Careers Information, Advice and Guidance
In Years 9 and 10 this is delivered within the PSD programme. In Years 11 to 13 this is delivered within the Futures programme with additional: -
- 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.
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
Staff
Miss Sue Norman – Head of Department
Mrs Carron West – Services Liaison
Miss Eve Jardine-Young – Oxbridge applications
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.
Information, Advice and Guidance Programme
In Years 9 to 13 this is delivered within the PSD programme with additional opportunities for aptitude and interest testing, careers lunches, lectures, workshops, conferences and conventions.
Year 9 and 10
- Introduction to the department, staff and programme
- Introduction to and use of the information resources available
- KUDOS – software program offering an interest based questionnaire to generate initial career ideas and linked sites for further research
- ‘Which Way Now’ – Connexions booklet on how to choose options in Year 9
- GCSE options briefing – implications of decisions
- Different career routes
Year 11
- Optional enrolment on FutureWise – the personalised careers guidance and planning service
- Individual guidance interview
- CV preparation
- Work Experience preparation day organised in conjunction with DEBP
- Mock interview
- ‘It’s Your Choice’ Connexions booklet on options post-16
- Options briefing and Academic Fair
- Visit to Careers Convention
- Work Experience placement – post GCSE
Sixth Form
Year 12
- Work Experience presentations
- Career Taster sessions
- ISCO Expanding Horizons courses and other taster/insight courses
- CourseFinder
- Conference - First Steps to Higher Education
- Oxbridge Forum – for parents and students
- Visit to Oxbridge Regional Conference
- Visit to UCAS Higher Education Convention
- Visits to University/College open days
- Workshops for applications to university, college, employment
- Gap Year Fair
Year 13
- UCAS briefing
- Mock interviews
- Sponsorship opportunities
- Student finance, budgeting, household management
- Career taster sessions
- UCAS – Decisions, Confirmation and Clearing
Many students also return to the department for post-A level assistance.
Further/Higher Education
In order to help with choices beyond school much advice is given and discussions take place between students, parents, Tutors, House Staff and the Head of Information, Advice and Guidance. A full range of prospectuses and Careers software is available, students have access to the Internet and College/University Open Days are encouraged. The majority of students proceed to Higher Education and much use is made of the Old Blundellian Club in the advising process. Popular destinations in recent years have included: Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, Nottingham, Reading, Southampton and Oxford Brookes. Click here for a list of recent destinations.
The Gap Year
Almost 50% of our students take a gap year. Whilst recognising that this may not be of benefit to everyone, a constructive well-planned Gap year can provide a wealth of experience and responsibility. This can enable students to make the most of a college/university course, gain in practical skills, grow up to take a more mature approach and enhance employability.
The department may be reached by email at san@blundells.org.
Further resources
Gap Year and University Sponsorship from Mott MacDonald - engineering, management and development consultancy
In the spring term 07, Barry Howe, a director at Franklin + Andrews came to speak to four of the U6 at Blundell's School who are following engineering based careers, about working for the Mott MacDonald group and sponsorship through university.
Franklin + Andrews is one of the world's leading construction economists and is part of the Mott MacDonald group, an employee-owned management, engineering and development consultancy working in over 120 countries around the world. Recently Mott MacDonald came 11th in the Sunday Times Survey of the Top 20 Best Big Companies to Work For in the UK.
In the meeting Mr Howe said if we were interested in working for the company, to apply through the careers section of the Mott MacDonald website. After following this advice Joe Smith and Andrew Turner were subsequently invited by Mr Howe to attend interviews at the Franklin + Andrews office in Exeter, as a result of which both will be working for the group during their gap years and university holiday placements.
Joe Smith is interested in the economic side of project development and will be working with Mr Howe in the Exeter office. Andrew Turner is more interested in environmental engineering and Mr Howe referred him to the Mott MacDonald branch in Bristol who specialise in this field. Following another interview with the Director of the Bristol office Andrew will be working in the water management sector in the Bristol office.
This is a fantastic opportunity for both Joe and Andrew, as depending on how the group values their work; in addition to their salaries, bursaries may be offered to cover part of their university costs. Also, as Mott MacDonald is a huge company it is possible to gain experience around the world in many fields of engineering.
Blundell's School