Spotlight on the Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Team

The Career Education, Information, Advice and Guidance Team (CEIAG) are lucky enough to work with all RNC students. Delivery consists of Career Education (CE) in Years 1 and 2, the organisation of work based learning and mock interviews, the provision of information, advice and guidance (IAG) in one-to-one transition sessions and career interviews or during higher education sessions. Our NEXT STEP programme invites external and internal speakers to present on a range of subjects/issues, which range from employment, self-employment, and benefits through to apprenticeships and access to work applications.
The Team consists of:

Andrea – Career Lead, Adviser and Teacher in Charge
Ged - Employment/HE/IAG Adviser
Sophia – Work Based Learning Co-ordinator

Here is an update of what the students have been working on with our Team since September 2023:

Years 1 and 2 

Career development students have completed a personal progression record, a transferable skills audit, and have been working on creating or updating their CVs to a good standard.

HE Support

We have continued with two weekly groups of students, all working towards selecting the right course and university and are in the process of completing their UCAS applications - these sessions will continue to the end of January 2024, which is the UCAS deadline for submission.

One-to-one transitional support sessions

All students who are scheduled to leave in July 2024, are offered a 30-minute session every fortnight, to support them with their individual transition plans, application forms, CVs and cover letters.

The NEXT STEP programme
Planning is underway and will run up to the end of next term and the Easter break. Four external guest speakers have now been booked for January, with further speakers to be added in the second half of the spring term.

Work based learning and mock interviews

During the Autumn Term, we have been working hard on getting students into work placements, related to their career goals. 28 students have started work placements this term with a range of internal colleagues and external organisations. Further placements will be starting in the Spring Term. A few students are also doing weekly work-based learning as part of their business course and will continue with this work in Work Experience Week.

Photo below shows student Guoguo on work placement with the College caterers, Baxter Storey 


For Work Experience this year, the student group has been split into 2 cohorts. Week 1: 5–8 February 2024 and Week 2: 24–28 June 2024. All students in the February cohort have been invited to attend work experience meetings to discuss their wishes and plans, relevant to their career goals and interests beyond the RNC. Similar meetings will be arranged in the Spring Term for the June cohort. Students who are leaving at the end of this year have been encouraged to develop a more independent approach to their work experience plans to prepare for their transition after RNC. We very much appreciate the support of parents, carers, and guardians for students with their work experience efforts.

The whole of the Team are involved in the writing of reports in preparation for student transitional and extension reviews. Where necessary, some students have been supported to compose their rationales.

A small group of students have engaged with mock interviews this term. In March, the students leaving RNC this year will have an opportunity to practise their interview skills and techniques, followed by the first year students in the Summer Term.

NB: If there is anyone who is in a position to offer our students a work experience placement, please email sophia.lloyd@rnc.ac.uk

Career Interviews

All students leaving RNC in July 2024, are offered a diagnostic career interview, which is followed by career meetings on an individual basis. Through this process, students create a career action plan that is both tangible and realistic. Any parent or student can ask for a career interview at any time during their time at RNC.