Careers Information
Careers Lead: Marie Delâge-Martin email: [email protected]
PSHE and Careers Policy [pdf]
Scheme of learning overview [pdf]
The Gatsby Strategy [pdf]
This short guide will help you support your child in choosing the best Sixth Form option.
During their time in the Academy, students will be supported through the tutor programme and intervention to make appropriate choices at Sixth Form and beyond.They will also be supported in identifying their skills and qualities and how to match them to a suitable career also reflecting their interests.
The following information will be covered in tutor time but it is helpful for parents to be aware of it as well.
The National Qualifications Framework
Students and parents need to be aware of the National Qualification framework. Each accredited qualification fits into one of the levels and at the end of KS4, students will apply for either:
Foundation/Entry Level.
Level 1 (equivalent to 4 grades 3 at GCSE or equivalent qualification eg BTEC )
Level 2 (equivalent to 5 grades 4/5 at GCSE or equivalent qualification eg BTEC or Intermediate Apprenticeship)
Level 3 (equivalent to A levels or equivalent qualification eg BTEC or Advanced Apprenticeship)
There are also level 4 and level 5 or above which are equivalent to Higher Education.
National Qualification Framework
| Entry Level | Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | Level 4 and Above | |
| Examples of Qualifcations | Entry level certificate – Basic Skills | GCSE at grades 3 to 1, BTEC Introductory Certificate or Diploma | GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, BTEC First Diploma NVQ Level 2 Intermediate Apprenticeship | AS and A2 level, BTEC National Diploma NVQ Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship | Higher Apprenticeships, Degree, Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), NVQs levels 4 and 5 |
| Examples of Jobs | Labourer, Packer, Cleaner, Warehouse Worker… | Same as Entry Level | Receptionist, Call-Centre, Operator, Shop Assistant, Car Mechanic, Care Assistant | Chef, Plumber, Nursery Nurse, IT Technician, Hair Dresser | IT Manager, Youth Worker, Website Designer, Nurse, Doctor, Accountant, Teacher |
In practice the vast majority of our students in year 11 will apply for level 2 or level 3 qualifications depending on their grade predictions. You cannot apply for a level 3 qualifications if you have not reached the requirements for level 2. In practice, most post 16 institutions will consider this to be 5 grades 4/5 or equivalent usually including English and Maths. However, the requirements vary greatly depending on the College so students are strongly advised to check this directly with the College they want to apply for. This is best done by ringing directly and by looking on the websites. Please note that the GCSE exam grading system is changing and students will be given grades from 9-1 instead of A* to G. It is likely the new benchmark to access Level 3 courses will be 5x grade 4s including English and Maths. It is recommended that parents and students check individual entry requirements with the relevant Post 16 institutions, either on their website or on UCAS Progress.
Post 16 Application Process at Bosworth Academy
Students will be asked to fill in a post 16 application form which will be available on line through a system called UCAS progress. As UCAS progress is available online, parents, carers, students and tutors all have access and can support the students in making suitable choices. Students will have to fill sections on personal details, grade predictions, work history (if relevant) and Personal statement. Students will be able to work on their form both during school time but also at home.
We ask students to make a minimum of 2 choices, carefully considering their grade predictions, skills, qualities, career choices and interests. It is very important that students choose a course which is realistic for them. For example, it is usually unadvisable to apply for level 2 courses if your grade predictions are 9 and 8 at GCSE. Conversely, a student who is expected to achieve grade 3 should really consider level 2 courses as they will not be able to access Level 3 ones.
It is worthy of mention that A levels are only some of the level 3 qualifications available to students. BTECs level 3 as well as Advanced Apprenticeships are also recognised level 3 qualifications and there are many others. Generally, completion of level 3 qualifications will give access to higher education.
Bosworth staff will do their utmost to guide students through the process, they will signpost students to information they will need, but it is each student’s responsibility to act on the advice given , to do research and ,of course, to make appropriate choices including a back up choice.
Once the application form has been completed on line and checked by the tutor, the UCAS progress system will update students , parents and carers as well as tutors on the progress of the application. We would strongly advice students to apply for their desired courses no later than end of January, otherwise, there is the risk that some popular courses fill up very quickly. A minority of post 16 institutions are not available on the UCAS progress system. In these cases, students will have to apply directly to the College they wish to go to. Information will be available via tutors.
Useful Websites
As well as the tutor team, there are a number of very useful online websites and resources to help your child through the process of applying for post 16 courses.
The following website is the National Careers Services website.
It does have a lot of impartial advice on different career routes, CV writing etc… It also has a free phone number which gives the student access to specialist careers advice with a trained careers adviser.
nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk
The phone number is : 0800 100 900
The following website has lots of information on apprenticeships as well as apprenticeships jobs advertised. Students can log in and get text alerts when vacancies become available.
Apprenticeships.org.uk
To find out what courses are available in your local area, you can go onto:
UCAS Progress
And of course, parents and students can always get in touch if they need advice.
At Bosworth Academy, we are also lucky to benefit from specialist support from an organisation called Prospects, it is a targeted service for those students who are identified as needing extra support.
Finally, Bosworth Academy has it’s own Careers Zone site that student can visit by clicking the link on the right when you have signed or or clicking the link below:
Bosworth Academy Careers Zone (requires you to be signed to view)