Careers
Meet The Team:
Careers Leader - Mr S. Britton (Assistant Headteacher for Personal Development)
Email address- brittons@hilbre.wirral.sch.uk
Phone number- (0151) 625 5996
Careers Advisor- Ms M Grealis
Email address- grealism@hilbre.wirral.sch.uk
Phone number- (0151) 625 5996
For the school overview of all staff involved in careers, please refer to the School's Careers Programme 2024.
Work Related Learning, Careers and Enterprise:
Work-Related Learning, Careers and Enterprise education are significant facets of the development and preparation our students undertake in readiness for joining the highly competitive world of work. Activities include mock interviews with external employers, industry days, speakers and on-line resources, all designed to give our students the most up-to-date and relevant experience and information available, so their employability is enhanced.
Work-Related Learning, which includes Careers and Enterprise, is a compulsory element of the Citizenship programme. There is a planned scheme of work for Years 7 – 13, which is delivered through Citizenship, tutorial lessons or discretely at other times. Delivery is overseen by the Deputy Headteacher: Pastoral, in collaboration with MPLOY, the school’s contracted Careers Education and Guidance Development Providers.
Student Entitlement:
A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils and/or their parents including an apprenticeship evening, assemblies and parent / guardian evenings.
Please speak to our Careers Development and Guidance Coordinator to identify the most suitable opportunity for you. The school’s policy on safeguarding sets out the approach to allowing providers into school as visitors to talk to students. The Safeguarding Policy is available on our website www.hilbre.wirral.sch.uk
Pupils in Years 7 to 13 are entitled:
- To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeship opportunities as part of a careers programme, which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.
- To hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evenings, assemblies and group discussions and taster events.
- To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.
The aim of the Work-Related Learning programme is to make students aware of the opportunities available to them in the world of work and to provide them with the skills required to make a successful transition from school to work.
Careers Education: Careers Education is delivered from Year 7 with particular emphasis on Years 9 - 13. The programme includes visiting speakers, careers fairs and presentations from local universities in order to widen student participation in higher education. The programme is co-ordinated by MPLOY, contracted by the school to design and deliver a careers education, guidance service and bespoke work experience placement service.
All students are entitled to and will be given the opportunity to have an individual careers interview with Ms M Grealis, Careers Advisor. Other contributions include a vacancy service, an apprenticeship information evening and a range of other events.
Impartial Careers Advice - Hilbre High School offers impartial information, advice and guidance to all pupils regarding all their career options, both face to face and via the Careers page of the school website. If any pupil wants to check the impartiality of any advice they have been given, they can telephone the National Careers Service helpline on 0800 100 900.
How Hilbre High School Measures and Assesses the Impact of the School's Careers Programme:
As a school, we rigorously assess the effectiveness of our careers programme using the nationally recognised 'Gatsby Benchmarks' framework, facilitated by the Compass+ Audit tool provided by the Careers and Enterprise Company. These benchmarks serve as the cornerstone of our strategy for nurturing students' career readiness.
Our evaluation is conducted on a termly basis, led by our dedicated Careers Leader in collaboration with support from our Enterprise Advisor from LCR. Leveraging the comprehensive Compass+ Audit tool, we gather a diverse array of evidence to assess the impact of our programme. This evidence includes valuable insights gathered from feedback obtained through careers software platforms such as Unifrog, which are utilised by students, staff, parents, and wards. Additionally, we meticulously review feedback from students and parents, alongside other relevant data points. By employing this multifaceted assessment approach, we ensure the adaptability and responsiveness of our careers programme to meet the evolving needs and aspirations of our students, effectively preparing them for success beyond their time at our school.
Key performance indicators (KPIs) for each key stage are outlined in the Careers Programme 2024 document, accessible at the bottom of this careers page. Our commitment to meeting these indicators underscores our belief that every student should have access to a robust careers education and guidance programme, as per Gatsby Benchmark 1, recognised and supported by pupils, parents, teachers and governors alike.
We extend a warm invitation to pupils, parents, wards, employers and external education and training providers to explore information about our school's careers programme, accessible via the careers page on our website or by contacting Ms Grealis, our school’s Careers Advisor and/or Mr. Sean Britton, our school’s Careers Leader and Assistant Headteacher, who oversees the careers programme.
Management of Provider Access Requests:
A provider wishing to request access should contact:
Sean Britton, Assistant Headteacher Land line: (0151) 625 5996 Email: brittons@hilbre.wirral.sch.uk
Premises and Facilities:
The school will make appropriate provision available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. We will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit, with the Careers Development and Guidance Coordinator. Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature with our Careers Development and Guidance Coordinator, who will distribute the relevant information to pupils.
Labour Market Information Tool:
The "LMI for All" widget is a user-friendly online tool that offers comprehensive labour market information. It caters to diverse users by providing real-time data on employment trends, salaries, job demand and skill requirements. This resource empowers individuals and organisations in making informed decisions about careers, education, and workforce strategies.
Unifrog:
The school has invested in Unifrog, an online tool that supports our commitment to providing impartial guidance on various options to students across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Unifrog stands out for its comprehensive database of UK university courses and apprenticeship vacancies, making it a valuable resource for comparing opportunities. This application is well-suited for our students, the majority of whom pursue university studies or apprenticeships.
All students from year 7 to 13 have access to this website, in keeping with our commitment to provide students with outstanding careers guidance and tailored support when choosing their next step after school: https://www.unifrog.org/sign-in
'Benefits to Teachers':
Unifrog serves as a comprehensive platform for teachers across Key Stages 3, 4 and 5, enabling them to monitor students' advancements and maintain a log of their research and career engagements. This platform facilitates seamless collaboration between teachers and students in identifying the most suitable next steps. Teachers can offer feedback on various applications, including CVs and Personal Statements and also compose subject references.
Information for Parents/Carers:
If you are a parent/ward and would like to use Unifrog, we have set up a parent/carer login to allow you to support your young person every step of the way. For more information about this, please open the parent / ward welcome letter and PowerPoint.
Apprenticeships:
Apprenticeships offer a valuable avenue for individuals to enter the labour market, acquire hands-on skills, and forge a career in a particular industry. They provide employers with the chance to cultivate and shape a workforce tailored to their precise requirements, ensuring a skilled and adept workforce for the future.
An apprenticeship represents a structured training regimen wherein apprentices acquire a trade or skill through a blend of practical training and classroom education. This mode of learning enables individuals to amass practical expertise and theoretical understanding in a specific domain while earning a wage.
For further information, please click on the following links or watch the videos below:
https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/
The Engineering College
Provider of excellent further education in the North West, Dealing with Apprenticeships and Vocational training around Engineering and Digital Skills, Commercial training for industry, HNC Qualifications and much more! For more information visit: https://www.theengineeringcollege.co.uk/apprenticeships/
TTE was established in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire in 1990 by Ineos ChlorVinyls (formerly ICI), Innospec (formerly Associated Octel) and Shell UK (Stanlow) to provide training not only for their own companies but other multi-national companies in the chemical, petrochemical, process, power, paper, pharmaceutical, nuclear and oil and gas industries throughout the North West.
TTE has grown to become one of the North West’s leading providers of sponsored Advanced Apprenticeships Level 3 in Engineering and Laboratory Operations and Engineering Apprenticeship Level 2 programmes with Whole Person Development incorporated into the training. For more information visit: https://www.tteltd.co.uk/apprenticeships/open-evening/
Wirral Met
Wirral Met offers a range of apprenticeship training programmes across the Liverpool City Region and beyond, from level 2 to Degree level, our apprentices have access to outstanding support from our highly skilled Trainer Assessors with a wide range of expertise. For more information visit: https://www.wmc.ac.uk/apprenticeships
Andrew Collinge
Andrew Collinge is at the forefront of apprenticeship training with its own purpose built hairdressing training salon in Liverpool. They educate Apprentices towards a Level 2 Hair Professional Diploma (formerly NVQ2) and a Level 3 Advanced & Creative Hair Professional Diploma (formerly NVQ3). For more information visit: https://www.andrewcollinge.com/training/
Scottish Power
SP Energy Networks at ScottishPower provides power on behalf of supply companies through a network of cables and power lines that they own and maintain. They have a number of apprenticeship programmes and have a training facility in Hoylake. For more information is available at https://www.scottishpower.com/pages/apprenticeships_and_trainee_programmes.aspx.
Merseyside Police
Earn while you learn with the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship (PCDA), a three-year programme where you can study for a degree whilst training on the job. From day one you will learn and train as a student officer and be appointed a Tutor Constable who will chart your progress as you alternate between periods of study and working on the front line, putting theory into practice with help from officers and staff. Everyone’s in the same boat so apprentices can share experiences and set up study groups. By the time you have completed your three years, you will graduate as a fully-fledged Merseyside Police Officer and be awarded a BSc (Hons) Degree in Professional Policing Practice. For those who don’t already have a degree, this is a great way to start a career with Merseyside Police, with a starting salary of £24,780, no student loan or tuition fees.
For more information visit: https://www.merseyside.police.uk/police-forces/merseyside-police/areas/careers/join-us/careers-in-policing-with-merseyside-police/police-constable-degree-apprenticeship-pcda/
Slater and Gordon
Slater and Gordon is one of the UK’s leading consumer law firms with lawyers based locally around the country.
For more information visit: www.slatergordon.co.uk/careers/students-and-trainees/
Aldi
Aldi apprentices are everywhere. You might see them stacking shelves, loading vehicles or sitting behind the wheel. They love bringing their personality to work and achieving the best results. But why read about the Aldi type, when you can actually see it? https://www.aldirecruitment.co.uk/apprenticeships
Army / Navy / RAF
The armed forces have numerous apprenticeship opportunities, from communications to logistics, there are so many opportunities. The following videos show some examples of some apprenticeship routes that are on offer. For more information, visit: Army / Navy / RAF
Airbus
Airbus are one of the largest aerospace companies in the world. They have bases all over Europe and locally, they make wings for various planes at their Broughton site. Here is what they have to say about their apprenticeships - Apprentices are our future, so we invest in them. Whether you choose an engineering or a business apprenticeship you will receive a salary, an academic or a vocational qualification, hands-on training and work where you can make a real contribution to projects of vital importance to the future of aerospace. For more information visit: www.airbus.com/en/careers/apprentices-and-pupils
Jaguar Land Rover
Jaguar Land Rover offer Advanced, Higher and Degree level Apprenticeships in automotive engineering and business sectors. For more information visit https://www.jaguarlandrovercareers.com/content/Apprentices/
Amazing Apprenticeships
What are apprenticeships?
Amazing Apprenticeships’ guide to apprenticeships – A quick read – with links to click if you want to know more
BBC Bitesize Guide to apprenticeships – A slightly longer (but good!) read on what apprenticeships are
Apprenticeship profiles – Profiles of some of the big companies that hire apprentices
Apprenticeships quizzes
The apprenticeship quiz – What do you know about apprenticeships? Can you get 10 out of 10?
Which apprenticeship am I? – You might find some apprenticeships that surprise you in this quiz!
School Leavers Fair
This resource allows you to join and take part in live webinars, giving you access to fantastic careers/apprenticeships information from top employers. Explore their outstanding agenda of live webinars, select the session you'd like to attend and then register to book your place for your chosen event. They have limited spaces available for each webinar, so make sure you don’t miss out. https://www.schoolleaverfair.co.uk/auditorium/live-webinars
Career Pilot
This online careers site has lots of information regarding careers, apprenticeships, subject choices and much more. Most of the content is in the form of video monologues, with real people doing real jobs, so students can gain more of an insight into specific careers and see if they would be suitable. https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/stories
Pro VQ
ProVQ is an independent training provider, focusing on high quality training within apprenticeships, short courses, manufacturer led programmes and bespoke delivery. They work with a vast array of both local & national clients within the automotive and land-based engineering sectors. Providing training solutions to meet their differing needs. https://www.provq.com/our-apprentices/apprenticeships/
Year 9 Options
If you require assistance in making your GCSE options choices, you may find this information helpful:
https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/stories/choosing-your-gcses
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/articles/z7jsd6f
Liverpool City Region (LCR) 'BeMore' Apprenticeships Tool:
The Liverpool City Region Be More portal, an acclaimed UCAS-style apprenticeship and career platform, aims to eliminate barriers hindering individuals from pursuing apprenticeships and further training. It consolidates opportunities from Halton, Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens, and Wirral, fostering a more equitable, robust, and cleaner City Region where no one is left behind.
How can LCR Be More assist you?
Be More serves as the comprehensive resource for skills and career pathways in LCR, catering to both local employers and individuals seeking learning opportunities. Here are some of the ways residents can benefit from the Be More website and app:
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Explore apprenticeship vacancies to gain practical experience while earning an income.
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Access free internet and digital resources, along with support, to aid in training and employment endeavors.
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Enroll in Skills Bootcamps to enhance your CV and expedite the path to job interviews.
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Browse local job openings in LCR's rapidly growing sectors.
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Receive personalised support from Households Into Work, addressing challenges such as mental health issues, debt management, low self-esteem, and skill enhancement to enhance your circumstances.
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Be More is an integral component of Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram's strategy to empower individuals in the Liverpool City Region to realise their full potential.
Useful Websites:
Website |
Description |
|
| BBC Bitesize Careers | A massive careers library as well as practical advice such as how to write a great CV and what makes a good job interview. | |
| Government Apprenticeship Website | A guide for students and parents about what an apprenticeship is and how to go about getting one, featuring video case studies with real apprentices. | |
| National Careers Service | Explore careers and courses, learn about yourself and find out about their phone line and web-chat services for careers advice. | |
| Prospects – University Life | Are you wondering if university is for you? There is lots of information here about what it’s like to be at uni. | |
| Do It | The website aimed at anyone aiming to volunteer or gain work experience in a number of different career areas. | |
| Not Going to Uni | Information about alternative education/training routes for those not looking at university after college/sixth form. | |
| The Careerometer | This Labour Market Information tool lets you compare jobs, looking at average salaries, hours worked and whether there will be more or fewer of these jobs in the future. | |
| Careers Box | General careers information, presented with informative videos from people in many different industries | |
| Student Ladder | A website aimed at students who are 16 and above, but it is also useful for younger students. Has information about a variety of careers, but also has a lot of good subject material about post-18 education/training opportunities. | |
| Indeed Jobs | You can search for millions of jobs online to find the next step in your career. With tools for job search, Cvs, company reviews and more, it can help students with employability skills, as well as those looking for part-time or full-time jobs. |
Year 10 and 12 Work Experience (2024-2025):
Work Experience Opportunities:
Hilbre High School offers three distinct work experience opportunities to help students gain valuable insights and skills.
Year 10 Work Experience Week: Monday 10th February to Friday 14th February 2025 - Click here to view letter
Year 12 Work Experience Week: Monday 24th February to Friday 28th February 2025 - Click here to view letter
Year 12 Foundation Weekly Placement: Every Wednesday throughout the entire academic year - Click here to view letter
How to Add Your Placement Using Unifrog Placement Tools: Click here to view letter
Careers in the Curriculum:
Hilbre Alumni:
Welcome to the Hilbre High School Alumni section of our careers website! Over the past 50 years, Hilbre High School has nurtured and empowered countless individuals who have gone on to achieve remarkable success in various fields. Our alumni have spread their wings far and wide, leaving their mark not only in the UK but across the globe. From gracing the screens of Hollywood as movie stars to making invaluable contributions within the National Health Service, and even standing atop Olympic podiums with gold medals around their necks, our former students exemplify excellence and dedication in all they pursue. They are the embodiment of our school's ethos, making significant strides and positively impacting communities wherever they go. Join us as we celebrate the diverse accomplishments of our esteemed alumni and draw inspiration from their journeys of triumph and achievement.
Volunteers Wanted!
Under construction
UCAS Degree Apprenticeship Finder:
A new tool has been created by UCAS and the DfE on the UCAS website to make it easier for students to identify degree programmes and higher-level apprenticeships. Any sixth form students interested in applying for degree-level or higher-level apprenticeships can use the link below to locate vacancies. To ensure they have all of their post-18 options accessible to them, it is highly advised that students continue to apply for university courses through the UCAS website in the standard manner.
A review of the information published regarding the school's careers programme will take place in December 2024.