Careers & Further Study

Careers in the Sixth Form covers two main areas: future careers and future study. As part of our programme there are dedicated lessons, work shadowing and our membership of the Independent Schools Careers Organisation (ISCO) allow our students to continue to benefit from excellent careers advice beyond the Sixth Form.

All our pupils take part in ISCO’s ‘Futurewise’ scheme from Year 11. As a result, our Sixth Formers can attend ISCO courses and seek expert careers advice.  They will not only benefit from this while at St Martha’s either; as their membership will continue until the age of 23.

The School also offers careers education and guidance through life skills lessons where CVs can be brought up to date and future career options are considered.  Students will have the opportunity to hear a range of speakers from different careers and backgrounds to help raise their awareness of the options available post-Sixth Form. Students also take part in activities to help develop their interview and employability skills and have the opportunity to support lower school activities as well.

Another way that we build on our student’s knowledge of different careers is through work shadowing. This provides students with an insight into a chosen career or profession during one or two weeks in the summer holidays. Students reflect on the work experience placements they had in Year 10, as well as their subject choices at A Level to help choose an appropriate workplace. By shadowing one person over a period of time, they build up an even better idea of the day to day work someone might do and whether a particular job might be for them.

The school has a Careers Library in the Learning resource Centre stocked with prospectuses, books on university life and funding, advice on different careers and detailed information on different courses.  Every Thursday there is a chance for students to seek more individual advice on careers at the Careers Drop-In Surgery with Ms Thoburn.

At the end of Year 12 and the start of Year 13, there is a particular focus on personal statements for UCAS applications. An admissions tutor comes into school to talk to the pupils about applying for university and students also get some interview practice. In addition to this, they will receive information on Gap Years, student finance and university life. To support this learning, students attend a higher education conference each year, a university taster day and they are encouraged to attend three university open days to ensure they make informed decision.

By the end of their time at St Martha’s Sixth Form, our students are well-prepared for the world of work and university. Our careers programme is varied and enjoyable while at the same time it provides excellent guidance for all our students. Furthermore, their participation in the ISCO Futurewise programme enables them to continue to benefit for years to come.