St Thomas More Catholic School

St Thomas More School is committed to providing impartial careers guidance to all of its students from 11 to 18 years. The implementation of a stable careers programme will support students to make well informed choices and realistic decisions for further and higher education, training and ultimately, a future career path.Following the Gatsby Benchmarks to providing ‘good careers guidance’, the school intends to support each student as an individual through a multitude of opportunities to learn more about careers opportunities, such as engagement with local employers, Labour Market Information to inform the young people of the school of upcoming career sectors and growth, and personal guidance for each student on their career and learning decisions.

Among the various career activities that St Thomas More holds for its students, employer engagement is a challenging obstacle that we are looking to overcome by giving students the opportunity to engage with a wide variety of professionals from different sectors. We encourage employers and professionals to contact the careers leader directly and contact details can be found in the Careers Policy Statement document.

This space on the website will be used to upload information on opportunities such as university open days, local careers opportunities and enterprise activities, so students, parents and teachers can keep up to date with all of the upcoming events.

The careers programme at St Thomas More School is reviewed annually at the beginning of each academic year to ensure the information, advice and guidance is up to date and appropriate for our students. We are keen to incorporate feedback and suggestions from both parents of students and employers and have provided a Google Form below for this feedback to be submitted.

Careers Leader:

Mrs B McAdam
0191 499 5018

Loading…

At St Thomas More School we have a core belief that high quality CEIAG is fundamental to ensuring that students are equipped with the right information in order to give them high aspirations and to make informed choices. The programme developed has the Gatsby framework Principles at its heart and are working towards achieving all of the Benchmarks of ‘Good Career Guidance’ to ensure that each and every student is motivated to achieving their goals and to raise the aspirations of the all in the school community.The Gatsby benchmarks can be used as a measure of the impact of the careers programme and the careers calendar depicts which benchmarks are being met and where. The 8 Gatsby Benchmarks are:

A stable careers programme
Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each pupil
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Experiences of workplaces
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

Students are also encouraged to give feedback on their careers education and interactions with employers, further and higher education providers and training providers to evaluate the meaningfulness of each interaction and how useful the instance was.St Thomas More destination data can also be an indicator of the impact of the careers programme on pupils. Whilst a large percentage of students opt for A Levels at St Thomas More Sixth Form, a good number of students progress onto college courses and apprenticeship opportunities with a number considerably below the national and regional averages for NEET and not known destinations. Of our Sixth Forms destinations, the vast majority of students are successful applicants to higher education via both university degrees and higher level apprenticeships. A small number of student progress at this stage into full time employment.

KS4 Cohort destinations for 2018 data:

Statistic	Number	Percentage
Number of Pupils	235
Pupils in Education	218	92%
Pupils in Apprenticeship/Employment	10	4.3%
Pupils in Training	2	0.9%
Unknown	3	1.3%
Pupils NEET	2	0.9%

KS4 Cohort destinations for 2015-16 data:

Statistic	Number	Percentage
Number of Pupils	226
Pupils in Education	200	88%
Pupils in Apprenticeships	17	8%
Pupils in College or other Further Education Provider	57	25%
Pupils in Sixth Form	143	63%
Pupils in Sixth Form College	0	0%
Other education destinations	0	0%
Pupils in Education or Apprenticeship not sustained	4	2%
Pupils not captured	5	2%

How they work:

Apprenticeships are a combination of work and study that unite on the job training and classroom learning. In an apprenticeship you are ‘full time employed’ and complete a formal qualification relating to the sector you’re working in, usually with a training provider.

The Training

Usually the training part of the apprenticeship takes place once a week or a fortnight, depending on the employer and training provider, to develop a portfolio of work. This allows the apprentice to spend the majority of their time learning on the job skills whilst working towards a qualification. Some examples of the qualifications are below;

Functional skills – GCSE equivalent qualifications in English, maths or IT.
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) – from level 2 (comparable to five GCSEs) up to level 7 (the level of a postgraduate degree).
Technical certificates – such as BTEC, City and Guild Progression Award etc.
Academic qualifications – including a Higher National Certificate (HNC), Higher National Diploma (HND) foundation degree or the equivalent of a full Bachelors degree.

The work:

Whilst on an Apprenticeship program you are entitled to holiday allowance, Apprenticeship wages and other company benefits available to other employees.

The work experience gained in this way is invaluable and pairing a qualification alongside work related experience demonstrates to future employers an individuals potential in the workplace, as well as good time management and the ability to learn and demonstrate a range of skills.

The wage:

The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.70 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices under the age of 19, and those ages 19 and over who are in their first year of the apprenticeship. This wage increases annually in October. On average, apprentices tend to ear around £170 a week, some employers can choose to pay an apprentice a higher wage, and some higher level apprenticeships have salaries of £20,000 and up.

How to apply:

A great number employers both large and SME’s (small-medium enterprises) use the National Apprenticeship Service to advertise their vacancies. Businesses also often advertise on their own vacancies page for apprentices. UCAS also has a vacancy search function for higher level apprenticeships.

Levels:

Name	Level	Equivalent educational level
Intermediate	2	GCSE
Advanced	3	A Level
Higher and Foundation	4 & 5	Foundation Degree / HND / HNC
Degree	6	Master’s Degree
Masters	7	Bachelor’s Degree

Useful information specifically for parents and guardians can be found here:

GET IN GO FAR

A Parent Information Pack can be downloaded here:

Apprenticeships Parent Pack

Info regarding apprenticeship vacancies and various opportunities to gain experience online and in the local area will be posted here. The page will be updated regularly so keep checking back to find the perfect option for you! Application packs and info regarding the position will be posted here.

If you would like further information on any of these vacancies, please contact our in-house careers advisor.

Apprenticeship Vacancies
Vacancy	Closing Date	Download Details

Year 13 students – For a year in industry, in a paid placement for professional development, register for YINI

University STEM Summer School for years 11 & 12

More details to follow but you can register Here!

Live Broadcast from Peers for the Planet – House of Lords climate and biodiversity action group presenting a panel discussion on topics including climate change, the environment and legislating for change.

Date: Wednesday 25th November

Time: 17.00 – 18.00

https://www.peersfortheplanet.org/post/the-role-of-the-house-of-lords-in-climate-action

University webinars:

HE Guidance: Parents’ Guide to Higher Education With Susan Stokes-Chapman and Lily Wearden From Aberystwyth University

November 4 @ 18:00 – 19:00

HE Guidance – Parents’ Guide to Higher Education with Aberystwyth

Find out more »

Speech & Language Therapy: University Study & Careers In Speech & Language Therapy – Graduates Tell Their Story With University Of Reading

November 5 @ 13:00 – 13:45

Speech & Language Therapy – Study & Careers with University of Reading (KS5)

Find out more »

Think Tank – Pollution: Creation & Management Of Waste – Cutting Edge University Perspectives & Debate From Geography (UEA) & Earth Sciences (Glasgow)

November 6 @ 13:30 – 14:30

Pollution – Interdisciplinary University Perspectives & Debate – Glasgow & UEA (KS4 & KS5)

Find out more »

The Challenges Of 2030: Business – Rise of the Machines – How Amazon’s Robot Revolution Destroyed Its Competition With Dr Ian Harris From Aberystwyth University

November 9 @ 12:00 – 12:45

The Challenges of 2030: Business – Rise of the Machines With Aberystwyth (KS5)

Find out more »

HE Guidance: Personal Statements – Making The Edits That Matter With Elizabeth McCullough From Goldsmiths, University Of London

November 10 @ 14:00 – 15:00

Finishing Your Personal Statement – The Edits that Matter with Goldsmiths (KS5)

Find out more »

insight4me Politics: Is The UK Parliament Fit For Purpose? With Goldsmiths & University of East Anglia

November 11 @ 14:00 – 15:00

Politics (Is The UK Parliament Fit For Purpose?) With Goldsmiths & UEA (KS5)

Find out more »

Business: A Business Decision Making Masterclass With Dr Kevan Williams From University of East Anglia

November 12 @ 11:10 – 12:10

Business Decision Making With UEA (KS5)

Find out more »

The Challenges Of 2030: Computer Science – Bioinformatics & Our Genomic Information With Dr Amanda Clare From Aberystwyth University

November 16 @ 12:00 – 12:45

The Challenges of 2030: Computer Science – Bioinformatics & Genomic Information With Aberystwyth (KS5)

Find out more »

1 - A stable career programme

Panjango is a careers information and resource tool for students in KS3. Find where jobs belong with the interactive scrolling webpage. – KS3 Y7, 8

Start is a free online careers platform for students to learn about careers information and consider next steps

Globalbridge is an online careers platform that allows students to document and store their achievements and work related documents in preparation for work

2 - Learning from career and labour market information

Careers information can be found in a number of places, you can start by looking at the below resources for job and career profiles, to find out about career options and information about these careers, such as –

Responsibilities and the job role
Qualifications and entry requirements
Skills required for the role
Salary expectations
Working hours
Future prospects

3 - Addressing the needs of each student

Oxplore is an innovative digital outreach portal from the University of Oxford encouraging you to think about some of the BIG questions and flex your critical thinking skills – https://oxplore.org/

4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers

5/6 - Encounters with employers and employees

Young Professionals have put together a 3 day work experience program for 6th form students during the October Half Term, teaming up with some of the biggest brands on the planet such as IBM, EY and PwC to deliver an amazing 3 day program for you to get involved in.

As many work experience places this summer were cancelled due to Covid-19, Young Professionals wanted to make sure you are able to get an opportunity to engage with some huge bands, learn new things and begin to build your own professional network for when you enter into the work place.

Key Details:

October Half Term 26th – 28th
9am – 4pm each day (times may vary)
Open to all Y12 / S5 and Y13 / S6 students
Specifically for students looking to get into Technology, Business, Accounting & Finance
Online webinars and workshops with group exercises + prizes to stand out students
Digital log books will be sent out for them to complete during their experience
All sessions will be taking place on Zoom (so a laptop, tablet or phone will be needed)

This work experience program if FREE and places will be allocated on a first come first serve basis (ONLY 300 PLACES).

To book on, you will need to register your interest following the below link.

Barclays offer a virtual work experience online to gives you a unique opportunity to gain work experience in a company that you might not normally get access to while highlighting the essential skills you might need.

You’ll get to see the inner workings of a ‘digital transformation’ agency, and actively work with different departments on one exciting project, helping them solve problems and complete real-life tasks.

As part of the experience you’ll also see lots of tips as well as links through to other LifeSkills content. These are designed to help you learn how best to deal with situations you may come across in the workplace. By clicking on the links you’ll get the most out of your Virtual Work Experience and learn more about the vital skills you’ll need in the workplace.
To use Virtual Work Experience and the other great tools on our site simply log in or sign up for free.

To use Virtual Work Experience and the other great tools on our site simply log in or sign up for free.

Get into Accounting with PwC:

29th September, 4pm – 5pm
Careers in Accounting (workshops, Q&A + an overview of PwC opportunities)
What it’s like working for a Big 4 firm
Parents and guardians are also welcome to join
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/H2C65G8

Get into Technology with PwC:

30th September, 4pm – 5pm
Careers in Technology (workshops, Q&A + an overview of PwC opportunities)
Cyber security, AI, robotics and all things tech!
What it’s like working for a Big 4 firm
Parents and guardians are also welcome to join
https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HJJSDMV

EY Apprenticeships and Work Experience Programs are NOW OPEN!

Some really exciting news, EY have opened up their apprenticeships and their paid work experience applications and are the first huge global brand to do so in the school leaver space.

They are the first Big 4 firm to get going for their 2021 job opportunities and are the only company that allows for re applications within 6 months so you can technically apply 2 times in the same academic year if unsuccessful the first time!

First assessment centres are taking place in early October and offers could be with you by Christmas time. When students apply it’s really important they select Young Professionals in their applications when promoted too under the partnerships tab as we have some really great fast tracks in place as well as a continued support and help system to all students that enter in the application process.

Link is here below for you to apply

EY Webinar Details:

£40 billion accountancy and professional services firm
Fast Track offers for all attendees on the webinar when you select Young Professionals on your application under the partnerships tab!
Y12 / S5 paid Summer 2021 Work Experience / Y13 / S6 Degree Apprenticeship Opportunities
Bring your parents along too so they can find out what it could be like for you working in one of the biggest companies in the world!
Starting salaries for apprentices are in the region of £20,000
LIMITED PLACES

7 - Encounters with further and higher education

For a few more details on higher education, what different levels mean and for more information on what to do next, download this handy ‘Quick Guide to Higher Education

8 - Personal Guidance

St Thomas More Catholic School

Bishop Wilkinson Catholic Education Trust

Careers

Apprenticeship Vacancies