Introduction
Careers Education is an integral part of the Social Education programme for all year groups in The Academy.
We have our own Careers Library, based within the school library, which is open to all pupils. The Careers Library contains publications covering a wide range of career and job options, as well as university and college prospectuses and a selection of CD Roms.
Mrs Catto has responsibility for Careers, whilst Mrs Crawford looks after the Mock Interviews and Miss Milford takes care of Work Experience.
In this section of the website, you will find information about
Careers Scotland
Careers Scotland provides career planning services and products to Galashiels Academy pupils. The Careers Advisor attached to the school is Mrs Kepes, who can be contacted at the local Careers Scotland office on 01896754884.
Career Box, the national Careers Education program developed by Careers Scotland, will be delivered to pupils from all year groups by support staff and careers advisors.
The detailed careers programme for each year group for 2006/7 will soon be available on this website.
Pupils can have individual discussions with Mrs Kepes by requesting an appointment. Alternaticely, pupils are able to attend the weekly lunchtime "look-in", every Tuesday from 1.05pm to 1.25pm. We strongly encourage S6 students in particular to make use of the excellent facilities at the Careers Scotland office in Bridge Street, where they can access information, in both on-line and paper format, and obtain advice on careers, colleges and universities.
If your parents would like to discuss your future plans, they can speak to Mrs Kepes at various parents' information evenings throughout the year, in particular at important transition parents' evenings for S2, S4 and S5/6. Individual careers interviews can also be made by prior arrangement.
The parents' section of the Careers Scotland website is an excellent source for advice on how parents or carers can support discussions about careers.
Careers Scotland is an all-age service and therefore support is available even after you leave school.
You can contact Careers Scotland for more information by telephoning 01896754884 or by visiting the local Careers Scotland office in Bridge Street, Galashiels, just opposite the FarmFoods supermarket.
Universities and Colleges
Senior students, who intend going on to further or higher education, are encouraged from S4 onwards to undertake serious research into which courses they might study, which institutions they might attend and what future job prospects they may have.
In June, all new S6 students attend a so-called Visiting Day at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. This lets students learn about the UCAS process and student finance, while also enjoying a tour of the university campus accompanied by current students. This visit aims to get students to start thinking seriously about their post-school studies.
On Monday 4th September, all S6 students and any S5 students who are interested in going to college or university will attend the Higher Education Conference in Kelso. A wide range of universities and colleges will be represented and Careers Scotland staff will be on hand to give advice.
The UCAS Programme
This year the Academy UCAS Programme will be launched on Monday 11th September by Mr Alan McLachlan of the University of Edinburgh. The UCAS Programme , which includes important deadlines, will be posted on this website.
Students applying for Medecine, Dentistry, Veterinary Studies, Oxford or Cambridge must have their applications sent by 15th October. Students intending to study other subjects should aim to complete their applications by the beginning of November 2006.
You will be expected to complete your UCAS application on-line and you will be given advice and guidelines on how to complete your Personal Statement.
By this stage, you should already have completed research into your chosen options, by reading prospectuses, getting information on-line, speaking to relevent professionals and attending Open Days.
The Parents' UCAS Evening will take place on Wednesday 20th September at 7pm in the Academy Library, where Mr Ian Sutherland of Heriot-Watt University will give apresentation on applications and student finance.
If your parents or carers have questions relating to UCAS, they should contact Mrs Catto, Mrs Brown or Mrs Kepes at the Academy.
Useful Websites
Here are some useful websites:
