At Pewsey Vale School we are very keen for our students to have access to a wide range of employers, to find out about a variety of careers available to them in the future. This includes providing access to up to date careers and labour market information (LMI).

To help students explore career options when helping to decide on their Super North Star, it is helpful that they have an opportunity not just to hear employers talk but to engage in meaningful dialogue. This year, due to the pandemic, we needed to be creative in thinking of ways in which we could replace our hugely successful Careers Fair. We were able to run a week of virtual talks with employers; students had presentations and then the opportunity for a question and answer session at the end.

During the week, we were very lucky to have a range of speakers from very diverse backgrounds. Where technology allowed, and permissions were given, the sessions were recorded. Below you can see some information about some of the speakers we had during the week and some of the videos of their talks.

Due to the success of this event, we will be looking to run similar sessions in the future and are always grateful for members of our wider school community who can offer their time and expertise in supporting our students.

A full list of events taking place at colleges in our local area can be found here

New College - Swindon

We are committed to providing our students with the best teaching and learning, facilities, enrichment, development opportunities and guidance support. We aim to help our students achieve their own goals or ambitions – whether that’s to gain a university place, the career of their dreams, develop a new hobby or skills or secure promotion.

We have two campuses; Queens Drive and North Star, as well as an Adult Learning Centre in Swindon town centre. We deliver academic qualifications (GCSEs, A-Levels), vocational and technical qualifications, higher education and degree-level courses, Apprenticeships, professional and business training and leisure courses.

Sarum Academy - Salisbury

We have a strong offering currently for several reasons. We have a wide range of A-Level and BTEC courses on offer for individualised learning pathways, judged 'good' by OFSTED with high rates of progression to university courses and vocational careers. The average grade of B for A level, Merit+ for Vocational Qualifications and 14% of our students achieve A*/A in all of their subjects. We have high-quality teaching with experienced staff; the overwhelming majority of whom are subject experts from Lower School through to Sixth Form. We run a Sports Academy programme run in conjunction with Southampton Football Club and link with other local sports teams. Strong pastoral care with professional career advice. Exciting new facilities in a £15 million purpose-built school with a dedicated Sixth Form Petal. Small class sizes result in personalised teaching.

 Sparsholt - Hampshire

Nestled in the heart of the Hampshire countryside, Sparsholt College is a leading provider of a range of land-based courses and is home to The National Zoo Academy. Students of all ages learn in state-of-the-art facilities under industry experts to develop knowledge and skills that are valued by employers.

Hartpury College - Gloucester

Hartpury University and Hartpury College is a leading land-based, equine and sports education provider in Gloucestershire. Offering a wide range of A-Levels and BTEC qualifications, as well as undergraduate degrees and postgraduate study.

Wiltshire College - Trowbridge, Chippenham & Castle Combe, Salisbury & Lackham

Wiltshire College is the main provider of further and higher education in Wiltshire, with an excellent reputation for quality provision, innovation and student care.

Salisbury 6th Form - Wiltshire

“It’s all about you!”

We firmly believe that S6C offers you the ideal college environment to embark on the next stage of your education. With a vibrant and friendly atmosphere and positive relationships promoted at all times, you will find that S6C is an exciting place to develop and one in which you will thrive both academically and socially.

When you join us you become part of the S6C community and will follow an individual study programme that is tailored to your interests and needs. We are proud of our inclusivity in enabling students from all backgrounds and different needs to be supported to reach their potential. It’s not long before we get to know all our students well enabling us to work with your passions and interests to shape your future.

As a college, our teaching staff are specialists in 16-19 education. We are unique in this position as the only 16-19 specialist college for Level 3 and accelerated courses in Salisbury. We are lucky to be able to deliver our courses using excellent modern facilities and we offer a broad range of A-Level and Vocational / Technical courses.

Our staff have a tireless dedication to improving the standards of academic achievement for all students and have a passionate commitment to your success through a culture of high expectations and aspiration. Students at S6C speak highly of our teachers and support staff. They will thoroughly enjoy working with you and supporting you to attain your ambitions both academically and personally. Whether you are aiming for university or employment, we will help you on your post-16 journey.

St John's - Marlborough

We’re proud to be one of the top-performing sixth forms nationally, and this success is the reason we have over 400 students in Years 12 & 13.

In addition to St John’s Outstanding OFSTED ranking, almost one in four students achieved at least AAB grades in academic subjects, and we have exceptional results in our vocational qualifications. We have an excellent record of success in applications to a wide range of universities including the most prestigious in the country.

In addition to a full range of over 25 A-levels including all the facilitating subjects, we offer a fantastic selection of vocational diplomas including Sport, Forensic Investigation, Creative Digital Media Production, Food Science, Health & Social Care and Performing Arts, all delivered in the state of the art facilities. As a member of the sixth form, you will be expected to accept a much greater degree of personal responsibility for your work and progress than before. A real commitment to St John’s, to your chosen courses and Sixth Form activities, is essential. We expect that you will want to succeed and be prepared to work hard to ensure success. In return, you will have the support of our teaching staff and tutors.

Wellington Academy - Tidworth

The Wellington Academy 6th Form is unique. As well as excellent grades in a range of subjects in both A-Level and BTEC options, we offer an outstanding range of extra opportunities that you will not find anywhere else.

The ethos of the 6th Form is ‘limitless aspiration’; we spend a lot of time ensuring that students not only succeed to the best of their ability in subjects of their choice, but they leave us at the end of year 13 having had the opportunities to experience programmes designed to both enhance their future choice prospects and also develop as a young adult ready for the world beyond school.

The 6th Form has grown in strength each year. Our results improve year on year, and the number of opportunities increases also. Student feedback is very positive, with all students rating the department as very supportive and effective. Whilst our numbers are increasing each year, we are still a small enough 6th form to be able to offer personal support and guidance and bespoke curricular plans. A common theme in feedback is the ‘family atmosphere.

Students leave us for greater things at the end of year 13. Last year, for example, every single student left to a destination of their choice, be it higher apprenticeships, university, or employment; over 70% of students chose the university as their destination and these choices included Russell Group universities.

As we are a boarding school, we have a healthy number of border students, and this increases the diversity of the student body and leads to opportunities to develop cultural awareness and increases the richness of classroom discussions.

ASK - Amazing Apprenticeships

The Apprenticeship Support and Knowledge for Schools and Colleges programme (ASK) is funded by the National Apprenticeship Service, part of the Department for Education. The programme is designed to give schools, colleges and other educational establishments across England free support to develop and transform how your students think about apprenticeships.

What that support looks like for you will depend on your establishment’s size, focus and requirements, but it could include an inspiring apprenticeship awareness assembly, apprenticeship application workshop, careers fair attendance, free resources, a teacher CPD session or a whole range of other options.

All options are available to be delivered in-person, online or virtually, depending on the needs of the school/college.

Amazing Apprenticeships help to coordinate and facilitate that support. In the past five years, we have helped over 1 million students across 4,200+ establishments get the support they needed. We connect schools, colleges and training providers in need with an Education Skills Funding Agency-funded delivery partner organisation in the area. Your delivery partner will then work with you directly to assess your requirements and deliver your bespoke support package.

British Armed Forces

The British Armed Forces, also known as Her Majesty's Armed Forces, are the military services responsible for the defence of the United Kingdom, its overseas territories and the Crown dependencies. They also promote the UK's wider interests, support international peacekeeping efforts and provide humanitarian aid.

What makes a soldier video: https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker/wma-soldier

What makes an officer video: https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker/wma-officer

Apprenticeship video: https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker/apprenticeships-army-style

Bursaries: https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker/bursary-stories

All recruiting videos: https://apply.army.mod.uk/thelocker

Frequently asked questions and ask a question page: https://apply.army.mod.uk/ask-a-question

Work experience: https://apply.army.mod.uk/how-to-join/entryoptions/army-work-experience

Royal Air Force 

The RAF collaborates with government, military, and civilian partners in the UK and overseas to promote UK security, prosperity and national interests around the world.

Royal Navy
In times of peace and conflict, the Royal Navy is key to Britain’s prosperity and success. We help to stabilise the seas, keeping the maritime trade that’s the lifeblood of the UK economy flowing. We act as a guardian and a diplomat, as a humanitarian forces for good, and as a peacekeeper on the global stage.

https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/careers/joining

Civil Service 

The Civil Service delivers public services and supports the government of the day to develop and implement its policies. The work civil servants do touch all aspects of life in the UK, from education and the environment to transport and defence. Civil servants are politically impartial. Together, we ensure the effective running of government and provide the best possible services to the public.

The scale, complexity and impact of the work civil servants do are unrivalled. We employ 450,000 people across the country and overseas. Our work is everything from advising ministers on policy to delivering front-line services to the public. You could be working as a vet, a customer service adviser, a weapons engineer, a marine biologist or a web developer, to name a few. Whatever you do, and wherever you work, a job in the Civil Service is an opportunity to make a difference.

https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/

Your Choices:

The Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub are offering a FREE, virtual post-16 and post-18 options event to all young people in the area (aged 14+). This is an interactive event, giving you the chance to ask questions directly to our local colleges, universities, training providers, employers and speakers, to help you in making your future career choices.

This is available during the school/college day from 11-2 pm, or in the evening between 5-7 pm. We welcome parents to sign up and access the event at a time convenient for them during these times. Sign up here.

This local event is part of a national ‘Summer of Support’ from the Careers and Enterprise Company and Youth Employment UK, to help young people with information, resources and online learning to help them feel more confident in moving forward in their next steps and choices. There are free courses and resources for students and parents, as part of the Young Professional Programme online here.

Andover College:

Andover College is holding several open events. To attend, click here to register for the event of your choice.

Name: Dillwyn Rosser

Bio: Dillwyn Rosser is a Local Labour Coordinator in Chippenham but also works in other places in the UK. He's a Qualified Trainer, has a Degree in Business Studies, Master's in Personnel Management and works with construction companies on large projects helping them to recruit local people on site as trainees, employees, and on work experience. He enjoys seeing people progress from a trainee or an apprentice, to become qualified and then develop a successful career.

Name: Ben Danielsen

Company: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa

Bio: Based in the Grade-I Listed Royal Crescent centre, this iconic hotel combines the very best of modern luxury with old-world heritage. Historic architecture, hidden gardens, a sensational spa, beautiful bedrooms, & the finest dining: The RCH is an iconic destination for a day or a stay. Rated amongst the top hotels in the UK, with one of the most sought-after addresses, The Royal Crescent has become a destination hotel. 

Ben is a Fellow of the Institute of Hospitality. He is passionate about people management and strives to create a positive and productive working culture at the RCH that works for the benefit of staff and guests alike. Having grown up in Norway, the hospitality industry has enabled Ben to work in many different countries and through a career spanning over 20 years, has worked and managed 5-star hotels and large resorts in America and Europe.

Name: Soraya Conroy

Company: Royal United Hospital in Bath

Bio: Soraya is a core surgical trainee in the general surgical department at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Her job is extremely varied, spending her time between being on-call which is when she is treating emergency surgical patients who come through the A&E department or who are referred by the GP, operating in theatre - undertaking and assisting in several surgical procedures on the abdomen, looking after patients on the war, and seeing patients in outpatient clinics. It's a fast-paced, exciting, and very rewarding job. A privilege to care for and work with a range of dynamic, inspiring, and highly skilled people.

Name: Alex Blackstock

Company: Royal Air Force

Bio: Alex is a Squadron Leader who joined the RAF in 2004 as an Engineering Officer. At the age of 15, he loved sport, wasn't interested in English or poetry, found Biology difficult, really liked making things in Design & Technology and his dream job was a car designer.

Name: Katrina Bride

Bio: After her A levels, she studied English at Birmingham University and then went into retail management - this was a general management training scheme. After 3 years she realized she wanted to specialize in Marketing, so left retail and learned Marketing with an IT company. After 7 years took a break to look after the children. When they were old enough for her to work, she trained as a teacher of English Language to International students and has worked in a Language School in Bath ever since.

When lockdown happened last year, the school had to close as there was no foreign travel, so looked for something else to do whilst waiting for teaching to resume. She found a post-graduate course to train to become a careers adviser and this is what she is doing now, studying from home. When lockdown lifts she will have two options - to work as a careers adviser or an English Language teacher, or both.

Name: Mel De Jaeger

Company: Royal United Hospital in Bath

Bio: Mel is a Specialist Nurse at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. Her specialism is bladder and bowels, so people to talk her about quite embarrassing problems that affect their day-to-day lives. She hasn't always been a burse and used to work in the marketing department of the sweet brand, Chewits. Mel's children went to school in Trowbridge and she has a son who is currently training to be a nurse at Portsmouth University.

Name: Katrin Powell

Company: British Army

Bio: Katrin is a Soldier and a Mother, she has served 10 years in the British Army as a Driver Communications Specialist. She's had opportunities with the RAF, Royal Navy, and personnel from different Army's from around the world. She has been to Germany, Denmark, Finland, Canada, Jordan, and Afghanistan. A memorable moment is overcoming her fear of heights, paragliding over the top of the Neuschwanstein Castle.

Name: Spike Mears

Company: Dyer and Butler

Bio: Experienced Contracts Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the civil engineering industry. Skilled in Highways, Heavy Civils, Marine Civils, Groundworks, Earthworks, Project Estimation, Programming, and Cost Engineering. Strong operations professional with an NVQ 5 in Construction Senior Management.

Name: Rob Dawkins

Company: Independent Training

 Name: Paul Webb

Company: Outdoor Activity Industry