Ensuring Bablake students stay ahead of the rest and stand out professionally from the crowd.

As well as being available online and easily accessible by email for current and former students, the Careers Department is involved in the PSHE programme for every year group in the school. We are keen to ensure all Bablake students are aware of the guidance we offer.

The following text briefly explains our involvement:

SHELLS (1 formal lesson)
In the latter part of the Summer Term, each Shell form is invited to spend a lesson in the Careers Department. The purpose of this visit is to introduce ourselves to the students and explain how the Department operates for future consultation.

2ND YEAR (3 formal lessons)
We ask our 2nd year what they want to be in the future and why! We then talk about their path through school and by creation of a family Job Tree, notice patterns and job trends/ developments. We finish by sweeping aside stereotypes in the working world. Help with the 3rd Year mini-options system affecting Modern Langages and Classics is available.

3RD YEAR (3 formal lessons)
Our advice is focused upon GCSE Options. Students are encouraged to study subjects they enjoy and are good at. The choices available ensure options are left as broad as possible. Mrs Scott delivers an Options Guidance presentation to the full year group in January.

4TH YEAR (3 formal lessons)
We check how much research students have completed over the year before giving guidance on time management through an In Tray test. ASDA very kindly 'mark' an application form that our students complete in school. This exercise marks the start of a 4 year programme to produce students with impeccable professional practice skills.

5TH YEAR (4 formal lessons)
At the start of the year, Mr Woodward delivers a presentation on the options beyond GCSE. Students all receive a Careers Interview (either with Connexions or MGAW/ CLS) and prepare for this by completing an Action Plan. We run a CV Challenge early in the year and also offer 'Careers Brief' (Cost £22), a COA programme that offers guidance on choice of AS levels. Individuals know they can email, text or visit us in person for further help.

6TH FORM
There are numerous activities to guide students through the options beyond Bablake. Work Experience is offered to the full L6th in the final week of the Summer Term while the culmination of our guidance comes with a Mock Interview Morning for the U6th early in the Autumn term.

L6th Provisional Plan 2009-10:
Autumn Term: New L6th to meet Careers Department (early September); submit Work Experience request (deadline t.b.c.) and USP (deadline t.b.c.) after worksheets to help in Form Period time.
Spring Term: All L6th to complete questionnaire on UK Coursefinder/ UCAS' Stamford Test or COA's Centigrade and give written info to MGAW and their Form Tutor (deadline t.b.c.); CV to be submitted after Half Term; [Careers Convention: Jan 28th 2010;] Press Release by end of term. All L6th students receive an offer of a guidance interview following an assembly summarising the route post AS. They will also be working towards making the 11 steps that will help them stay ahead of the rest.
Summer Term: Mock Interview Morning introduced; after exams, help with UCAS, Personal Statements, Careers websites etc; talk by Tom Griffiths (Gap Year Company).

Further information will be added.