Careers Information, Advice and Guidance

Young people need support in four main areas to help them make wise choices about their progression through learning and work:

  • Careers education – a planned programme in the curriculum that helps them gain the knowledge and develop skills for planning and managing their careers
  • Work related learning – experiences within the curriculum and outside school which help them learn about, for and through work
  • Personalised support and guidance – help for individuals to enable them to review, plan and manage their learning and progression to the next stage
  • Careers guidance – help from specialist advisers with knowledge of opportunities and the pathways to and through them, so they can identify their long-term goals and plan steps to attain them

At Blundell’s we are committed to the provision of innovative and flexible ways to help the students make informed choices about their futures, develop the skills required to enhance their employability and contribute positively to the world they live in.

Careers     Careers

The Department

The department is situated centrally and open throughout the school day. It offers:

  • A well-resourced Careers Library
  • IT suite
  • Careers office

Text resources (books, magazines and prospectuses), CD’s and computer software (also networked) are available.
Students and parents are encouraged to use the facilities of the department and to take advantage of the professional advice and guidance either by request or referral.

Parents are also kept informed through:

  • Forums held prior to the parents meetings in Years 11, 12 and 13
  • Mailings from the department
  • A web-based newsletter
  • Access to the ISCO Information Service
  • Links from the careers webpage

Staff

Miss Sue Norman – Head of Department
Mr Matthew Hawkins – Head of Sixth Form and American Universities advisor
Mrs Carron West and Mr Luke Wynell-Mayow – Services Liaison
Mrs Alix Rhodes – Oxbridge applications

The Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy/Marine Liaison Officers visit twice a year.
The school is also a member of ISCO (Independent Schools Careers Organisation), the DEBP (Devon Education Business Partnership) and the Exeter Careers Group.

Careers     Careers

Information, Advice and Guidance Programme

In Year 9 students will:

  • be introduced to the Careers centre and staff
  • cover Careers Education modules within the PSHCE programme
  • be introduced to Launchpad  – an online guidance tool specialising in skills profiling, subject choice and careers research
  • attend the ‘What’s my Line’ event
  • receive a GCSE options briefing

In Year 10 students will:

  • be introduced to KUDOS and Careerscape software on the school network. These programs offer opportunities to investigate different career areas
  • complete an interactive questionnaire based on interests to generate initial career ideas
  • cover further Careers Education modules within the PSHCE programme

In Year 11 students will follow the ‘Futures’ programme which, in addition to the personal, social, health and citizenship aspects includes:

  • optional enrolment on Futurewise – the personalised careers guidance and planning service provided by ISCO (Independent Schools Careers Organisation)
  • an individual guidance interview
  • post -16 options
  • the UCAS website
  • work experience preparation
  • CV writing (including a covering letter)
  • work experience preparation day organised in conjunction with Devon Education Business  Partnership (held at the Tiverton Hotel)
  • Academic Fair
  • visit to local careers convention
  • post-GCSE work experience placement
  • follow-up work experience debrief and presentation (in the Lower 6)
  • optional attendance at range of careers lunches

Careers     Careers

In the Sixth form students follow the ‘Futures’ programme. In addition to the personal, social and health aspects this includes:

Lower Sixth

  • Work Experience debrief and presentations
  • Skills and potential
  • Leadership
  • Post -18 options
  • Why Higher Education?
  • UCAS
  • University/College open days
  • Oxford and Cambridge Forum
  • The Extended Project
  • Optional visit to Oxford and Cambridge regional conference
  • UCAS Higher Education convention
  • The Personal Statement
  • Futurewise courses and events and other taster/insight courses
  • Gap Year Fair
  • Optional attendance at range of Careers lunches

Upper Sixth

  • UCAS briefing
  • University/College open days
  • Mock interviews
  • Student finance 
  • UCAS – Decisions, Confirmation and Clearing
  • Gap Year Fair
  • Optional attendance at range of Careers lunches

The Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Marine Liaison Officers visit twice a year. All students are invited to book an individual interview.

Both students and parents are encouraged to call in to or book an appointment with the Careers Education and Guidance centre for any help/advice that they may need.

Careers     Careers

OB Applications

Blundell's School is happy to support any post-A Level application for University or GAP year programmes/employment. An online system is available through the links on the Blundell’s and OB home pages for this.