Careers at Bideford College
The Governors, Principal and staff at Bideford College are committed to providing impartial, independent careers education, information advice and guidance to all students to help develop the skills and information to make informed post 16 and career choices.
Students have the opportunity to acquire these skills, not only in their lessons, but also during weekly Information Advice and Guidance lessons, tutor time, guest speakers, careers clinics 1:1s and trips that take place throughout the academic year to extend their understanding, cultural capital and experience. Students receive a programme of advice that is stable, structured and delivered to develop their self-awareness of Post 16 & post 18 education and pathways on offer to pursue their chosen career.
The Careers Leader is Jon Hardy and can be contacted on 01237 477611 or by emailing jhardy@bidefordcollege.org and the Careers Co-ordinator is Priscilla Woodhall, who can be contacted on 01237 477611 or by emailing pwoodhall@bidefordcollege.org
Bideford College are excited to commit to working towards the Quality in Careers Standard with our partner CSW Investor in Careers
Employers and other providers
Every Monday we aim to have an employer guest speaker available to all students from 3 – 4 in our library. We also host a careers fair with over 50 employers every year, which is a great chance for our students to find out more, and a good opportunity for employers to find their next member of staff or apprentice. If you would like to be one of these employers please contact Priscilla Woodhall to be a part of this programme.
Careers Provision
Bideford College aims to “bridge the gap to a better future” and believes every student has the right to receive comprehensive careers education to assist them to make informed choices about their future employability. The careers programme at Bideford College helps the College meet its NEET targets and helps:
- Contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation
- Support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity
- Encourage participation in continued learning, including higher education
- Develop enterprise and employability skills
- Reduce drop out from, and course switching in education and training
- Contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities
Provider Access
Bideford College aims to “bridge the gap to a better future” and believes every student has the right to receive comprehensive careers education to assist them to make informed choices about their future employability. The careers programme at Bideford College helps the College meet its NEET targets and helps:
- Contribute to strategies for raising achievement, especially by increasing motivation
- Support inclusion, challenge stereotyping and promote equality of opportunity
- Encourage participation in continued learning, including higher education
- Develop enterprise and employability skills
- Reduce drop out from, and course switching in education and training
- Contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities
Are you an FE, Apprenticeship or HE provider?
Any provider who thinks they have a progression opportunity for our students should contact our careers leaders, Priscilla Woodhall (Key Stages 3 & 4), on telephone number 01237 477611 or via email on: pwoodhall@bidefordcollege.org and Kimberley Gilbey (Key Stage 5) at kgilbey@bidefordcollege.org.
What opportunities are provided to allow access to pupils?
Via our school careers programme, we offer providers numerous opportunities throughout the school year to speak to pupils and/or their parents. Our annual schedule of events has recently been affected by COVID, but usually includes::
| Year/Term | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
| Year 8 | Skills for employability | Apprenticeship Week
National Careers Week Careers linked to my favourite lessons Careers Pilot Careers Fair |
Skills for life and work
Individual skills |
| Year 9 | Skills within the workplace
Good communication skills Gender stereotyping Planning for Options Successful behaviours |
Apprenticeship Week
National Careers Week Careers linked to my favourite lessons Careers Fair Careers Pilot Options Evening |
Britain’s working democracy |
| Year 10 | Developing teamwork skills
Planning ahead for Post 16 options Employment and employee rights Work Experience Assembly and research |
Apprenticeship Week
National Careers Week Careers linked to my favourite lessons Careers Fair Work Experience applications Introduction to Sixth Form |
Post 16 options after Bideford College
Interview techniques and CV writing Work Experience week Verbal communication Finance and Budgeting |
| Year 11 | Post 16 Options
Applying for the next steps Presentation assemblies fromSixth Form and local colleges Developing teamwork skills Developing study skills |
Apprenticeship Week
National Careers Week Careers linked to my favourite lessons Careers Fair Individual careers guidance meetings. |
Study skills and revision |
| Year 12 | Introduction to apprenticeships
“What inspires me?” Email etiquette First impressions Introduction to University Why are CVs important? What are MOOCs? Finances explained Army Careers Presentation |
Labour market information
Career Action Plans Career interviews Oxbridge explained Managing change and transition Planning and deciding – career enhancing decisions Online Opportunities |
Preparing for summer examinations
Revision techniques Virtual work experience Recognising strengths and weaknesses Identify progress for decision making |
| Year 13 | UCAS applications & personal statements
Careers Interviews “What inspires me?” Email etiquette First impressions Winchester University catch up Finances explained Army & RAF careers presentation Career action plan Audit of employment and apprenticeships Apprenticeships workshop CV workshop |
Labour Market Information
Career Action Plans Career Interviews Online Opportunities |
Preparing for summer examinations
Revision techniques Virtual work experience Recognising strengths and weaknesses Identify progress for decision making |
Who should providers contact to discuss events and options?
Providers can speak to our career’s leaders Priscilla Woodhall and Kimberley Gilbey, to discuss possible attendance at relevant events, or to be part of our Monday afternoon careers surgeries
Our Child Protection and Safeguarding and Visitors Policies set out the college’s approach to allowing providers into college to speak to our pupils.
What can providers expect once a request has been accepted?
Once we have approved a provider, we will work with them to identify the best method for providing access to our pupils.
We can make the school hall, classrooms and private meeting rooms available to host discussions between providers and pupils. We can also make presentation equipment, such as projectors and televisions, available to providers.
Arrangements will be discussed in advance between our Careers Leader and a member of the provider’s team.
Can providers leave prospectuses for pupils to read?
Yes! Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus and other relevant course literature with the college reception.
Work Related Learning
Year 10 and year 12 students will undertake work placements during enrichment week, dates this year are from Monday 21st March to Friday 25th March 2022.
Parent Information and Useful Links
All parents should have open access to up to date impartial relevant careers information, advice and guidance delivered through the careers education information and guidance programme within college in line with the equal opportunities policy.
Bideford College is committed to helping parents and carers support their children to make informed career decisions by providing detailed information about careers provision at the college and links to alternative and helpful websites.
In addition, we are happy to meet parents to talk about their child’s career or work experience plans.
Useful Links for Careers Research for Students and Parents:
Useful information for all students. Specialised resources to help young people make careers related decisions at 14, 16 and 18 years old. Dedicated parent zone to source information to support your child.
YOUR JOURNEY – YOUR CHOICES – ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES – Providing information about higher education.
HEART OF THE SOUTH WEST CAREERS HUB STUDENT PADLET
Local up to date information on all things careers.
A comprehensive careers website with job profiles, outlining the skills required, main tasks, pay levels and career prospects for hundreds of different jobs. In addition, valuable guidance on the different stages involved in getting a job.
UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service)
A website for students thinking of applying to higher education along with valuable information about different options, including apprenticeships.
Useful Websites about Apprenticeships.
Careermap is a brilliant resource for finding Apprenticeships in the United Kingdom featuring thousands of Apprenticeship vacancies across all different industry sectors.
Up to date information from the Government on how to search for and apply for apprenticeships.
A website for anyone wanting to know more about apprenticeships. The website has a search facility for job specific apprenticeships in a particular area.
The Government Portal for finding an Apprenticeship.
Post-16 Options Research
How2Become have kindly donated a selection of Careers books, available in the library careers section for students to access.. If you want to find out more about How2Become and the services and resources they offer, please visit their website.