Mayfield Grammar School, Gravesend
Careers Information for Employers, Parents and Students
Information for Employers
Employers are a key part of supporting us with developing our careers programme and we are always keen to work with employers from a wide range of sectors to enhance the career learning and development of our students at all stages of their education.
Examples of employer and employee encounters:
- Year group assembly presentations to raise awareness of specific career areas and wider employability skills.
- Focus groups for individual career areas
- Hosting work experience placements.
- Work place visits.
We work closely with the Careers and Enterprise company to improve our employer links and to support the development of our career programme. Louise Rochford is our Enterprise Co-ordinator.
We also have a dedicated employer advisor from Industry who is linked to the school; Beverley Lawrence from the CIOB.
Guidance resources for Students and Parents
Year 9 Guidance- for students choosing GCSE options
In year 9 you will choose which GCSE subjects you wish to study in Key stage 4.
All the information you need can be found in the school options booklet along with information shared at the Key Stage 4 options Evening.
View the options booklet which is available from the Parents Information area.
For additional guidance please speak to your Form Tutor, subject teachers and parents.
Post-16 Options
There are several options available to you after year 11, these include the following:
MGSG Sixth Form
Find out more from the school website and come to the open evening on the 11th of December. You can access the 6th form prospectus under the 6th form section of the website.
Other Sixth form or College
To research what is available locally look at the Kent Area Prospectus:
There Is a wide range of information about local 6th forms and Colleges available on this website.
6th forms- tend to offer A-level, IB or B-Tec courses
Further Education Colleges such as North Kent College and Mid Kent College, tend to offer B-Tec, T-level and NVQ courses.
T-Levels
T Levels are an alternative to A levels, apprenticeships and other 16 to 19 courses. Equivalent in size to 3 A levels, a T Level focuses on vocational skills and can help students into skilled employment, higher study or apprenticeships.
For more information, have a look at: https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/
Work with training including apprenticeships
Search for Kent vacancies through the area prospectus link above or wider on the national apprenticeship site:
www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk
All Year 11 students will be offered a one-to-one Careers Guidance Interview with Miss Johnson where Post 16 options choices will be discussed in more detail and a full action plan will be developed.
Employment
Since Raising the Participation age, pupils cannot move directly into employment at the end of the year 11. If you are interested in continuing your education in the workplace, look at apprenticeship options above.
Post 18 Options after Sixth Form
There are many options available to you at the end of the sixth form but it is important to consider which one suits you as early as possible. You should be considering and researching your options throughout Year 12 to give you plenty of time to make an informed decision.
In Year 12 all students will have a one-to-one Careers Guidance interview with Miss Johnson the Careers Leader; she will talk through your post 18 options with you and develop an action plan to help you.
Higher Education
Going to university or college to study for a degree is a popular option that suits many of our sixth form. You should thoroughly research the course and institutions you apply for, attend open days and read course descriptions thoroughly to be sure you know what to expect.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are work based training programmes that include a recognised qualification. The opportunities are expanding all of the time and apprenticeships are available in a wide range of sectors with qualifications up to degree level and beyond. The vacancies are advertised on central websites but also on employer websites and each employer sets their own recruitment process and deadline for applications. This all means that you need to be proactive and do your research thoroughly to give yourself the best chance of success. Higher and Degree apprenticeships are often very competitive to get into so you will need plenty of evidence of your skills and qualities to stand out from other applicants.
Gap Year
A Gap Year allows you to have a break from full time education before you embark on starting a degree course at University, or an apprenticeship.
Taking a Gap Year gives you the opportunity to improve your grades, raise funds or travel the world. There are many gap year companies that offer voluntary or paid experiences all around the world for varying lengths of time and at varying costs. Alternatively you could stay at home and earn some money to see you through your studies in the years to follow or to get relevant work experience.
Gap years should always be planned well in advance, so don’t leave everything until the last minute!
Employment
If you are not planning to go on to higher education or an apprenticeship then you are likely to be seeking full time employment. You should update your CV and start looking out for suitable vacancies, some jobs are not advertised so don’t forget to ask friends and family about possible vacancies. If possible look for a job with training and career progression opportunities. For certain jobs, this is a great way to get a ‘foot in the door’ of an organisation and learn whilst earning money.
Starting a Business
If you are a budding entrepreneur, then there are various organisations that can help you and offer free advice to young people starting their own business. You will need to develop a business plan and work very hard, some students develop online marketplaces in their spare time.
University and apprenticeship links:
University
www.unifrog.org to research University options and create degree subject and University shortlists.
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk has more information on courses, Graduate careers, subject league tables and Financing University.
www.unitasterdays.com- For information on open days, Taster days and on demand webinars that cover different degree course areas.
Apprenticeships
www.apprenticehips.gov.uk For the most up-to-date apprenticeship vacancy listings.
www.kenttrainingandapprenticeships.co.uk
www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk For advice on how to search for apprenticeships, vacancy listings and employer reviews.
Resources for Teachers
The following resources will help you to incorporate careers links into your lesson planning:
https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/my-learning-my-future
https://www.unifrog.org/teacher/resources search by GATSBY benchmark and you will find 4. Linking curriculum + careers
https://www.mypathcareersuk.com/for-schools for lots of subject link ideas and video resources.