POST-18 PATHWAYS AND WORK EXPERIENCE
Careers Guidance
Careers guidance is vital part of the Post-16 Tutorial Programme. The aim is always to raise aspirations so students secure outstanding destinations. We arrange visits to the local UCAS Higher Education Conference at Leeds and have visits to both Oxford and Cambridge University. Alongside this we make students aware of alternative pathways, training opportunities and higher apprenticeships through the CEP programme.
This is brought together in a Next Steps Week in the Summer Term of Year 12 which explores the full range of Post-18 opportunities, applying for UCAS, writing personal statements and CVs. During the year students will also have the opportunity to listen to guest speakers, local employers, Gap Year Providers etc. to help you make an informed decision about your future pathway.
Our Careers Adviser is also available for careers advice. Make an appointment through the Post-16 Student Support Managers or by going direct to room C10 near the Courtyard Cafe.
For further information you can also visit the Careers page under the Students tab HERE.
Post-18 Pathways
The majority of our students go on to University after their A-levels, but an increasing number of students are exploring apprenticeships and other pathways. We support students in their applications to a wide range of Universities and courses. Our alumni go on to achieve success in a wide variety of subjects from traditional academic degrees to more vocational degrees from Marine Biology to Fashion Buying, at universities and providers all over the United Kingdom and beyond.
Take a look at the ‘Destination Data’ section to find out what our 2023 leavers did next.
For those students who choose not to go to university we have our own independent Careers Advisor who supports students to go on to employment in banking, consultancy, accountancy, the Armed Forces, retail and many other areas.
Higher Education
Our University Application process is extremely thorough, and all students have access to a wide range of opportunities and support including:
- A visit to the UCAS Higher Education Fair
- Next Steps week in June (including input on personal statements from Lancaster and Leeds Universities and an explanation of the electronic university application system – www.ucas.com )
- As part of our personalised tutorial programme students can request individual sessions with the careers advisor or the Director of Year 13
- PBT sessions based on different career aspirations for different cohorts such as Apply+, Apprenticeships and Russell Group Universities.
- Subject and student references, written by subject staff and collated by personal tutors, into composite reference for UCAS form
- Talks and lessons on student finance
- ‘Higher Education Evening for Parents’
Apply+ (Oxbridge, medicine, veterinary science and dentistry)
Apply+ is designed to support students who are applying for any courses that require early entry through the UCAS application process. All IGS students will receive UCAS support in school but Apply+ recognises that applications to some universities and courses require additional help. This may be because of qualifying tests, interviews, work experience requirements or the need to extend your learning well beyond the classroom. IGS has an excellent record with students applying to Oxbridge with 10 students achieving offers this academic year.
Students will be pre-identified as potential Apply+ applicants but they can also put themselves forward. Either way you will need to be pro-active if you are thinking of applying for highly competitive courses.
Courses which require early entry often also require some combination of an academic interview, additional tests and/or specific work experience. Applicants for Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science all have to submit applications early. University College, Imperial and many Law courses also often require additional tests to be taken and/or interview even if they do not require early applications.
Apply+ students will be supported through their application through by their tutors, curriculum areas, Mr Sykes and Mr Fox as well as by a number of external contacts who provide support with interview practice.
University Open Days
Students are encouraged to attend University Open / Taster Days as soon as possible. These will be available to apply for from February of year 12. It is expected that students will apply to Open Days which are held on a weekend or during holidays to avoid impacting on studies.
UCAS
The process of applying to Higher Education starts in Year 12. Students are introduced to the UCAS procedure initially through tutor time, assemblies and finally, after Year 12 mocks, through the ‘Next Steps Week’. Parents are also given information through the Higher Education Evening in June.
Employment / Training
We have regular visits from the local colleges who operate level 2/3 apprenticeships to inform the students the importance of this method of progression. We also have monthly bulletins to show all the local apprenticeship vacancies.
Gap Year
We have links with various GAP Year institutions including Project Trust, a charitable organisation which operates all over the world. If a student is intending to take a Gap Year we encourage our students to plan it carefully. Students do receive information on Gap Years through our enrichment programme.
Challenge and Celebration Week
For 2024, the Challenge and Celebration week work experience will be 15th – 19th July. Students wanting to do Work Experience instead of joining a Year 12 trip or being an iLeader supporting trips and visits in lower school, will be expected to source their own work experience placement in a career area which is related to their studies.
The deadline for completed forms is 1pm Friday 8th December 2023. Details can be obtained from Mrs Jo Mitchell in C10 jo.mitchell@ilkleygs.co.uk
All work experience (at any time in the year) must be approved by Mrs Jo Mitchell to ensure that all health and safety requirements are met.
