Careers

Staff

Mrs S Sterrett

Mr S Gilmore

Mr S A Beggs

Mr A Gray

Mr P Ramsey

Mrs K Will 

Throughout the year, outside speakers regularly visit the school. Representatives from several universities, including Oxbridge, and local FE Colleges give presentations.  Students in Year 14 attend Open Days at QUB, UU and various careers conferences throughout the year.  Our annual Universities and Careers Fair is attended by pupils from other schools.

The Careers Department has recently embedded the use of Unifrog to offer comprehensive and varied guidance to students through its very accessible platform. All lessons are linked to the Gatsby Benchmarks which allow us to ensure quality teaching and learning across the Department.

CAREERS GUIDANCE

Careers Guidance is offered in modular form as ‘Employability Skills’ via Learning for Life and Work (LLW).  In Year 12 a taught period of Careers is delivered to all pupils.  A Personal Career Planner (PCP) is completed by every pupil within the school and this information is shared with all teaching staff to enable them to make CEIAG links with their departments.

Key Stage 3

In Key Stage 4, Careers is delivered through timetabled Careers lessons for all students in Year 12.  Students in Year 12 participate in a programme of study, which will suggests possible careers and involves detailed research into careers which interest them, learning how to apply for jobs and how to write CVs, letters of application and job applications. Independent advice for all Year 12 pupils is also offered from the beginning of Year 12 by Careers Advisers from the Department for Economy. The KS4 Curriculum Evening in September provides students and parents with an overview of the Careers Department and opportunities for the students post-16. The Universities and Careers Fair in February allows all students to explore courses of study offered post-16 and engage with employers from a variety of sectors.

Key Stage 4

In Key Stage 4, Careers is delivered through the Careers/Employability in Year 12.  Some students may gain further insight into the workplace through Work Shadowing in Year 11.  Placements are for three days and are run through the virtual work experience programme.  Students in Year 12 participate in a programme delivered by Young Enterprise, which will suggest possible careers and involve detailed research into careers which interest them, learning how to apply for jobs and how to write CVs, letters of application and job applications. Independent advice for all Year 12 pupils is also offered from the beginning of Year 12 by Careers Advisors from the Department for Employability and Learning. The Universities and Careers Fair in February prepare the boys for what they will face in June, provide information on courses available in universities across the UK and Ireland and what employers are looking for in prospective employees.  Once again, Senior Management also hold a virtual meeting to allow parents to ask questions in relation to structure of the curriculum to enable them to make informed choices.

Key Stage 5

In both Years 13 and 14 students begin to prepare for life after BGS. Both Year Groups have timetabled lessons with staff from the Careers Department to explore their options and begin preparations to make a strong application to their chosen pathway. In Year 13, pupils prepare for their Work Experience placement post-AS examinations and familiarise themselves with the process of university application (UCAS).  Presentations are delivered by various universities on courses offered and qualifications required. Year 14 is concerned with the UCAS procedure and pupils are given the benefit of guidance and advice from experienced careers teachers and DEL Careers Advisers.  We also provide a presentation regarding student funding, applying for student loans, contribution to fees etc. The Universities and Careers Fair also provides the opportunity for pupils to enquire about university applications and to speak with employers regarding HLAs and career prospects in their companies.  All pupils are encouraged to complete 5 days of virtual Work Experience.