​​​​​​We aim to ensure that Post-16 pathways facilitate independent living and employability, giving our pupils the best chance we can to have happy and rewarding lives after leaving school.

Careers advice offer

• By the end of year 11, all pupils will have participated in a discussion with our independent careers advisor (Hampshire Futures), follow up discussions may be offered where needed and / or requested. Parents / carers are invited to attend year 11 interviews to both share their views and develop an awareness of the Post-16 pathways available.
• Should parents / carers not be available to attend a discussion, a member of the learning support team will accompany the pupil, helping them to feel comfortable and to communicate information to the best of their ability.
• Individual records of the outcomes of careers discussions, including any actions that need to be taken, will be available for pupils, parents / carers and school staff.
• Additional support and discussions will be available through the school Careers Leader (in-house) as required/requested.

Our Careers programme

Our annual careers programme will include:

• Visits to colleges, Post-16 training providers and employers. These visits will provide pupils with an overview of the range of opportunities available and help to alleviate anxieties about moving on.
• Invitations for Post-16 training providers, colleges and employers to run workshops throughout the academic year. These visits will aim to inspire pupils and broaden their understanding of the working / adult life.
• Weekly tutorial sessions dedicated to careers education guidance.
• Careers evenings, with parents / carers invited to attend presentations from Post-16 training providers and employers.
• Sharing of labour market information (LMI) with pupils and parents to enable informed decisions to be made for Post-16 career pathways.

For  information on Hampshire Futures please click here.

For labour market information please click here.

For further information regarding our careers programme and our Provider Access Policy please contact

Mr David Holloway
Vocational Lead
Telephone Number: 023 8084 7213
email: d.holloway@oaklodge.hants.sch.uk

POST 16 COLLEGE INFORMATION

Transition Process

• YEAR 10 Parents/carers and student are encouraged to start exploring local colleges, potentially attending open days to get an idea of courses on offer.
• YEAR 11 Students will have the opportunity to visit local colleges with the school to help them decide on the most suitable course. These visits include the following colleges: -
• Brockenhurst College Foundation/Hub Department
• Totton College Skills for life/Vocational/Pathways Departments
• Sparsholt College Foundation Department - Animal Care, Land Based Studies

The departments we visit within these colleges cater specifically to students with Education Health Care Plans (EHCP) and SEN needs. Individual visits to other colleges can be arranged if necessary, depending on students’ specific circumstances or where they live.

Local Colleges

• Totton College https://www.totton.ac.uk/
• Brockenhurst College https://www.brock.ac.uk/
• Sparsholt College https://www.sparsholt.ac.uk/
• City College https://shcg.ac.uk/southampton-college/
• Eastleigh College https://www.eastleigh.ac.uk/

Application Process

It is advisable, where possible, to submit applications by the end of the Autumn Term. Students can apply to multiple colleges if they are undecided, allowing them to make a final decision after interviews etc.

Applications are usually completed online through the college websites. This will involve setting up an account, for which you will need an email address and password. Once applications are submitted, colleges will contact you by email.

Transport

There is no automatic eligibility for Hampshire County Council funded home-to-school transport after the age of 16. If you believe your child cannot access college transport independently, you can apply on the Hampshire County Council website for alternative transport, such as a smaller taxi or minibus.

You will need to provide evidence showing that, without travel assistance from Hampshire County Council, your child would be unable to attend their educational placement. Applications for transport assistance usually open in April each year.

Dawn Davison, Family and Pupil Support/College Advisor, is available to assist with any college related queries or to help complete college or transport applications. She can be contacted by phone via the school’s main reception.