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Careers Information for Students

Student Information

At the Langton we aim to provide you with the opportunity to explore all career and Post 16/18 options throughout your time at school. It is important that you feel supported in your ideas about the routes that you would like to pursue and that you are given the resources to help you to be able to research and learn about these routes.

One of the main ways we aim to do this is through Unifrog which you should be familiar with from your form time sessions. Unifrog is a careers platform which can support your future decision making and career options on your own personal Unifrog account where you can favourite certain careers and subjects, explore apprenticeship and university opportunities, draft CVs and personal statements as well as complete psychometric testing to help you to understand careers options that may be the best fit for you.

Below are links to some Unifrog introduction videos to help you to get started on the platform.

Information about GCSE options

In Year 9 you will be making a choice about what subjects you want to continue for your GCSEs. This choice is important because you will not be able to change your options after this stage. It is wise to give some thought to what subjects you may wish to follow at A Level or college, at university or what subjects may fit best with a potential job or apprenticeship.

Picking your GCSE options in Year 9 provides the first opportunity for you to specialise in the subjects that you most enjoy. This can feel like a daunting decision however the guidance below should help you to make the right decision.

Top Tips

  • Don’t just pick a subject because your friends are doing it – it’s your future so your decision should not be swayed by friendship groups!
  • Make sure you do your research first about the subject and what it covers for the GCSE course. Don’t just pick a subject on a whim or because it sounds new and fun.
  • Don’t be swayed by who your current teacher is. You may well have a different teacher for GCSE so picking a subject just because you like your teacher may not be the most sensible decision.
  • a subject will be taught and ask your teachers for as much information as possible
  • Pick subjects that you enjoy. You will always do better if you are studying something that interests you.

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide and Subject Library on Unifrog to help you to explore your options too.

Link to GCSE options booklet: https://thelangton.org.uk/app/uploads/2023/03/2023-GCSE-options-booklet.pdf

A-Level Options

The majority of our students decide to continue their education at The Langton and study A-Levels with us after Year 11. Most students complete 3 full A-Levels and an EPQ qualification whereas some choose to complete 4 full A-Levels and an EPQ project. The resources below will help you to make your decision about what A-Level choices to make.

A Levels: All subjects now have new A level specifications, as of 2018. The courses are linear, meaning that all of the A level exams will take place at the end of Year 13. The standard curriculum for Langton students is to complete three A levels, although four is an option for the more able and hardworking.

Choosing the Right A-Levels

It is important to consider your interests after sixth form when making your decision about the correct A-Levels to choose. If you are interested in going to University it is recommended that you look into courses that you may be interested in applying to and checking the entry requirements. For some subjects and universities, part of their entry requirements depend on you achieving certain grades in specific subjects instead of just meeting the grade or UCAS points requirement overall. For example to study medicine, Chemistry and Biology are vital A-levels to have to be accepted into a medical school with Maths and/or Physics also required in a few cases. For most courses this is not the case but it is important to check and make sure that you are keeping your options open.

This can feel like a daunting decision however the guidance below should help you to make the right decision.

Careers Pilot: A-Level options

Cambridge University advice: How to choose your A-Levels

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide, Subject Library and UK University tile on Unifrog to help you to explore your options too.

Alternatives to Sixth Form – College route

Applied learning – qualifications offering broad study of a job family – available at some Sixth Forms and at Further Education Colleges and through Apprenticeships

If you’re interested in a particular job family or industry but not yet sure what job you’d like to do, these qualifications might suit you. They combine practical learning with developing knowledge and skills. You can go on to further education, an apprenticeship, training or employment, or you can go on to university.

BTEC qualifications – give you a broader knowledge of a particular sector or industry. They are available in a range of sizes which are equivalent to one, two, or three A levels. They can be taken in combination with other qualifications.

Technical qualifications or T levels job-related study – available on apprenticeship schemes and at further education colleges.

If you know what sort of job you want to do, or want a course that’s more practical, or includes some work experience, these may be the right qualifications for you. They include NVQ’s and T Levels.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are an exciting alternative option for students who do not feel like A-Levels or university is the right decision for them. Apprenticeships offer hands-on training and also the chance to put your skills into practice in a workplace environment. It is the perfect combination of training and working. You can start an apprenticeship in a range of different sectors- a lot has changed from just being about to do trade related apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships are available at multiple levels so students can access apprenticeships after Year 11 onwards. There are hundreds to choose from and some include a qualification, like a degree which allows students to not only receive a funded undergraduate qualification but also get paid for working and receive work experience.

Type of Apprenticeship Level Level Equivalent
Intermediate 2 5 GCSE passes (grade A* – C or 9 – 4)
Advanced 3 2 A-level passes/ Level 3 Diploma / International Baccalaureate
Higher 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 Foundation, Bachelors or Masters Degree
Degree 6/7 Bachelors or Masters Degree

There are many resources you can use to find out more information about apprenticeships.

Apprenticeship Government Website

Rate my Apprenticeships Guide on the Different Types of Apprenticeships

Information on Higher Apprenticeships

Information on Degree Apprenticeship

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide, and Apprenticeship tile on Unifrog to help you to explore the apprenticeships that are available and to gain extra information.

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES

  • Check entry requirements for different degrees to make sure your subject choices match your university aspirations: https://www.ucas.com/
  • Consider your options by looking at the website of school 6th forms and further education colleges.  Attend their open events.  For example you may like to research the below schools:
  • The Langton
  • Langton Girls School
  • The Canterbury Academy
  • Barton Court
  • Queen Elizabeth Faversham
University

During Terms 5 and 6 of Year 12 is when we start to give you information and presentations about the university application process, as well as careers advice, e.g. apprenticeships, for those students who may not apply to university.

Please have a look at the information below, which should enable you to start thinking about your post 18 plans.

Each year the vast majority of our students apply to university.  A number of presentations are made by both internal staff and external speakers on a variety of different topics, including:

  • Why go to university?
  • How to choose what a course and university to apply to?
  • Writing strong university applications and personal statements.
  • Student finance.

By the end of Term 6 in Year 12 students should have:

  • drawn up a shortlist of university courses and submitted it to their tutor.
  • registered with UCAS and started work on their application form.
  • drafted a Personal Statement and submitted it to their form tutor.

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide, and UK University title on Unifrog to help you to explore the range of different courses at University.

Specific queries about:-

Making the UCAS Application

Students should make use of the notes and links below to complete their application form.  Students need the school buzzword which will be given in Term 6.  If students are applying for courses that make offers based on UCAS points, then you must make sure you know how the UCAS tariff system works.  An A* is worth 56 points, A 48 points, B 40 points, C 32 points, D 24 points and E 16 points.

How Applications Work – Key Points

Admissions decisions are made by subject tutors at each individual university.

UCAS (Universities & Colleges Admissions Service) is the clearing house through which applications are processed. UCAS makes no decisions on admissions. You must apply through UCAS, you cannot apply directly to individual universities.

You may apply for up to five courses (four for Medicine, Vet. Medicine, Dentistry).

Applications are ‘blind’ – no university will know which other courses you have applied for.

All applications must be completed and submitted on-line. There is a small charge, to be paid online with a credit or debit card when you submit your application.

The form comprises: personal details; your chosen courses; your academic record to date; your “Personal Statement”; a reference from the school. Admissions tutors will judge you on the evidence of this package.

For further information and full details of how the process works, please consult the UCAS website: www.ucas.com

Personal Statements

University admissions tutors will be reading a vast amount of personal statements so it’s important to take time to write a statement that will stand out.

Remember, it can only be 4,000 characters, so you will need to be concise with your writing.

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide, the Personal Statement tile and the Subjects Library on Unifrog to help you write your personal statement, send it to your teachers for feedback and look at example personal statements from each course.

Virtual Tour Links for the five most popular universities for Langton students

  1. Bath- https://www.bath.ac.uk/topics/undergraduate-virtual-experience/
  2. Loughborough- https://www.lboro.ac.uk/virtualtour/
  3. Kent- https://www.youtube.com/user/UniversityofKent
  4. Sussex- https://www.sussex.ac.uk/study/visit-us/virtual-tour/
  5. Manchester- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUG563QTIHk

Every university will have their own information on their website about open days and course content. Make sure you visit them in order to make an informed decision about your future.

Student Finance, scholarships and bursaries

Student finance is eligible for all students who are completing their first undergraduate qualification. Scholarships and bursaries are available for eligible students and are offered on the basis of a student’s academic abilities, household income, or a combination of both.

How much a student receives depends on the university, but the money doesn’t have to be repaid (unless they decide to leave the course early).The funding may last for one year or the entire duration of their course.

It is important to study the student finance process carefully to make sure that the correct information is submitted at the right time to ensure that the loan will be paid in time. We would very much recommend checking to see if you would be eligible for any scholarships and bursaries by checking the information on each university’s website.

Below are some helpful guides to help with this process:

Which Complete Guide to Student Finance

UCAS- Student bursaries, scholarships and financial support

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide on Unifrog to help you to gain extra information about student finance and bursaries.

Alternatives to University

At The Langton we are dedicated to helping our students pursue whatever route is best for them after leaving our sixth form. There are a range of options for students who are not looking at attending University such as degree apprenticeships, apprenticeships, jobs, self-employment, gap years etc.

Please see our Apprenticeship section for more information on apprenticeships.

There are hundreds of degree apprenticeships now being offered in all career sectors including:

  • Accountancy – become a qualified Chartered Accountant
  • Law – become a Qualified Solicitor
  • Engineering
  • Healthcare
  • Marketing

However, there is no centralized site to find them!

Sixth form students have log-in details for Unifrog, services which they can use to search for apprenticeships and find tips about how to apply.

https://www.unifrog.org/

In addition to Pathway and Unifrog you can search for apprenticeships on these websites:

https://amazingapprenticeships.com

There is also a list of opportunities currently available

https://amazingapprenticeships.com/app/uploads/2022/11/Higher-Degree-Listing-NOV-2022.pdf

www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk

www.studentladder.co.uk

https://targetcareers.co.uk/search/jobs

https://www.goodschoolsguide.co.uk/careers/higher-education/degree-apprenticeship

https://www.ucas.com/apprenticeships-in-england

https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk

https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/

https://www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk/school-leaver-options/school-leaver-programmes-advice#!hello

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships

For legal apprenticeships visit:

https://www.chambersstudent.co.uk/where-to-start/newsletter/legal-apprenticeship-vacancies

For Paralegals and Legal Executives visit:

https://www.cilex.org.uk/study/apprenticeships/apprenticeships_in_law

For Investment management apprenticeships:

https://www.investment2020.org.uk/

General information:

Prospects: Alternatives to University

Jobs:

Get straight into the working world to start earning. You’ll need an up-to-date CV and cover letter. Entry requirements differ between employers so you may need some specific qualifications or experience for some jobs.

The following link from The Princes Trust gives a range of opportunities for students who are seeking jobs such as work experience schemes, six month paid placements to help students develop skills for the workplace and 12 week personal development programmes which can help give students a helping hand to enter into the world of work.

The Princes Trust- Help for young people getting a job

Other helpful links:

Completing an application form

Interview Advice

Remember that you can use the Know How Guide, and Careers Library on Unifrog to help you to explore the jobs that are available and to gain extra information.

Self-Employment:

There are many perks that being self-employed can bring along with the opportunity to explore your entrepreneurial ideas however, being self-employed does create some extra challenges such as not being paid for holiday or sick leave that need to be taken into consideration when looking into this option.

The link below from Prospects provides a comprehensive guide to some of the things you need to think about before setting up your own business and being your own boss.

Prospects: How to start a business 

Gap Years:

 A gap year can be an excellent opportunity to develop your skill set before deciding on the next step in your future careers or educational step. It is important to plan valuable activities in your gap year instead of just seeing it as a year off. Within a gap year you are able to benefit from the opportunity to travel and experience the world, improve your CV by completing some paid work or work experience, learning new content such as language or an online course, earning some money, volunteering and developing skills that you are not able to learn so easily in school.

UCAS advice for Gap Years

Careers Links that will be helpful

Target Careers – advice for students and parents

Advice for school leavers

Kent Choices

KentChoices | Home

National Careers Service

Careers advice – job profiles, information and resources | National Careers Service

icould

icould – Career ideas and information for your future

Careers Box

Home – CareersBox

Future Finder – Job Matching

Future Finder

Career Pilot

Careerpilot : Plan your future work & study

Careers in Work

We host careers speakers on a regular basis for the 6th form and year 11 students who will talk for approximately 20 minutes about their career journey and then we will open the floor to questions.  You will get an insight into:

  • Their job and company they work for
  • The entry requirements for that career
  • Subjects that are relevant for that career

We host the talks through the different clubs and societies run by teachers and students but open the access to all students. Recent speakers include: Burgess and Hodgson, Jenner, The Army, to be continued .

 

Work Experience

Virtual Work Experience

 If you do sign up for any of these opportunities, please use your school email address and let Mrs Kendrick White know on skendrick-white@thelangton.kent.sch.uk

 SpringPod – excellent source of virtual work experience programmes

Take control of your future | Meet SpringpodSpringpod is a careers platform where students can experience the world of work and university before they apply. Rated 4.9/5 on TrustPilot.

Speakers for Schools – excellent free source for virtual work experience and careers speakers.

VWEX – Speakers for SchoolsOur VWEX programme enables employers to solve key problems while delivering meaningful work experience to more young people wherever they reside.

Young Professionals network – offers excellent career insights and opportunities – https://young-professionals.uk/

NHS Healthcare Careers Virtual Work Experience

BSMS Virtual Work Experience