The Careers Team
James Wilmot - Director of Careers
James is a Psychology Graduate with many years’ experience of private sector recruitment and public sector careers advice. James joined PCSA in 2015.
Jodie Silmon - Careers Advisor
Jodie is a Psychology and Education Graduate. She joined PCSA in 2018 following several years working in Weston College’s careers team supporting students with the transition from school to further education.
The Careers Office
The Careers Office is placed centrally in the school next to splash world. It is open from 8.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Friday and until 7.00pm on Parents’ Evenings.
You can speak to a member of the team by calling 01934 511411 or by e-mailing james.wilmot@pcsa.theplt.org.uk or jodie.silmon@pcsa.theplt.org.uk
We might not be able to talk if we are already with a student, but we will return your call within 24 hours
You can follow us on Twitter for regular updates and ‘like’ the school’s Facebook page
A monthly careers and events bulletin is circulated by tutors, emailed to parents/carers, and updated on the school’s Facebook page and screens and noticeboards. November’s is available to view here.
Why do we provide careers advice?
Impartial careers advice is vital in schools to help students develop the skills and ability to make the most appropriate education choices for their options within school, progression beyond school and in working life. A full guide to our careers offer can be found HERE.
Who do we work with?
We work with all students in all year groups. We also allow additional time to work with students with special educational or additional needs.
How do we deliver it?
Our careers offer is delivered in a variety of ways including specific events, activities, one to one conversations and embedded in the curriculum.
How do we know if it works?
We work to strict quality standards set by the Government and complete a self-assessment activity twice a year. We also listen to student, family and staff feedback and respond accordingly.
When do we update our offer?
Our offer is always in development and new events and activities are being rolled out throughout the year.
Careers Related Events and Activities
Our events and activities are designed to help students in all year groups. We work extremely hard to provide our students with a wide range of activities to take part in. In addition to the events, activities and one to ones that the Careers Team run for students, we ensure that careers is also embedded into the curriculum.
Online engagement via social media, emails and so on - jobs of the week, career event shout-outs and more
PSHE for all year groups - citizenship is a key part of a healthy, happy and successful working life
Subject classes for all year groups - career pathways are promoted in every subject during class to highlight the relevance of content
Display boards highlighting career pathways in each subject
Year 11 specifics - trips to local colleges and sixth forms and a guidance interview for every student
The Priory Learning Trust Virtual Careers Convention
Click HERE to view the TPLT Virtual Careers Convention 2023/24.
Our Pledge to Students
When you complete Year 10, you will have:
Attended at least two college or sixth form open evenings
Had at least 4 encounters to learn about college, apprenticeships and university
Had multiple 1:1s with the Careers Team to discuss work experience and progression beyond school
Completed a week of work experience
Finished your CV and attended mock interview day
Attended a College Taster Day trip with school
Visited our careers fair in person and our online careers convention
Worked through careers activities every Thursday in tutor time / in PSHE
Had the opportunity to take part in careers related trips to college, university or an employer
When you complete Year 11, you will have:
Visited the Careers Office for a progression meeting
Completed college, sixth form and / or apprenticeship applications for your next step beyond school
Attended application interviews at colleges and/or sixth forms with places offered
A general plan of your career pathway
Attended or had the opportunity to attend further college and 6th form taster activities on weekends or half term
Attended at least two college or sixth form open evenings
Had at least 4 encounters to learn about college, apprenticeships and university
Attended a College Taster Day trip with school
Visited our careers fair in person and our online careers convention
Worked through careers activities every Thursday in tutor time / in PSHE
Had the opportunity to call into the careers office any time to discuss your options beyond school
Had the opportunity to access further help and support with your transition beyond school if you need it
When you complete Year 7, you will have:
Met your Careers Advisor, created a CV and attended your mock interview challenge with the Careers Team
Had at least 4 encounters to learn about college, apprenticeships and university
Met multiple employers and previous students
Had the opportunity to visit a college or sixth form for an open evening
Had the opportunity to visit our careers fair in person and our online careers convention
Worked through careers activities every Thursday in tutor time / in PSHE
Had the opportunity to call into the careers office any time
When you complete Year 8, you will have:
Had at least 4 encounters to learn about college, apprenticeships and university
Met multiple encounters with employers and previous students
Had the opportunity to visit a college or sixth form for an open evening
Had the opportunity to visit our careers fair in person and our online careers convention
Worked through careers activities every Thursday in tutor time / in PSHE
Had the opportunity to take part in careers related trips to college, university or an employer
Had the opportunity to call into the careers office any time
When you complete Year 9, you will have:
Had at least 4 encounters to learn about college, apprenticeships and university
Met multiple encounters with employers and previous students
Had the opportunity to visit a college or sixth form for an open evening
Had the opportunity to visit our careers fair in person and our online careers convention
Worked through careers activities every Thursday in tutor time / in PSHE
Had the opportunity to take part in careers related trips to college, university or an employer
Had the opportunity to call into the careers office any time to discuss your options
Gatsby
The careers offer at PCSA follows strict Government guidelines to ensure the quality of its delivery. The GATSBY benchmarks are:
We assess our careers offer on a bi-annual basis by taking the COMPASS self-assessment tool. The benchmarks help us to reflect on our careers offer and implement improvements. You can see our most recent COMPASS assessment HERE.
Online Resources
As well as the face to face service and events and activities that we provide our students, there are some great online resources that you might like to explore.
Career Pilot
Career Pilot is a careers information website, which includes:
Your choices at 14, 16 and 18
More about different job sectors and what they are looking for
More information about working and studying - including apprenticeship and university level study
Get the information you need to help you plan your future work and study at https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/
Psychometric Assessments
These are increasingly being used in working life. Many can give you some interesting career ideas that you haven’t explored before. Follow the links below to have a go!
Years 10 & 11 - https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
Year 7, 8 & 9 - https://careerswales.gov.wales/buzzquiz
All ages - https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/skills-health-check/home
Apprenticeships Advice
Click HERE to visit the Apprenticeships website.
The National Careers Service are dedicated to helping you get the advice you need for future skills, careers, work and life choices. They can help you develop your career with specially designed tools to help you move on in your career, or get you on the job ladder.
To learn more about careers relating to each specific subject that we teach, please look here: https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/job-sectors/subjects
FAQs
My child is in Year 7, why should they start to visit colleges and attend mock interviews?
We encourage students to begin to think about life beyond school in all year groups. Any event or activity that we run will be of benefit.
Can you help my child when choosing options?
Yes. We are always available to talk through options and how they can effect your future career.
I have seen an event that I would like my child to attend. What should I do next?
Please read the monthly careers bulletin and refer to the event’s ‘what do I do next?’ tab for further guidance. Or contact us directly: james.wilmot@pcsa.theplt.org.uk / jodie.silmon@pcsa.theplt.org.uk
I am an employer who would be happy to speak to students, what should I do?
Please contact the Careers Team and we will be happy to make arrangements.
I am a college or training provider and would like to invite students to attend one of our events. What should I do?
Please contact the Careers Team with the event details with plenty of notice to allow us to promote it in our bulletin.
My child lacks the confidence to take part in busy events. Do you run quieter events?
Yes. Some public events can be very busy and if you let us know, we can arrange for your child to attend during a quieter period. There are plenty of further events organised throughout the year.
My child has special educational needs. Do you offer extra support?
Yes. We are mindful of every student’s individual needs and will support in any way we can. We are also more than happy to meet with parents and talk through a plan of action.
My child really has no idea what they want to do when they are older. What should I do?
Don’t worry! Careers isn’t just about jobs, jobs, jobs. Please give the Careers Team a call and we can make an appointment to talk through some ideas.
Where can I learn more about the options available for my child beyond school?
A brief guide is available HERE, but we really encourage attending events and activities to really explore options.
I can’t find a Year 10 work experience placement for my child. What shall I do?
A helpful guide can be found further down this page.
Please do contact the Careers Team if you have any further questions.
Year 10 Work Experience
Year 10 work experience is a key activity for our student’s time at school. It is a fantastic opportunity for students to spend a full week away from school and experience the world of work. A Year 10 work experience pack, a parent/carer and employer permission form, and a parent/carer introduction letter can all be accessed by clicking the links below.
What do our students go on to?
Our students progress to A Levels, diplomas and apprenticeships.
2023 Year 11 progression:
85% progressed to a college for A Levels or vocational diplomas (Weston, Bridgwater & Taunton, SGS, Boomsatsuma, Access Creative, Winterstoke Hundred Academy and Bristol Robins Foundation)
12% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form (The King Alfred School Academy, Churchill Academy and Backwell Academy)
1% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
Less than 1% furthered their education through traineeships or approved volunteering
Less than 1% NEET and support has been offered
Less than 1% moved into employment without training and support has been offered
2022 Year 11 Progression:
91% progressed to a college for A Levels or vocational diplomas (Weston, Bridgwater & Taunton, SGS, Boomsatsuma, Access Creative, Winterstoke Hundred Academy and Bristol Robins Foundation)
3% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form (The King Alfred School Academy, Churchill Academy and Backwell Academy)
4% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
1.5% furthered their education through traineeships or approved volunteering
>1% NEET and support has been offered
>1% moved into employment without training and support has been offered
2021 Year 11 Progression:
82% progressed to a college for A Levels or vocational diplomas (Weston, Bridgwater & Taunton, SGS, Boomsatsuma, Access Creative, Winterstoke Hundred Academy and Bristol Robins Foundation)
13% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form (The King Alfred School Academy, Churchill Academy and Backwell Academy)
3% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
>1% furthered their education through the Army, traineeships or approved volunteering
>1% went into employment without training or NEET
2020 Year 11 Progression:
86% went on to study A Levels or vocational qualifications at a college (Weston, Bridgwater & Taunton, SGS, Boomsatsuma, Access Creative, WHA, City of Bristol and Bath)
10% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form
3% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
>1% furthered their education through the Army, traineeships or approved volunteering
>1% NEET
2019 Year 11 Progression:
86% went on to study A Levels or vocational qualifications at a college (Weston, Bridgwater & Taunton, SGS, Boomsatsuma, Strode, City of Bristol and Bath)
6% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form
5% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
3% furthered their education through the Army, traineeships or approved volunteering
2018 Year 11 Progression:
86% went onto study A Levels or vocational qualifications at a college
7% went on to study A Levels at a Sixth Form
3% began an apprenticeship / work based learning
4% other training and employment
You can read our brief guide of options beyond school HERE
Click HERE to find out more on student destinations at PCSA from the GOV UK website
We value our relationship with previous students and they are always welcome to return to school to meet our current students to offer the benefit of their experience. Our alumni network is very popular among our students.
