Formal careers work begins during Term 2 of year 9 when pupils play ‘The Real Game’ (a PSHE, Citizenship and Careers teaching package), continuing through to Term 3 when pupils complete a module of lessons designed to help them make an informed option choice and to establish a working knowledge of the examination courses they will follow in the upper school.

Year 10 pupils can use the ICT network to access KUDOS, which produces a personal vocational profile, CID (Careers information database) with local information and many other Careers related programmes. As well as increasing self-awareness, this course will enable pupils to make an informed choice of placement for Work Experience, which takes place in October during year 11. A visit to the ‘Skills Festival’ in March helps inform pupils of choices available at the end of Key Stage 4.

In year 11, Careers lessons cover a wide spectrum of life-skills and also examine the options at 16+; Tertiary College, College of Further Education, Training Schemes and full-time employment. Pupils are able to play ‘The Be Real Game’ as a continuation of their work in Year 9. A variety of techniques are employed to enable school leavers to present themselves in the best possible light in terms of qualifications, interests and personal presentation, and to develop decision-making skills which will be of value throughout their lives.

Work experience, work based training sessions, mock interviews, visiting speakers, simulations and occasional short visits to places of work are arranged for pupils as part of the careers guidance programme.

The Careers Library is situated alongside the main school library and is open every breaktime and lunchtime for pupils' use.

Post 16 In conjunction with the Careers Education programme pupils also receive advice throughout the year from the Connexions Service as well as through the range of facilities outlined above.

The vast majority of our pupils go on to further education at Cirencester College which offers a wide range of qualifications including vocational courses ‘AS’ and ‘A2’ levels. Large numbers of students then go on to degree courses.

Some students may choose to attend other sixth forms or specialist colleges, including some in Cheltenham, Gloucester, Stroud or Swindon.