Sandridgebury Lane, St Albans, Hertfordshire, AL3 6DB
Careers and Next Steps
Preparation for Life after STAGS Sixth Form
There is a wide range of information on careers including Degree and Higher Apprenticeships; all forms of higher and further education and gap years available to the students. Throughout the year, students have university lecturers, admissions staff, employers and graduate students who visit the school to give information and advice to our Sixth Formers. Students are fully informed on opportunities which will prepare them for Higher Education and Apprenticeship applications. More information can be found on our Step Up Programme.
The UCAS Procedure
Beginning in the Summer term of Year 12, the students are introduced, through a series of seminars and talks, to the UCAS process. Advice is given on the procedures, and how to make an effective application. At the end of the Summer Term there is an extensive programme covering student finance, personal statement writing, gap years and how to make a success of university life. As the students move into Year 13, they are given full support through the application process from filling in the UCAS form to accepting offers and attending university.
The Extended Project Qualification
We are delighted to offer the successful and highly valued EPQ: a qualification which equates to half an A Level. Students undertake an independent project of their choice and present their findings to a panel of assessors. This qualification is much respected by Russell group universities and enables students applying for highly competitive universities to add another dimension to their application.
Oxbridge, Medicine, Dentistry & Veterinary Evening
In the Autumn Term there is an ‘Oxbridge’ evening for candidates and their parents who are considering an application to Oxford or Cambridge and for Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary applications. The evening aims to educate students and parents about the application processes for the most competitive courses. Students in Years 10, 11 and 12 are invited.
Information from the Presentation Evening can be found in the attachment below:
Oxbridge Evening - November 2024
Interview Training
We are able to offer interview training including mock interviews for any student who will be invited to a University interview and those students applying for a Degree or Higher Apprenticeship. There is also provision for additional (and more general) training by an outside agency.
Work Experience
During Curriculum Enrichment Week Year 12 students will spend time doing work experience. This plays an increasingly important part in university and employment admissions and while it is a good idea to try to find a placement which is pertinent to your preferred university subject, it is by no means necessary. All work experience is valuable.
Gap Years
Gap years are increasingly popular and opportunities and advice are offered to students throughout the Sixth Form. Opportunities for voluntary work, teaching, working and travelling are advertised to students throughout the year by the Head of Sixth and the Head of Careers.
Careers Guidance
Our experienced team here includes the support of SFYP, a respected advisory service available to young people. Careers guidance is always available at our school, and appointments and/or mentoring are organised according to students’ needs throughout the year. Beyond the classroom, we provide students with diverse career opportunity events, not only within our school but also in conjunction with other local schools.
Our excellent local and national business links ensure that students have contact with a range of professionals from many different backgrounds. Our aim is to provide all students with a diverse field of careers to choose from, whilst understanding the requirements for these fields.
Next Steps - UCAS Parents' Information Evening 2025
Applying to University and for Apprenticeships
University - The UCAS ProcedureIn Year 12, students are introduced, through Unifrog and a series of seminars and talks, to the UCAS and Apprenticeships application process. Advice is given on the procedures, and how to make an effective application. At the end of the Summer Term there is an extensive programme covering student finance, personal statement writing, gap years and how to make a success of university life. As the students move into Year 13, they are given full support through the application process from filling in the UCAS form to accepting offers and attending university.
Applying for an Apprenticeship
Over 150 000 employers are now offering Apprenticeships, including Lloyds, Rolls Royce, BBC, IBM, Unilever, Google, Airbus, BAE Systems and Sky. There are more than 280 types of Apprenticeship and over 15,000 job roles. An Apprenticeship means that you will be working, earning a salary and gaining a qualification at the same time.
Types of Apprenticeship:
- Level 2 - Intermediate Level
- Level 3 - Advanced Level
- Higher Apprenticeship (can lead to an NVQ Level 4, HND or Foundation Degree)
- Degree Apprenticeship
An Apprenticeship takes between 1 and 5 years to complete, depending on the level. Over 70 universities and around 200 colleges are approved to deliver Higher and Degree Apprenticeships
Why undertake an Apprenticeship?
- Provides training for a specific job
- You are earning whilst you qualify
- Training costs are co-funded by the government and the employer. For a Degree Apprenticeship, tuition fees are paid so there is no need to take out a loan
- You can gain a head start in your chosen profession
- Will help your application for future jobs.
Useful websites:
Apply Apprenticeships - Government website
Click here for up to date Apprenticeship opportunities available in the county and view our Working at STAGS page here to explore opportunities within our school trust.
Destinations
In 2024 students from STAGS gained places at 49 different universities across the country and went on to study over 66 different courses including study abroad. A number of students also started valued apprenticeships and employment.
Fields of Study include:
- Social Sciences
- Humanities
- STEM
- Business & Marketing
- Art & Media
- Law
- Modern Languages
- Medicine / Veterinary / Dentistry
A number of students have also started valued apprenticeships and employment.
We wish our 2025 leavers every success in their next steps.
Next Steps Event
The STAGS Sixth Next Steps Event provides the opportunity for students to prepare for life after school and explore the wide variety of opportunities that are available.
Activities and information specifically tailored to the needs of our students:
- To provide extensive information about the process of applying to university/ preparing personal statements et al.
- To provide information on the alternatives to university e.g. Degree Apprenticeships and the various routes available into a wide range of careers
- To provide an understanding of the skills needed in addition to academic qualifications in order to gain places in employment, competitive courses or begin a life away from home
Students experience workshops, speakers and guidance from a variety of visitors to allow scope for their next steps. Careers and next steps planning is also an integral part of our Step Up programme as well as our Speaker programme.
UCAS and UCAS Hub - these tools are introduced to Year 12 in the summer term. UCAS and UCAS Hub are the platforms students will sign up and use for both Higher Degree Apprenticeships and University. A full introduction and bespoke session is delivered in June to introduce the students with guidance on how to navigate and utilise the platform.
Unifrog - is a one stop shop that provides information into one comprehensive, user-friendly platform that helps students make the best choices, and submit the strongest applications. Unifrog helps students with the whole progression process - from exploring their career interests, to recording the great things they've done, skills they have developed, to finding education and training opportunities, to drafting their applications. Unifrog is used during Step Up lessons in both Year 12 and Year 13. Students are also encouraged to utilise the platform outside of lesson time. Parents / Carers are also provided with a log in to access and utilise the platform.
The Hertfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and the Careers and Enterprise Company have a dedicated careers portal all about careers and other opportunities within Hertfordshire.
Aimed at ages 13 - retirement the website is full of information for any students (or adults) who are looking into local employers that they can connect with, or work for.
STAGS annual Careers Fair is held in the Autumn Term. This evening event welcomes over 30 employers into school to develop links with our students and parents. There is an opportunity to meet with an array of employers from across industries, including the NHS, GSK, Engineering with MBDA.
National Careers week in Spring provides students with a spotlight on careers. Unifrog and Networking events provide a valuable opportunity to focus on exploring and considering a diverse range of careers.
More information on our Careers programme can be viewed here
