Careers information, advice and guidance

Students at BGN experience a broad and varied careers curriculum from Years 7 to 13. The programme is rooted in our Catholic vocation to be the people God means us to be in school, parish and the wider community. Students are encouraged first and foremost to explore their own strengths, interests and personality.

Throughout Key Stage 3, students experience a variety of assemblies from their Head of Year and outside speakers focussing on their own growth throughout life-their background and identifying their strengths and weaknesses. This is developed through tutor time sessions and recorded in tutor books. In addition to this, the summer term of PSHE in Years 7 and 8 focusses on The Wider World, including preparations for the world of work. Year 9 have the opportunity to begin exploring possibilities open to them through the programme assisting them to choose their GCSE options.

Key Stage 4 sees students engage in more depth with preparing for the world of word, writing CVs and letters of application, taking part in mock interviews, and arranging an undertaking work experience. Throughout year 10 and 11, all students are given the opportunity to have a personal one-to-one careers guidance appointment with an impartial careers adviser.

The 6th Form is encouraged to prepare for university entrance and attend Open Days to gain a valuable insight into expectations and life away from home.  A detailed programme of support through the Adviza service ensures that, whatever the aspirations of the students, appropriate advice is given.

We are supported by many organisations who ensure that students have up-to-date advice.  BGN works in partnership with The Careers and Enterprise Company, who provide us with up-to-date employer needs and labour market information and support us in the constant evaluation of our careers programme. We regularly evaluate our careers programme against the Gatsby Benchmarks and are currently achieving above average in all Benchmarks.  BGN also employs an impartial careers advice service. Adviza is a service for 13-19 year-olds aiming to support individuals to achieve in school and access specialist services. All students have the opportunity to have a one on one interview with our adviser who then produces an individual action plan for the student. This is an excellent service which helps to co-ordinate support for our students.

We have a range of facilities to support students in school.  These include:

• Careers Library in the LRC
• Computer Programmes including eclips
• UCAS support (organised by Mrs M Ellul)
• Careers Programme (organised by Mrs L Harris)
• Work Experience and Placements.  The work experience form can be downloaded and is available below.
• BGN students have support from our "ADVIZA" Careers Advisor who can be contacted via the school.

For further information, please contact Mrs L Harris or Mrs Margaret Ellul (6th form) on 01295 264216