Planning for the future is a significant part of education at BWS, with a comprehensive careers programme enabling students to find out about all options including higher, further and technical education and apprenticeships. This is fully supported by access to a qualified guidance professional throughout the school year for all year groups, ensuring that students receive expert advice at the time that they want it. The BWS provision is fully aligned to current statutory guidance from the Government and implementation is aligned the updated 8 Gatsby Benchmarks.

 

Careers Lead

Mrs Sally Armstrong MA QCG
Careers Leader & Adviser
saa@bishopwordsworths.org.uk

Sally Armstrong is responsible for the leadership and management of careers delivery at BWS. She is a fully qualified, experienced, careers adviser and has worked in schools across the region. She has an MA in Educational and Vocational Guidance, the Qualification in Careers Guidance and the Level 6 Diploma in Careers Leadership.

Careers Programme

The BWS Careers Programme begins with an Introduction and Overview in Year 7 and each year becomes more detailed with activities and employer engagement throughout. In the Middle School students are supported at their first key transition point with information and advice, and guidance interviews as needed. In Years 10 and 11 students engage in a carousel programme weekly sessions. Students from Year 7 onwards can arrange a guidance interview to ensure they are making informed decisions about their next steps.

The Sixth Form Careers Education provision covers all post -18 options. BWS hosts the largest HE and Careers Convention in the region each year outside UCAS. Universities and Colleges, employers, apprenticeship providers and voluntary organisations are in attendance, with a series of seminars for students on Higher Education. Information on apprenticeships and school leaver programmes is available with an opportunity to talk with alumni who have successfully chosen this route. Support is offered to assist with CV writing, application and preparation for interviews as needed. Sixth Form Students are able to arrange guidance interviews at any point during Years 12 and 13. 

Our programme is constantly reviewed to ensure best practice and provision.

Xello

Xello offers a range of careers activities aimed at each Year group. There are three assignments to complete each year building on the previous year, amongst a range of other activities including the Real Game. Parents are encouraged to use the site alongside their son/daughter.

All students have an account with the careers programme Xello and can log in using their school email (bws-school.org.uk root) and the password they set up. Initial login password is their date of birth DDMMYYYY which they will then be asked to change. https://login.xello.co.uk/     

• Year 7 themes: Time Management ~ Interests ~ School subjects
• Year 8 themes: Learning styles ~ Learning pathways ~ Biases
• Year 9 themes: Skills ~ Career matches ~ Self advocacy
• Year 10 themes: Getting experience ~ Personality styles ~ Study skills and habits
• Year 11 themes: Work values ~ Work place skills and attributes ~ Transition to FE
• Year 12 themes: Choosing a university ~ Career demand (LMI) ~ Work/Life balance
• Year 13 themes: Career back up plans ~ Career path choices ~ Defining success

Parents

Throughout their time at BWS, parents/carers are invited into school at significant transition points to find out about their son or daughter's options.

Useful resources for parents:

Apprenticeships: Rate My Apprenticeship Parent Hub

Higher Education: UCAS

Amazing Apprenticeships: Choices magazine

Employers

Bishop’s enjoys considerable input from local and national employers which is invaluable and we are very grateful for all the support we receive which enables us to deliver the statutory requirements in providing at least six encounters with providers of approved technical education qualifications or apprenticeships. Each February we host a large Higher Education and Careers event and Apprenticeship workshops; if you would like to become involved in these or in any other way in school please contact Sally Armstrong for further information.

Measuring and Assessing the Impact of our Careers Programme

• Destination measures
• Student, parent and staff voice
• Employer feedback
• Visiting partners
• Website analytics

Careers Policy

Please see the Policies page.

University Applications 

Please see here.

Apprenticeships

Please see here.

Useful Documents and Links

The following pages contain information and links on post 14, post 16 and post 18 options for students and some key links for parents.

• Labour Market Information in the South West and other areas of the UK
• Gatsby Benchmarks Information about the Gatsby Benchmarks that inform careers provision in schools.
• UCAS The Admissions Service which manages most university applications in the UK.
• Careerpilot A comprehensive careers site which we utilise in school for the careers education programme with information and links for each academic Year group
• National Careers Service Government site with job profile and a useful skills assessment.
• SACU Careers Test A useful test producing ideas for careers, apprenticeships and courses.
• E-Clips BWS careers information subscription - email Mrs Armstrong for the password.
• Apprenticeships Information about Apprenticeships
• ICould General careers site with job information, videos plus advice on career options and the world of work
• UCAS New Personal statements for 2026 entry Brief guidance about the new statement format