Careers and Progression
At EGA we offer independent and impartial careers education, EGA acknowledge and support the development of high aspirations among our young people. This is done by providing each and every student from Year 7 to 11 with well-informed advice about the future, that breaks barriers and stereotypes and encourages a flexible and ambitious approach.
Our Careers Lead is Razziya Siddique. She will be responsible for providing current information, advice and guidance to all students through one-to-one drop in sessions at lunch and after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents and carers can also contact her.
Telephone: 020 7837 0739 Ext. 261
Email: razziya.siddique@egas.islington.sch.uk
Training providers and institutions are welcome to contact Ms Siddique directly to arrange presentations and involvement with careers at EGA.
Other staff members to contact for more information
Ms J.Henry - admin@egas.org.uk
Mr A.Baker - link for careers - admin@egas.org.uk
Mr M.Dahab - link for careers - admin@egas.org.uk
What careers education, advice and guidance does EGA School provide?
EGA Careers Programme 2024-2025
Visual diagram of the EGA Careers Learning Journey
Working with External Providers
All students at EGA are entitled to a five year programme of activities to develop their readiness for each step of their time at school, the future demands of work and the wider world.
Students will:
- Develop self-awareness, self-determination and self-improvement as a learner
- Develop employment knowledge and skills through careers, employability and enterprise education
- Learn about career sectors and the world of work
- Develop business and enterprise skills
- Have access to current labour market information
- Receive impartial information, advice and guidance
- Develop their self-awareness, resilience and sense of well-being
- Value equality, diversity and inclusion
- Be well prepared for each stage of their journey in education, training and employment
The focus across the five year programme is for students to make appropriate choices at appropriate times with a personalised curriculum.
The Skills curriculum overview for Years 7, 8 and 9 is attached. A summary of the PSHE programme includes the world of work, use of the online Talking Jobs resource, skills and qualities, personal statements and developing self-awareness.
How do we ensure that EGA is providing the best quality careers education and guidance?
Training is on-going for all members of staff that deliver aspects of this programme. School leads ensure they are fully qualified to deliver an impactful and relevant programme, including the best quality careers conversations. On-going training for faculties to reference the world of work is important. The school has based this Readiness programme on statutory guidance including The Gatsby Benchmarks and advice from the Careers Development Institute and Islington Council Careers Service. The programme is reviewed on an annual basis.
Year 7
Year 7 skills development workshops focus on resilience, growth mind-set and personal development. Academic and pastoral teams work together to support parents and students to make decisions so that every child meets their full potential. Students have a bi-weekly skills session within which they develop presentation skills and complete self -development work.
Year 8
In Year 8 Skills sessions, students reflect on their academic plans and make choices for Years 9, 10 and 11. Sessions are devoted to the curriculum model, courses available and choosing a broad range of subjects. Students are supported to identify the most appropriate pathway for their interests and abilities. This occurs through Skills workshops, support from the pastoral team and 1:1 discussions. There is an information session for parents to help with making curriculum choices. Careers knowledge is developed through the Careers Lab programme from Business in the Community and aspects of citizenship are developed in Year 8.
Year 9
In Year 9, students continue to develop their careers knowledge with Careers Lab, continue to develop their citizenship knowledge and explore careers sectors in the local and global economic landscapes. In PSHE, students are supported to make appropriate decisions and choices regarding their ability and aspirations. They also receive sessions for work related learning – covering skills, sectors, pathways and work issues. This includes opportunities to attend work related events to develop their understanding of the changing world of work.
Year 10
In Year 10, students currently work towards a recognised qualification “Preparation for Working Life”. Within this they are able to write a CV, a formal letter of application and demonstrate that they know how to prepare for a job interviews. Year 10 students are afforded more opportunities to attend work related events to develop their understanding of the changing world of work. Target groups are selected for business mentoring, academic tutoring. Information, advice and guidance assemblies and workshops are offered by City and Islington College and Islington Council Careers Service.
Year 11
In Year 11, the PSHE programme covers opportunities at 16-19. 1:1 discussions for every student take place to support the college application process - developing an action plan for the final months of secondary school. A day is given for supporting next steps - Presenting Yourself Day - with support from various sectors to explore job applications, employability and interview skills. Pupils continue to be targeted for mentoring projects and receive several information, advice and guidance assemblies.
How do we measure and assess the impact of the careers programme on pupils?
The school regularly measures and assesses the impact of its careers programme through:
- Feedback from students and other stakeholders following events and opportunities
- Observation of PSHE lessons relating to careers
- Monitoring of students' Unifrog accounts
- Evaluation meetings with our business partners
- Engagement with external careers experts
- Performance management of key staff engaged in delivering the careers programme
This information will next be reviewed anually.
Labour Market Information
What is Labour Market Information?
https://london-lmi.startprofile.com/page/london-boroughs
Post-16 Options
What can students do beyond their time at EGA?
The range of options available after secondary school:
• Continuing with education at any post-16 institute such as sixth forms with courses (A-levels and T-level) or a full time college course (BTEC diplomas, NVQ courses, Foundation courses)
• Starting career-related training (apprenticeships and other vocational training programmes)
Qualification levels and what they mean
• Level 3- A-levels (2 year courses) requiring 5 strong passes (5’s and above including English and Maths) – a pathway to university
• Level 3 BTEC diplomas- full time and in-depth practical study that is also a pathway to university
• Level 2- courses requiring a pass of 4’s or higher, good stepping stones for level 3 courses
• Level 1- For students with awards below a 4
• Entry level/ESOL - for students who need more time to improve on some basic needs
• It is important to remember that whatever the grade predicted, all EGA students can still achieve without limits!
Career Pathways
Useful Websites
Take some timeout to explore your options, below are very useful websites to explore.
National Careers Service - All you need to know about careers
Success at School - Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice
Prospects --Lots of information about career advice and job sectors
iCould - Careers quiz, as well as videos for inspiration and articles about different careers and industries
Mykindafuture - Use My Kinda Future to build your profile, make CVs and connect with a range of employers
Milkround - Resources to explore apprenticeships, traineeships and school leaver schemes
Start – Get personalised suggestions of careers suited to your personality, interests and skills
Career Pilot - Use Career Pilot to research a wide array of different roles and sectors
National Careers Week - Events and activities at National Careers Week
Careers4u - Videos from professionals in a wide variety of careers and sectors
All About Careers - Take a careers test and explore different types of careers
Careers Gateway - Links to information about careers and higher education
A-Level Choices - Some excellent advice around choosing A-Level subjects, if you scroll to the bottom, you can input three A-Level subjects and then it gives university degree and job matches
BTECs - BTECs are an increasingly popular alternative to A-levels as a route to university – here’s what you need to know
A-Levels or BTECs - A-levels or BTECs - which is the best path for you? Read the comparison guide to help you decide on the next options you should pursue
Subject Choices - Information and advice on the best subject choices for university
Informed Choices - Information and advice on the best subject choices for university
UCAS - Search for post-16 courses and colleges
Health Careers - Jobs and careers in health and medical sector
Future Morph - Careers using Science and Maths
National Volunteer - Become a Volunteer
Life Skills - This is an excellent website that you can work though to build employability skills and win the chance to do work experience
Not Going Uni - The Not Going to Uni team help you find apprenticeships, college courses or work experience to start building your future
Glassdoor - Labour Market Information and all you need to know about a profession.
Practice Reasoning - Psychometric Tests
Practice Reasoning - Aptitude Tests
Student Room - Forum, advice, GCSE, A Level, University, jobs, finance, revision
For Parents, Carers and Teachers
Below are some useful websites for parents, carers and teachers.
Parent/ Carers Guide to Post 16
Target Careers - A guide to careers for parents, carers and teachers
Useful Resources and Links
https://www.gov.uk/browse/education - government guidance on further and higher education
http://www.londoncolleges.com/ - search every college in London
https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships - apprenticeships information
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/home - careers guidance
https://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/ - careers and education support
https://www.barclayslifeskills.com/ - advice for preparing for the world of the work
http://www.liftislington.org.uk/support - The website for the Lift Centre in White Lion Street
Career Sectors
The links below will provide further information about possible career options by sector.
Accountancy, Banking and Finance
Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments (CISI) - Professional body for the securities and investments industry, with information on careers and apprenticeships
Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW) - Professional body with information about careers in accountancy and how to gain a qualification to be a chartered accountant
BDO - School Leavers - A programme to specialise in accountancy
Ernst & Youngs - School Leavers - A programme to specialise in assurance, corporate, finance or tax
Grant Thornton - Business which offers internships and school leavers programme to young people
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP - The PricewaterhouseCoopers website provides students with access to lots of useful information on careers in accountancy or finance
Barclays Life Skills - Build your employability skills through Barclays
Apprenticeships
Business Consulting and Management
TES Business Studies and Economics - How studying business studies and economics can help you get a job
Childcare
Civil Service
Creative Arts and Design
Creative Skills Set - Information and support for all aspects of creative arts
Guildhall School of Music and Drama - Offers a wide range of courses in music and drama
Careers in Music - Information and advice on a career in Music
Future Talent - Charity which provides financial support and guidance to young musicians age 5 - 18 years
Engineering and Manufacturing and Motor industry
Engineering Construction Industry Training Board - Advice, information and skills development in Engineering Construction, and information on career routes
EDT - Largest provider of STEM enrichment activities for UK youth
Costain - Large international engineering firm with information on a variety of pathways into engineering, including work placements for students
Auto City - Advice for getting into a career in the motor industry - including apprenticeships for retail roles
Neon - Bringing STEM to life through real-world engineering
Entrepreneurs
Start ups - Useful information into how to set up a business
Prince's Trust - The Enterprise Programme - Enterprise programme to help develop entrepreneur skills with applications for financial assistance
Fashion
Careers in Fashion - Explore careers in the fashion
Hair and Beauty
Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) - Company which offers a wide range of make-up, hair and beauty courses
Healthcare
NHS Careers - Detail about the wide range of careers within the NHS
Step into the NHS - Videos, case studies and a way to map your career in the NHS
Care UK - Company offering training while working, from diplomas to apprenticeships
Skills for Care - Company offering apprenticeships within the healthcare sector
Health Careers - Jobs and careers in health and medical sector
Nursing & Midwifery Council - Great website to learn about Nursing and Midwifery
Hospitality
Tasty Careers - Everything you need to know about career options in food and drink manufacturing. Top training courses. Real life case studies. Hot tips on getting in and getting on
Information Technology
Big Ambition - Information and advice on digital careers
CW Jobs - Careers advice and information about IT careers
Gamester - Information, job profiles and advice on jobs in the gaming sector
Law
The Law Society - Independent professional body for solicitors and has information on how to become a solicitor
Law Careers - Careers information about Law
Law Enforcement and Security
Police Information - Detailed information on all aspects of what it is like to work for the police
NHS Ambulance Careers - Information and advice about working for the ambulance service within the NHS
Fire Service - Information and advice on how to work for the fire service
British Army - Information and advice on the wide range of jobs in the British Army
Royal Navy - Information and advice on the wide range of jobs in the Royal Navy
RAF Careers - Information and advice on the wide range of jobs in the RAF
How2Become - Information on how to have a career in law enforcement and emergency services
Leisure, Sport and Tourism
Careers in Sport - Information and advice about getting a job in sport
Sport England - careers with Sport England and links to information about other jobs in sport
Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality - Professional body for people with careers within the tourism or hospitality industry
Marketing, Advertising and PR
Get in 2 Marketing - Information and advice about getting a career in marketing
About Money Marketing - More information about starting a career in marketing, brand management and PR
Go Think Big - Tips and tools to explore careers in marketing, and advice on getting work placements
Media, Publishing and Internet
Working in TV - Information and advice on getting a job in the TV industry
ITV Careers - Information and advice on getting a job working for ITV
TES Media - Links and information on how the subjects you study at school can help you get a job
Sky Academy - Sky has programmes for young people to get experience and develop skills in a range of media
BookCareers - A great place to look for jobs in the book industry, including information about the different jobs available, and hints and tips of how to get in
Media Careers - comprehensive source of information for all related careers from the Media and Creative industry
Channel 4 Talent Development Schemes - Through Channel 4's ever-growing range of cutting-edge talent schemes, you can get the support and space you need to make that crucial next step for a career in the industry
Property and Real Estate
National Federation of Property Professionals (NFOPP) - Gateway to all of the professional organisations in the Property and Real Estate Sector
Public Services and Administration
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) - Information about working for the HMRC
HM Treasury (HMT) - Information about working for the HM Treasury
MI5 - Information and advice on the recruitment process for working for MI5
MI6 - Information and advice on the recruitment process for working for MI6 - there are technical higher apprenticeships available
Recruitment and HR
PM Jobs - Careers advice and jobs in human resources
Personnel Today - Careers advice and jobs working with managing people
Retail
A career in retail - advice about careers opportunities in the retail industry
Science and Pharmaceuticals
NHS Healthcare Science - Information and advice about a career in healthcare
FutureMorph - careers website to show you where studying science subjects can take you
Biology - The Royal Society of Biology highlights future careers and opportunities studying bioscience subjects beyond school
Social Care
Skills for Care - Information about apprenticeships within the health and social care sector
Teaching and Education
Get into Teaching - Information and advice from the government about a career in teaching
Becoming a Teacher - Information on becoming a teacher or a teaching assistant
Transport and Logistics
Transport for London (TFL) - TFL offer traineeships, apprenticeships and placements within their operations
Skillsnets - Company offering automotive, transport and logistics and non-technical apprenticeships
People 1st - the sector skills council for hospitality, passenger transport, travel and tourism in the UK. Passenger transport includes career options such as Airline Pilot, Air Traffic Controller, and Air Crew