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Our Careers Programme
At Thomas Paine Sixth Form we are committed to preparing you for your future and empowering you to reach your academic and personal potential. You will begin preparing for your next steps from the moment you arrive at Thomas Paine Sixth Form.
We work in partnership with the Norfolk Higher Aspirations Scheme (HAS), University of East Anglia and Network for East Anglian Collaborative Outreach (NEACO). Partners of HAS also include Oxbridge, University College London and Norwich University of the Arts. These organisations offer a wealth of information and provide a range of opportunities, including interview preparation, trips and visits.
Open Days
We run visits to the University of East Anglia, and to Oxbridge universities. In addition, we are happy to support you attending open days at other universities.
Work Experience
As part of your sixth form experience you will complete work placements in a sector related to your own aspirations. The precise format and timing of this will depend on what is most suitable for you, and you will develop a personalised programme of work experience with your personal tutor. We use WEX Norfolk, an online work experience programme to support this as well as seeking opportunities directly with employers.
Careers Programme
You will have access to careers advice throughout your time with us. Our Careers Advisor and Higher Education Champion mentor students with regards to future aspirations. We offer advice and guidance on careers and higher education in Year 12, followed by expert assistance in preparing your university/apprenticeship applications in Year 13 or taking your first steps into work. We organise regular careers events, with guest speakers from a variety of sectors, and workshops on applying for jobs, managing your finances and advancing your career.
Our Academic Literacy Programme teaches students about critical thinking, self-directed learning and literacy skills that differ from those experienced at KS4. The course covers aspects of SPaG, structured writing, note taking, research methods and referencing which prepare our students for university and other Post 18 destinations, as well as support students in their A-Level studies.
Thomas Paine Sixth Form (TPS) sessions take place once a week for an hour and cover a range of topics from how to be an effective sixth form student, becoming an adult and preparation for your future. This programme compliments the form tutor programme and enables greater diversity of content. Within this session we also run the Academic Literacy course, which supports students in their academic writing and research.
An overview of our careers programme can be found below.
| Year group | Autumn | Spring | Summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 12 |
Target-Setting/Aspiration Survey HE Network Survey Post 18 Information Evening TA6 Sessions - HE Champion/UEA 1-1 Mentoring HE Champion Norfolk Scholars Mentoring Careers - Exploration Course - Tutor Programme NEACO Survey |
Careers Exploration - Tutor Programme 1-1 Mentoring - HE Champion (NEACO) 1-1 Mentoring - Apprenticeship Champion (NEACO) TA6 Sessions - HE Champion/UEA Outreach/Guest Why do people go to University? (UEA Which Higher Education course is right for me? (UEA Norfolk Scholars Mentoring - 1-1/group sessions Apprenticeships Awareness (UEA) Mock Interview Workshop (ASK) Apprenticeship registration/Applicati on workshop (ASK) |
1-1 Mentoring HE Champion Work Experience What makes a great personal statement? UEA Outreach - How does UCAS Norfolk Scholars Mentoring UCAS Fair Apprenticeships Fair Tutor Programme - UCAS/Personal Statements |
| Year 13 |
Target-Setting Post 18 Information Evening 1-1 Mentoring with HE Champion (NEACO) Norfolk Scholars - Mentoring UCAS Registration/Applications Personal Statements Guidance Apprenticeships - Applications Mock Interviews/ Workshops NEACO Survey |
Careers Exploration - What makes a great CV - Tutor Programme Student Finance 1-1 Mentoring HE Champion (NEACO) How does student finance work? (UEA Outreach) Norfolk Scholars Mentoring (VP) Apprenticeship registration/Application workshop (ASK) |
Leavers Guidance Support Norfolk Scholars leavers sup |
You are also welcome to attend any of Thetford Academy’s careers programme events, with regular guest speakers from a variety of different sectors, and workshops on applying for jobs, managing your finances and advancing your career.
For more information, please contact our Career Leads below or phone the office at 01842 754875.
