Our Careers and Progression Team assists students in planning for their future. It is a well-resourced department where students can access a wide range of online information and guidance materials through Godalming Online, Microsoft Teams and our online progression platform, Unifrog. Our professionally qualified careers staff offer advice on preparing a CV, applying to university both at home and abroad, apprenticeships, specialist art/music/drama courses, gap year opportunities, employment and training.
As a Godalming College Student you will have access to:
•Personalised 1:1 careers guidance interviews
•Aspire, Study Skills & Employability and Employer Engagement Programmes
•Progression information through the ‘Shaping Futures’ tutorial programme
•Tailored advice for University, Study Abroad, Apprenticeship & Employment Applications
•Specialist interview preparation including audition practice
•Additional academic programmes including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
•Visits from Employers, University & Apprenticeship Providers
•Entry to national competitions, Olympiads and challenges
•Access to a growing Alumni Network
STEAM
STEAM has become a well-known acronym for academic study in Science, Technology,
Engineering, Arts and Maths. We use accurate and up-to-date Labour Market Information (LMI) to identify employment trends, growth areas and skills gaps. At Godalming College; we have invested in specialist teaching and resources to support students who wish to succeed in these areas by introducing additional challenges, visiting speakers, regular trips and increasing links with universities and industry.
Shaping Futures Programme – in tutorial, student will be introduced to Unifrog which is an online careers and progression platform to help students think about what their initial ideas are after College. It might be to go to university, pursue a degree apprenticeship, take a gap year or go straight into the world of work!
Organising Work Experience – during Year 12, it is compulsory to complete at least one week’s worth of work experience alongside any part time work that a student may have. We expect students to be able to independently find companies or organisations linked to the field they are interested in. Students will be supported through using the Unifrog ‘Placements’ tool, our Employer Engagement Coordinator and the rest of the Careers team and through your Personal Tutor. We also offer virtual work experience opportunities through Springpod and 8billionideas.
Aspire Programme – our Aspire Programme launches in January of the L6 year and is tailored according to subject areas for competitive destinations including applying for Oxford and Cambridge as well as for Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry courses. As part of this course, Aspire tutors support students with the application process including university trips, hosting visiting speakers, preparation for admissions tests, practice interviews, etc
Getting Informed Stage
+Explore Enrichment Courses – students have the option to select careers and employability-based enrichment short courses to help them with their progression plans. These include Law Next?, Introduction to World Architecture and Teaching English as a Foreign Language to name but a few!
UK Universities & Apprenticeships Fair – each year, we encourage L6 students to attend the UK Universities & Apprenticeships Fair in early March held at Surrey University Sports Park so they are informed about their next steps.
Parents’ Progression Evenings – delivered by the Assistant Principal and Director of Transition & Progression, these evenings inform parents of how they can help their young people with key progression decisions including work experience, our ‘Future Fridays’ programme and researching university and apprenticeship opportunities
Future Fridays Programme – the ‘Future Fridays’ programme begins after Easter for our L6 students and runs for four weeks. It provides them with a range of progression interactions to enable them to make informed decisions. These including attending live university and apprenticeship talks, our Progression and Careers Fairs, and our Subject & Skills Pathway Sessions
Getting Organised Stage
Reflections on Academic Performance – after the end of L6 exams, students will have the opportunity to have 1:1 discussions with their Subject and Personal Tutors to guide them on their progression plans.
Drafting Personal Statements and CVs – students will be assisted by their Personal Tutors to prepare their Personal Statements if thinking about applying for university as well as making sure they have an up-to-date CV. Students are also supported by the Careers department here.
Progression & Community Week – L6 students experience a dedicated programme of events in mid-May to assist with organising work experience and their involvement in different voluntary and community activities. They also have the opportunity to attend different skills sessions including personal finance.
Progression Days – at the end of their L6 year, students have dedicated Progression Days where they complete their work experience, record employability skills on Unifrog and prepare applications
Attending University Open Days – we encourage students to visit university open days so they have a good understanding of where they are applying to, course details, facilities and the services the university offers. This is also the same for Art Foundation colleges, Drama Schools and Music Conservatoires.
Application Stage
Tutorial Support – Personal Tutors will support their U6 students with making UCAS and Degree Apprenticeship Applications
Degree Apprenticeships Fair – Godalming will host its first ever Degree Apprenticeships Fair in November. This is a biannual event shared with Esher College where, between our colleges, we offer students a wide range of employers who specialise in degree apprenticeships.
Progression Stage
Skills Development – through the tutorial programme and the Study Skills & Employability U6 enrichment programme, students acquire necessary personal finance, independent living, study and employability skills
Informed Decisions – students are given support from their Personal Tutors and the Careers Team to respond to UCAS offers as well as helping them to prepare for the next stage
Post-Results Service – the Careers Department and Upper Management Team are on hand on Results Day to help students with their progression plans in light of their achieved grades
Tracking Destinations & Developing Alumni Connections – after you’ve left Godalming, we’ll make sure to contact you about your next stage, whatever that is. We’d also like to stay in touch with you as alumni to create opportunities for current students.
If Godalming College was your last place of full-time study, you may apply to UCAS using us, up to three years after the date that you left College. Use the link below to to find details of the service, deadline dates and other useful information.
“Students benefit from useful and informative careers advice that helps them decide their next steps after college.”
Ofsted December 2019
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