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Careers Advice and Guidance
Welcome to the Careers Section of our website. Please see the tabs below relating to different aspects of careers.
If you are an employer, business or ex-student of Kings please click here to see how you can help!
Kings International College Careers Team
Level 6 Qualified Careers Advisor – Mrs L Bowman
Careers Link Governor Careers – Mrs J Phillips
Line Manager for Careers – Mrs J Wilson
Careers and Enterprise Surrey Careers Hub Coordinator – Miss R Roberts
Teachers, Parents, Governors and Students can access the policy here:
Careers Access Policy and CEIAG Strategy
It contains a summary of the careers programme, including details of how to access information about the careers programme, how the school measures and assesses the impact of the careers programme on pupils and the date of the school’s next review of the information published.
Kings International School are proudly working in partnership with the National Careers Service. If you would like to speak to an advisor in relation to careers advice, please click the National Careers Service button below:
https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
Visit the Policies section of the website to view our Careers Policies
Applications and Personal Statements
We, as teachers, are always here to help students write and develop applications for post-16 further education. Below are some tips and advice to help students when it comes to writing an application or personal statement.
Be Ready
Make sure that you are prepared for all the standard pieces of information that you will need to complete an application:
- Personal Details:
- Date of Birth
- Contact number
- Contact email (create a professional email using Gmail or equivalent if you don’t already have one)
- Address
- Parent / Carer contact details
- Your Predicted Grades:
- Currently working grades: use your most recent grade collection
- GCSE predicted grades: use your most recent grade collection
- Everything Else:
- Have a standard personal statement ready
- Specific needs that should be included in your application
- Supporting information
Personal Statement
The personal statement is your chance to showcase yourself. It is an opportunity to stand out from the crowd before meeting someone in person. Use your word count wisely and make sure you sell yourself. Below are some pointers and tips to help you make the most of it:
“I have repeatedly demonstrated through my time at CHS that I am a hardworking and diligent student. Feedback from teachers at CHS reflects this. I have a close group of friends and thrive in new environments.”
“I understand that basic skills in English and Maths are required for this course. However, I believe they are applicable to more than just my next level of education.”
“I have been regularly playing for my local football team for the past seven years. The balance of leadership and teamwork this requires is something I look forward to developing in BTEC Physical Education Level 2.”
“I have been practicing Karate for the last 10 years and have demonstrated dedication and skill by participating in international tournaments and receiving a commendation from the British Council.”
“I have been a member of the Scouts organization for five years and during that time received various accolades. More recently, I participated in and completed my DofE Bronze award.”
- Sell yourself: What makes you better than the next candidate? Be generous but not arrogant.
- Make your weaknesses your strengths:
- Slow on making notes or coming to decisions? No, you are meticulous and detail-oriented.
- Sometimes distracted or lacking concentration? No, you are an active learner.
- Be specific: Avoid clichés that colleges and sixth forms see year after year.
- Instead of “I am interested in studying English Literature,” try “I am passionate about reading and have a wide range of interests, from classics like Dickens to modern works like Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale.”
- Instead of “I have always liked Science,” try “The principle of the scientific method is something I strive to apply whenever I face new or uncertain situations.”
- Ensure that you mention your enjoyment of core subjects (English and Maths), even if they are not the primary focus of your application.
- Reference areas of the course: Highlight previous experiences and why you enjoyed or excelled in them.
- Showcase yourself outside of academics: Demonstrate that you have more to offer than just good grades.
Post-16 Funding
16-19 Bursary Fund
You may be eligible for the 16-19 bursary fund. This fund assists with financial pressures associated with education. There are eligibility criteria that must be met to apply, and it is intended for expenses such as transport and school equipment. For more information, visit the relevant website.
Apprenticeships
If you are interested in applying for an apprenticeship, please visit the Find an Apprenticeship page by clicking here.
There are lots of other opportunities below, and if you are interested in any of these you should apply directly. If you need any assistance with this, please contact Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator, at l.bowman@kings-international.co.uk.
BT Apprenticeships
Here at BT, we’ve got a whole host of roles in customer service, supporting our business customers.
But that’s not all. We’ve also got roles available as a Field Support Technician, Security Power Engineer, Sales Specialist, and in Cyber Security – among others. Whatever it is you fancy, we’re sure we’ll have something that catches your eye. Click the image to find out more!
British Airways Opportunities
British Airways has recently recorded a series of webinars in partnership with the National Career Service. They are approximately 30 minutes long. You can watch them back using these links:
BA Engineering Apprentices Vlog
Students can join their student website, Speedbird-Z (free), to chat with colleagues from across the business first-hand (including current apprentices) and complete online learning modules about aviation and employability: Speedbird-Z.
Available Apprenticeships
- Higher, Intermediate, Advanced & Degree Apprenticeships
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Location: Nationwide
- Salary: Competitive
- Gap Year Internship Programs
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Location: Nationwide
- Salary: Starting from £18,000
- Degree Apprenticeship
- Deadline: Ongoing
- Location: London
- Salary: Competitive
Would someone else be interested in these opportunities? Click here to forward this to students, colleagues, or friends.
If you have any questions or need any help, please get in touch with us at team@successatschool.org.
Contact Information
The Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator.
Careers Agencies & Post 16 Providers
Careers Agencies & Post 16 Providers
College Open Days
| College | Dates |
|---|---|
| Farnborough 6th Form | 22nd-24th October 2024: 4.00pm-6.00pm and 6.30pm-8.30pm |
| Farnborough College of Technology | 15th October 2024: 4.00pm-7.30pm 16th October 2024: 4.00pm-7.30pm 20th November 2024: 4.00pm-7.30pm 5th February 2025: 4.00pm-7.30pm |
| Farnborough College of Technology - Aldershot Campus | 17th October 2024: 4.00pm-6.30pm (construction courses) 21st November 2024: 4.00pm-6.30pm (construction courses) 6th February 2025: 4.00pm-6.30pm (construction courses) |
| Merrist Wood | 9th October 2024: 4.30pm-7.00pm 16th November 2024: 9.30am-12.00pm 26th February 2025: 4.30pm-7.00pm |
| Guildford College | 16th October 2024: 4.30pm-7.00pm 9th November 2024: 9.30am-12.00pm 5th February 2025: 4.30pm-7.00pm |
| Farnham | 12th October 2024: 9.30am-12.00pm 13th November 2024: 4.30pm-7.00pm 12th February 2025: 4.30pm-7.00pm |
| Collingwood 6th Form | Thursday 26th September 2024 |
| Bracknell & Wokingham College | 19th October 2024: 9.30am-12.00pm 20th November 2024: 4.30pm-7.00pm 12th February 2025: 4.30pm-7.00pm |
| Reading College | 9th October 2024: 4.30pm-7.00pm 16th November 2024: 9.30am-12.00pm 5th February 2025: 4.30pm-7.00pm |
| All Hallows 6th Form | 26th September: 5.30pm-7.30pm |
Independent Careers Guidance Adviser
All students in Year 10 will receive a 40-minute one-to-one Careers and Guidance Interview with Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator, to support their transition into post-16 education.
Career Pilot
Career Pilot is a free resource for you and your child to obtain information and advice in relation to careers.
The website is very easy to use and has a whole host of information ranging from career choices, subject choices, providers, college and university courses to apprenticeships and other courses. It is recommended that you encourage your child to use this website as often as possible to prepare them for the world of work and their future. There is also lots of useful information for parents.
The Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator:
CEIAG
CEIAG Strategy and Access Policy
The Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator:
01276 683539l.bowman@kings-international.co.uk
Visit the Policies section of the website to view our Careers Policies
Employers, Businesses and Alumni
Working with Kings International College
Why help?
Our young people are entering an increasingly uncertain and quickly evolving job market at a time of great financial and political change. Our aim is to help every student reach their full potential and progress to a successful destination by providing them with the widest possible range of employer and career-related opportunities.
We appreciate the help and support of businesses to ensure that every child leaves us with high aspirations and is equipped for a happy and successful future.
If you are an employer, business, or ex-student of Kings and would like to help, please get in touch! If you are an ex-student of Kings and would like to be part of our Alumni group, sharing your career journey, we would love to hear from you.
Mrs L Bowman
Careers Coordinator
l.bowman@kings-international.co.uk01276 683539Or complete the Contact Us form.
Ideas for Ways Employers and Businesses Can Assist
We know how precious your time is and value any contribution, however small. To assist, we have provided a breakdown of the ways you can support us. The list is not exhaustive — we are always looking for new ideas and suggestions.
| Site visits: Host a small group of students | 2 hours |
| Interview preparation: Share tips and help with mock interviews | 1 - 6 hours |
| Work Experience: Provide a placement for one or more students | 1 week (usually at the beginning of April) |
| Careers Fair: Participate during Parents Evenings | Early Evening (4 PM onwards) |
| Guest lectures/talks: Share your expertise with students | 1 hour (or during assembly, 20 minutes) |
| Projects: Set a challenge for students and judge the results | Flexible |
| Sponsorship: Sponsor an event financially or in-kind | Flexible |
| Employability skills: Share your networking and business skills | Flexible — e.g., a 15-minute assembly, class discussion, or a 1-hour session on specific skills |
Gatsby Benchmarks
Gatsby Benchmarks – What are They?
A stable careers programme.
- Learning from career and labour market information.
- Addressing the needs of each pupil.
- Linking curriculum learning to careers.
- Encounters with employers and employees.
- Experiences of workplaces.
- Encounters with further and higher education.
- Personal guidance.
The Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator, Telephone:
Labor Market Information
Surrey and Hampshire Labour Market Informational
Education Development Trust LBI Bulletin July 2023
Labour Market Information Activity InformationThe Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman,
Careers Coordinator,
Telephone:
01276 683539 Email:
Speakers for Schools
CMPP's Speakers for School Programme is a fantastic FREE resource for schools to inspire their students. It gives students insight into the working world, even when physical speakers are not able to visit schools.
All these speakers have amazing and interesting stories to share, offering valuable advice to students. By continuing to provide these videos, we engage professionals in the working world who may not have the time or confidence to speak in a school setting.
Click here to visit our channel. On this channel, you will also find an Interview Skills Presentation created by a local company, Aetna International.
This is a fantastic resource that gives students real insights into what to expect from an employer, how to prepare, and how to deal with setbacks.
Contact Information
The Careers Access Provider is Mrs L Bowman, Careers Coordinator.
Telephone:
Email:
Unifrog
The Complete Destinations Platform
Unifrog is an online platform that supports schools and colleges to deliver their statutory duty to provide students with impartial and independent guidance on a full range of Post-16 and Post-18 options.
Unifrog is the only place where students can compare every undergraduate course in the UK as well as international opportunities. Additionally, Unifrog provides students with access to the most comprehensive list of live apprenticeships available across the country, including Higher and degree apprenticeships, as well as further education courses.
Once students have explored their interests and compared the full range of pathways available to them, Unifrog provides one place for students to draft all materials needed for applications such as CVs and Personal Statements.
All students, across all year groups, now have access to the platform in keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next step.
Benefits for Teachers
Unifrog is a whole-school careers platform. It allows teachers and careers advisors to track their pupils’ progress and keep a record of their research and all of the careers interactions each student has received. It makes it easy for teachers and careers advisors to work with students to find the best next step for them. Staff are able to provide feedback on applications, comment on students’ research, log careers interviews and interactions, upload action plans, and provide support and feedback on application materials.
Information for Parents and Carers
Every parent/carer can have their own login to Unifrog, where they can access the tools, information, and guidance to support their child to make their best next step.
If you would like more information on Unifrog, please visit their website at www.unifrog.org, or speak to our Careers Coordinator, Mrs Lisa Bowman.
