Careers

We have a well-resourced careers library based in the main School library, which is open every day for students in all year groups to access, as well as a comprehensive online platform that students, parents and staff can use. Students can use the careers library and online platform to research information on careers, further and higher education courses, apprenticeships, employment and job hunting, gap years and volunteering. In addition, in the Sixth Form Study Centre, there are prospectuses for UK and overseas universities.

All students in the Sixth Form are encouraged to engage in some form of work experience, shadowing or volunteering during the holidays. A useful and relevant work experience placement enhances future university and employment applications and, for some vocational degree courses, will be essential. Gaining a good placement is a competitive process. Many students use contacts through family and friends to find a placement.

Our students also have unique work experience opportunities through our Old Suttonian connections – SVS Foundation Connect. Students can register to find a mentor and tap into the expertise of our global SVS community which spans a breadth of industries, from graduate to senior leadership.

With the increase in tuition fees at UK universities, studying abroad is becoming a more popular option for UK students to consider. America, Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and the Far East, including Hong Kong, are actively recruiting UK students.

In recent years, a number of our students have been accepted to American institutions, which offer scholarships for international students who excel academically or are talented in a particular sport. Hundreds of degree courses across Europe are taught entirely in English, in order to attract international students and the cost of studying at many European universities is often cheaper than studying in the UK.

An apprenticeship is another alternative option after Fifth or Sixth Form. Our Careers department will keep our students informed about suitable vacancies that are notified to us in School. There are an increasing number of employers who offer school leaver apprenticeships in addition to their traditional graduate training schemes. In addition to earning a wage, these opportunities often include paid study to gain qualifications required by the industry.

Higher and Degree Apprenticeships are a great alternative to the traditional university experience, offering qualifications up to degree level, no tuition fees and the opportunity to earn while you learn. Higher and Degree apprentices typically split their time between college or university and the workplace. Many of the large employer schemes start recruiting well before Christmas each year for their summer school leaver programmes, so applying for vacancies early in the academic year is advisable.