Higher Education and Careers
The activities associated with Higher Education and Careers Guidance are coordinated by a working group of seven members of staff with the following specific responsibilities:
Mr J G Bell - Chair jgbell@hymers.org
Mr P Meadway - Head of Careers pmeadway@hymers.org
Mr C L Gaynor-Smith - Director of the Sixth Form and UCAS clgaynor-smith@hymers.org
Mrs H Jackson - Assistant Director of Sixth Form hjackson@hymers.org
Mr I R Sanderson - Oxbridge and Admissions Tests irsanderson@hymers.org
Mr J Gravelle - Work Experience Placements jgravelle@hymers.org
Mr R G Summers - PSE and GAP years rgsummers@hymers.org
A varied programme of events takes place each year to encourage and help students to gather information, analyse their strengths and weaknesses and to manage their career aspirations. For example, Old Hymerians visit the school from time to time to participate in a Universities and Careers Forum, usually held at lunch time and open to all in Years 9-13. Such occasions provide an opportunity to find out more about university life and the career experiences of recent members of the school.
Hymers College Higher Education and Careers Updates, published every three or four weeks, contain current information and web links particularly for students in Years 11-13 and their parents. These Updates are available on the website in the Publications section and emailed to the students.
The services of Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) (Preview, Profile and Centigrade) are used as part of the careers guidance programme.
YEAR 7
Year 7 pupils are introduced to aspects of careers guidance through PSE.
YEAR 8
After school examinations in the summer, Year 8 participate in the Real Game, a whole-day careers activity in which pupils use role play exercises and quizzes to explore different occupations, plan budgets and organise a “holiday” with members of their team.
YEAR 9
Further careers guidance is provided through PSE. Each pupil will take part in a programme of 5-6 lessons which are broadly designed to fit the National Framework of Careers Education and Guidance. Further advice is given to help GCSE option choices via group sessions with the school’s professional careers advisor and the Head of Careers.
YEAR 10
At the end of June, COA’s Preview and Profile programmes are launched in a presentation to parents and pupils.
Aspects of CEG, such as financial planning are covered as a part of the PSE programme.
YEAR 11
At the beginning of Year 11, interviews take place so that the analyses of the COA’s Preview and Profile assessments can be discussed with pupils individually. Pupils will also have access to MyCareersRoom, an online system in which pupils can explore career ideas, make a record of achievements, interests and work experience to build up their own personalised CV.
Pupils in Year 11 are able to have an individual careers interview with the school’s professional careers advisor. Follow-up interviews are available on a self-referral basis.
Further careers education and guidance is provided to Year 11 in a programme of 6-7 lessons which are broadly designed to fit the National Framework of CEG.
A Careers Convention is held in school just before the October half term. Over 50 local organisations are represented by some 100 exhibitors providing valuable advice on all major career areas covering a wide variety of professions and higher education establishments. The Convention is for members of Years 11 and 12 and particularly for those who are new to the school. A Career in Medicine is a seminar run by practising doctors held during the evening for those wishing to find out more about this aspect of healthcare.
The Year 11 Information Evening about the Sixth Form takes place in March and provides pupils and their parents with curriculum advice, the range of guidance provided, details about university applications as well as general information about life in the Sixth Form. The highlight of the evening is a series of presentations by Year 12 and Year 13 students about their own wide range of activities.
The Year 11 Work Experience Programme begins after GCSE examinations have been completed at the end of June.