COA Preview, Profile and Centigrade offer a great way to enhance any careers programme. In depth, but easily accessible they give students a clear indication of how their abilities, interests and aptitudes can lead to wide ranging careers and university courses.
For over 25 years Cambridge Occupational Analysts (COA) has worked with more than 3,000 schools in the UK and across the globe in over 50 countries to deliver a fully comprehensive range of careers and higher education programmes including aptitude tests. The technical quality of the programmes is paramount and they are continually developed and checked throughout the year.
The COA assessment philosophy
The COA programmes are designed to help students to make better, more informed decisions about their future education and career choices. To do this, the programmes use a combination of guidance materials, self-assessments, independent assessments and objective assessments to provide information on students’ interests, abilities, motivations, attitudes and values. The assessments are provided through a mix of questionnaires, tests, qualifications, interviews and teacher assessments. The central concept is that students will do well in their future choices if they have the right mix of abilities, motivation and understanding. The programmes do not, however, make use of personality tests or learning and thinking style inventories. There are a number of reasons for this. Firstly, the programmes are run with students who are still developing and maturing. Although some aspects of personality may be fairly stable over time, others change with experience and learning. In addition:
Personality assessment is a highly skilled activity. We consider it unsafe to provide personality assessments to untrained individuals who are in danger of over-interpreting or mis-using such information.
So, at COA we avoid making use of such information and focus on the information about achievements, abilities, motivations and attitudes that we do collect.
This event offers Heads of Sixth Form, Heads of Careers and UCAS advisers an opportunity to find out how Centigrade can be used to help Year 12 students focus on their HE course options.
Where are they now? This week, Kerry Foster who studied Chemistry at university - but what is she doing now?
Our new feature 'Where are they now?' looks at the career path of real-life students.This week, Kerry Foster who studied Chemistry at university - but what is she doing now?
Regional Meeting (Oundle): Making best use of social media in a careers department
Our keynote speaker will provide an invaluable insight on making effective use of social media in a careers department at our latest regional meeting being held at Oundle School
We are delighted to announce details of our half-day course for careers staff responsible for Key Stage 3.
COA Conference 2016: Focus On Medicine
This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the founding of COA and we are delighted to announce that our 2016 Annual Conference will be a special two-day event held at Downing College, University of Cambridge on 27-28 September, 2016.
Study Abroad Case Study: Philosophy
This week, Emma Scriver who is studying Philosophy at the University of Auckland, New Zealand as part of her course at Leeds University in the UK.
Our keynote speaker will discuss the upcoming changes to A Level and GCSE examinations and their effects on university admissions at our latest regional meeting being held at the University of York
A one-day course specifically developed to help and support newly appointed staff taking on a careers role in school.
Our keynote speakers will provide an invaluable insight into the MMI process, MMI stations and how to help your students prepare for the interview at our latest regional meeting being held at Downe House
Our keynote speakers will discuss the upcoming changes to A Level and GCSE examinations and their effects on university admissions at our latest regional meeting being held at The Royal High School Bath.
The COA team
The majority of our staff are based at the head office in Sparham, Norfolk, just over 10 miles from Norwich. From here we ensure COA runs smoothly and provides the best possible service to our schools, colleges and other customers.
COA - the early years
The first careers programme was in use in a number of schools by 1986 and from one of these, Oundle School, the Headmaster Dr Barry Trapnell had recently retired. He was an old friend of John's and previously his Tutor at Oxford University. A chance meeting in 1985 led to Barry accepting the Chairmanship of COA, and soon after COA was incorporated as a limited liability company.
Building COA
COA’s head office is based in Norfolk. We also have regional and national representatives who are able to visit your school, college or careers service.
If you are interested in learning more about our programmes and services to help deliver careers guidance at your school, please contact our Joint Managing Director,
