Careers Guidance
Careers Advice and Information
The Marlborough Science Academy is committed to providing all students in Years 7 – 13 a high quality programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG). This is provided through an extensive range of careers activities designed to ensure that students are fully informed of the opportunities available to them and are prepared and able to make informed choices regarding their next steps and future careers.
OUR TEAM
Careers Coordinator: Mrs M Rutherford (m.rutherford@marlborough.herts.sch.uk, 01727 731384)
Youth Connexions Hertfordshire: Mrs S Whiteman
Link Governor: Mrs E Smith
THE Gatsby Benchmarks
Our careers provision is designed to ensure that the government’s required Gatsby Benchmarks are in place and implemented through our extensive careers programme including PSHCEE lessons and special events.
The eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are as follows:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each student
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
The school is currently working towards the Investors in Careers Quality Standard.
THE CAREERS COORDINATOR
The Careers Coordinator is based in the Post 16 Centre and is available to speak to students either through a drop-in service during break and lunch times or by appointment. The Careers Coordinator also arranges trips and activities throughout the school year to support the Careers programme.
Youth Connexions HERTFORDSHIRE
We have a Personal Adviser who is in school twice a week to offer specialist careers guidance. Students across all year groups are offered interviews on request, these can be arranged with the career’s coordinator; in addition, all Year 11 students will have a one-to-one careers interview. The Personal Adviser also attends the Key Stage 4 and 5 options evenings. Additional interviews are provided to Year 12 students to support their decisions and options for their next steps after Post 16.
THE CAREERS LIBRARY
The Careers Library is located in the LRC and has a wealth of information including that on all the latest apprenticeships, university prospectuses as well as books and leaflets on many different types of future career roles.
It is continually updated, and students are able to easily access all the information they require.
Apprenticeship Information
If you would like any information on Apprenticeships please see the Careers Coordinator, Mrs M Rutherford in the Post 16 Centre in the first instance. You could also have a look on Unifrog or the National Apprenticeship website.
WORK RELATED LEARNING – Our Current programme for Parents, Students, Teachers and Employers
Students also take part in the following career-based activities throughout their time at school:
Year Group |
Careers Programme |
Year 7: |
Year 7 students are given the opportunity to experience the world of work first-hand by taking part in a variety of work based activities:
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Year 8: |
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Year 9: |
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Year 10: |
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Year 11: |
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Year 12/13: |
All Post 16 students participate in our careers and enrichment programme which means they regularly meet captains of industry, company directors and entrepreneurs in school to encourage, motivate and inspire achievement at the highest levels. There is also an ongoing commitment to equipping our students with the skills needed to support independent living including financial advice, health and well-being or living on a budget. Careers activities include:
Apprenticeship, Careers and Higher Education Fair - students have an opportunity to meet with and discuss careers options with up to 30 companies, organisations and apprenticeship providers as well as universities. |
Due to the current pandemic some of the activities will need to be adapted for example the Apprenticeship Fair will be a virtual event. We will continue to ensure that all students receive high quality careers information, advice and guidance.
Unifrog
This is an online Careers programme for students to record careers experience and training. It also provides up to date current information about Apprenticeship opportunities and UCAS information.
Assessment
Assessment is carried out in a variety of ways including:
- Self and Peer assessment
- Assessment of strengths with action points and now tasks
- Verbal feedback
- Use of Unifrog to collate and record experiences and information
- YC Hertfordshire one to one interview’s with Year 11 and Year 12 students recorded on Unifrog, with an action plan evidencing plans for next steps
- Assessment of learning in PSCHEE lessons
School newsletter – career information
Our school newsletter is sent out regularly and there is a section on careers news and appointments as well as information regarding universities and colleges.
DESTINATIONS FOR POST 16 STUDENTS 2020
The vast majority of our students go to University after completing their A level studies.
A growing number of students access high level apprenticeships whilst others decide to join the work force.
A sample of courses and destinations are below:
Birmingham |
Politics |
Birmingham |
Psychology |
Bristol |
Pharmacology |
Bristol |
Physics |
Brunel |
Computer Science |
Brunel |
Journalism |
Cambridge |
Classics |
Durham |
Ancient History |
Exeter |
Neuroscience |
Falmouth |
Fine Art |
Leeds |
Business Studies |
London College of Music |
Music |
London South Bank |
Engineering |
Loughborough |
Mathematics |
Manchester |
Politics |
Manchester |
Sociology |
Newcastle |
Psychology |
Nottingham |
Environmental Science |
Warwick |
Chemistry |
York |
Computer Science |
York St John |
British Sign Language |
National Citizen Service
The National Citizen Service is a government funded youth programme that takes place during the summer holidays and runs for either three or four weeks.
It costs just £50 to take part.
Young person’s NCS journey:
• Be Epic – Feel the freedom of the outside world for five days away from home at a PGL site in Shrewsbury. Take on adrenaline-fuelled activities like Jacob’s ladder, canoeing and archery. Your team will cheer you along every step of the way, sharing in every challenge and every success.
• Live Life – Next up, you’ll spend five days living at The University of Bedfordshire, gaining crucial life skills from public speaking to basic first aid.
• Do Good – Back at home, you and your team will devise a social action project based on an issue you feel passionate about. You have the skills and confidence to do anything – the more original, the better! This is your chance to feel proud by making a real difference in your community.
• Celebration – Celebrate your achievements with your fellow NCS grads and receive your certificate signed by the Prime Minister!
Dates for 2020-21 to be confirmed.
There are other locations available if the above dates in the St Albans area are not suitable for you. For more information please call us on 0800 197 8010 or Speak to Mrs M Rutherford who is the NCS School Coordinator.
Sign up and pay online at www.wearencs.com (http://www.wearencs.com)
Review
The date of our next careers programme review is July 2021.
Useful Links
Please find below links to various useful careers websites:
- www.unifrog.org
- www.fasttomato.com
- www.careersbox.co.uk
- www.youthconnexions-hertfordshire.org
- www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
- www.channelmogo.org
- www.studential.com
Local COLLEGES
Apprenticeship Information
Other TRAINING Information
Information about going to UNIVERSITY
- www.whatuni.com
- www.ucas.com
- www.ukcoursefinder.com
- www.prospects.ac.uk
- www.purepotential.org
- www.degreesahead.co.uk
ALTERATIVE ROUTES AFTER post 16