Careers and Progression

Support for Progression and Careers Programme

Our Careers and Progression Team assists students in planning for their future. It is a well-resourced department where students can access a wide range of online information and guidance materials through Godalming Online, Microsoft Teams and our online progression platform, Unifrog. Our professionally qualified careers staff offer advice on preparing a CV, applying to university both at home and abroad, apprenticeships, specialist art/music/drama courses, gap year opportunities, employment and training.

As a Godalming College Student you will have access to:

Personalised 1:1 careers guidance interviews
Aspire, Study Skills & Employability and Employer Engagement Programmes
Progression information through the ‘Shaping Futures’ tutorial programme
Tailored advice for University, Study Abroad, Apprenticeship & Employment Applications
Specialist interview preparation including audition practice
Additional academic programmes including the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
Visits from Employers, University & Apprenticeship Providers
Entry to national competitions, Olympiads and challenges
Access to a growing Alumni Network

STEAM

STEAM has become a well-known acronym for academic study in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Maths. We use accurate and up-to-date Labour Market Information (LMI) to identify employment trends, growth areas and skills gaps. At Godalming College; we have invested in specialist teaching and resources to support students who wish to succeed in these areas by introducing additional challenges, visiting speakers, regular trips and increasing links with universities and industry.

Our bespoke progression programmes

Aspire

There is an additional programme of support for those students whose ambition is to gain a place at Oxford or Cambridge, or to apply for highly competitive courses such as Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary Science. This is an additional timetabled commitment which includes weekly structured support to prepare fully for the demanding application process.

Study Skills and Employability

As part of our U6 Enrichment programme, students have the opportunity to develop key employability skills that will help them with their progression pathways including writing to influence, communication and presentation skills, research and planning advice.

Employer Engagement

Meaningful encounters with employers are a fundamental tenet of progression planning at Godalming. All students are expected to organise work experience whilst with us, supported by our dedicated Employer Engagement Coordinator. We run a series of employer events including ‘Future Fridays’ covering talks on apprenticeships and university pathways, employer fairs and subject and skills pathway sessions.

Careers Programme:

Getting Prepared Stage

Shaping Futures Programme – in tutorial, student will be introduced to Unifrog which is an online careers and progression platform to help students think about what their initial ideas are after College. It might be to go to university, pursue a degree apprenticeship, take a gap year or go straight into the world of work!

Organising Work Experience – during Year 12, it is compulsory to complete at least one week’s worth of work experience alongside any part time work that a student may have. We expect students to be able to independently find companies or organisations linked to the field they are interested in. Students will be supported through using the Unifrog ‘Placements’ tool, our Employer Engagement Coordinator and the rest of the Careers team and through your Personal Tutor. We also offer virtual work experience opportunities through Springpod and 8billionideas.

Aspire Programme – our Aspire Programme launches in January of the L6 year and is tailored according to subject areas for competitive destinations including applying for Oxford and Cambridge as well as for Medicine, Veterinary Science or Dentistry courses. As part of this course, Aspire tutors support students with the application process including university trips, hosting visiting speakers, preparation for admissions tests, practice interviews, etc

Getting Informed Stage

Reflections on Academic Performance – after the end of L6 exams, students will have the opportunity to have 1:1 discussions with their Subject and Personal Tutors to guide them on their progression plans.

Drafting Personal Statements and CVs – students will be assisted by their Personal Tutors to prepare their Personal Statements if thinking about applying for university as well as making sure they have an up-to-date CV. Students are also supported by the Careers department here.

Progression & Community Week – L6 students experience a dedicated programme of events in mid-May to assist with organising work experience and their involvement in different voluntary and community activities. They also have the opportunity to attend different skills sessions including personal finance.

Progression Days – at the end of their L6 year, students have dedicated Progression Days where they complete their work experience, record employability skills on Unifrog and prepare applications

Attending University Open Days – we encourage students to visit university open days so they have a good understanding of where they are applying to, course details, facilities and the services the university offers. This is also the same for Art Foundation colleges, Drama Schools and Music Conservatoires.

Getting Organised Stage

Application Stage

Tutorial Support – Personal Tutors will support their U6 students with making UCAS and Degree Apprenticeship Applications

Degree Apprenticeships Fair – Godalming will host its first ever Degree Apprenticeships Fair in November. This is a biannual event shared with Esher College where, between our colleges, we offer students a wide range of employers who specialise in degree apprenticeships.

Progression Stage

Skills Development – through the tutorial programme and the Study Skills & Employability U6 enrichment programme, students acquire necessary personal finance, independent living, study and employability skills

Informed Decisions – students are given support from their Personal Tutors and the Careers Team to respond to UCAS offers as well as helping them to prepare for the next stage

Post-Results Service – the Careers Department and Upper Management Team are on hand on Results Day to help students with their progression plans in light of their achieved grades

Tracking Destinations & Developing Alumni Connections – after you’ve left Godalming, we’ll make sure to contact you about your next stage, whatever that is. We’d also like to stay in touch with you as alumni to create opportunities for current students.

Our Provider Access Statement can be found here

Our Careers and Progression Policy can be found here

Applying to university as an ex-student

If Godalming College was your last place of full-time study, you may apply to UCAS using us, up to three years after the date that you left College. Use the link below to to find details of the service, deadline dates and other useful information.

Ex-student guide to applying to university for 2025 entry