Welcome to the careers page of the Sydney Russell School website. Our aim is to help students make good choices when planning the next steps of their career. We offer support to students with work experience, writing a CV, developing employability skills and interview techniques.
Miss N. Maggs is the designated member of staff that can assist students in taking a well informed decision when it comes to their next steps.
Careers Contact Information
Natalie Maggs
Director of CEIAG
nmg@sydneyrussellschool.com
Tel: 0203 959 9900
Careers
Key Stage 4
Students in Year Eight have the opportunity to indicate their preferences for subjects to study in Year Nine with a view to taking GCSEs in these subjects. We offer students and parents the opportunity to attend the Subject Information Evening. There is a presentation given by the Principal followed by the opportunity to attend one of three sessions, outlining the subjects available for students in each band. Subject teachers are available to give specific advice to individual students about their subject and the next steps in their academic career.
More information about the Year 8 Preference Evening – Visit
There is an expectation that students will study for seven years, not five and the majority of students will do Year Twelve and Thirteen at The Sydney Russell School. While there is, of course, specific advice about destinations in Year Eleven, students are encouraged to consider their options from Year Seven.
In the Autumn Term, students in Year Eleven and their parents are invited to attend the 16+ Information Evening. There are presentations from the Principal the Head of Sixth Form and other relevant speakers and opportunity to discuss A-Level courses with teachers delivering them. Once students have indicated their preferences, there are interviews at various points in the year to ensure that students are on appropriate pathways.
On the day that the GCSE results are published, members of the 16+ Team re-interview students to ensure that their preferences for their A-Level courses remain appropriate.
Sixth Form
Further and Higher Education
Further Education
It is compulsory for students to remain in education or training until they are eighteen. There is a variety of routes. Students may choose to study A-Levels or Vocational courses in a school Sixth Form or at a College of Further Education. Apprenticeships are offered by employers and students combine studying at college with work experience. Vocational courses are available in many different career fields, such as health care, computer technology, office management and skilled trades.
Higher Education
At eighteen, students can study for a degree at university, continue with an apprenticeship or further training or find employment. Universities offer students places based on their A-Level results or other qualifications.
Courses offered at Colleges of Further Education
Academic Subjects The subjects offered at different colleges will vary but most will offer a wide choice and all will offer English and maths.
Vocational Subjects are academic courses directly related to an aspect of employment such as Business, IT, Engineering or Health and Social Care and can lead to a large variety of different types of work, apprenticeships or university courses.
Technical (or T) Level Courses are ones that involve training for a specific career such as hairdressing, plumbing, or engineering.
Apprenticeships are where a student combines paid work and studying and is assessed by the employer, by a visiting assessor or by written tasks taken at the college.
Foundation Courses to develop maths, English, study skills, confidence and employability. These courses can give students the chance to try out several different vocational areas.
Applying for Further Education Colleges
Students should apply early as some courses can fill up quickly. They may apply for as many courses or colleges as they wish. When selecting a course, students should consider the GCSE grades that have been predicted as well as the careers in which they are interested. FE colleges regularly run open events and it is essential that students attend some of them to ensure that a course is suitable. They should also check the colleges most recent data and OFSTED report. Below is the contact details of local Further Education colleges.Barking & Dagenham Technical Skills Academy
Apprenticeships
Below is a list of several Apprenticeships websites to find out more about Apprenticeships that interest you or to explore your options.
Government websites for Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships – Visit
Local websites for apprenticeships
Indeed – Visit
Barking & Dagenham College – Visit
Reed – Visit
Borough of Barking & Dagenham – Visit
