Careers

Commitment

We are committed to providing a planned program of careers education, advice and guidance (CEIAG) for all students in years 7 to 11 using the Gatsby Benchmarks criteria to fulfil our obligation to our students ensuring we help enable them to have high aspirations and consider a broad range of career options.

Working with Students

Our aim is to inspire and motivate students by working closely with our local Further Education centres, Higher Education centres, apprenticeship services and local employers to ensure students have access to all opportunities available to them.

The CEIAG program is delivered to students via the careers co-ordinator, year group advisors, subject teachers and external agencies.

Working with Parents and Carers

Parents are kept up to date in the following ways:

• News and information is shared on the school Facebook and Twitter pages
• Letters are sent out in mailshots
• Reminder text messages sent home before events and visits
• School newsletter
• FE presence at year 9, 10 and 11 parents/options evenings and GCSE results day

Key Stage 3 Provision

Cycle 3 PSHE is focused on Living in the Wider World, including careers.

All three cycles have a Careers in the Curriculum week, with links between lessons and specific careers as well as activities, talks, visits and workshops with employers, workplaces, FE and HE providers. In Y8 and Y9, students have 1:1 independent guidance from a careers advisor.

By the end of Key Stage 3, students will have:

• An understanding of what Further and Higher Education is
• Knowledge of the differences between academic and vocational courses
• A better understanding of the strengths, achievements and weaknesses to support future choices
• An understanding of employability qualities and skills
• Attended a visit to at least one college or university
• A better understanding of career options available
• An understanding of apprenticeships and how they work

Key Stage 4 Provision

Cycle 3 PSHE is focused on Living in the Wider World, including careers.

All three cycles have a Careers in the Curriculum week, with links between lessons and specific careers as well as activities, talks, visits and workshops with employers, workplaces, FE and HE providers. In Y10 and 11, all students have 1:1 independent guidance from a careers advisor.

All students in Y9 and Y10 have free access to the Duke of Edinburgh Bronze award, a qualification valued by post 16 providers and employers.

By the end of Key Stage 4, students will have:

• A deeper understanding of what Further and Higher Education is
• An embedded understanding of the differences between academic and vocational courses
• Had experiences of lessons at a college or sixth form
• Written a CV (and understand what makes a good / bad CV and why)
• Knowledge of how to search for entry requirements / course content for FE and HE courses
• A better understanding of the strengths, achievements and weaknesses to support future choices
• A deeper understanding of employability qualities
• A better understanding of career options available to them beyond “FE” level
• Had access to intervention sessions hosted by local colleges
• Applied for a post 16 course or apprenticeship

Equal Opportunities

We are committed to promoting equal opportunities and seek to challenge all stereotypes and ensure all of our students achieve their full potential, whether that is to attend the best university or real alternative.

Evaluation, Monitoring and Review

This information was last reviewed in September 2023 and will be reviewed again in September 2024. It will also be reviewed frequently as described below:

• Careers focus review meetings are held each term and are attended by the Chair of Governors (Christine McGough), Careers Lead Governor (Alan Wallace) and the Headteacher (Steven Clough)
• Events/activities undertaken from students are reviewed via pupil voice questionnaires and any appropriate changes will be made in line with any findings
• The focus of the meetings is to discuss and evaluate the data of; destinations, trips, educational visits participation and will enable measurement of the impact of the CEIAG provision
• The Careers Co-coordinator attends various CEIAG network and regional meetings and working groups
• Regular meetings with external agencies (such as FE and HE establishments) take place where our School Agreed Plan is discussed in detail and any amendments are implemented