Robert mays school 15
Careers
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Careers

We understand that making decisions about future careers including education, training and work is a complex and challenging area. It is increasingly important that students, teachers and parents/carers are provided with high quality careers advice and guidance concerning future study options and labour market opportunities.

Check out our Careers & Post 16 Pathways website for all sorts of useful information from college open days to work experience, apprenticeships and other courses.

 

Careers & Post 16 Pathways Website

Important dates regarding College Applications

Careers Learning Journey


Careers Corner Newsletters:

Careers Newsletter No 8 Summer 2024Careers Newsletter No 7 Summer 2023Careers Newsletter Issue No 6 April 2023

Careers Newsletter Issue No 5 Feb/March 2023

Careers Newsletter Issue No 4 Jan 23Careers Newsletter Issue No 3 Dec 22Careers Newsletter Issue No 2 Nov 22Careers Newsletter Issue No 1 Nov 22


At RMS, we aim to deliver a broad careers programme which encompasses all year groups so that students have the knowledge, understanding and skills that best allow them to make the transition from school to work.

Activities in this programme include

  • A Careers Fair held at RMS in September which is open to all year 9, 10 and 11 students
  • A week of work experience for all year 10 students
  • Careers enrichment days
  • Interactions and activities from enterprises and businesses
  • Assemblies and presentations from external enterprises and colleges
  • Trips out of school
  • A one to one session with a qualified Careers Adviser during the final year

In addition to this, there are numerous local Open Days and talks from further and higher education providers which we encourage students to visit. We also have a Careers section in our library with a huge amount of information about careers choices.

Careers Advice and Guidance at RMS


Year 9 GCSE Option Choices

Students will be able to choose a selection of subjects that they want to study during year 10 and 11. They will still study core subjects like maths, English and science, which will help them to keep their future options open. Although it can be helpful to study subjects that might link to future careers ideas, it is really not a problem if students don’t know yet what they want to do or if they change their mind later on.

It is always best to choose subjects they enjoy and want to study. They are more likely to be engaged with these subjects and the results will be better.

However, there are a few general points worth considering when making the choices:

  • Creative subjects (e.g. drama, music or art) develop a wide range of skills that can be transferred to other areas (e.g. analysing or reflecting), so they can be an excellent option even if a student isn’t necessarily planning a creative career. They can be great “balancing” subjects to more traditional academic courses and if they have been studied at GCSE level it is much easier to continue with a related subject at college. Sometimes experiences outside school or a portfolio are considered instead of a related GCSE for entry to a related college course.
  • Languages are increasingly important and a very good subject to consider, provided students have an interest in the language and the ability to do well. Some employers and universities like to see a GCSE in a language and it is often required to study it at a higher level in college. However, there are many ways to pick a language up again later on in life (e.g. college, evening classes, university, online courses etc.) if there is no interest now. No language is better than a bad grade and a student that has been put off studying languages for the rest of their life.
  • Sciences are very important and reasonable pass grades at GCSE are expected for many future options, even if they are not obviously science based. Both double and triple science will keep choices open (including for medicine and similar options), so consider which is more likely to lead to good grades.
  • Research the options in detail! Take time to make the right choices and select subjects that suit the individual student, not a general idea of what “will look good on a future application”. A very wide range of careers, employers and universities do not require specific subjects, particularly at GCSE, and general good results and a happy student are always the best outcome.

Robert May’s Provider Access Policy


Careers Advice

Young people need to stay in some form of education or training until they are 18. However, this does not mean just staying in school or college. The main options available at 16 are: