Careers, HE, Work Experience and Volunteering

Work Experience and Internships

All Year 12 pupils are offered work experience. It is extremely useful for your CV and UCAS applications. It helps you decide what you want to do (or not do!) and you can get a real taste of the world of work. And when you apply for university, college or employment, it can give you an edge above other applicants.

When you leave school and start college or university, why not consider an Internship. Find out how to get one in Engineering here (courtesy of www.e4s.co.uk).

If you are still unsure of your choices visit www.mycareerspringboard.org or www.sacu-student.com or www.prospects.ac.uk/planner use their online tools and quizes for more advice and guidance.

Considering University?

UCAS stands for the 'Universities and Colleges Admissions Service'. It is the organisation responsible for managing applications to higher education courses in the UK.

View the Year 12 Parents' Evening UCAS Presentation 2019

 

 

For information about Student Finance click here

Other useful university related websites include:

University Satisfaction Rankings

Click here to see how universities were ranked in 2018 by The Complete Universities Guide. Click here to see The Times Best Universities in the UK 2018 ranking.

Edit Liebhardt, from Reading University recently visited Forest 6 and talked about 'Choosing a Course and University'

How about Oxbridge?

In recent years we have developed a successful Oxbridge application scheme, to support our most able students to apply to the UK’s elite universities. The programme is run with support from higher education and involves interview preparation and help with their extended projects. Nelli Chamings-Manley, Schools Liaison and Access Officer for Oxford and Cambridge presented to students recently. View her presentation here.

View information from University College Oxford and Cambridge University online hub of resources for students aiming high at school and thinking about applying to top universities

Info on bursaries at Oxford for lower-income students - click here.

Did well in your GCSEs? Get a realistic view of Oxford student life on a free residential programme for Year 12 at state schools. For more details, click here.

 

Don't want to go to University?

If you want to look at alternatives or have a gap year, find our more about your options here.

Useful websites such as Not Going to Uni www.notgoingtouni.co.uk, – the one stop site for apprenticeships, gap years, distance learning and jobs and www.studentladder.co.uk/careers, 

Look at The Forest's Jobs, Training and Apprenticeships pages for useful links and information about creating CVs and searching for jobs

Taking a Gap Year

Whether you want to work, travel and/or volunteer in the UK or abroad, here is a small sample of organisations who help with gap years. Make sure to carefully check out any company before making any arrangements, or go with a well established company with a good reputation.

Gov.UK - Advice for gap year travellers	Frontier - adventure, conservation. teaching, healthcare and more
Prospects - should you take a Gap year, and search Ideas for Gap Years	Raleigh International - a sustainable development charity  working with communities living in poverty.
BUNAC -  work and volunteer abroad programmes	iGapyear - links to a range of providers

Employment

For more information about Careers support and guidance contact: Mrs Lewington, Careers Lead. llewington@forest.wokingham.sch.uk

To view live job vacancies for school leavers please visit www.schoolleavers.milkround.com

View the University of Kent Careers and Employability Services website it has information about:  Get help with choosing a career, example CVs, and covering letters, practise interviews online, aptitude tests and careers related to your degree subject.

All about Apprenticeships

Why should I do an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is  a real job with training, so you can earn while you learn and pick up recognised qualifications as you go. Training may take place on the job, at college or, for higher level apprenticeships, actually at a university or combination. Your employer will pay for your training and, in some cases, university fees.

There are over many different types of apprenticeships in a wide range of subjects - from arts, farming, child care, IT and accountancy to more traditional subjects like engineering and motor mechanics. Click here to see the full range. Apprenticeships take 1-4 years.

Find out more about Apprenticeships Apprenticeships Find out how they work, then register, search and apply for vacancies anywhere in the UK - use the Apprenticeships UK button on the left.  Watch ‘How to Apply for an Apprenticeship’ on YouTube here. How to write a winning application - click here for tips on how to maximise your chances of getting the apprenticeship you want. Want to talk to someone? You can call the National Apprenticeship Service on: 0800 015 0400 or 0247 682 6482 or email nationalhelpdesk@apprenticeships.gov.uk . In addition, those aged 16-24, can try the one-stop shop 'Elevate Me' based at Wokingham Library for more help and information To see companies who hire apprentices regularly, click here