Careers and Destinations

At Forge Valley Sixth Form, we offer a full and enriching careers programme to help you explore your options and make well-informed decisions about your post-18 journey. Following the Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Careers Education, we provide structured support so that you can plan your next steps with confidence, whether that’s university, an apprenticeship, employment, or another pathway.

How we support you

Our team provides a range of careers support and guidance, including:

  • Researching and applying to universities – guidance on courses, entry requirements, and applications

  • Exploring Further, Higher and Degree Apprenticeships – finding suitable opportunities and preparing strong applications

  • Understanding the labour market and future careers – using reliable information to plan your next steps

  • Entering the world of work – including CV writing, application support, and interview preparation

  • Connecting academic learning to careers – understanding how your subjects and skills link to workplace requirements

You’ll access this support through one-to-one sessions with a qualified careers adviser, employer and higher education interactions, and work experience placements, all designed to give you the confidence to make positive, well-informed decisions.

Getting started with career research

If you’re unsure what path to take, start by thinking about subjects you enjoy or are good at. Useful tools include:

  • BBC Bitesize – for inspiration on possible career directions

  • National Careers Service  – to explore job profiles, required qualifications, and related roles that might interest you

  • Online quizzes (e.g., UCAS or NHS Careers) – to get ideas for careers that match your skills and interests

Researching careers early helps you make better decisions about A Levels, apprenticeships, university courses, and work experience opportunities. Exploring similar roles can also introduce you to career options you might not have considered!

Explore Your Next Steps

Whether it’s university, apprenticeships, or work, the sections below give practical tips and trusted resources to help you plan your next move with confidence.

Exploring university courses and planning your applications can feel overwhelming, but the right tools and support make it much easier. The most reliable platforms for researching courses, entry requirements, and qualifications are UniFrog and UCAS. These sites let you compare universities, track deadlines, and explore your options all in one place.

At Forge Valley Sixth Form, we guide you every step of the way. During Year 12 and Year 13 Directed Study sessions, and through one-to-one meetings, we help ensure your applications are strong, complete, and tailored to each course. From shortlisting courses to refining your Personal Statement, we’re here to make sure every application is ready to submit with confidence.

UniFrog brings all the available information about university and apprenticeships into one comprehensive, user-friendly platform that helps students make the best choices, and submit the strongest applications. Each student in Sixth Form will be given a log in for UniFrog at the start of Y12, and will use this throughout Sixth Form to log their work experience, enter their skills, create their personal statement, and shortlist their university choices.

UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) is the central organisation that manages applications to universities and colleges in the UK.

If you are applying to university, UCAS is the platform you must use to submit your application.

It allows you to:

  • Apply to up to five university courses

  • Write and submit your Personal Statement

  • Track your application progress

  • Receive and respond to offers

  • Apply for accommodation (through universities)

  • Explore degree apprenticeships

  • Use tools to research courses and entry requirements

The UCAS Tariff calculator can help you work out what grades you might need if the university asks for UCAS points.

Your Personal Statement is your chance to show universities who you are, what excites you about your chosen subject, and the skills and experiences that make you a strong candidate. To help you get started, we’ve put together practical guides and tips that show you how to structure your writing, highlight your passions, and showcase your abilities effectively.

Download Guidance

 

For extra tips on writing a standout Personal Statement, check out this guide from UniFrog: How to write your personal statement like a boss: UniFrog Blog. It’s full of practical advice on structuring your statement, showcasing your skills, and making your application shine.

Not everyone’s journey after Sixth Form leads to university — and that’s absolutely fine. We provide comprehensive support for students exploring alternative pathways, including apprenticeships, employment and other career routes. Whether you are considering a Further, Higher or Degree Apprenticeship, applying directly for jobs, or still exploring your options, we can help you research opportunities, understand entry requirements, develop strong application materials and prepare for interviews. We also guide students in using reliable labour market information to compare salaries, progression routes and skills needed across different industries, helping you make informed decisions about your future.

Apprenticeships allow you to earn a salary while gaining qualifications and real workplace experience. They are available at different levels, including Further (Level 2–3), Higher (Level 4–5) and Degree (Level 6–7) Apprenticeships, across a wide range of industries.

You can explore current apprenticeship opportunities on the official government search tool: Find an Apprenticeship. This is a reliable resource for finding vacancies, checking entry requirements, and applying online.

We support students by:

  • Helping you search and shortlist suitable vacancies

  • Advising on entry requirements and application timelines

  • Preparing you for online tests, assessment centres and interviews

  • Supporting applications alongside (or instead of) university applications

Apprenticeships are competitive, so early research and preparation are key.

Some students choose to enter employment directly after Sixth Form. This might include full-time work, trainee roles or sector-specific entry programmes.

We provide guidance on searching and applying for roles, including:

  • Exploring opportunities on individual employer websites if you have specific career interests. Large local employers include Sheffield City Council, NHS, Sheffield Hallam University and University of Sheffield

  • Using job boards like Indeed and Reed, where vacancies are frequently updated

  • Understanding contracts, salaries and employment rights

  • Identifying progression routes within different industries

  • Considering additional training or qualifications that may support long-term career goals

Entering employment can be a strong pathway into many industries, especially when combined with professional development and ongoing training.

Strong application skills are essential — whether you are applying for university, apprenticeships or employment.

Throughout Sixth Form, students receive support with:

  • Writing and structuring a professional CV

  • Tailoring cover letters and personal statements

  • Completing online application forms

  • Preparing for interviews (including mock interviews)

  • Developing confidence in assessment centres and group tasks

We focus on helping you present your skills, experiences and achievements clearly and professionally so you stand out in competitive processes.

Understanding the job market helps you make informed decisions about your future. Labour Market Information (LMI) provides insight into:

  • Salary expectations

  • Industry growth and demand

  • Required qualifications and skills

  • Career progression routes

  • Regional employment trends

Reliable sources such as National Careers Service and Prospects offer up-to-date job profiles and sector information.

Using LMI allows you to explore realistic pathways, identify in-demand skills and plan strategically for long-term career success.

Here’s a curated list of websites to help you explore jobs, apprenticeships, and alternative pathways after Sixth Form. You can usually register on these sites to receive alerts when suitable vacancies are posted:

Tip: When applying for any job or apprenticeship, tailor your application to the person specification and use specific examples to demonstrate your skills.

Alumni

This map exemplifies some of the places our past students have gone to study or work after leaving Forge Valley Sixth Form. Take a look to see their choice of university course or work placement.