The Schools Team at Nottingham College is dedicated to working in partnership with schools to help young people make informed decisions about their future.
The Nottingham College schools team offers a menu of activities that is a free service open to all schools across Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and the wider area. We offer a selection of informative and educational sessions which are available to all local secondary schools and sixth forms.
We can help you with the Gatsby Benchmarks!
Nottingham College aims to support schools with career guidance and help them achieve
The Gatsby Benchmarks:
- A stable careers programme.
- Learning from career and labour market information.
- Addressing the needs of each pupil.
- Linking curriculum learning to careers.
- Encounters with employers and employees.
- Experiences of workplaces.
- Encounters with further and higher education.
- Personal guidance.
Below explains what we can offer your school and students, detailing what year group it is appropriate for and what Gatsby Benchmark it helps you achieve.
Activities at your school
Years 7-13
We are available to attend any of your school career fairs and events to host an information stand to talk all things Nottingham College. Whether this be careers fairs, parents' evenings, post-16 evening or any other event, we can provide information, advice and guidance to students and parents alike.
Book us for your careers event
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7, 8
Intro to FE assembly
An assembly style presentation which gives students an introduction to further education and potential future careers.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
Intro to FE workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the assembly content and includes an activity to get students thinking about their strengths, hobbies, subjects they enjoy and dream job.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
Intro to FE workshop (1 hour)
IT required for students
Expands on the assembly content and includes an exciting ‘treasure hunt’ activity where students use the Nottingham College website to learn more about further education.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
Future Ready assembly
An assembly style presentation to get students thinking about future careers and how it links in with picking their GCSE options.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
Future Ready workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the assembly content and includes an activity to get students thinking about their future options and which pathway they might be most suited to.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7, 8
What Next assembly
An assembly style presentation looking at the different post 16 pathways available to students – vocational courses, T Levels, A Levels and apprenticeships.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
What Next workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the assembly content and includes an activity to get students thinking about the different skills and personality traits needed for each post 16 pathway.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7, 8
What Next workshop (1 hour)
IT required for students
Expands on the assembly content and includes a ‘time to campaign’ activity where students must research and debate the pros and cons of the different post 16 options available to them.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
I am Nottingham College assembly
An assembly style presentation covering all things Nottingham College, focusing on the different options available and the application process.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 4, 7
I am Nottingham College workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the assembly content and includes activity to map out a post 16 plan A and plan B for all students.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1,4, 7, 8
Application Session (1 hour)
IT required for students
Step by step explanation of the application process at Nottingham College. Students can make a start and even complete their application with the help of our expert staff.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1,7
Be the Future assembly
An assembly style presentation focusing on Higher Education and the specific degree level courses we offer at Nottingham College
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 3, 4, 7
Be the Future workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the assembly content and includes an activity to engage students in decision making and what post 18 option may be for them.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1,4, 7, 8
Higher Education Masterclasses
Tailored to suit the needs of your students, you will be invited into the College to get a taste of Higher Education. Students will partake in engaging lectures, tour our state-of-the-art facilities and master the application process.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1,3,7
Years 10-13
Apprenticeship assembly
An assembly style presentation covering all things apprenticeships. We also have a presentation which covers degree apprenticeships for years 12 and 13 – perfect for apprenticeship week.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 2, 4, 7
Apprenticeship workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the apprenticeship assembly content and includes an application activity to get students looking at what it takes to apply for a vacancy.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 2, 4, 7
T level assembly (1 hour)
An assembly style presentation covering all things T levels. We let students know the T levels we offer, the facilities available and what their placement will look like. Gatsby Benchmark: 1,2,4,7
T level workshop (1 hour)
Expands on the T level assembly content. Also includes a focus on labour market information and industries T levels will lead you into. Students will partake in an activity where they compare each post 16 option and choose 2 options which best suit them.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1,2,4,7
Why not combine the two? If you would like Nottingham College to cover T levels and Apprenticeships in one session, we can! Just let us know.
Activities at Nottingham College
Years 10 & 11
We can provide an in-depth tour at any of our campuses, showing students our fantastic facilities and a glimpse of day-to-day college life. This session is designed for small groups of 10-15 students. It is possible to look around multiple campuses in either a morning or afternoon.
Gatsby Benchmark: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Years 10 & 11
Interactive taster sessions give students the opportunity to experience our college setting and get practical experience of our vocational college courses. These sessions are designed for small groups of 10-15 students. Taster sessions are subject to tutor availability.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Years 9, 10 & 11
Every year, during National Apprenticeship Week, the College delivers its annual Apprenticeship and Employability Fair. Our expert staff, employers we work with, and industry specialists are available to help students understand the benefits of an apprenticeship and the types of roles, careers and progression opportunities available.
Gatsby Benchmark:1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Years 7, 8 & 9
Our Summer careers event providing students with the chance to get hands on further education experience. Throughout the day, our curriculum teams will be hosting practical taster sessions in different subject areas. It is a fantastic opportunity to explore different career options across a range of industries in a fun and interactive way, led by our expert tutors.
Gatsby Benchmark: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
Everything we offer can be tailored to suit your School and needs. Feel free to contact us if you would like to arrange an informal chat about the support we can offer to your school and students. We are more than happy to meet at your school or welcome you at one of our Nottingham College campuses.
To find out more details about how we can support your careers programme or to arrange any of the activities above, Please contact our Schools Team.
What schools say about us
"My favourite part of the day was the media workshop as I am interested studying this in the future. We got to try lots of equipment and have a go in the TV and photography studios which was a lot of fun and different to a classroom"
Dylan, aged 14 — Park Vale Academy
"Many thanks for organising my visit yesterday. I really enjoyed looking around the college and our conversations along the way. I feel much more informed about the opportunities that the college will offer our students when I talk to them."
East Leake — Campus tour for careers lead
"I just wanted to, once again, thank you all for your involvement in the Year 11 mock interview event. As a result of your contribution to the event, I know that all our students have had a really positive and meaningful encounter with an employer or post 16 providers, and for many, a first “interview” type experience."
West Bridgford School — Mock interview day
