Careers Programme

At Godalming College we recognise the importance of goals and progression for our students. Our Careers Programme is designed to maximise the opportunities for students to explore options whether they are initially clear on their career goal or not! Guidance is one of our core Strategic Aims: To provide high quality support and guidance, focusing on individual needs, interests and abilities, enabling students to confidently progress onto their next step beyond College.

Our team of highly experienced Careers professionals support and guide the teaching teams in high quality provision of careers information using tools such as Unifrog to help students explore all progression options and make the best choices. Specifically, we aim to help students understand themselves, to develop the knowledge and skills to investigate opportunities in learning and in work and to manage transitions in learning, progressing into appropriate pathways of further and higher learning and work. We support applications for a whole variety of applications for further education, higher education, specialist courses, apprenticeships (including degree apprenticeships) and employment.
We offer support to students who wish to apply for competitive specialist courses and degree courses which have additional requirements to the standard application process; this includes applications for Oxford and Cambridge, Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Music, Art and Drama. Extra requirements can take the form of entrance exams, aptitude tests, portfolios, interviews and selection days. This support takes the form of additional timetabled sessions, of one to one support and guidance in subject areas and one to one support for applications through the personal tutorial Shaping Futures programme.

All students have the opportunity for impartial advice and guidance from qualified Careers Guidance Professionals as well as ongoing support from subject teachers, personal tutors and senior tutors. All students also have the opportunity to access support for work experience.

In addition to the programmes below, students have access to a variety of presentations and meaningful encounters with employers, universities and gap year organisations both in College and by attending external careers events.

Our Careers Lead is Carol Horlock, Assistant Principal, who is responsible for strategic direction supported by Christine Hudson, Head of Careers as the lead for CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance). They can be contacted at careers@godalming.ac.uk

Pre-enrolment	Year 10 and 11 Open Evenings, Federation Careers Day, School Liaison events, Course Advice Sessions, Going to Godalming (Taster) Days
	Access one year course	Year 1	Year 2	External events
Term 1	Enrolment interview Individual tutorials Study and work skills: Time management, Online reputation, building resilience, selling yourself	Enrolment interview Individual tutorials Getting started Getting involved Reflecting on transition Reflecting on performance Independent learning techniques	Individual tutorials to discuss applications / destinations Third Student Review Applications, CVs, personal statements Employability skills Equality, Diversity and Inclusion	University applicant days
Term 2	Individual tutorials Study and work skills: Interview success Careers Options: Careers planning, job search, Unifrog, CVs, course research, re-application to 6^th form, careers interviews, HE possibilities, Apprenticeship show	Individual tutorials First Student Review Introduction to Careers UCAS Convention Job & Apprenticeship Fair National Careers Week Next Steps Evening for parents	Individual tutorials Interview practice, Student Finance Gap years Fourth Student Review Social media job hunting Personal Finance Independent Skills for Living Jobs & Apprenticeship Fair	UCAS Convention National Apprenticeship show
Term 3	Individual tutorials	Individual tutorials to discuss applications / destinations Second Student Review Learner Voice Personal Statements and CVs Future Fridays programme of Careers talks and workshops	Individual tutorials Learner Voice Results and Beyond	University Open days
Post results:	Post results service: results and careers support, destinations follow-up			University Open days

Debating Success at Oxford Union National Finals

The Godalming College pair of Ellie Whitlock and Elliot Thornton achieved an impressive 56th position out of 96 schools that competed in the National Finals of the world famous Oxford Union Schools Debating Competition. Undoubtedly one of the most competitive schools debating competitions in the world Ellie and Elliot had already overcome intense regional competition from the likes of RGS and GHS just to get to the finals themselves! On the big day they crossed swords with the fiercest debaters in the country and undoubtedly proved that they can mix it with the very best.

There were four debates in total which challenged the teams across a variety of topics. The format is known as 'British Parliamentary Style Short Prep' and entails motions being released just 15 minutes beforehand in which time the debaters have to prepare their 5 minute speeches and anticipate Points of Information from their opposition. The motions were :

* This House believes that the State should use subliminal messaging in order to make its citizens tolerant of race and sexualities
* This House would lower the Burden of Proof for crimes with low conviction rates
* This House believes that Ukraine should seek closer political and economic ties with Russia rather than the EU; and
* This House would ban private healthcare in developing countries

Ellie & Elliot recorded a 4th, 2nd, 3rd and 1st place in their debates which put them right in the mix overall and certainly registered Godalming as one of the top performers in the state sector in a competition traditionally dominated by top independent schools. Indeed there were some very good schools below them in the final table (including St. Catherine's and Charterhouse). Ellie & Elliot acquitted themselves with great determination, intelligence, wit and grace throughout the day and can be immensely proud of their achievement. Having blazed a trail there is no reason why other Godalming debaters cannot emulate their achievements in the future.

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Careers Programme

Debating Success at Oxford Union National Finals

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