Careers
School Careers Leader
Mr H Ruffell
hruffell@sybilandrewsacademy.co.uk
A summary of the careers programme, including details of how students, parents, teachers and employers may access information about the careers programme, can be accessed by contacting Mr H Ruffell.
School Careers Advisor
Miss A Dias
adias@sybilandrewsacademy.co.uk
Every Monday the Careers Hub offers three time slots for self-referrals from parents and students.
This is a 30–40-minute guidance session offering extra support, information, advice and guidance.
Careers Programme Summary
Please click on the headings below for further information
Years 7 & 8 students are introduced to the world of careers and their aspirations. Our focus is on opportunities that encourage them to start thinking about why a career is important, what types of jobs are available and how they can be linked to hobbies and interests. Students also learn about essential skills.
Year 9 students focus on choosing their GSCE options. Information, advice and guidance is provided by their subject teachers and all students have the opportunity to speak to our Careers Advisor about their choices.
Year 10 students are introduced to the skills required to apply for jobs and training, for example CV writing and interview skills. Opportunities are provided to meet employers through events and virtual work inspiration and experience. Students are introduced to apprenticeships and at the end of Year 10 they learn about Post-16 options, ready for when they return in Year 11. One-to-One Careers Guidance meetings start at the end of Year 10 and continue into Year 11, where students have careers guidance session with our Careers Advisor.
Year 11 students are able to meet local sixth forms and colleges to understand the various study pathways available to them. Further guidance is provided about apprenticeships and students also learn about Higher Education and how to research courses to find out how university entry requirements can affect their Post-16 decisions. Students are also supported by our pastoral team to ensure they have a clear plan for their Post-16 transition.
Additional careers advice can be sought from www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk.
Careers Education Programme 2024/2025
Careers Resources
Next Steps: Information for young people aged 13 to 19.
This booklet is aimed at supporting knowledge about the local labour market and pathways in Suffolk.
West Suffolk College prospectus and application 2023
Ready to discover who you could be with West Suffolk College? Create a personalised prospectus based on your interests and aspirations, to help you find your next steps for once you have finished school.
*Please note, applications for September 2024 will open on 1 October 2023.
Green Careers Week
View & download the Parents Guide to Green Careers Week, starting on 6th November.
Find out more at www.greencareersweek.com.
Try the Skillsometer Quiz
Skillsometer can help you discover what jobs you might like to do in the future.
You will be presented with a series of statements. Select the emoji that shows how you feel about each statement.
You will be given suggestions of jobs linked to what you most enjoy doing.
Click on the picture to try the Skillsometer.
Success at Schools
The careers site Success at Schools has published a useful resource for parents and carers. Access the free Careers eBook for parents by clicking on the image below.
The following websites provide a range of additional careers information and tools that can help students explore future options. Please click on the links below to access further information.
www.icanbea.org.uk/
Focuses on jobs and careers in Suffolk and Norfolk based on your skills and interests.
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/zhst2sg
Research your favourite subjects and discover how these might be relevant to future study or jobs. Check out the search facility on BBC Bitesize, which has a range of articles that might interest you.
www.icould.com
Career videos and written articles covering lots of occupations. Try the BuzzQuiz.
www.careersbox.co.uk/
An online library of careers related films, news and information.
nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
A range of career tools that helps you explore careers, training and suitable jobs. Also includes a skills assessment questionnaire.
https://www.thesource.me.uk/
A Suffolk website for information about issues that may affect students including careers information.
newanglia.co.uk/employment-opportunities
Updated fortnightly by New Anglia LEP, this is a great source of vacancy information across all the key employment sectors in Suffolk and Norfolk.
What you study at sixth form or college can affect your options at university and your future career. Use Informed Choices to help you understand which subjects open up different degrees
Apprenticeships
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
Information on apprenticeships, including links to the ‘Find an Apprenticeship’ service.
www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk
Contains concise summaries of every apprenticeship offered in England, plus general careers advice, real life stories, employer advertising and a directory of providers. The Guide is fully revised and updated annually, in collaboration with the National Apprenticeship Service.
amazingapprenticeships.com
A helpful overview of apprenticeships, including support for students and monthly resource packs for parents.
Higher Education
www.ucas.com
Everything you need to know about higher education. A useful website for exploring university degrees and identifying the diplomas or A-Level qualifications that will be needed for your future steps. For students who want to go on to university, it is useful to check the requirements before you make our Post-16 choices.
https://www.theuniguide.co.uk/
What to study, where to go and how to get there. Has useful advice on selecting A Levels as well as extra guidance on personal statements and applying.
General information
www.suffolkonboard.com
Information about travel in Suffolk
www.parentalguidance.org.uk
Articles, news updates and helpful information for parents and carers about the best way to advise your son or daughter.
Work Experience Opportunities & Guides (including virtual placements)
Age restrictions may apply so check websites for further information.
Speakers for Schools – www.speakersforschools.org/work-experience/
Springpod – www.springpod.com/virtual-work-experience
Student Stream – www.studentstream.co.uk/blog/virtual-work-experience-opportunities
Youth Employment – Work Experience Guide – www.youthemployment.org.uk/careers-advice-help/explore-work-experience/
Examples of companies promoting opportunities.
Barclays Life Skills – https://barclayslifeskills.com/i-want-virtual-work-experience/school/virtual-work-experience/
Channel 4 – https://careers.channel4.com/4skills/work-experience
Covea (insurance) – www.coveainsurance.co.uk/careers/virtual-work-experience/
ICAEW (Chartered Accountancy) – https://careers.icaew.com/work-experience
Met Office (Meteorology) – www.metoffice.gov.uk/about-us/careers/apprentices-graduates-and-placements
Pinsent Masons (Law) – www.pinsentmasons.com/careers/graduate/work-experience/virtual
Santander (Banking) – www.santander.com/en/careers/uk-careers/emerging-talent/work-experience
Step into the NHS – www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk/work-experience
Vodafone – https://careers.vodafone.co.uk/work-experience
Post -16 Options
Please click on the links below to access more information.
- Options After Year 11
- 16+ Transitions Guide for parents and carers of young people with special educational needs and disabilities
Resources from other local Post-16 education providers will be included once we receive them.
Further information
Please click on the links below to access more information.
- Careers resource information pack
- Year 10 – Next Steps career action plan
- Careers worksheet – Skills Bingo
- Careers worksheet – Researching job adverts
- Careers worksheet – Careers and Labour Market information
- How to prepare your CV
- Speakers for Schools Live VTalks: Speakers for Schools organises frequent live talks that tap into a wide range of careers interests. If you can’t watch them live, you can catch up via their video library. For the latest schedule visit: https://www.speakersforschools.org/inspiration/vtalks/upcoming-vtalks/.
- New Anglia LEP is broadcasting live careers related interviews on YouTube, featuring business leaders and professionals from a wide range of sectors. See the forthcoming live schedule and recorded interviews at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMQWGt6SdsGQF-KJCq7JTwQ.