At Ark Alexandra Academy, we recognise that an effective careers programme can help prepare young people for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences that lie ahead. The Government has since updated the Careers Strategy for schools and sets out clear guidelines and benchmarks to help support schools with their delivery of a structured and informative careers programme.

We are however, in a very different situation than we have ever experienced. One that has highlighted a range of different career paths and skills that have come to the fore and have proven to be extremely important. One change that schools and students are getting used to is the idea of conducting/taking part in lessons online via the internet. It is also amazing to see some of the things that can be done with technology. As a result, some of the careers activities that were planned for the rest of the year have been cancelled. Therefore, please see below a variety of resources to help your child continue to gain a greater understanding of the different career paths available and to help them think more about their future.

Resources

The Academy work closely with the East Sussex Careers Hub and they have provided schools with some helpful guides for students and their families around career-related activities. Please have a look at these and try some of the different activities that have been suggested.

Virtual Talks

A few months ago, some students were lucky enough to take part in an assembly from local radio presenter ‘Jack the Lad’. Jack has now developed some online talks that he is doing for students. Please see below a link to the series of talks.

University

Many students might well be thinking of going to University once they leave College at 18. During their time at the Academy, students will have many opportunities to take part in a variety of University led activities to give them a greater understanding of what it would be like to study and go to a University.

Please see the link below for some activities and information .from the University of Cambridge.

University Visits

Before Christmas many students experienced some engagement with Universities through fun and engaging activities designed to developing their understanding and address any stereotypes. Each year we aim to take students to visit a University to experience first hand what it would be like to study there. During this time students would have enjoyed a tour of the campus and although we cant now do this Universities have created ‘virtual tours’ for students to look at.

Please see below a link to allow students to take a virtual tour of some Universities within the UK.

St George’s, University of London

Studying Medicine, Healthcare and Science courses at University Webinar Series

St George’s are running a series of webinars which are open to everyone. They are most relevant for people interested in starting a university course in 2021, but teachers, parents and carers are also welcome to attend.

These live, online only events will allow you to find out more about applying for and studying medicine, healthcare and science courses, from the comfort of your own home. You’ll also have the chance to have your questions answered at the end of each event.

You can find out more information here.

Apprenticeships

Another route that students could take once they leave school or College could be an apprenticeship. An Apprenticeship is a real job with training, which allows trainees to earn while they learn, as well as gaining a nationally recognised qualification. Apprenticeships take between one and five years to complete and cover 1,500 job roles in a wide range of industries, from engineering to accountancy, public relations to veterinary nursing.

For more information regarding apprenticeships please visit https://amazingapprenticeships.com or http://www.apprenticeships-in-sussex.com

Please also see some more information below regarding apprenticeships and some activities to develop your understanding.

Check out “KS3 Explainer film” from Amazing Apprenticeships on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/358762043.

Other resources and activities for students and parents

 

Online Talks – For Students (Year 10 +)/Teachers/Parents/Carers:

Following a break over the festive period, the BSMS Admissions and Outreach Team have scheduled more of our online talks designed for secondary schools students from Year 10 upwards. The talks focus on a variety of topics and have previously had a really fantastic uptake with students both in the UK and worldwide. We're relaunching these from February onwards and will be looking at areas such as student life at medical school, the NHS and getting into medicine. All the talks are free to attend, but spaces are limited. Tickets can be booked on our events page here.

Instagram Launch & Competition – Open to all:

The BSMS Admissions and Outreach Team have joined Instagram and to celebrate we're holding a competition. We'd like to hear what medicine means to aspiring medics in 2021. Maybe their idea of what it means to work in healthcare has changed over the past year? Or students have gained a better understanding of what pursuing medicine in the future means? Maybe the New Year has just re-energised their passion and drive to study medicine? Whatever medicine means to aspiring medics in 2021 we want to hear about it. We'll be running a competition over on our Instagram page and entries can be submitted in whatever format students would like; a poem, a picture, a video, an interpretive dance, a one-person theatrical performance - however they would to express what medicine means to you we'd love to see it! The competition is open until the end of February, so anyone wishing to participate can head over to our Instagram page () to find out how to enter!