Sixth Form CEIAG
At Highfields, we pride ourselves on the fact that all of our students receive the very best advice and guidance relating to their future careers and aspirations. The excellent work that is started in Key Stage Three and Four continues when students join the Sixth Form, with a comprehensive programme of support in place to ensure that students are well prepared to make important decisions about their future.
There are many possible pathways that students may wish to follow upon completion of their A-Levels and Applied qualifications. We recognise the importance of helping students to make fully informed choices about these next steps, and therefore we provide a broad range of opportunities for students to learn more about the options that are available to them.
Preparation for Higher Education
The most common destination of Highfields Sixth Form students is university. We are incredibly proud that over 70% of Highfields students progress on to their first choice university, with around a quarter enrolling at Russell Group institutions. Therefore, preparation for higher education forms a significant part of our sixth form programme:
Throughout the year we invite guest speakers from several universities into school to speak to students
We also invite guest speakers into school from other relevant organisations, for example Student Finance England
All Year 12 students visit the UCAS Exhibition in Birmingham, an event with representatives from over 100 universities, apprenticeship providers and gap year specialists on hand to share information with students.
This is followed up in school with sessions to provide further support with the UCAS process, including personal statement writing and completing the UCAS application form
Several departments organise visits to universities that allow students to experience what life and study at university is like
Past Highfields alumni who have gone on to be successful at university are invited into school to speak to students about their experiences in Higher Education
Information about university open days is provided throughout the Sixth Form tutorial programme
Useful Links
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly popular progression route for Sixth Form students and this is also the case for Highfields students. We are continually expanding our local employer links to ensure students have the very best apprenticeship opportunities available to them. Advice and guidance for apprenticeship applications is provided in the following ways:
We work closely with several local organisations that provide apprenticeship opportunities to students.
Local apprenticeship providers are invited into school to speak to students about the opportunities that are available to them.
Visits are organised to apprenticeship providers so that students can see what an apprenticeship experience is like.
The UCAS Exhibition is attended by many apprenticeship providers who are available to give information to students.
Past Highfields alumni who have progressed on to an apprenticeship are invited into school to speak to students about their experiences.
Government Apprenticeship Website
Work related learning
A crucial aspect of preparing students for their future careers is to ensure they have opportunities to experience different roles within the workplace. This helps to inform important decisions that students will make, and also allows them to develop key skills that will be beneficial in the workplace. In an increasingly competitive job market, it is more important than ever that students are able to stand out from other applicants. With this in mind, we ensure that students have access to high quality work experience in the following ways:
Highfields has established close links with many local employers which allows us to provide a wide range of work experience opportunities.
All Sixth Form students will have completed at least one piece of work experience before enrolling in Sixth Form as part of the Key Stage Four CEIAG process.
All Sixth Form students will complete at least one purposeful and relevant piece of work experience during their time in Sixth Form.
We have dedicated members of staff who help Sixth Form students to find purposeful work experience opportunities that are relevant to their future aspirations.
Many of our Applied Courses facilitate work experience opportunities that directly relate to the curriculum.
All Sixth Form students will complete at least one online learning module which will be directly related to either their future career aspirations or their wider interests. Online Learning Modules
Extra-curricular activities
All Sixth Form students are required to participate in various different forms of enrichment whilst they are with us at Highfields. Many of these extra-curricular activities directly relate to careers advice and guidance, and we believe that these types of opportunities play a crucial role in helping our students to be so successful. Some examples include:
Engineering Education Scheme
The Engineering Education Scheme provides an opportunity for students interested in a career related to engineering to get first-hand experience of what it is like to work in this field. Teams of students work together on an engineering based project as well as attending university-style lectures. They are supported with their projects by an industry expert in a relevant field.
First aid
Each year, Sixth Form students are given the opportunity to complete an accredited First Aid qualification in school. Not only is this an incredibly useful life skill for them to have, but it also enhances their employability and demonstrates that they are responsible and resilient individuals - qualities that are highly valued by universities and employers alike.