Careers Education and Guidance
Purpose of Study
Schools have a critical role to play in preparing students for the next stage of their education, employment or training. At St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School students (and parents) are given careful careers education, information and guidance.
For students who have special educational needs or disabilities, we prepare them for independence, or supported independence and equip them for further study.
Students will be involved in a wide range of practical activities throughout the year which will inspire and inform them about subject choices and the wide range of options available to them post-16 and beyond. This will include visits to and from apprenticeships, technical routes, sixth form colleges, further education colleges, universities and employment.
Evaluation of Impact
At St Columba’s we measure and assess the impact of our careers programme on our students with regular surveys and feedback MS Forms. This year we are introducing future skills questionnaires (FSQ).
Review of Information
The information published on the careers webpage is regularly updated and the next full review is on 1 September 2025.
Aims
Our aim is to help students build confidence, develop high aspirations and consider a broad range of careers which will allow them to reach their full potential.
Careers Education and Guidance Programme 2024-25 Click here to find details
Provider Access Legislation Policy
Click Here to find our updated (September 2024) Provider Access Legislation Policy
Careers Team and roles within the team
- Tamara Renshaw – Careers Link Governor (TRW_Governor@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk)
- Mr Barry – Deputy Headteacher and Careers Leader (MBY@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk)
- Mrs Brackstone – Careers Librarian (LBE@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk)
- Mrs Todd – Careers Admin Support (MTD@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk)
- Mrs Zammit – Careers Advisor (careers@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk)
- Sam Coulstock – Enterprise Advisor (sam.coulstock@inspiredgroup.org.uk)
- Fatma Emin - Enterprise Co-ordinator (fatma.emin@redbridge.gov.uk)
St Columba's Careers Community
Careers activities in St Columba's Weekly News
Click Here to explore our world class careers activities in our weekly news
e.g. Year 10 Engineering AECOM visit (page 4) 07.07.23 or SAS visit to Bexleyheath Fire Station (page 5) 14.07.23 or Year 9 Dragons’ Den (page 5) 21.07.23
St Columba's Careers YouTube Channel Click here to visit St Columba’s Careers YouTube channel
Careers Guidance Interviews
Every student at St Columba’s will receive at least one impartial, independent and confidential careers personal guidance interview with our qualified careers advisor from Prospects.
Students in Year 9, 10 and 11 receive guidance on post 16 options to help with their applications for Sixth Forms, Sixth Form Colleges, FE Colleges, Training Providers and Employers as appropriate. Post 18 options; Higher Education, Apprenticeships and Employment are taken into consideration at this time.
Careers Information Advice and Guidance ‘Drop-in’
If any student in Year 7 to Year 11 wants some careers information, advice or guidance please e-mail Mrs Zammit at careers@st-columbas.bexley.sch.uk
Destination Data
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2016.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2017.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2018.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2019.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2020.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2021.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2022.
Click here to find details of destination data for students who left St Columba’s Catholic Boys School in 2023.
Alumni Career Profiles
“Once a St Columba’s Boy …always a St Columba’s Boy”
We are building a network of ex-students who can help each other. Please join our Alumi by adding St Columba’s Catholic Boys’ School to your LinkedIn profile in the education section and explore further by clicking the link below.
Labour Market Information
Click here to find details of Labour Market Information, which will help to inform your research and help you make informed curriculum decisions and aspirational, but realistic future career decisions.
Useful Websites
Listed below is a selection of websites that students, parents, teachers and employers may find helpful:
www.sacu-student.com/?page_id=2760
Careers Cloud Quiz. A great tool to explore possible careers and future opportunities.
https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/post-16-education/decisions-post-16
Bexley has created a Decisions Post-16 Directory. The directory provides information on the options and choices available post-16, how to find out more about the courses available
https://www.ctk.ac.uk/
Christ The King (CTK) Sixth Forms
https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200289/post_16_education_and_training
https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/
Local post-16 open events and sources of further information that may be useful.
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Provides information on the skills required for different jobs, what the jobs entail, the typical hours worked, salary expectations and career progression. The job profile section is useful for researching facts about careers and has links to job related websites. The skills health check questionnaire is designed to help you think about the types of jobs that may suit you.
www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles
Job sector information.
https://futurelearncareers.today/
Researching a career? Want to know the training, qualifications and experience most associated with it? FurtureLearnCareers has got you!
partner with over 170 world-class universities, institutions and industry leaders to create world-class courses to help you with your career.
www.icould.com
Interactive tool containing information, film stories, articles and accounts from real people in real jobs.
www.careersbox.co.uk
Short careers films.
www.how2become.com
One of the UK’s leading careers and educational information and development websites
www.successatschool.org
Success at School is the place for young people to explore careers, get the lowdown on top employers, and search for the latest jobs, courses and advice.
www.jobhero.com/choosing-career-guide
Ultimate guide to choosing a Career.
www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk
Everything from current apprenticeships and school leaver programme opportunities, to the latest school leaver job news, and advice to help guide you on your career journey.
www.careermap.co.uk
Discover 1000s of exciting jobs and apprenticeships.
University
university.which.co.uk
What to study, where to go and how to get there.
www.ucas.com
Research degree courses available and subject/grade requirements. There are over 50,000 undergraduate courses at more than 395 providers in the UK, so it’s important you do your research. Here’s some advice to help you.
Alternatives to University
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk
Look for alternatives to University.
www.studentladder.co.uk
This is very useful for students who may not want to go into higher education.
Apprenticeships
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
Find an apprenticeship.
amazingapprenticeships.com
Information about apprenticeships.
www.getingofar.gov.uk
National apprenticeship website. Look at types of apprenticeships available.
www.worldskillsuk.org
World Skills UK is focused on improving the prestige of apprenticeships and technical education, to inspire more young people to consider these as career routes and get off to a better start in work and life.
Local Training Providers for Apprenticeship Support
www.skillsforgrowth.org.uk/
London Skills for Growth deliver education and training programmes across a range of areas for young people aged between 16 and 24. All the programmes include exposure to work through work experience, employer visits or employer seminars or through full employment (Apprenticeships).
www.middletonmurray.com
An award-winning Apprenticeship and Traineeship Programme provides quality and work ready entrants, gives the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification and develop professional skills, while earning a salary.
www.reynoldsgroup.co.uk
Reynolds is national training provider delivering Qualifications, Study Programmes, Traineeships and Apprenticeships in management, fitness, performing arts, beauty, horticulture, hospitality and catering.
www.lecb.ac.uk
Learning and Enterprise College Bexley offers adult education, vocational qualifications and skills for life in Bexley. You can explore courses available and enrol in person or online.