Careers Advice

Information and Guidance at SBS

The Careers Lead at St Birinus School is Stacey Nutley, snutley@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk

At St Birinus School we use the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Benchmarks to develop and improve our careers provision (Years 8-13)

Please see Miss Nutley's Loom Presentation with further information about our Careers Education Providion for years 7-11:

Understanding Careers Eduction Provision (Loom Presentation)

SBS also employs the services of a Careers Adviser, from Adviza, Angela Walker. Angela has an office in the Technology Block and is in school every Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday lunchtimes, Angela runs a Drop-In session to which students from all years are welcome.  Angela provides impartial careers information, advice and guidance.

Contact Angela to make an appointment via Mob: 07827 947326 or Email: angelawalker@adviza.org.uk

Useful Websites

Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/

Excellent careers website that can be used for researching Jobs, Colleges and 6th Forms (inc typical pay, future labour market prediction by job and qualifications required), recording career interactions, writing your CV and Personal Statement, and applications for Apprenticeships. Lots of useful interactive career tools and loads of useful articles about almost anything to do with careers.

EClips: https://www.eclips-online.co.uk/ (for the password, please email Miss Nutley at snutley@st-birinus.oxon.sch.uk)

Information on your option choices at 13, 16 & 18 and on over 1000 jobs and careers. Look at the ‘labour market information’ section to find out about average salaries, predicted levels of employment in the future, etc.   Suitable for years 7-13. 

https://icould.com/buzz-quiz/  

A quick personality test that suggests career sectors to match your personality

oxme.info/cms/

Useful careers information provided by Oxfordshire County Council for young people aged 8-19, including post 16 options and job and apprenticeship vacancy bulletins for Oxfordshire.

Apprenticeships:

https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships   

https://www.oxfordshireapprenticeships.co.uk/

Local and national Apprenticeships and Traineeships, including a search facility for finding opportunities to match your needs. Unifrog (see link above) also has a great section on Apprenticeships.

https://www.informedchoices.ac.uk/

A really good website for helping you choose the right A’ levels, especially if you plan to go onto University.

https://www.ucas.com/

The website for researching university courses, entry requirements and more. Now also includes information on options after GCSEs and on higher/degree level Apprenticeships.

www.adviza.org.uk/who-am-i/young-person

Careers resources including information about options at key stages, applying to college and university, studying abroad, job seeking and sourcing jobs and Apprenticeships

www.whatemployerswant.org/

Useful information from employers. Find out what skills and qualities employers are looking for, get ideas on how to develop and demonstrate your skills, learn how to impress at interview and more!

 

A Guide to Qualifications and What They Mean in Terms of Levels

The more qualifications you gain and the higher the level of your achievement, the more options will be available to you in the future.

Learning doesn't stop when you leave school. It's important to continue developing your skills and knowledge throughout your life. Qualifications act as markers along the way, showing what you have achieved and what you can do.

Once you have left full-time education, there are different ways to gain qualifications - by assessment in the workplace, by studying at home through distance learning, by using computer packages at an open-learning centre, or by attending classes on a full-or part-time basis. There is a wide range of subjects, study options and qualifications, and you may find there are several routes to achieving your career ambitions.

Whichever qualification/s you choose, first take a careful look at the entry requirements. Discuss with teachers/tutors and others who know your abilities your chances of meeting those requirements, then aim for your personal best. To enter some careers, gaining the right qualifications is essential. For others, certain combinations of qualifications may be useful or preferred.

There are qualifications in literally thousands of subjects; they also come in different sizes and levels. In very simple terms, qualifications can broadly be divided into three types:

  • Academic - covering knowledge of such subjects as geography or English
  • Broad-based, work-related, vocational - covering a broad area of work (such as business or health and social care)
  • Job-related, occupational - covering the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to learn about or train for a specific job or job area.

Qualifications can be compared in terms of level (i.e. challenge/difficulty) and size. The levels are:

  • Entry level (split into entry 1, 2 and 3)
  • Level 1: e.g. GCSEs at grades 3-1
  • Level 2: e.g. GCSEs at grades 9-4
  • Level 3: e.g. A level at grade A-E
  • Levels 4-8: HE (higher education) qualifications (including degree, Higher National and postgraduate qualifications) and certain professional qualifications.

https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels

For the latest careers news, please visit:

Careers News

Morrisby Assessments

Alongside careers appointments and drop in advice sessions, Adviza offers online psychometric testing. The test will identify your abilities and aptitudes, and match you to careers and courses which may suit you. Testing sessions are available throughout the year. The online Morrisby testing takes two hours and is available at £99. The tests are suitable for adults and students aged 15+, with a reading age of at least 12 years. There is a bursary scheme to cover the cost, available through Adviza, for those facing economic disadvantage with an income lower than £26,000 (evidence of household income may be requested).

To book an online session please visit www.adviza.org.uk/products/morrisby-online-at-home

You may also find the following web sites helpful:

Careers Information

For general information and advice for young people on careers, housing, money, travel, learning, free time, relationships, health, work, your rights.

Choosing your options or pathways

 Need money to finance your education

University

Gap year

Voluntary work

Work and training, CVs and apprenticeships

Documents

Page Downloads Date  
6th form careers information 27th Nov 2019 Download
Careers AGM Review Meeting minutes 27th Nov 2019 Download
Careers Information for Staff 27th Nov 2019 Download
Careers Parent Information 27th Nov 2019 Download
Employers information 27th Nov 2019 Download
SBS careers journey 27th Nov 2019 Download
Management of Provider Access Requests 22nd Jun 2022 Download

House System

St Birinus has a Vibrant House system which ensures that staff and students work together to create a positive school community where everyone is included.
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