Careers and Progression

 

CAREERS AND PROGRESSION 

 

1/3 of the jobs in the North East are professional and associate professional roles. The North East Local Enterprise Partnership is targeting 100,000 additional jobs in the region between 2014 and 2024, with 70% of these being higher value roles. A Levels with progression to University or higher or degree level apprenticeships are a key route into these job opportunities.

 

We actively work to support all students in making an informed decision about their chosen progression route. There is a structured programme of careers provision throughout your time at Sixth Form including many exciting opportunities such as meaningful encounters with universities and employers, mock interviews and one-to-one guidance discussions. 

 

Our careers activity adheres to the eight Gatsby Benchmarks of good career guidance and we are currently working towards the national Quality in Careers standard.

 

Key features:

• 3 progression focussed coaching conversations for every student every year
• Careers, labour market and progression information embedded in subjects
• Personal Development group sessions provide structured information and support to help you decide beyond university, apprenticeships or other options
• Specialist support for progression onto Apprenticeships from the National Apprenticeship Service and the Education Development Trust
• Mock interviews with employers and for university admission
• Exceptional links with universities
• Targeted opportunities for students on university and employer programmes

 

Students at NSFC at 18% more likely to progress to university than students with similar GCSE results at other providers (Source: SFCA Six Dimensions).

Newcastle Sixth Form College evaluates the quality of careers education as part of termly department reviews and the annual self evaluation process. Careers activities are recorded through 'Unifrog' and 'Compass' self evaluation reports are undertaken termly.

Impact is assessed including through progression data, student, and lesson observations. An annual review of careers goes to the Local Board in the summer term each year (Last review: July 2021) 

 

CAREERS LEAD CONTACT

For more information about our careers programme please contact our Careers Lead

Phil Divers at Phillip.Divers@newcastlesfc.ac.uk or telephone 0191 272 1001

 

 

 

 

 

University Progression

A-levels are regarded as the gold standard qualification for entry to University and the vast majority of our students ultimately progress to Higher Education. We have good links with universities both locally and nationally who run subject specific talks and visits, as well as attending our annual Higher Education Fair and we also strongly encourage students to visit university open and taster days, to confirm their choices.

In their first year, eligible students are targeted to apply for higher education access schemes such as:

• Realising Opportunities
• Social Mobility Foundation
• Bitesize Uni
• Sutton Trust
• NU Entry
• Nuffield Work Placements.

• Personal Development Coaches and Subject teachers provide expert knowledge and close support to help you through the UCAS application process, including selecting your choices and writing your personal statement.
• We also have a partnership with New College, Oxford University to promote progression to Oxbridge. In 2021, four students left Newcastle Sixth Form College to attend Oxford or Cambridge universities and students are supported by the Step Up programme from New College Oxford University including seminars and an overnight visit.
• The NSFC Honours Programme provides additional support for a wider range of high achieving students who are targeting places at competitive Sutton 30 universities.
• From Easter in the first year, Personal Development Coaches and the Careers Leader will work with you through the UCAS application process, including selecting your choices and writing your personal statement. 

Follow up of all students who left NSFC in 2019/20 found that almost all were in education employment or training (Source: J2 Research)

 

Alternative Progression Routes

For students who are keen to gain experience and earn while they learn, there is a wide range of support available to help you seek out, and apply for Higher & Degree Apprenticeships. Previous students have progressed to Degree Apprenticeships including with Sky, GCHQ and Morrisons. You may wish to plan an exciting Gap Year, or progress on to a recognised work programme such as the Year in Industry.

 

FOR EMPLOYERS

We work with a wide range of employers in a variety of ways. This includes promoting apprenticeships or graduate opportunities, offering students mock interviews, workplace visits, and careers talks to specific cohorts. If you would like to be involved in our careers programme please contact amy.scott@newcastlesfc.ac.uk 

FOR PARENTS AND CARERS

We know that our students have the best progression when college and home work together. As a result we provide information and advice for parents through the year. The parents welcome evening in September links to the HE and apprenticeship fayre with an opportunity to talk to a range of providers. Information talks about progression are provided at Parents Evenings through each year.

 

CAREERS LEAD CONTACT

For more information about our careers programme please contact our Careers Lead 

Phil Divers at Phillip.Divers@newcastlesfc.ac.uk

Our Provider Access Procedure can be found on our Policies and Informaton page.

 

 

Useful Documents