Sixth Form careers
Careers support becomes an increasingly important part of school life during the Sixth Form as you plan your next steps. We’ll help you build the skills and understanding you need for your future.
Read on for details of the school events and other resources that will help you start your career journey.
Working lunches and breakfasts
We invite professionals from the local community to speak with our students about their careers. They discuss their career paths, including the qualifications they’ve earned, and provide insights into their daily work and what they enjoy about their jobs. These sessions can be formal presentations or informal Q&A discussions. They happen bi-weekly and are open to students in Years 12 and 13.
Evening meetings
We hold two evening sessions throughout the year.
The first is an information evening early in term 1, designed to support parents and carers with post-sixth-form options, including UCAS support, student finance information, apprenticeships, gap years, and more.
Later in the year, we host a Futures evening featuring guest speakers who assist with launching the Year 12 next steps program. This year, representatives from the NHS, BAE, UCLan, and Kendal College each gave a presentation followed by a Q&A session.
Careers in the curriculum
Throughout your lessons, you’ll develop essential skills like setting goals, working well in teams, solving problems, and staying organised. You’ll also learn to communicate effectively, manage your time, and use technology confidently. These skills will support your studies and prepare you for any career path you choose.
Thinking about your background, strengths, achievements, and experiences can shape your career. We will help you access support and feedback, and understand how your own background, learning and skills shape your career. We will encourage you to get into the habit of recording and reflecting on your achievements. We will also suggest that you commit to lifelong learning, trying new things, and taking on challenges – all of which will positively influence your career path and opportunities.
Exploring career possibilities and understanding recruitment processes and workplace cultures will help you with your next steps after Sixth Form. We want you to think about the jobs and roles that interest you most, research various job and education opportunities, and understand how learning and qualifications relate to work. Additionally, we’ll help you to learn about different workplaces, their cultures, and expectations, and to prepare for recruitment and selection processes.
Actively managing your career means grabbing opportunities and learning from setbacks. We will support you in truly understanding what a ‘career’ means, being confident and optimistic, assessing risks and rewards when making decisions, planning and setting goals, navigating opportunities and transitions, and learning from setbacks to build resilience.
Creating opportunities is often about positive relationships with others. We want you to actively build and maintain your networks, be creative, set examples or lead others, and consider the idea of entrepreneurialism.
Balancing home and family, your wellbeing, and work can be challenging. We will encourage you to take care of your physical and mental health, plan and manage your personal finances, and consider your role in your family and community. It’s important to understand different stages of life, be aware of your rights and responsibilities at work and in society, and recognise and handle prejudice, stereotypes, and discrimination.
The economy, politics, and society all play a part in your life and career. We want you to think critically about different media, information sources, and opinions. Look into local and national job trends, and keep an eye on new developments in technology and science. Understand how your career impacts the environment and how it fits into your community and society. Also, explore how your career is connected to politics and the economy.
Work experience
Work experience is a great way to build evidence for your CVs and future applications. You can do it in your own time, either after school or in the holidays. Experiences can be as short as a one-hour insight into an organisation through to a full week. You don’t have to limit your experience to Cumbria or Lancashire, there are opportunities and placements all over the country and virtual options.
UCAS
As Sixth Form students, you’ll use UCAS to apply for universities, providing essential information about your education and achievements. We’ll guide you through the whole process, helping you to present your strengths and experiences as you apply for your preferred university places.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are a great way to earn and learn, with competitive wages and the opportunity to study as you go. Here are some website is packed with information about becoming an apprentice.
Useful resources
The Start in Cumbria and Lancashire websites include helpful information about jobs and career opportunities and local education and training provisions.
Use BBC Bitesize to help with your homework, revision and learning for all school years. Find free videos, step-by-step guides, activities and quizzes.
