Careers at SJP: Unifrog

Helping students find their future

Unifrog is an online platform that allows students to explore different careers, from Year 7 to 9, post-16 and post-18 options. Unifrog brings all the available information into one, impartial, user-friendly platform to help students to make the best choices, provide appropriate information, and support with the submission of the strongest applications when applying for the next steps.

Explore what subjects you would be interested in studying and how these choices can lead to different career paths and higher education.

• Discover from year 7 and sign up to online courses in areas that you’re interested in.
• See what is needed to make a successful application to post-16/18 options.
• Explore how to successfully apply to an apprenticeship or university course, including universities abroad.

www.unifrog.org/

Gatsby Career Benchmarks

Our Pledge – Your Career Plan

Apprentices earn a wage and work alongside experienced staff to gain job-specific skills, whilst studying for a nationally recognised qualification with a training provider or local college. Apprenticeships can be complete in one year or some will last for a total of four years. Apprenticeships are designed with the help of the employers in the industry, so they offer a structured programme that takes you through the skills you need.

Levels

Apprenticeships are increasingly recognised as the gold standard for work-based training.

1. Intermediate Level Apprenticeships (equivalent of getting 5 GCSEs at grade 9-4)
2. Advanced Level Apprenticeships (equivalent to 2 A-level passes)
3. Higher Apprenticeships (equivalent to a foundation degree)

Pay

The current minimum wage rate for an apprentice is £3.70 per hour. This rate applies to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year.

Applying for an Apprenticeship

Apprenticeships are open to all age groups above 16 years-old whether you are just leaving school, have been working for years or are seeking to start a new career. There may be different entry requirements depending on the Apprenticeship and the industry sector. However competition for places with employers can be fierce, so you will need to show that you are committed, and aware of your responsibilities to both yourself and the company who would employ you.

All apprenticeships will be advertised @ https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

You will need to register on the site and search for apprenticeships using keywords, job roles and location. If you see any of interest you need to apply on line and you can apply for up to 10 vacancies at any one time. On the site you will complete an application and you will need to complete this to the best of your ability as this may be sent straight to employers. Some vacancies may direct you direct to the employers website to follow their application process.

For other helpful websites please see links below;

• www.successatschool.org
• www.amazingapprenticeships.com
• https://www.notgoingtouni.co.uk/
• https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship
• http://www.apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/
• https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/
• www.be-more.info
• https://www.apprenticeshiphub.org.uk/

Parents’ Information Pack download

If you have a particular interest in subjects or a certain career in mind then studying at St John Plessington Sixth Form could be the option for you. When considering your A-Levels it is important to note there will be entry grade requirements you need to achieve at GCSE.

It is also a good idea to look at your potential future career ideas and map them out looking at potential subject requirements, particularly if you are considering university post-18.  For example, to study engineering at degree level, Maths will be an essential A-Level alongside at least one other science-based subject.  Medicine will require you to study Chemistry and Biology at A-Level and one from either Physics or Maths.

Have an idea of your future ideal career(s) and where you would like to be in ten years’ time and work backwards. Consider qualifications and experience you would need to gain to make that transition possible.

For more information on A-Level subject combinations and facilitating subjects please see the link below.

• Sixth form main page

The expectation is that all students will complete an hour a week of Community Work. This could be working with staff at SJP mentoring or coaching younger pupils or arranged through an outside agency. Students will be expected to keep a log of the hours they complete for this community work which will provide a useful point of information to include in their reference.

Download the guide here