Careers - King Edward VI College

Your Learner Journey

Bespoke Career Guidance: Every student has access to one-to-one careers support with a Level 6 qualified Careers Development Professional.
Dedicated Careers Support: Our Careers team, including Progress Tutors, will support students in planning and achieving their career goals, with a focus on employability skills, work experience, and apprenticeship opportunities.
Industry Engagement: Students will interact with local, national and international employers through workshops, careers fairs, and networking events to gain insight into a range of industries and professions.

Workplace Experiences: We offer opportunities for all students to engage in meaningful work experience placements that align with their career aspirations.
Higher Education Support: Individual guidance is provided on university applications, including tailored support for Early Entry UCAS applicants through our Aspiration and Aspiring Medics Programme. Students will participate in university visits, personal statement support, and mock interviews
Apprenticeships and Alternative Pathways: We offer advice and guidance on apprenticeships, gap years, employment and other post-16 and post-18 pathways, encouraging students to explore all available options.

The Careers Team

Rachael Talbot

Careers and Progression Leader

I studied an Undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Sunderland, and started working in Careers way back in 2002. I have been working at King Edward College since 2013 and I have a Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development and completed my Careers Leader training in 2021. I am passionate about providing students and parents with opportunities to support them to make informed decisions about their next steps after college. In my free time I enjoy playing hockey.

Stacey Cooksey

Careers Adviser

I have a wealth of experience gained from working within the recruitment, logistics and hospitality industries with many years spent in a senior management position strategically planning and managing staff. I know from experience what skills employers need, and I am dedicated to supporting students to develop their skills and to inspire them to go out into the world and be the best they can be. I am working towards my Level 6 Diploma in Career Guidance and Development. In my personal time, my focus is my family and travelling as much as possible.

Gatsby Benchmarks – As part of our quality assurance, we work towards the Gatsby Benchmarks and CDI Framework.

The eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance are:

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

Parents and Carers

We know how much of an important role parents have in supporting students to achieve their ambitions. Whilst your child at is at college they will receive the following:

Planned experiences, visits, talks and courses.
Individual careers guidance and tutorial support.
Opportunities to develop a range of skills, abilities and interests to make and review career plans and evaluate alternatives to a positive destination.
Parents/Careers can book an appointment to talk to us as part of parents evening
Parents/Carers can attend your child’s Careers Guidance appointment with them
Parent/Carers will be invited to attend Careers events that fall outside of the college day to support your child with preparing for life after college

If you would like more information about supporting your child please email careers@ke6n.ac.uk

Employers

We welcome involvement from employers and apprenticeship providers
We host regular events throughout the year to support these usually in October, March and May. Please see our PAL policy for more information – include link If you would to be invited to future events please get in touch careers@ke6n.ac.uk

KE6 Careers programme

The Careers programme is designed to support students regardless of their plans after college We are constantly reviewing the programme to ensure it meets the needs our students, is relevant to their intended destinations, meets the needs of the local labour market, allows students to be aspirational and has a positive impact on students.

University Fair and Apprenticeship Fair (October)

Students and parents will be able to attend to network with Universities, Employers and Apprenticeship providers to find out more about options for once they have completed their studies with us.

HE and Apprenticeship application support

Bespoke support for students applying to university including personal statement support from Universities and workshops for apprenticeship application support

Mock interviews for University Courses and Apprenticeships

Students will be able to attend workshops to help prepare them for university interviews, apprenticeship interviews and assessment days

Future you week (Feb/March)

Engaging and Impactful talks and workshops from local, national and international employers, from various industries including a time for Q and A.