Careers and Apprenticeships

At Sir Henry Floyd, we aim to inform and excite pupils about the opportunities that are available to them, so that they can feel confident about their study and career aspirations. From GCSE or A-Level options, degree courses, apprenticeships or work-related learning, we have the expertise to guide our students to grow into their best selves.

Over the course of time pupils spend with us, we ensure that pupils are well-informed and leave our school with the skills required for the working world and beyond. To achieve this we offer a plethora of careers support including, but not limited to:

Guidance sessions
Interactive events
Career briefings and assemblies
Unifrog
Guest speakers, including alumni
Interview training
UCAS and apprenticeship application support
Work experience

*ALL OF THE ABOVE ARE SET IN PLACE IN ORDER TO MEET THE GOVERNMENT'S CAREERS STRATEGY, THE GATSBY BENCHMARKS.

Employers:

We are keen for employers to work with our students through assemblies, careers fairs or in group settings and 1-to-1s, as we feel our students benefit from these experiences and expertise. We currently hold a careers fair biennially, welcome guest speakers into all year group assemblies, as well as volunteers to support our GCSE and A Level students though interviews and further education preparation.

Teachers:

Careers guidance happens in our classrooms, not just via careers activities. SHFGS actively encourages all curriculum areas to embrace employer and volunteer led learning, as well as inviting professionals to deliver workshops and lessons. SHFGS have recently undergone a detailed curriculum review to make suitable adjustments to include careers education.

Alumni:

Please view our Alumni page here.

IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY TO START THINKING ABOUT CAREERS

Students make their first decisions that have an impact on their careers choices in Year 9 as they choose the subjects they would like to study at GCSE. PSHE+ lessons, assemblies and personal time with tutors help to guide students in order to make individual choices.

Although the majority of our pupils choose to apply to top universities, they are all encouraged to think about what is really right for them and for some this might be looking at apprenticeships or studying abroad. We speak to every student on an individual basis, and encourage them to explore their career goals and carry out research on what is right for them. Each year we are delighted with the numbers of students who move on to their first choice university or employment.

KS3 Careers Activities

Careers Education begins in Year 7 with PSHE+ lessons devoted to helping students plan for their futures
Form Tutor discussions and activities centered around Unifrog
Unifrog Aptitude Testing
Year 9 Options Evening and talk
Invited to attend biennial Careers Fair
Curriculum drop-down days
Talks from Further Education settings and organisations
Year 8 'Day to work'
Guest speakers

KS4 Careers Activities

Unifrog research, webinar and higher education tools
Year 10 university visit
Year 11 independent one-to-one careers interviews (with Changing Education)
Invited to attend biennial Careers Fair
Individual advice from Head of Careers and Head of Year
Talks from Further Education settings
6th Form evening
Life! lessons
Guest speakers
Form Tutor discussions and activities centered around Unifrog
Curriculum drop-down days
ASK Apprenticeships, Elevate and NCS through assemblies
View our KS4 Options here

KS5 Careers Activities

Unifrog research, webinar and higher education tools
Year 12 independent one-to-one careers interviews (with Changing Education)
Invited to attend biennial Careers Fair
Individual advice from Head of Careers and Head of Year
Form Tutor discussions and activities centered around Unifrog
Curriculum drop-down days
ASK Apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships through assemblies
Guest speaker and alumni assemblies
UCAS workshops, including finance and personal statement advice
Work experience placement (Enrichment Week, Year 12)
Lessons on 'Life Skills' covering: CV writing, personal statements and presentation skills
Advice about finding a taster course at university
Information about taking a gap year
Developing employability skills
Once examination results are released at the end of Year 13 we continue to offer support for students who need to change their plans. We also give advice and support to “Year 14” students who have needed to change direction or resubmit applications.
For more informaiton about our Sixth Form, please click here.

External Speakers and Parents/Carers

We are always pleased to hear from anyone who would be prepared to come to our school and speak about their profession or experiences. These are great opportunities for students to learn and ask questions about a career that may suit them in the future.

If you would like to come into our school to talk about your profession or volunteer for an event, please contact:

Miss Helen Smirthwaite, Head of Careers, Tel: 01296 424781 or you can email her: hsmirthwaite@shfgs.co.uk

Skillsometer

Careerometer

The Complete Destinations Platform

Unifrog is an online platform that supports schools and colleges to deliver their statutory duty to provide students with impartial and independent guidance on a full range of post-16 and post-18 options.

Unifrog is the only place where students can compare every undergraduate course in the UK as well as international opportunities. Additionally, Unifrog provides students with access to the most comprehensive list of live apprenticeships available across the country including Higher, SLP and degree apprenticeships, as well as FE courses.

Once students have explored their interests and compared the full range of pathways available to them, Unifrog provides one place for students to draft all materials needed for applications such as CVs and personal statements.

All students, across all year groups, have access to the platform in keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next steps.

Benefits for teachers

Unifrog is a whole-school careers platform. It allows teachers and careers advisors to track their pupils’ progress and keep a record of their research and all the career interactions each student has received. It makes it easy for teachers and careers advisors to work with students to find the best next step for them. Staff are able to provide feedback on applications, comment on students’ research, log careers interviews and interactions as well as upload action plans, and provide support and feedback on application materials.

Information for parents and carers

Every parent/carer can have their own log in to Unifrog, where they can access the tools, information and guidance to support their child to make their best next step. Contact Ms Smirthwaite to receive your unique login for Unifrog, and receive support on how to navigate the Unifrog platform.

If you would like more information on Unifrog please visit their website

www.unifrog.org

Labour Market Information

Employment In The UK

Local Labour Market Information

Careers in Buckinghamshire Booklet

Old Floydians Melissa and Brooke joined us today from@AshurstLLP to give us an insightful explanation of the apprenticeship application process and life as an apprentice