Careers
There is a comprehensive programme of careers and guidance at West Kirby that commences in Year 7. We were the first school on the Wirral to be awarded the Connexions Careers and Guidance standard. Wherever an individual’s talents or interests lie we endeavour to nurture every student so that they can follow their dream and maximise their potential.
A carefully constructed programme of guidance for GCSE options ensures that all students make informed choices and introduce students to female role models in a range of career areas, extending and opening the students’ eyes to careers they might not have thought of previously.
At West Kirby Grammar School we fully appreciate the importance of making good choices after GCSEs. Our Year 11 Opportunities Day gives and excellent insight into Sixth Form courses. The curriculum gallery gives our Year 11 students the chance to speak to Sixth Form students who are already studying subjects they may be interested in.
One-to-one support is delivered by our MPloy adviser. Online tools are also used to aid discussions.
The biennial Careers Convention is very popular with our senior students. It is an excellent way to talk with employers and representatives from a wide range of universities.
Sixth Form guidance is excellent. Support is tailor made to support each student individually. Our Summer Programme in the Lower Sixth helps ensure that our students are well prepared for the next stage of their education. We provide a range of workshops on personal statements and finance delivered by local universities. There are also seminars for parents and students on Oxbridge applications, finance and prospective medics.
Work experience is a key element of our careers and guidance programme. Students in Year 10 enjoy spending a week at placements in a wide range of occupational areas. In the summer term of the Lower Sixth, Sixth Form students can gain insight into vocational choices.
For further details of the careers provision at WKGS, please see the Careers and Work Experience Policy and Provider Access Policy below.
Contact careers@wkgs.net to arrange a careers appointment. Mrs Fairclough is currently the Associate Leader with responsibility for careers. We are working towards the Gatsby Benchmarks, a framework of eight guidelines that define the best careers provision in secondary schools using the Compass Benchmark Tool.