Parental & Student Guidance

We encourage all parents to support their children in whichever path they choose. Parents play a key role in encouraging students to utilise the resources that are available to them throughout their time at DCGS. The Career Alchemy website can provide a useful starting point.

You will find some useful links below. If you would like any advice on how to help your child with their next steps, please contact us at careers@challoners.com or on 01494 787500.

Information and Resources for Students and Parents

Labour Market Information (LMI) helps students and their parents to understand the job market and to find out what qualifications and skills are necessary for individual careers.  This information is particularly important when students are choosing their GCSE and A Level options.  To view the Local Skills Improvement Plan (LSIP) which identifies where the current most pressing skills shortages are within our local area, click here.

Career Ideas

• The National Careers Service provides details about a wide variety of roles ie average salary, working hours, routes into careers, skills required.  For ideas about careers relevant to individual degree courses, the Prospects website offers a useful facility.

The icould website allows students to explore different careers by providing videos, guides and real life stories.

A Level and University Information

• UCAS is the central application site for UK universities as well as a great resource of information about uni courses, finances and advice about various aspects of student life.
• The Sutton Trust is a leading UK-based social mobility charity that focuses on widening access to higher education and leading careers for young people from less advantaged backgrounds through various programs, including summer schools, online resources, and other initiatives.

Apprenticeship information

• Amazing Apprenticeships offers a wide range of resources and information about this alternative post 16 and post 18 option including details about the different apprenticeship levels and real life stories.

A search tool to explore current vacancies can be found via the Find an Apprenticeship government website.

Gap Year Information

• The National Careers Service gives advice about constructing a gap year that includes opportunities for personal development as well as skills development.