Supporting the Careers and Work Related learning Programme

Research shows a significant link between young people’s experience of the world of work while at school, and their future employment. It is proven that those students who actively take part in employer related activity at school, such as career insights, mentoring, work tasters, work experience, are more likely to find fulfilling employment later in life.

We take Work Related Learning very seriously at Burntwood and are very proud of our Careers and WRL provision. Our programme of Careers and WRL is outlined under Curriculum and under Sixth Form on this site.

Many opportunities like the Careers Networking event in Year 9, the Work Experience Programme and Enterprise Challenge in Year 10, the Careers Interview for every Year 11 student and a huge range of additional activities for Year 12 and 13 are a compulsory part of the school day. There are other opportunities that require students to volunteer their involvement. These might include specific industry careers talks or employer visits. We ask parents to encourage students to engage fully with the many opportunities that are provided to them. In addition, we provide regularly updated opportunities and a regular newsletter on the internal Teams channels. These include work experience, employer insight days, apprenticeships and higher education. Students are encouraged to access this information during tutor time, but it is helpful if parents/guardians also remind students to take a look and sign up appropriately.

Year 11 onwards – All Year 11 students are provided with a one-on-one careers interview as well as an interview with the Sixth Form Team where they have the opportunity to discuss the various pathways available to them after Year 11 including A’levels, BTECs and apprenticeships.

Year 12 - All students are invited for a one-on-one interview with a qualified careers adviser. They are encouraged to attend weekly careers talks, are provided with updates on Labour Market Information, opportunities to volunteer, do work experience, attend talks and insight days and supported to write CVs and make applications.

Year 13 onwards – There are various options for students leaving Burntwood in Year 13. The vast majority of our students choose to go to university, or to an alternative Further Education provider such as an art college. Some prefer to take a gap year first. Others apply for an apprenticeship which sometimes includes doing a degree. Some students elect to go straight into the workplace.

These websites are a useful starting point to support students exploring their options.

Job Profiles

https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/job-profiles/home

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles

https://icould.com/

Higher Education

https://digital.ucas.com/search

https://london.ac.uk/ways-study/study-campus-london/university-taster-courses

www.whatuni.com

www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk

www.theguardian.com/education/universityguide

Gap Year