As a learner of Sirius Academy North you already understand that we strive to broaden your horizons and expand your expectations. Exploring your interests to making informed decisions about your next steps, may seem daunting. However, with the Careers Provision offered at Sirius Academy North we have you covered.
Whether you are one of our KS3 learners exploring and fact finding about yourself or career pathways or a KS4 learner, taking that knowledge and applying it to making informed decisions, we provide you with a multitude of opportunities to achieve all the above.
Below is an extension of information, which you can utilise to magnify your knowledge and curiosity into option choices and career pathways.
Miss Norman is your point of contact for Careers Information – please drop into the Careers office.
Major Milestones:
Year 9
Options Year (April)
In Year 9 you will be introduced to your first experience of deciding on your subject choices. This will be an opportunity for you to start asking questions and learning about the subject offers, which will make up your GCSE results.
Year 10
Introduction to Log On Move On
Attending College/Provider Open Events (October onwards)
In Year 10 you will be introduced to Log On Move On and how applications for your next steps work. You will be educated on how you can support yourself on further education and training options, whilst also sitting your first GCSE exam.
This is a time where we can make it make sense – how your achievement open doors and breaks the barriers for further opportunity.
Year 11
Applications (October – February)
Apprenticeship Applications (Dependant on provider – Start looking October onwards) Open Events (October onwards)
College/Provider Interviews (Dependant on provider)
GCSE’s (June)
In Year 11 you will be Career Champions. Your Log On Move On profiles will be ready to go, you will be ready for applications and have a sound knowledge and reasoning for your informed decisions on next step destinations!
By the time your GCSE’s start in June, you will be all set with your choices and can concentrate on your exams, knowing that everything is in line.
Miss Norman’s Top Tips for KS3:
- Start thinking about what your strengths are – Are you a good communicator? etc.
- Take opportunities to upskill – Extra Curricular Activities are a great way to meet new friends and learn new skills.
- Try new things and be Open Minded – New experiences will broaden your knowledge.
- Be aware of your subject options and how they may help in your next steps.
- Attend Parents Evenings and Academy Events – Great opportunities to gain more knowledge and confidence about school, wider opportunities and events in the community.
- Maintain a strong attendance – The less you miss the more you gain.
- Join Clubs! – Not just in the academy but look at opportunities in the community.
- Talk about your interests and ideas with family and friends.
- Ask teachers what careers connect with their subject. For example, Geography, Maths IT …
- Keep a log of your achievements and keep getting involved with events and activities.
Miss Norman’s Top Tips for KS4:
- Follow Colleges and Apprenticeship Providers on Social Media – Keep informed.
- Follow Industries and Businesses on Social Media – Local employers/ News of Industry.
- Make sure you have a suitable, personal email address – which you can access.
- Make sure you keep a note of your mobile number.
- Attend Open Events – as many as possible.
- Update you LOMO account when needed.
- Maintain a strong attendance – you will need to bring an up-to-date record to your interviews.
- Talk about your interests and ideas with family and friends.
- Don’t settle for ‘I Don’t Know’… find out information that will help your decision making
- Attend masterclasses and utilise the workshops which help you create a CV/Interview Prep
Labour Market Information
What is Labour Market Information?
Labour Market Information (LMI) is a useful tool to help research future jobs in the local area, understand the skills needed for certain roles and the demand for future employment.
LMI helps to break down the complex ‘world of work’– ranging from descriptions of different careers, their entry routes, promotional prospects, salaries paid, skills and qualifications needed, etc. Crucially for young people, LMI also covers future demand – what kinds of jobs will be in demand after leaving school and what kinds of skills will be needed.
Why is Labour Market Information Important to Young People?
‘It is vital, in an environment where new industries are emerging and many of the most important jobs of the future don’t yet exist, that individuals have access to high-quality labour market information and earnings data to underpin their choices’. Anne Milton MP
Below are some useful links which will help to support you and your child to understand Labour Market Information and explore local and national information.
What is Labour Market Information (video)
Explore different occupations using Careerometer:
Careerometer can be used to explore and compare key information about occupations, help you learn about different occupations and identify potential careers.
It provides access to a selection of UK headline data relating to pay, weekly hours of work and future employment prospects for different occupations, as well as description of the occupation.
Simply type in the title of the job you are interested in and the widget provides a series of options from which you can select the most relevant to you. You can then look up another two occupations and compare. You can also select ‘display the UK average’ and compare the information with the occupation you have selected.
Be mindful that pay can fluctuate dependant on where you live in the UK.
Careers Research
The links below will take you to a wide range of careers websites giving you up to date information to help you plan your future.
We have also provided a few quizzes for you to explore with your child and maybe gain some careers inspiration.
The National Careers Service is a good starting point to get advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work.
Higher Horizons have all of the facts about higher education. Information includes, pathways to studying at university, the application process, student life, accommodation, student finance, and subject specific information. There is also an option to ‘ask the expert’ if you have any specific queries.
icould is a platform were you can receive information from current employees/employers. icould has videos, articles and quizzes to help you find out more about the different careers available.
Find an Apprenticeship search tool on the gov.uk website to find the latest apprenticeship vacancies.
The Uni Guide offers advice and guidance on what to study beyond further education. Explore options and insight into Higher Education and how to get there.
Prospects offers practical advice to get you started with your career plans.
Take The Careers Quiz. What Job Could You Do? (ucas.com)
Take our careers quiz | Health Careers
Quiz: Which career could be perfect for you? – BBC Bitesize
Useful Links:
What’s the difference between BTECs and A-levels?
What are T-Level qualifications & what are they equivalent to? – Think Student
Everything you need to know about Apprenticeships
Careermag – Students & Teachers – Careermap
Job options: Does it matter where you live?
https://www.talkingfutures.org.uk/pathways-at-16/
Helpful Resources:
Creating a cover Letter/6 Steps
Log On Move On Application Guide SAN 2024/2025
Employability
Employability is about making connections between study, personal development and other activities in order to find, gain and be successful in your chosen career, and contribute to society. Developing a strong employability profile will make you much more employable and successful in your career.
The hourly rate for the minimum wage depends on your age and whether you’re an apprentice.
You must be at least school leaving age to get the National Minimum Wage.
The rates change on 1 April every year.
Children under 16
School-aged children are not entitled to the National Minimum Wage.
If you are 13-14 years old:
Term time rules
During term time children can only work a maximum of 12 hours a week. This includes:
A maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays.
A maximum of 5 hours on Saturdays.
School holiday rules
During school holidays 13 to 14-year-olds are only allowed to work a maximum of 25 hours a week. This includes:
A maximum of 5 hours on weekdays and Saturdays.
A maximum of 2 hours on Sunday.
If you are 15-16 years old:
Term time rules
During term time children can only work a maximum of 12 hours a week. This includes:
A maximum of 2 hours on school days and Sundays
A maximum of 8 hours on Saturdays.
School holiday rules
During school holidays 15 to 16-year-olds can only work a maximum of 35 hours a week. This includes:
A maximum of 8 hours on weekdays and Saturdays.
A maximum of 2 hours on Sunday.
For further information on employment opportunities and restrictions, please access:
Child employment: Minimum ages children can work – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Skillsometer
The Skillsometer can help you discover what jobs you might like to do in the future. You will be presented with a series of statements. Select the emoji shows how you feel about each statement. You will then be given suggestions of jobs linked to what you most enjoy doing. For each job, you will be presented with some headline UK data.
Virtual Work Experience
For opportunities to take work experience (online) browse the latest opportunities:
Virtual Work Experience Opportunities
Gain experience with top employers and universities on Springpod – Absolutely Free!
An immersive introduction to working at some of the best employers in the world.
Explore and find your perfect careers or boost your CV with powerful certificates.
You can learn from the best in class.
Step-by-Step guide to Springpod Experiences
Video Library:
How do I decide which Year 9 Options do I take?
Careers Playlist – Youtube – Department of Education
The Beginner’s Guide to a Career in Law 2024 (flippingbook.com)
Links to partner websites – please click each one to find out more.
FAQ’s
Q – What options do I have, after I leave Year 11?
A – When you leave Year 11, you must choose one of the following pathways, this will continue until you’re 18:
Option 1: Stay in full-time education, for example at a college.
Option 2: Start an apprenticeship, traineeship or employment with training.
Option 3: Spend 20 hours or more a week working or volunteering, while in part-time education or training.
Q – How do I apply for College?
A – Log on Move On is the platform which makes your application process easier. The majority of providers are listed on Log On Move On. However, some providers which aren’t listed will be a direct application via their website; for example Ron Dearing and HETA and Forces (e.g. Army).
Q – When do College Open Events start?
A – College and Apprenticeship Providers host Open Events throughout the year starting from October onwards.
– Please see the Log On Move On link which provides an events overview from many providers in the Hull & East Riding Area https://www.logonmoveon.co.uk/events
Q – When can I start applying for College and Apprenticeships?
A – Most colleges open their applications from October/November. Apprenticeship opportunities can range throughout the year – However, April is a Hotspot for new advertisements.
– Please see the Gov Apprenticeships link which provides a search engine to all current Apprenticeship opportunities https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/browse-apprenticeships
– Always check the date it was published, the start date and read all information provided.
Q – An apprenticeship advert says the ‘start date’ is July, when can I officially leave school?
A – You can leave school on the last Friday in June if you’ll be 16 by the end of the summer holidays.
Q – When should I apply to college?
A – It is advised to apply October to February – the earlier the better, as interviews will be processed and places get filled. We usually host interview days for colleges at the academy around November/December.
Q – Do my GCSE results matter?
A – Absolutely Yes! Industry now requires all individuals to achieve English and Maths qualifications at Grade 4 or above. You should be ready to work towards Grade 4’s in further education/training, if you do not achieve this in Year 11 GCSE sittings. GCSE’s also count towards University Entry Requirements for many course options.
– You also should leave ‘I only need my core subjects’ at the door, as the majority of colleges ask for a minimum of 4/5 GCSE’s (Grade 4 and above) to access Level 3 education, including Advanced Apprenticeships.
Q – What if I don’t achieve Level 4 and above in my GCSE’s?
A – There are alternative routes in further education and training to meet the needs of learners. We only advise that you understand that certain courses require certain entry requirements. However, with guidance and support you can find opportunities that meet your individual needs.
Q – I lost my Log On Move On details – How can I get them? (Year 10/11)
A – Contact Miss Norman or ask your Lesson 1 teacher to reconfirm your details. You can also pop into the Careers Office.
Q – What if I don’t know what to study?
A –
- First, take a breath and know you won’t be alone.
- Second, be aware of who you can speak too and sources of information you can read.
- Make sure to go see your Careers Advisor, they are an impartial service which is specifically there to guide and advise you.
- Attend open events and be honest, people are thee to help.
- Attend taster sessions at the colleges – Follow them on social media for event updates.
- Speak with family and your subject teachers – we are all part of your journey and want to see you make the best informed decision, based on your explored and researched choices.
Q – What if I change my mind about my course choices, after I have applied?
A – Communicate with the college, call them and speak with them. Tell them about your preferences and they will support you.
