Careers
Introduction
The labour market has transformed over the last few years to a fast-changing and highly dynamic environment where transferable skills are at a premium. Long gone are the days of a ‘job for life’, and it is expected that in the 10-15 years after leaving Isleworth & Syon School, students will have undertaken four changes in career, sometimes more. With this in mind, we have devised a vibrant programme of encounters, visits, and experiences that will prepare your son and develop these transferable skills so that he can be a success in whatever employment he chooses.
The tabs on this page offer a taste of what we offer. However, we are always keen to work with new partners and to celebrate the successes of current and former students.
For more information, please contact the Careers Leader, Mark Adams. You can email madams@isleworthsyon.org or telephone 0208 568 5791.
We review our published careers information on a frequent basis and use the Compass Careers Benchmark Tool to assess the impact of our careers programme.
This will next be reviewed in September 2024.
Students
Click on a heading below to learn more about that year group.
Year 7
Our offer begins as students start school, within assemblies and form periods students get the opportunity to identify transferable skills. Students are introduced to the wide variety of options ahead of them including University, apprenticeships and employment. They begin to investigate current and possible future careers through the card game PANJANGO.
Year 8
Students build on the knowledge gained in Year 7. They continue to investigate current and possible future careers through the card game PANJANGO. Towards the end of the academic year students complete an enterprise challenge as part of their Wider Learning week programme.
Year 9
In Year 9 our students are introduced to UNIFROG, our careers software. They get the chance to upload their profiles and search potential careers based on their interests. In addition, students have the opportunity to attend a borough wide careers fair, where they can ask questions and find out about potential careers. Students then select their KS4 options.
Year 10
Year 10 sees students building towards a two week work experience in the summer term. Throughout the year they have the opportunity to meet and hear from employers and alumni as well as learn about the post 16 pathaways. Students complete a half-term of careers-related learning within PSHE. Students also continue to develop their UNIFROG profiles.
Work Experience “Own Find” Form
Year 11
A key year, Year 11 focuses on next steps. Students continue to build their profiles on UNIFROG and begin their applications. Students continue to receive advice and guidance on getting them to where they want to be. Students also get the opportunity to speak to a fully independent careers advisor.
Year 12
Students are introduced to post 18 options including Degrees, Apprenticeships, Degree Apprenticeships and Employment. Students begin to look at University options and visit universities. Students considering the apprenticeship route are given additional guidance and support. Throughout the year students hear from employers as part of their enrichment programme and within lessons. They continue to build their profiles on UNIFROG and are offered a wide range of opportunities via Teams.
Year 13
Students finalise their UCAS applications. Students following the apprenticeship / degree apprenticeship route. Students can organise an additional appointment with an independent careers advisor. They continue to build their profiles on UNIFROG and are offered a wide range of opportunities via Teams.
Summary
| Year | Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills PANJANGO |
WLW – Enterprise Challenge | |
| 8 | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills PANJANGO |
Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills WLW – Enterprise Challenge PANJANGO |
| 9 | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills | Key Stage 4 options event Introduction to UNIFROG |
UNIFROG |
| 10 | Assembly and tutor group opportunities – employability skills UNIFROG |
Networking event with providers and employers Work experience preparation sessions UNIFROG |
Work experience UNIFROG |
| 11 | Assembly on opportunities at 16 UNIFROG |
Post-16 evening Post-16 taster sessions Apprenticeships – support with applications UNIFROG |
|
| 12 | Profile building UNIFROG |
Big Idea Challenge Post-18 assembly – introduction to apprenticeships UNIFROG |
Small group sessions: future education, training and employment options UCAS prep KICKSTART programme |
| 13 | HE and higher apprenticeship applications | Assembly and small group opportunities – employability skills | Apprenticeships – support with applications |
Parents/Carers
In addition to the support provided by the school, there are a number of resources available to support parents/carers in helping their child to make the best decisions for them. These include:
Click an image to learn more about each provider.
We also recommend the Inspiring Careers Programme Choices magazine, available by clicking below:
Inspiring Careers Programme Choice Magazine
Employers
How you can help
At Isleworth & Syon School, we are looking always looking to work with local and international companies to help provide opportunities for our students to learn how the world of business works.
We need people who can help in one or more of the following areas:
- Provide opportunities for Work Placements for our students to ‘learn at work’.
- Support us on key aspects of our curriculum where we draw on the experiences of you as industry experts.
- Working Lunch – Come in to school and deliver an informal engagement session over lunch (Sixth Form only)
- This might include CV writing, mock interviews, the job application process and social media training.
- Host Industry Days, where small groups of students visit your company to see how it works on a daily basis.
- Insight videos, short videos giving students an insight into your education, job, and key skills needed.
What we can offer you
- Access to a young and enthusiastic workforce with the skills that you need.
- Staff development by allowing them to train, mentor and manage our students.
- Build your company’s profile through your CSR work and your support of the local community.
Other information
Alumni
It doesn’t matter when you left Isleworth & Syon School, whether you’re in higher education or employment, whether you still live nearby or have moved further away – we are always looking for former students to support the next generation of Isleworthians.
Below, former Isleworth & Syon Student Alex Newberry (1999-2006) talks about his career to date and the challenges he has faced.
Register your interest via the form below:
LMI
What is LMI?
Labour market information (LMI) tells you about the local or national demand there is for different skills and from different industries.
Labour market information tells you:
- Which jobs are likely to be easiest or hardest to find in your area.
- Which are the big employers in different areas and which ones have jobs on offer.
- What skills employers are looking for and which are in short supply.
- How much you can expect to be paid in specific jobs.
- What working conditions are like.
- What qualifications will be most helpful if you want a certain career.
- What the jobs of the future might look like and which jobs might disappear.
Why is LMI important?
“It is vital, in an environment where new industries are emerging and many of the most important jobs of the future don’t yet exist, that individuals have access to high-quality labour market information and earnings data to underpin their choices”. – Anne Milton MP
We use a variety of sources to provide our students with a clear understanding of the local and national labour market. Below is LMI gathered via the Office for National Statistics and shared with us by the National Careers Service.
We also use a monthly LMI bulletin provided by the Education Development Trust:
