Welcome to Bishop Walsh Catholic School Careers
Our ultimate goal at Bishop Walsh is to give all of our pupils life chances. Before you take your first steps into the big wide world at 16 or 18 we hope you can gather many meaningful experiences that will enrich your employ-ability and open your horizons.
Careers Advice & Guidance:
| Name | Role |
|---|---|
| Miss Healy | Careers Lead |
| Mrs Sarah Forsyth | Careers Adviser |
Click here to log on
Careers Advice and Guidance
Individual Career Interviews – to talk through ideas & help pupils with their decisions & next steps.
Personalised Career Plan – after each career interview or group talk, pupils will receive a Career Plan which is a summary of what has been discussed & what their next steps should be.
What to expect at a career guidance interview – click on the link to find out what happens at a careers interview
Email – Pupils can contact the careers advisor to refer themselves for a careers interview or if they just want to ask something that doesn’t require an interview. Parents can also contact with any questions/concerns.
Careers advisor school email address is – careers@bishopwalsh.net
Careers Advice
Year 7-11 Advice
Key Stage 3
The best place to start exploring careers is by logging on to your Unifrog account.
Use the quizzes to realises skills, interests and abilities and use the huge database of careers videos to see to types of work and education available in your future.
In year 9 you will also need to choose the GCSE subjects you’re going to study so it might be useful to look at some of the careers related to these subjects to help with your decisions. Don’t worry though – it’s unlikely you’ll rule out many careers at this stage!
Year 10
Year 10 is all about research & preparation for Year 11 applications
- It’s essential to explore your career ideas further to help you to plan what you might want to do after year 11.
- Work Experience – ideally you should try to get some work experience that’s related to careers that interest you – see the work experience section for further advice about this and record your placement on Unifrog.
- College Open Days – although you can leave this until year 11 there’s no reason why you couldn’t attend some of the college open days during year 10 – see college websites for details.
Year 11
Year 11 is about putting your plans into action
What you should be doing in Year 11:
- Continue to research career ideas
- No career ideas? Ask for a careers interview or explore using Unifrog
- Go to 6th form & college open days / evenings – this gives you the opportunity to have a look around, talk to tutors & pick up course information. These start in October so from September check school / college websites for dates & further information. * Grammer schools & BOA have earlier closing dates so check.
- At this stage it’s best to keep your options open – explore all the options open to you, apply to all the places you’re interested in & then decide later (August) where you’re going to go.
It’s OK not to have it all worked out yet BUT by the start of year 11 you should ideally:
- Have some understanding about where the subjects you’re interested in studying could take you
- Have researched any career ideas thoroughly & have an understanding of those careers & the routes into them
- Have started looking into the courses/subjects / apprenticeships that are required for the career(s) that you’re interested in
Your Options After Year 11 – click on the links below for further advice and information:
Staying in full-time education – A levels & vocational qualifications, school 6th form & colleges
Apprenticeships – how these work, the different levels & where to look for apprenticeships
Traineeships – might be an option for you if you fel you need further support moving from school on to the next stage & especially if you might need to improve your maths & English
Useful websites/ Careers Links
Below are a list of useful websites and videos which can help your decisions.
Career Matching / Research
Go to Unifrog and start searching for different careers. There is a wealth of videos and information from industry experts about a huge range of jobs. Click the logo to log in.
Unifrog
General Careers
Aerospace / Airline Careers
www.careersinaerospace.com/ – aerospace careers website
www.balpa.org – the British Airline Pilots Association website
www.cabincrew.com & www.gocabincrew.com – useful for general reading and vacancies
Teaching
https://getintoteaching.education.gov.uk/ – Govt’s teaching information website-all you need to know
Sport
www.careers-in-sport.co.uk – careers in sport
www.society-of-sports-therapists.org – Sports Therapists website
Fashion
www.allaboutcareers.com/careers/career-path/retail-fashion – info on careers in retail fashion
www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/fashion – information on careers with a degree in fashion
Public Services
www.policenow.org.uk – website for people interested in joining the police
https://jobs.west-midlands.police.uk/police-officer-recruitment/ – West Mids Police recruitment page
www.wmfs.net/careers/firefighters – West Midlands Fire Service recruitment information
www.army.mod.uk/join – British Army careers website
www.raf.mod.uk/recruitment – RAF careers website
www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers – Royal Navy careers website
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/politics – careers with a degree in politics
Health & Social Care
NHS
www.nhscareers.nhs.uk – information on the wide range of careers available within the NHS.
www.stepintothenhs.nhs.uk – information on careers within the NHS aimed at 14-19 year olds
www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/thenhs/about/Pages/nhscoreprinciples.aspx – a website explaining the core values of the NHS used in recruitment
https://www.rcn.org.uk/Professional-Development/Your-career – Royal College of Nursing careers info
https://www.bcu.ac.uk/courses/registered-nurse-degree-apprenticeship-bsc-hons-2022-23 – information on Nursing Degree Apprenticeships at BCU.
https://www.rcm.org.uk/promoting/education-hub/become-a-midwife/ – Royal College of Midwives careers info
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/midwifery/faqs-midwifery/faqs-about-careers-midwifery – information on careers in midwifery in the NHS
www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/healthcare-support-worker/roles-healthcare-support-worker/maternity-support-worker – maternity support worker careers information
www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/maternity-support-worker – as above
Medicine
www.themedicportal.com – medical school application resource in official partnership with the Royal Society of Medicine
www.medschools.ac.uk – offers good advice re: finding relevant work experience
www.ucat.ac.uk/ – UCAT (Medicine) – most medical schools now ask for this.
www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/ – BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) – used for medicine, veterinary medicine & other related degrees
Dentistry
www.bda.org – the British Dental Association
https://www.dentalschoolscouncil.ac.uk/
www.themedicportal.com/application-guide/dentistry/dentistry work experience
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/university/courses/dentistry-work-experience
www.careersinpsychology.co.uk – information on psychology careers
www.aop.org.uk/your-career – Association of Optometrists careers information
www.skillsforcare.org.uk – information about entry into the care sector.
www.basw.co.uk – website for social workers
www.csp.org.uk – the website for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists
https://nya.org.uk/ – the National Youth Agency
https://nya.org.uk/careers-youth-work/getting-qualified/ – information on getting into youth work
www.wmas.nhs.uk – W Mids Ambulance Service
https://www.e4s.co.uk/jobs/5-ambulance-paramedic-apprenticeships.htm – explains how paramedic apprenticeships work
Childcare
https://www.pacey.org.uk/working-in-childcare/ – information on careers in childcare
www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/social-care/working-with-children – information on careers working with children
Construction / Engineering
www.citb.co.uk/careers-in-construction – information on careers in construction
www.goconstruct.org – a new careers in construction website, use the Careers Explorer quiz to help you find which construction career would suit you best.
www.architecture.com – the website for RIBA (architecture)
https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/ – information on careers in engineering
www.energyutilitiesjobs.co.uk/ – careers in the power sector
https://spacecareers.uk/ – careers information on space careers
Business
www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/browse-sector/business-consulting-and-management – Prospects careers in business information
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/business-and-finance – careers in business information
https://targetcareers.co.uk/career-sectors/business – careers information on careers in business
Law
www.lawcareers.net – everything you’ll need to know about getting into a career in law
www.lawsociety.org.uk/en – the Law Society website
www.allaboutlaw.co.uk – the Law Careers website
www.lnat.ac.uk – the National Admission Test for Law.
www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/criminology – information on careers with a degree in criminology
IT
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/computing-technology-and-digital – IT careers information
https://www.reed.co.uk/career-advice/jobs-in-the-it-industry/ – IT careers information
https://britishesports.org/ – main website for information on careers in Esports
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/digital-marketer – digital marketing careers info
Financial
www.allaboutfinancecareers.com – from the All About Careers organisation.
Animal Care
www.animal-job.co.uk – careers working with animals
www.rcvs.org.uk – The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons website – see the education section
www.bvna.org.uk – the British Veterinary Nursing Association
www.biaza.org.uk – The website for the British & Irish Associations of Zoos & Aquariums
Performing Arts
www.federationofdramaschools.co.uk/ – website for Federation of drama schools
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/actor – acting careers info
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/performing-arts – career options with a performing arts degree
www.danceuk.org – Dance UK website
www.cdet.org.uk – the Council for Dance Education & Training
Creative / Media Sector
www.screenskills.com – website for the creative sector, you can search for industry accredited degrees
https://discovercreative.careers – information and articles on creative careers
www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/interior-and-spatial-designer – interior design info
www.creativealliance.org.uk – an organisation offering apprenticeships in the creative industries
www.nctj.com – National Council for the Training of Journalists website
www.bbc.co.uk/careers/trainee-schemes-and-apprenticeships – BBC apprenticeship schemes
www.itvjobs.com/workinghere/entry-careers/apprenticeship-programme/ – ITV apprenticeships
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/photographer – photography careers information
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/creative-and-media – media careers information
https://targetcareers.co.uk/career-sectors/media/136-jobs-in-the-media-what-options-do-you-have – media careers information
Bakery Careers Info
Misc
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/Â – job profiles & job market information.
www.prospects.ac.uk – general careers information including career options with your chosen subject & job roles within different career sectors.Â
www.icould.com – Real people talking about their job – search for videos by subject or job type.
www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/careers – careers information from the BBC Bitesize website
www.barclayslifeskills.com/ – lots of advice & information on a wide range of topics including CV’s & interview preparation.
Subject Career Information
Subject Career Information
www.mathscareers.org.uk – careers with Maths
www.rsc.org – careers with chemistry
www.rsb.org.uk/careers-and-cpd/careers – careers information on careers with biology
www.iop.org/careers-physics/your-future-with-physics/career-paths#gref – careers with physics
www.bps.org.uk – the British Psychological Society website
www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/english – careers with an English degree
www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/english – careers with English
www.rgs.org – careers with geography. Select ‘our work’ then ‘study geography’ then ‘careers with geography’
www.careers-in-sport.co.uk – careers in sport
www.targetjobs.co.uk/careers-advice/creative-arts-media-and-design/careers-art-and-design – careers in art & design
www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/browse-sector/creative-arts-and-design – careers in art & design
www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subject/art – careers in art & design
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/job-sectors/creative-arts-and-design/careers-in-music – careers in music info
www.history.org.uk – careers with history
www.jobs.ac.uk/careers-advice/careers-advice/1378/careers-with-languages-translation-interpreting-teaching-and-more – careers with modern languages
www.prospects.ac.uk/careers-advice/what-can-i-do-with-my-degree/modern-languages – careers with modern languages
A levels – What can I do with.... Advice
www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer – advice about what you can do with your A level subjects
www.ucas.com/ucas/after-gcses/find-career-ideas/explore-jobs – you can go on this page on the UCAS website & select a subject to find out what you could do with it.
T Levels
www.nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/explore-your-education-and-training-choices/t-levels – information on T Levels
https://successatschool.org/advicedetails/1256/what-are-t-levels – T level info
Colleges
www.bmet.ac.uk – BMET College website
www.ucb.ac.uk – UCB website
www.sccb.ac.uk – South and City College Birmingham website.
www.boa-academy.co.uk – Birmingham Ormiston Academy specialising in Creative, Digital and Performing Arts.
www.acm.ac.uk – the Academy of Contemporary Music
www.accesstomusic.co.uk – a national college with a campus in Digbeth. Access Creative College offers courses in music, music performance, music technology, music business & artist promotion. They have strong links with industry
www.auea.co.uk – Aston University Engineering Academy is a 14-19 university technical college sponsored by Aston University. It focuses on engineering and science and has strong links with industry.
www.walsallcollege.ac.uk – Walsall College website
www.nchsr.ac.uk – Advanced Transport & Infrastructure National College
www.uobschool.org.uk/our-sixth-form/ – University of Birmingham School 6th form
www.solihull.ac.uk – Solihull College website
www.southstaffs.ac.uk – South Staffs College website.Â
www.sandwell.ac.uk – Sandwell College website
www.ucasprogress.com/search – search website for courses / apprenticeships etcÂ
https://www.birminghamgrammarschools.org/ – Birmingham Grammar schools website
Apprenticeships
www.apprenticeships.gov.uk – main apprenticeship website. Register for free & search for vacancies in your area
www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk – lots of advice, information & vacancies.
www.jtltraining.com – JTL offer apprenticeships in electrical installation, plumbing, heating & ventilation
www.birminghamelectricaltraining.co.uk/ – offer apprenticeships in electrical installation
www.ngbailey.com/working-with-us/apprenticeships – NG Bailey apprenticeships website
www.makeuk.org/future-makerswww.eef.org.uk/apprentices – MAKE UK the manufacturers organisation
www.citb.co.uk/bconstructive – CITB apprenticeships website
www.remit.co.uk – training provider offering a wide range of vehicle related apprenticeships
www.autocity.org.uk – training organisation offering vehicle apprenticeships
www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com – the site for career opportunities at JLR
www.crackerjacktraining.co.uk – as above
https://www.bmet.ac.uk/course/early-years-educator-apprenticeship/ – BMET College apprenticeship
https://allaboutchildren.co.uk/careers/our-childcare-apprenticeship-scheme/ – childcare apprenticeships
https://www.aspirationtraining.com/apprenticeships/ – childcare apprenticeshipswww.aspire-sports.co.uk – apprenticeships in sports coaching & teaching PE
www.hoet.co.uk/sports/ – Heart of England Training sports coaching apprenticeships & PE in school
www.pdsa.org.uk – PDSA Animal Charity website
www.creativealliance.org.uk – creative industry apprenticeships
www.jobs.nhs.uk – the jobs website for the NHS, apprenticeships & traineeships should be advertised here
www.icaewtrainingvacancies.com – Accountancy Training opportunities
https://www.reflectionstraining.co.uk/hairdressing-apprenticeship-bristol-birmingham/ – Reflections hairdressing apprenticeships
https://www.hushhair.com/careers/ – Hush hair salon offer apprenticeships
https://www.bmet.ac.uk/course/hairdressing-apprenticeship/ – BMET College offer hairdressing apprenticeships
https://hoet.co.uk/salon-apprenticeships/ – Heart of England offer hairdressing apprenticeships
Higher Education
www.ucas.com – UCAS website – to search for degree courses.
www.coursefindr.co.uk – new website that helps you find courses & save your favourites
www.discoveruni.gov.uk/ – the official site for comparing UK higher education course data
www.opendays.com – details of university open days. It’s essential to go to these usually during the summer term of year 12 & Autumn term of year 13.
https://university.which.co.uk/ – part of the ‘Which’ group, independent advice
www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk – lots of advice & information including league tables
www.russellgroup.ac.uk – the website for the Russell Group Universities, have a look at their Informed Choices publication.
www.whatuni.com – search & compare universities & courses
www.bestcourse4me.com – free and independent website which shows you the link between what you study, what you could earn and the jobs you could get
www.applytouni.com – lots of advice and information on all aspects of applying to university
www.push.co.uk – an independent guide to UK universities, student life, gap years, open days and student finance. Tells it how it is!
www.studential.com – lots of information on a range of university issues including examples of personal statements
www.unifrog.org – Unifrog makes it easy for students to choose the right courses to put on the UCAS forms. They recently won a national prize for the best new education service in the UK!
www.getting-in.com – contains advice for school leavers applying to university and college.
www.hecsu.ac.uk – the Higher Education Careers Services Unit website. Has information on what graduates go on to do 6 months after graduating
www.thestudentroom.co.uk – written by current / past students. Lots of advice and information on courses, universities, personal statements, university interviews, post graduate courses etc from people who have ‘been there’! However, please be aware that this information is subjective so may just be that persons experience – keep an open mind.
www.open-university.co.uk – an alternative way to gain a degree or other qualification such as post-graduate. Mostly achieved via distance learning. Enables you to gain a degree at a lower cost than going to university.
www.savethestudent.org/study-abroad/uk-study-in-europe-university.html – info about studying Europe
Universities
www.birmingham.ac.uk – Birmingham University website
www1.aston.ac.uk  – Aston University website
www.bcu.ac.uk – Birmingham City University website
www.wlv.ac.uk – Wolverhampton University website
www.newman.ac.uk – Newman University website
www2.warwick.ac.uk – Warwick University website
www.coventry.ac.uk – Coventry University website
www.hecsu.ac.uk – the Higher Education Careers Services Unit has information on what recent graduates have gone onto do 6 months after leaving university. Helps you to see the kinds of career opportunities linked to degree courses
LNAT (Law) – www.lnat.ac.uk – Many of the top universities offering law now ask for this
UKCAT (Medicine) – https://www.ucat.ac.uk/  – most medical schools now ask for this.
BMAT (Biomedical Admissions Test) – https://www.admissionstesting.org/for-test-takers/bmat/ – used for medicine, veterinary medicine & some other related degrees
Alternatives to University
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk – alternatives to university, advertised opportunities etc
www.milkround.com – student & graduate jobs. For school leavers you need to look under the ‘Early Careers’ section.
Higher / Degree Apprenticeships
www.worldskillsuk.org/blog/what-are-degree-apprenticeships
www.ucas.com/apprenticeships/what-you-need-know-about-apprenticeships/degree-apprenticeships
www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/apprenticeships/degree-apprenticeships
Work Experience / Volunteering
www.bvsc.org – Birmingham volunteer bureau website – best place to start looking for voluntary work opportunities.
www.studentjob.co.uk – website where you can look for internships, part time jobs and graduate opportunities
www.ncsyes.co.uk – the website for the National Citizenship Service
www.vinspired.com – volunteer opportunities for 14-25 year olds
Gap Year
www.realgap.co.uk – similar to above, all the information you need plus details of opportunities.
www.prospects.ac.uk/gap_year.htm – information about taking a gap year from Prospects
Parents
www.parentalguidance.org.uk – information & advice for parents
www.realgap.co.uk/gap-travel-advice/parents – information on gap years specifically aimed at parents