Careers Advice
CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance)
At Downside we aim for all pupils to leave school with the knowledge and skills they need to make informed decisions about further education, the world of work and life after Downside.
We deliver our own Careers Programme that helps pupils to make informed decisions at key points in their school lives and brings careers, and the language of careers, to the forefront of the curriculum across the subjects and co-curricular activities. This helps our pupils to develop the skills and awareness needed to apply for universities, apprenticeships and employment when they begin their life after Downside.
Our pupils attend a spiral tutor-based Careers Programme from Year 7 to Year 13 and also work closely with FutureSmart, our external careers advisors. Pupils complete Morrisby Profiling in year 11, have one-to-one subject and careers advice in Year 11 and Year 13, attend the careers fair, while being given the opportunity to attend a range of talks and lectures from OG’s and those in industry. Pupils can also arrange additional individual meetings with members of the Careers team to give them further support when needed.
Pupils will have dedicated Careers focused lessons as part of the School Tutor Programme. Pupils will have four dedicated careers lessons per year, that form part of the spiral careers curriculum, as well as other events that are outlined in the Careers Programme and which fall outside of usual timetables lessons.
The Careers Education and Guidance Programme details how the School provides Careers guidance for pupils in the School. The School ensures that Careers guidance is presented in an impartial way, and that it enables pupils to make informed choices about a broad range of options. This includes timely advice to help pupils choose GCSE and post-16 courses. From the start of the Third Form, in particular, pupils are presented with a wide range of opportunities to learn about various careers, which supports them in making choices about GCSE and A Level courses.
The Careers Education and Guidance Programme explains how a range of events and activities encourages pupils to fulfil their potential and enables pupils to ‘know themselves’ and how their strengths, weaknesses and interests relate to the world of work; learn about different careers and opportunities; obtain individual guidance; have some work experience; and gain information about training, education and occupations beyond School. The School consciously works to prevent all forms of stereotyping in the advice and guidance they provide to ensure that girls and boys from all backgrounds and diversity groups consider the widest possible range of careers, including those which are often portrayed as primarily for one or other of the sexes.
The School is committed to meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks, in line with government expectations and statutory requirements for the maintained sector. The School also aims to provide a careers programme that dovetails the Gatsby Benchmarks and advice set out by the Careers Development Institute (CDI). This helps to align the careers provision at Downside to the maintained sector and eases pupil transition, in either direction, between Downside or the maintained sector.
Your son or daughter will be introduced to the Old Gregorian (OG) network, the Downside alumni. OGs are truly international, working in a wide variety of careers and are very supportive of our pupils and young graduates. We are always looking to grow our network of contacts, and if you would like to contribute to our careers programme, please do get in touch.
Careers Programme
As part of preparation for higher or further education, as well as future employment your child will be given dedicated careers lessons through the Tutor Programme. These careers focused tutor period occur in every year group and form part of our effective careers education, information and guidance at Downside.
Next steps
Whether you are planning to go straight into the world of work or to continue your education, in the UK or abroad, or combining both options with a Degree Apprenticeship, the Sixth Form at Downside will ensure you are equipped with the knowledge and the skills to take that next step.
Applying to study abroad
Every year a good number of Downside pupils apply for a university place abroad, with the US, Spain, the Netherlands and Italy all being popular destinations. Unifrog has excellent resources to help pupils navigate the various options available, and the Sixth Form Tutor team and the Head of Sixth Form work closely with pupils to help them with international applications.
Other pathways…
University is not for everyone, and there are several other choices. During their Sixth Form years, pupils receive information and guidance about apprenticeships, including degree apprenticeships, gap years and direct entry into the workplace.
Mr paul rigby, Head of Sixth Form
Mr Oliver Simper, Head of Careers
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