careers
Our desire to provide a first rate careers programme comes from our whole school vision.
Why we think Careers is so important
Our desire to provide a first rate careers programme comes from our whole school vision. Careers education has a clear role to play in helping us to work with our parents and carers to produce young people who are more than ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
At SBL Academy we aspire to be a high quality learning environment with learning and progress at the heart of our community. We promote care and respect and expect high standards in all aspects of school life. We want every member of our student community leave our school with the necessary skills, attributes, empathy, knowledge and qualifications required to be highly successful, thoughtful and reflective adults who contribute and flourish. Ensuring that this is the case, is an important focus for us at SBL Academy.
Encouraging high standards of behaviour, excellent school attendance, enjoying a wide range of rich experiences and giving children hope and aspiration for the future are also key elements in making sure that students are equipped to do well. At SBL we strongly believe that this is a shared responsibility with parents and carers. To that end, we have every wish to work closely and supportively with this important part of our wider school community.
Our ultimate aim is to produce students who are well rounded and are suitably prepared to take their place into our dynamic local, national and international community – wherever the future takes them.
We are proud of the Plan we have currently created to ensure all our students from Year 7 to 13 get the best opportunities and access to Advice and Guidance. This will evolve over time but to see the most recent version, click here.
To read our Careers policy please click here.
To read our Provider Access policy please click here.
Work Experience
If you are experiencing any difficulties with WEX, please do not hesitate to contact Mr White, Ms Murry, Mrs Shaw and your tutor who can help.
The Work Experience week is w/c 13th July 26
All forms must be returned to SBL Academy by Monday 1st June 26 please.
Any received late may be subject to a £35 H&S checking fee and can not be guaranteed.
All students have been issued with a green WEX form.
All placements MUST be approved. All placements must be recorded and signed by employer, parent/ carer and student on the green WEX form. They will then be entered onto the system and await approval. Most placements will need to be visited by the H&S company to ensure it is safe for the students to attend. This is why the deadlines are so important and must be adhered to please.
The website can be found at https://ssp.learnaboutwork.net/home-school.asp
- Click on Student
- Select Sir Bernard Lovell Academy
- Log in with full name e.g. John Smith
- Put in PIN
- Click on Search
Please note that if you add a placement to Selections, this just saves it for you.
It does NOT contact the employer or tell them you are interested in the placement. This needs to be done by the student or parent/carer
Companies on the site may not now be in a position to offer a placement. It just means they have done at some point.
Helpful files for WEX 2026
- Tips and Checklist – for parents and Students
- Green WEX Form for completion
- Success at School and Careerpilot guide to gaining a WEX placement
During the pandemic, many companies and institutions offered Virtual Work Experience. These are still continuing and are a great addition to our WEX programme or for younger students who are not yet completing WEX in school (check age requirements).
Ms Murray also regularly informs students of VWEX opportunities and discovery workshops from Speakers for School. The students who have undertaken these have rated them highly and found them enjoyable and useful.
Virtual Work Experience in the Services
Barclays Life Skills VWEX
Springpod is a great website with VWEX opportunities
The Brighton and Sussex Medical School has created free virtual work experience.
Observe GP is an alternative to work experience for aspiring medics aged 16 and over, who are living in the UK. It is a free interactive video platform providing insights into the role of a GP and the wider primary care team.
UCAS
UCAS is the most comprehensive site for University choices and applications.
You will need to apply for your University choices through UCAS here and there is a huge amount of help on how to do this (including your personal statement). Your tutor will work with you on this too.
Year 12’s can start planning their UCAS application by completing this useful UCAS Researching options form.
Sign up to the UCAS Hub and get further information here and work through the activities set.
Search for a course here and explore subject guides further here.
Make an actual start on your application here.
Enjoy a Virtual tour of various Universities and courses here.
Unibuddy is a great chance to chat to University students through UCAS. Choose a uni, degree subject or select by their home country, and find out what life’s really like at uni.
Useful Links
- UCAS has a very handy guide to the different levels of Apprenticeships here
- Western Training Provider Network & West of England Apprenticeship Service connect education, employers & training across the West of England. Check out their most recent Webinar.
- Success at School has a wealth of information on Apprenticeships.
- Rate My Apprenticeship is a great resource.
- Amazing Apprenticeships is one of the leading sites on apprenticeships. Click here for their brilliant booklet which you can work through and learn all you need to know about Apprenticeships!
- Future Talent offer apprenticeship and training vacancies. They also offer help on various aspects of the whole process such as how to write a covering letter.
- Get My First Job offer the latest news stories and top tips on apprenticeships.
- Lifetime Training are based locally in Bristol and have apprenticeships in a variety of sectors, as well as advice and information.
- Not going to Uni is an excellent site for students looking at a higher apprenticeship (degree level)
- Unifrog has released an informative and comprehensive guide to apprenticeships
- South West Apprenticeship Company can help an apprentice find a provider
Careers videos
Please see our YouTube channel.
SCHOOL SNAPSHOT
SIR BERNARD LOVELL ACADEMY
Building aspiration through great learning.
