Partnerships

Be connected to the best opportunities in business

At CTK St Mary’s you will be given the tools you need to start planning your future career, thanks to our strong careers programme and links with employers and businesses.

You will be joining a warm, friendly community of like-minded people where you will be encouraged to get involved in sixth form life. You can choose from the debating club, fashion group, college band, coaching awards and volunteer societies, to name a few.

You will have opportunities to discover or develop your interests and talents and have a great time. Extracurricular activities to choose from include: Drama, Media, Business, 3D Animation, Dance and Music.  

Some of the activities that you can get involved in include:

• Community projects, such as helping in primary schools and hospitals.
• Residential visits and overseas trips.
• Work shadowing and volunteering experiences.
• Retreats and pilgrimages.
• Expeditions to places such as Kenya, Alaska and the Tien Shan mountains.
• Duke of Edinburgh Award

Our Christ the King Partnership Board is central to this. It brings together 28 members who provide invaluable insight from diverse industries. Many are Christ the King alumni, so they have a deep understanding of the support and opportunities that you will benefit from.

You will have opportunities to complete work placements at top City companies, and to network with businesses and universities at our annual Careers Conference.

You will have access to our external speaker programme, which brings more than 30 specialists in their field to our Christ the King Sixth Forms each year. Speakers come from a number of backgrounds and organisations. They have previously included Sir Ian Cheshire (Chairman of Barclays), David Thompson (film producer), and Gary Gibbon (Channel 4 News Political Editor). You will also hear from entrepreneurs and high-fliers in the creative industries.

Whether you want to study Biochemical Engineering at Bristol, set up your own company, work in finance or join the Metropolitan Police, we’ve got it covered.

You will have the chance to take part in exciting opportunities thanks to our links with employers. These have previously included a professional mentoring programme with the EY Foundation, a Barclays seminar on building resilience and assertiveness, and a talk hosted by the US Ambassador to the UK. You can attend a variety of expert guest lectures, featuring corporate lawyers, barristers and executives from companies such as HSBC, BP and BT.

Here are just some of the successful programmes students have benefitted from:

Mentoring Successful Professionals Programme

In our Mentoring Aspiring Professionals Programme, you will be paired with professionals in their area of interest. Mentors have included:

• A Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics
• A subeditor at The Times,
• An associate project manager at Transport for London
• A civil servant at the Foreign Office
• An investment lawyer
• A research scientist at Imperial College London.

Fast Track Programme

The Fast Track Programme supports motivated and ambitious students to develop wider skills and engage with employers. Around 50 students are invited to take part and benefit from training sessions and coaching on subjects like communicating and networking, making a positive impression, and understanding the workplace. Students who complete the Fast Track Programme can gain first-hand experience of the corporate workplace.

Urban Synergy event

Urban Synergy is an award-winning mentoring charity which helps young people to reach their full potential. The annual event brings nearly 200 students together across all three CTK Sixth Forms, to take part in mentoring programmes and inspirational seminars. Students leave feeling motivated and encouraged to achieve their best. Ongoing links with Urban Synergy have led to regular workshops with Capgemini.

Barclays RISE Programme

Students on the Barclays RISE Programme attend sessions at Barclays in Canary Wharf, with the potential of a week’s work experience during the summer. The programme was founded by former CTK student and Partnership Board Member Michael Lee, along with colleagues in the Barclays Graduate Scheme. It provides a platform for them to share their experiences and mentor students who may have limited opportunities and insight into professional industries. 

Apply now to secure your place at CTK St Mary’s, or visit our next open event.