Helping pupils find the right path
The right career choice can make the difference between having an unfulfilling life and an exciting, happy life. At Adams we believe pupils should make choices that suit their passions as this is the route to job satisfaction and contentment.
Our careers education is designed to help pupils develop a good understanding of themselves. We encourage students to start thinking about their career options early in their time at Adams.
Important Links
Careers Programme
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The Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Policy can be found on the Policies page.
Careers Bulletin
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The Careers Bulletin is a regular publication to share information about career-related events and opportunities relevant to our pupils and parents.
Spring Term
Autumn Term
Careers Events
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We host a number of careers events throughout the school year. In 2024 we will host our second Further & Higher Education Providers Fair. 30 providers will be joining us on the 1st of February 2024 including local colleges and universities from near and far.
On the 5th March we will be joined by representatives from around 30 employers, professions and industries for our Careers Fair attended by pupils in Year 11 and above. We are very grateful to all of the local companies, parents and Old Novaportans who support our pupils by attending these important events. Please follow the link below for the programme for our 2024 Careers Fair.
Progression Week is organised for Lower Sixth pupils to gain an insight into the variety of options available to them after their A-Levels. In 2024 this will be held after AS Level and internal summer exams and we are looking forward to welcoming a variety of speakers to share their knowledge of university, gap years and apprenticeships. We are especially pleased to welcome back a number of Old Novaportans who love to return and share their experience and knowledge with those following in their footsteps.
We welcome offers of help from parents, Old Novaportans and members of the wider community who wish to offer their expertise and insight to our pupils. If you would like to support in any way please contact Sonya Wilson (sonya.wilson@adamsgs.uk).
Work Experience
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Year 11 Work Experience
Pupils complete a week of work experience after their GCSEs at the end of Year 11. This is a school requirement and whilst we can help pupils find placements we do not do it for them. At the start of Year 11 pupils will be introduced to a database they can use to find placements and information about how to approach organisations to request work experience.
Sixth Form Work Experience
Sixth Form pupils are required to complete at least two days of work experience between starting in September and returning or their Upper Sixth year. This can be completed during the holidays or on PD days and can be in-person or virtual. Pupils need to log their work experience, volunteering and any paid work via a simple online form that can be accessed via Satchel:one.
Virtual Work Experience
One of the benefits of the pandemic was that lots of employers, professions and organisations worked really hard to create virtual work experience programmes. Whilst in-person work experience is now possible once again these virtual opportunities are still worthwhile as they can open up new opportunities that might not previously have been an option due to geographical or time constraints. Some of these courses have charges but a lot of them are free.
Some of the leading suppliers are:
Springpod
Speakers for Schools
Start
Young Professionals
InvestIN (£)
Premed (£)
Skills Gap (£)
Forage (don’t be put off that this looks like it’s only for undergraduates, there are options for school pupils as well)
Work Experience In The Theatre
Theatre group ATG which owns a number of theatres in London as well as those in Birmingham and Manchester offers work experience to pupils aged 14 and above. Pupils can discover more about the opportunities available and register their interest so they will be told once registration opens.
McDonalds Virtual Work Experience
In this programme you will learn how McDonald’s can help you develop valuable skills to help you now and in the future, no matter what industry you want to work in.
The Weekly Surgery
Premed Project have introduced The Weekly Surgery, a live online course that takes place every Monday at 7.30pm. Use the code WEEKLY90
Pupils aged 14-18 can join hundreds of students from all over the world who are interested in applying for med school & interact with doctors, medical students and each other every week.
Insight Into University
Insight into University is a comprehensive on-line course allowing students to experience STEM studies at university and the career opportunities that these subjects lead to. It will provide access to information on university and student life, STEM projects and activities set by leading UK universities and global STEM companies, first year undergraduate lectures, live interactive sessions with academics, admissions tutors, employers and current students.
Whether you are interested in life sciences, chemistry, engineering, physics, computer science, sustainability, aerospace, built environment or maths there will be something for you. Participants also have the opportunity to achieve their Silver Industrial Cadets Award.
Preparing For Your Future
Preparing For Your Future is a FREE online learning programme for 14-16-year-olds. It is made up of five courses which will boost your skills and career confidence.
Discover Dentistry
This 6-week course by the University of Sheffield will help pupils learn the essentials of dentistry from leading dental experts.
You’ll explore the intricacies of what dentists do, learn how to become a dentist and discover the rich history of dentistry.
Interested In Becoming A Meteorologist?
Weather affects our lives almost every day through what we wear, what we eat and what we do. But why is it rainy, windy or sometimes even sunny? Explore some of the physical processes driving UK weather systems and get hands on in the world of weather with practical activities and fieldwork.
BSMS Virtual Work Experience
This course provides a ‘virtual’ work experience for those looking to apply to medical school. You will be introduced to the NHS before exploring the roles and skill sets of six different medical specialists. Along the way, you will also consider some of the challenges and wider issues doctors face.
Operation Wallacea
Operation Wallacea has been leading remote expeditions for school groups for 20 years. Their virtual placements will give pupils aged 16-18 interested in science, geography, English, marketing and project management insight into working life and develop a range of core skills relevant to careers in STEM.
Career Days & Work Experience
Career Days offer pupils aged 14-17 experience of different careers and the opportunity to gain work experience in their chosen field. Their courses include medicine, law, performing arts, psychology, business and veterinary science. Participants will learn all about their chosen profession in the morning and then take part in work experience in the afternoon.
Speakers For Schools Virtual Work Experience
Speakers for Schools is an organisation dedicated to supporting state school educated pupils to give them access to the same benefits as their privately educated counterparts. They are expanding their range of virtual work experience opportunities with some of the UK’s leading employers.
Courses are spread across a wide range of sectors and this summer’s opportunities include Creative & Digital Media, Music in the Army, Shipping & Logistics and Architecture with BDP.
Medicine, Dentistry And Veterinary Work Experience
Pupils interested in either medicine, dentistry or veterinary science can take part in virtual work experience and network with professionals who can support their ambitions with Medic Mentor.
ICAEW Careers +
ICAEW Careers+ is a free hub that will help get you started in your journey towards becoming a chartered account. Discover the key skills that employers are looking for and which will take you one step closer to achieving your goals.
With content developed by ICAEW, together with students and employers, you will gain insight into those skills, how to develop them and how you can become a well-rounded professional.
Lloyds Banking Group Virtual HQ
The Lloyds Banking Group Virtual HQ is a free online experience with plenty to discover from career path options to interactive information about life at Lloyds Banking Group.
Google Careers OnAir
Google offers a wide range of opportunities to explore tech careers through their OnAir site. Pupils can take part in competitions and register for livestreams.
Inspiring Digital Enterprise Award
iDEA is an international award-winning programme that helps you develop digital, enterprise and employability skills for free.
Through a series of online challenges, you can win career-enhancing badges, unlock new opportunities and, ultimately, gain industry-recognised Awards that help you stand out from the crowd.
Barclays Like Skills
This is an excellent platform that allows pupils to work through a series of real-life tasks that will help them develop key employability skills.
Exploring The Veterinary Profession
Learn what it takes to become a vet and explore the challenges of the vet profession to decide if it’s the right career for you.
Online Medical Work Experience
Hospital work experience has always been the most sought after but the most challenging type of experience to find.
Ward Round Live course uses the latest live-streaming technology to bring you into a simulated ward. Pupils will see real cases and can now talk with patients, discuss each case with their fellow students and NHS Doctors.
Courses take place once a month throughout the year.
Virtual GP Work Experience
The Royal College of General Practitioners is offering an opportunity for pupils aged 16 or above to gain work experience via a free interactive video platform providing insights into the role of a GP and the wider primary care team.
Options at 16
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Many of our Year 11 pupils chose to carry on into the Sixth Form here at Adams, however for some that isn’t the best option and we work with pupils to explore the alternative routes available to them.
During Year 10 pupils will have the opportunity to speak to an independent careers adviser as they start to think about the choices which are right for them. In Year 11 pupils will be introduced to the A Level subjects available at Adams as well as being given opportunities to hear from alternative suppliers such as local further education providers.
Some pupils already have a career goal in mind at 16; these pupils should use resources such as the UCAS or Morrisby Higher site to identify if particular A Level subjects are required to apply to those courses.
Most of our pupils do not have a career goal in mind at 16 and that is completely normal and not something to worry about. In this situation pupils should pursue subjects they enjoy as these are the ones they are most likely to succeed in. New subjects are introduced at A and AS Level; such as Classical Civilization, Government & Politics, Psychology, Geology, Economics and Sociology. Pupils will have the opportunity to hear presentations about all of the A and AS Level subjects and talk to the staff who deliver them before deciding what subjects to apply for. Year 11 pupils are normally required to apply for Sixth Form at Adams by February before their GCSE exams; the exact date will be well communicated to pupils and parents.
Alternative Options
For some pupils the best 16+ option for them will be with an alternative provider. This could be because they wish to study a subject or combination subjects we cannot offer, they do not reach the required grades at GCSE or because they wish to take a more vocational route. In our local area we have a wide variety of options for pupils to chose between including other local schools with Sixth Forms as well as Telford College or Shrewsbury Colleges Group. Both of these local colleges offer A levels as well as BTEC courses and Apprenticeships. Pupils have the opportunity to hear from both of our local Colleges during assemblies in Year 10 and/or 11 and also to meet them at the annual Higher & Further Education Fair.
Apprenticeships
An Apprenticeship is a great option for pupils who want to earn money whilst they gain experience and qualifications. Four different levels of Apprenticeships are available, pupils can chose to start a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship after completing their GCSEs at Adams.
Pupils of any age can access professional independent careers support via the Careers Office, located next to the Big School Library. Mrs Wilson is available every break and lunchtime and pupils can either pop in or make an appointment by emailing sonya.wilson@adamsgs.uk.
Super-Curricular Activities
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Pupils who are wishing to apply to university or an apprenticeship programme will be expected to demonstrate their interest in and commitment to their subject by completing additional studies beyond the A-Level curriculum; these are known as super curricular activities.
Pupils’ specialist subject teachers can provide advice on specific topics but the document below contains suggestions for some of the more popular choices for our pupils and is a useful starting point.
Careers Bulletin Super Curricular
There are also lots of opportunities available via Channel Talent
For more subject by subject links take a look at Cambridge University’s HE+ site.
Business Links
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Many thanks to all of the organisations, companies and individuals who have provided help and support to our pupils by attending one of our events or providing interview experience.
We have excellent links with many of the areas leading employers both large and small. Any companies wishing to provide support to our pupils should contact Sonya Wilson. (sonya.wilson@adamsgs.uk)
Labour Market Information
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In order to make informed decisions, pupils need to be aware of labour market information.
Telford and Wrekin have provided an excellent online brochure outlining information about Education, Employment and Training in Telford and Wrekin.
The National Careers Service also provide regularly updated information about opportunities within our area, the latest information can be accessed here.
LMI for All is an online data portal, which connects and standardises existing sources of high quality, reliable labour market information (LMI) with the aim of informing careers decisions. This tool supplies data and information from the Labour Force Survey; the Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings; the UK Commission for Employment and Skills: the Employer Skills Survey and Working Futures.
Careers content for teaching staff
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The weekly careers bulletin contains useful careers related activities you can use to stimulate careers related discussions in class. You can find it under the Careers Bulletin tab on this page; it is also emailed to staff each Friday.
Feedback
If you have any feedback about the careers programme at Adams or would like to suggest an activity please do get in touch with sonya.wilson@adamsgs.uk