The Careers Programme
A comprehensive careers education programme for all year groups is delivered through PSHCE lessons and throughout the curriculum. This includes self-development, career exploration and career management - all of which help explore further and higher education options together with alternative pathways such as apprenticeships. Students are also engaged in work-related learning including work experience.
The school is supported in these lessons by an impartial independent Careers Guidance Adviser who is available for careers advice and guidance interviews. Appointments are made through Ms S Swanton, Careers Manager. Within the main School Library, there is an extensive Careers Library open to students from 8.45am until 4.30pm.
Student entitlement
At Weald of Kent Grammar School, you should get:
- Independent and impartial careers guidance for all students in years 8-13.
- Be inspired and motivated to fulfil your potential.
- Support and guidance to help you make your choices and create a career plan for the future.
- Help to decide what to do when you leave Weald, including further learning, training or employment. Including apprenticeships, entrepreneurialism or other vocational routes alongside traditional A level and university routes.
- Face-to-face guidance by a careers professional.
- A programme of careers education helping you develop skills and knowledge to make choices and the transition to work and learning reflecting the School ethos and meeting the needs of all students.
- The opportunity to speak with employers who can inform you on the range of roles and opportunities in the workplace.
- An opportunity to learn about the world of work through work experience.
Booking a careers interview
You can arrange a Careers Interview by initially contacting Ms Swanton. Your careers interview is a confidential, impartial discussion with a qualified Careers Guidance Adviser. Don’t worry if you have no definite plans. We are here to encourage and support you while you are making decisions about your future. Depending on your needs, it may be helpful to have several discussions, so don’t think of your careers interview as a 'one-off’ event.
Careers information
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Work experience
Students are given the opportunity to participate in work experience which we believe enables them to:
- Explore likes and dislikes to develop future career planning
- Develop self-confidence and interpersonal skills
- Raise awareness of the workplace and how organisations are structured
- Understand the importance of self-discipline in achieving own objectives
- Experience the world of work through active participation and observation
- Gain valuable experiences which can be added to a curriculum vitae and enhance university application.
Students in Year 12 are encouraged to attend a one-week work placement at the end of Term 6 and will contact organisations about possible work experience. It is essential that students are proactive, as finding a placement is very competitive. Ms Swanton is available to help, offering support and advice. For certain career areas, such as medicine, dentistry, veterinary, teaching, law and media, as much Work Experience as possible is recommended to help secure a place at University. Details of all placements are to be given to Ms Swanton by returning this form https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=WTR_-lG7IkyjrAoocDBtgFXIlt3NLSpFiraWtvKp_odUMVRUR081WDRKT1FERFZXODVBTkpBTko1Ni4u
Careers programme within PSHCE
Year 7
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
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Personal Strengths for employment
By the end of this activity students will be able to:
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Exploring Careers
Using various website students will be exploring different careers that interest them |
Looking at career options and opportunities in the Film Industry
A look at this industry, seeing the skills needed for each role, job responsibilities as well as opportunities available in this field of work. |
Year 8
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
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The careers focus for Year 8 is the NHS . This involves:
Understanding the NHS and what service they provide.
To explain their involvement during the pandemic and news in the media.
To understand the different roles/careers within the NHS.
To reflect on their own skills/interests and what role would suit them.
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Step into the NHS Project
Students will be working either independently or in pairs/small groups creating a job advert description for a job role in the NHS.
They will need to decide on a job role within the NHS, then carry out research and planning to create an advert which will be submitted for the ‘Step into the NHS Competition.
They can choose which media format ie poster, leaflet, game, video etc.
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Step into the NHS Project
During this session students continue to work on their project.
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Year 9
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
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Making Informed Choices
Identify your subjects and strengths outside of the classroom.
Consider how GCSE options can influence careers.
Apply decision making strategies to begin selecting GCSE options. |
Guidance on Choosing Options
Identify future careers path from selected GCSE options.
Apply advice and strategy to help select your own GCSE options.
Justify why you may choose subjects for GCSE
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Talks
Apprenticeships – The Education People
Higher Education – The University of Dundee |
Year 10
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
Lesson 4 |
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Knowing Yourself
To reflect on your own Personal Mission.
To reflect on 3 useful questions to get to know you.
Skills To understand what skills are. To conduct a personal skills review. To have an understanding of the skills need for the future work place.
Self-Coaching Tools The Wheel of Life GROW model
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From 16-18 and beyond.
Understanding where to find careers support at Weald.
Understanding the pathways after GCSEs.
A Levels Knowing how to choose Matching A-Level choices to possible future degree courses. A-Levels at Weald Applying for places University-where to check course entry requirements.
Apprenticeships To be reminded of key facts about Apprenticeships. To have an understanding of what companies offer apprenticeships. Knowing where and how to find out more.
Employability Talk by InvestIN |
Planning Ahead
Research and present roles of interest linked to your favourite subject.
Identify a job related to your favourite subject that you could see yourself doing in ten years’ time. Research and present the pathway you could take to that role.
Consider the tasks involved in a role, and the skills you are learning now in each subject. How they are transferrable to the working world?
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Interview Skills
Tips and advice including common do’s and don’ts.
Online interviews
How to prepare and much more.
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Year 11
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
Lesson 4 |
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Lesson on applications to Sixth Form
Kent Choices
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Personal statement
How to write your personal statement for Sixth Form included in your Kent Choices application |
Self Exploration
Exploring my own values and beliefs, so I can understand what career I might enjoy.
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What is your Pathway?
Where do our students go after Year 13?
What do you absolutely love doing? What learning excites you?
What could you be really good at?
Does this match my qualifications, knowledge, skills, experience, personality …..? |
Year 12
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
Lesson 4 |
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Super-Curricular
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Making Informed Decisions
What do you see yourself doing beyond education? |
Personal Statement
How to write an amazing personal statement.
Talk by Jane Marshall |
Applying to University through UCAS
Step by step guidance on how students register and complete the UCAS application. |
Year 13
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Lesson 1 |
Lesson 2 |
Lesson 3 |
Lesson 4 |
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UCAS and Next Steps
Personal Statements
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UCAS and Next Steps
Student Finance |
UCAS and Next Steps
Employability Skills |
UCAS and Next Steps
Apprenticeships |
Please refer to our policies page for the Careers Policy and Careers Policy on Provider Access