CAREERS

Almost as soon as you enter the Sixth Form, discussions begin about what to do when you leave. Sixth Form is an exciting, developmental chapter in your educational journey, but at the end comes the real world beyond the nurturing confines of school. Will you be ready to face the challenges it holds?

The aim of the Careers Department is to ensure that you are able to make informed decisions about which of the sometimes bewildering array of post-18 options that exist are right for you, and to support you in pursuing these ambitions. The majority of our leavers go to university, either directly or after a gap year, whilst an increasing number pursue the widening range of higher and degree-level apprenticeships available. Of course, all end up in employment and we work with you to ensure that you are ready for this important next step and that you make a successful transition into the world beyond Clayesmore.

Careers education at Clayesmore is outstanding. The provision of advice and guidance from experienced staff and a host of external agencies, workshop facilitators and visiting speakers is first-rate. Through 1:1 and small-group, weekly careers lessons, students are encouraged to better understand the opportunities available to them and reflect on their own aspirations and attributes. We undertake school-led visits to universities, provide access to a vast array of online (and still some paper-based!) resources and, as a member of the ISCO (Independent Schools Careers Office) students are provided with a service that is individually tailored to their skills, ability and ambition.

We are experienced in supporting students in pursuing diverse post-18 pathways, whether that be UCAS applications to Oxbridge, to universities of the Russell Group and to competitive courses in medicine and veterinary science or to other universities, both in the UK and abroad, we provide up-to-date and expert support. We also provide guidance and support to students wishing to pursue other pathways such as the apprenticeship route, Art Foundation and Foundation Degree courses, as well as direct entry to employment.

The Careers element of the LEX programme offers exciting new possibilities for students to broaden their horizons and move their ideas about future careers forward. Specialist courses such as those offered by Medlink and Vetlink, input from organisations such as Medical Mavericks, JP Morgan and support for STEM careers from EDT (formerly Headstart) ensure that students are as well informed as possible about their options on leaving Clayesmore.

Gideon King Assistant Head Careers & LEX