.
Year 11
During the autumn term in Year 11, every student has a 30 minute careers guidance interview with our Careers Advisor from DRA Associates (Mr Devani), where they can discuss their ideas for the future. Students receive a personalised action plan afterwards, which summarises the key points of the interview and signposts them towards relevant websites and other sources of information.
Through the year students benefit from hearing from different guest speakers in assembly. For example, we welcome Global Academy, a UTC to speak with students about vocational and technical courses post-16 and Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, to provide information the best A Level subjects to take to maximise chances of securing a place at the Universities of Oxford or Cambridge.
In October, all Year 11 students develop their interview skills by participating in a mock recruitment interview led by volunteers from the local business community.
In November, Year 11 students engage in our Employability Skills Conference. They have a range of workshops delivered by speakers from a range different local companies through the day.
In March, students participate in a Business Insight Day, where students visit a local company to understand how a large multinational organisation works, how the various departmental functions contribute to the success of the business and about the range of careers opportunities they offer.
Also, in the spring term, each student has a 1:1 interview with a senior member of staff or a member of the Sixth Form team to discuss their options post-16.
Every other year, students in Year 11 attend the Apprenticeship Show and Higher Education Expo at Sandown Racecourse, where they will speak to representatives from universities, employers and providers of degree-level apprenticeships.
As part of the transition into the Sixth Form, students return to school following their GCSEs for a day in late June, when they are reminded about the importance that university admissions tutors and employers place on work experience and the benefits to be gained from undertaking some shadowing and/or volunteering during the summer holidays.
Years 12 and 13
In Year 12, students have the option to complete a questionnaire to identify Higher Education courses and universities that best match their interests and academic abilities. They are provided with guidance and advice on how to achieve a place at competitive universities.
In the spring term, we organise a speed networking event, where students are able to meet a range of employers and find out more about work in different private and public sector organisations.
Every other year students in the Sixth Form can also attend our LGS biannual careers fair or attend a similar event (National Apprenticeship Show and HE Expo) where they are able to speak to a range of employers and providers of higher, technical and vocational education.
Our tutorial programme in Year 12 covers topics such as improving employability in a changing labour market.
In June, our annual one-day ‘Towards the Future’ careers and HE conference is held where past students from Langley Grammar School talk enthusiastically about their experiences since leaving school. They range from recent leavers where the rigours of the UCAS application process or employer selection process are still fresh in their memories to older alumni who may be more established in their careers and who bring a different perspective to their discussions with students. Other speakers include representatives from universities, apprenticeship and school leaver scheme providers and gap year organisations. This event provides an excellent foundation from which students can start to consolidate their research over the summer holidays in preparation for making their applications to universities and/or school leaver schemes at the start of Year 13.
Also through the year, we support students in year 12 completing work experience to develop their understanding of the world or work and help inform their future decisions.
Additional specialist support is provided for students applying for vocational courses (like Medicine and Dentistry) and for those following the Oxbridge Pathway. Throughout the Sixth Form, students are encouraged to participate in a wide range of super-curricular events and activities, designed to broaden their horizons and to prepare them for life beyond Langley Grammar School.
Students can seek advice and guidance through unlimited booked one-to-one interviews with the Careers Advisor and through a drop-in service at morning and lunchtime breaks. All students in Year 12 attend a one-to-one interview with our Careers Advisor, organised by the school in the spring term.
Current opportunities are promoted in a regular Sixth Form newsletter. Topics covered include news about upcoming work experience placements, careers-related webinars, apprenticeship and school leaver schemes, careers exhibitions, taster days with universities and local firms, new resources (like websites and podcasts) and public lectures organised by nearby universities.