Guidance and Information for Students

Mrs Lovelace manages the school's careers programme which is intended to help to inspire, educate, inform, advise and guide all students into success after CGS. All students are welcome to visit the Careers Office at any time to speak to her about any aspect of careers or transition support (e.g. choosing options subjects, apprenticeships etc) or for support with work experience or work shadowing.

Mrs Lovelace also manages the careers library (in the careers office) where students will find up to date college and university prospectuses, apprenticeship information, gap year and volunteering opportunities along with many different career books and periodicals and other general careers information. Students can come to the careers office for careers-related research at break and lunchtimes.

For specific questions about UCAS or university applications, Sixth Form students should first speak to Mr Wescomb (Director of Sixth Form) or Mrs Griffin (UCAS Coordinator) in the Sixth Form Office.

 

Employers

We are always interested in extending our network of companies and employers who want to work with us. Our careers events require volunteers for a variety of activities, from session facilitators to speakers, and stall holders at our careers fair. If you would like to find out more, or to volunteer for an event please contact our Careers Leader.

 

Apprenticeships

Students at CGS are encouraged to explore all post-16 and post-18 options, including apprenticeships. Apprenticeships are becoming an increasingly attractive alternative to the traditional higher education route.

 

What is an Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeships give young people the opportunity to work for a real employer, earn a real salary and gain a real qualification whilst gaining valuable workplace skills and experience. Anyone living in England, over 16 years old and not in full-time education can apply to be an apprentice.

All apprentices should work for at least 30 hours a week, apart from in exceptional circumstances. Over 150,000 employers are offering Apprenticeships in more than 200,000 locations. Apprenticeships are available at Intermediate, Advanced and Higher (degree) level, covering more than 170 industries and 1500 job roles.

Quality is key to apprenticeships. All apprenticeships must be at least 12 months in duration and lead to a national qualification that is respected by employers around the world.
 

Salary

All apprentices must receive the appropriate national minimum wage. Check out National Minimum Wage Rates for updates on the latest figures.

 

Types of Apprenticeships available

There are three types of Apprenticeship that vary depending on current skills and qualifications:

1 - Intermediate Level Apprenticeships - Offers GCSE level equivalent qualifications

2 - Advanced Level Apprenticeships - Offers A-Level equivalent qualifications

3 - Higher Apprenticeships - Offers Degree level equivalent qualifications
 

Further information

Websites such as Amazing Apprenticeships, Apprenticeships and Higherin (rate my apprenticeship) contain a wealth of information for both students and parents on the different types of Apprenticeships available. There is also some very helpful advice and links on Get My First Job, Not Going to Uni (NGTU) and this Sixth Formers' Guide to Degree Apprenticeships.

Students can access the full database of apprenticeship vacancies that are available at The Apprenticeship Guide and Find an Apprenticeship.

 

Help and support

Our Careers Leader is available to assist students with queries about apprenticeships, or to help with applications. Mock interviews can also be carried out on request in advance of an apprenticeship interview.

Students may also request an interview with an independent qualified careers advisor if they are considering an apprenticeship. Students should request an appointment via Mrs Lovelace.

Barclays Life Skills is a fantastic free resource that provides help and advice on applying for a job and performing well at interview.

 

Useful Resources
Apprenticeships: Hints and Tips for Parents and Carers
Apprenticeship Recruiting Platforms
CGS - Demystifying Apprenticeships
The Parents' Guide to Apprenticeships 2025-26

Higher Education

For specific questions about UCAS or university applications, Sixth Form students should first speak to Mr Wescomb (Director of Sixth Form), Mrs Griffin (UCAS Coordinator) or Ms Stevens (Sixth Form Learning Mentor) in the Sixth Form Office.

Please find below a list of resources that can help with researching higher education options:

 

Studying Overseas

Fulbright Commission - The starting point for information about study in the USA

QS Top Universities - Information about overseas study worldwide

Further Education Colleges

Further education (FE) includes any study after secondary education that is not part of higher education (not taken as part of an undergraduate or graduate degree). Courses range from basic English and Maths to Higher National Diplomas (HNDs). We can recommend below a selection of excellent colleges locally who offer a wide variety of courses. For further information, please contact Mrs Lovelace in the Careers Office.

Labour Market Information (LMI)

Labour market information (LMI) can help students and their parents understand the job market and find out which careers, different qualifications can lead to. 

Unifrog - Students and parents can explore up-to-date national and local LMI. Browse the 1,000+ career profiles in the Careers library for any area of the UK. You can see the most popular jobs, median salaries, and even what jobs people in that area are more likely to do versus the national average.

The following links will also help students and parents find out about what jobs are likely to be important nationally and regionally over the coming years. We would encourage students to look through the resources below before making choices about further education or employment:

  • Bucks Skills Hub website - Our local hub provides invaluable career-related information, including guides to different job sectors, case studies on the world of work, how to make yourself more employable, and much more!  
  • LMI Future Trends: To view useful information on the national labour market and future trends.
  • Working Futures 2014-2024: Report produced by the UK Commission of Employment and Skills on the future of work in the UK.
  • Target Careers: To find out about different careers sectors – includes useful advice and information such as salaries, the types of jobs available and what your options are with, or without, a degree.
  • Target Jobs : To look through graduate job descriptions to find out what each job involves and the qualifications and skills that are most needed
  • National Careers Service provides excellent information about a wider variety of job roles.
  • Careerometer: Find out about pay and projected workforce changes in different jobs.
  • Creative Industries: Independent review of the Creative Industries.

 

Don’t forget the CGS Instagram account @cgs_careers for the latest local opportunities.