Careers & University
HACH sixth form provides students with a vast and wide ranging programme to assist in shaping successful and aspirational futures and ensuring students have access to all relevant information, advice, guidance and experiences to prepare for life beyond Sixth Form.
Students are encouraged to follow their passions and engage in a range of opportunities on offer to build their personal brand towards a successful future.
Connect with the world of work
Much of the careers programme at HACH sixth form is based around linking subjects with real world applications – from work experience opportunities, employer engagements, industry insight days and networking events with a range of partner agencies. Students get numerous opportunities to see what professional life is like and where their subjects and extra-curricular work can take them.
Higher Education & assemblies
Students have weekly assemblies exploring a wide range of topics. They regularly hear from aspirational universities, discussing student life, ambitous applying and personal statement writing. They also engage with PathwayCTM, a partner agency working closely with the Harris Federation, supporting applications to high level degree apprenticeships with top UK companies. Students also visit university as part of their subject studies and supra-curricular days, including a visit to Oxford university in Year 12.
Masterclasses, Societies and guest speakers
Students are encouraged to continuously develop their character and skills by engaging in a wide range of supra-curricular experiences. Students work collaboratively with staff to run societies around their chosen pathways; including law, medicine, debating, Oxbridge and coding. Subjects regularly invite guest speakers from academia and industry to engage with students to further their interests.
Opportunities noticeboard
Students have a dedicated Teams noticeboard detailing a huge range of opportunities, webinars, events and experiences to engage in. Student are encouraged to develop independence and networking by taking responsibility for their own career journey and developing their passions and interests further.
- Support
All students in HACH Sixth Form meet with our careers advisor to discuss their future pathways and gain specialist advice and guidance to help make informed choices. The Harris Federation Careers team also host drop in advice sessions, degree apprenticeship application programmes and Russell group seminars to help students at all stages to be successful and aspirational.
Mrs Emerson-Morris is the careers lead who co-ordinates and oversees the careers programme. She can be contacted at a.emerson@harrischaffordhundred.org.uk
Our Careers Advisor is Ms Deborah Oke who provides independent and impartial advice to all students. Parents can arrange an appointment for their son/daughter via email, she can be contacted at Deborah.Oke@harrisfederation.org.uk
Dr Lowe runs our Oxbridge programme and Dr Kimble runs our Harris Experience programme. Please contact the sixth from team or Mrs Emerson-Morris for more information.
Life Skills
Through PSHCE and tutor sessions, students are taught valuable life skills for life after sixth form, from managing a budget to getting a mortgage and from surviving student life to the perks of employment such as private healthcare. Students’ journeys only begin with us and preparation for life after school is a large part of what we do.
Applying to university
The vast majority of our sixth form students decide to continue their educational journey at university. Every year, many of our students attend some of the top universities in the country with many accepting offers at Russell Group universities as well as Oxford and Cambridge.
We offer a comprehensive UCAS support programme designed to guide you through every stage of the process, from choosing the right course to writing a standout personal statement and preparing for interviews.
Our students make informed, well-researched choices that reflect both ambition and realism – maximising your chances of securing offers from your chosen universities. With personalised advice and expert guidance, students are supported to submit a strong application that showcases their strengths and sets them apart.
UCAS for parents
Parents often ask for information on the UCAS process. Click HERE to view the parent guide to UCAS. It illustrates the benefits of higher education, outlines the application process, and advises parents on what they can do to support their child.
UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admission Service) is the admission organisation for higher education in the UK. Students can also use Unifrog to search for courses, create shortlists and much more.
The UCAS information tool for parents can be used for advice, hints and tips to help your child and you navigate through the application process or to subscribe to the parent newsletter for regular updates.
The UCAS website also includes student finance information, where you can find out more about fees and the range of financial support available.
Apprenticeships
An apprenticeship is a real job that offers hands-on experience while also providing the training needed to gain a relevant industry qualification. Some of our students choose this route as they prefer a more practical route into their career and do not wish to attend university. They have a clear idea of the area they wish to continue in and have successfully passed a rigorous and demanding application process.
There are different levels of apprenticeships and it is vital that you choose the correct level before applying:
There are lots of benefits to studying for an apprenticeship. Some of them are:
- You are earning a competitive salary and not getting into debt
- You are not investing in further studies at university
- Your employer is investing in your learning
- You are achieving an industry recognised qualification
- You are gaining invaluable work experience
- You are developing your soft skills which are transferable
You can learn about apprenticeships in a variety of ways. In addition to support from your careers advisor, there are also plenty of useful websites to explore, including:
- harriscareerseducation.org.uk
- unifrog.org
- getmyfirstjob.co.uk
- notgoingtouni.co.uk
- ucas.com/apprenticeships
There is also lots of information available on our virtual careers fair.
Harris Experience & Oxbridge programme
Our Partners
We'll make sure you have all the support you need to plan you next step.
Pathway. We are fortunate to be working with Pathway CTM, an award-winning social enterprise that is transforming employability training, support, and opportunities for schools and students. They deliver a nationally recognised programme to thousands of students across the UK, helping young people make informed decisions about their next steps after leaving school. Visit the Pathway website.
Unifrog is the one-stop-shop for all things careers and destinations. This online platform is where Sixth Form students can explore their interests, then find and successfully apply for their best next step after school. Visit the Unifrog website .
Alumni network
HACH Sixth Form actively cultivates links with its alumni, who are doing a wide range of exciting things. As well as using this network for bespoke advice for students who may need it – for example, because they are thinking of following a path that one of our alumni are pursuing. Students are encouraged to utilise this network through LinkedIn when exploring future opportunities and work related learning.
Work experience
All year 12 students complete Work Experience in the summer term, and are encouraged to be proactive in finding work experience which is challenging, rewarding and linked to their post-18 plans. Students also have several key moments in Year 12 where they can find work experience, such as the two-week October Half Term and our longer summer break. Opportunities are also regularly posted on the student opportunities bulletin and they are encouraged to participate to grow and develop their skillset.
We give enhanced support to key groups of students to secure work experience placements, and offer guidance for those who are finding it hard, cultivating links with work experience providers in order to do so.
How can parents help
We know that parents play a crucial role in helping young people to navigate their future choices and we invite you to engage in the careers programme with us. Engaging in parental information evenings and school events is a great way to ensure you have the best information to support your child.
If you have any questions about how we support students and parents with their future choices, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. You can contact the careers lead: a.emerson@harrischaffordhundred.org.uk
If you have any professional expertise to share with our students, we would love to hear from you. You could assist with:
- Delivering a career talk to students
- Volunteering for mock interview and assessment centre days
- Hosting a stand at our annual careers fair
- Offering a work experience placement for a student
- Hosting some students at your place of work for a day
How can employers help
Employers play an essential role in helping young people to navigate their future choices and we invite you to engage in the careers programme with us. Giving young people first hand experience of the world of work and the skills needed to be successful in each chosen field, as well as helping them develop the essential skill of networking, allows them to be more aspirational and see themselves in a future role.
If you have any professional expertise to share with our students and would like to engage with us to support young people, we would love to hear from you. You could assist with:
- Delivering a career talk to students
- Volunteering for mock interview and assessment centre days
- Hosting a stand at our annual careers fair
- Offering a work experience placement for a student
- Hosting some students at your place of work for a day
- Offering mentoring and industry-specific insights
You can contact the careers lead: a.emerson@harrischaffordhundred.org.uk
Policies & Documents