Careers Programme
Our Careers programme runs from Year 7 to Year 11 and prepares students well for life after they leave the school. It has been designed to align with the eight Gatsby Benchmarks which have been recognised by the government as outlining the requirements of an excellent careers programme.
Students have many encounters with employers and learn about the different careers and the various routes into these careers. It helps students to find the careers that suit them and prepare them to follow their desired path.
Students learn about the different work sectors and are taught to challenge the various stereotypes and discrimination that exists in the world of work. Students learn how to take responsibility for their own career by planning for the future.
They learn how to create an effective CV and learn useful skills such as developing a professional and successful interview technique.
The programme supports pupils through each of the transitions they face such as choosing Year 9 options and deciding what to do after Year 11 and secure their post 16 destination.
Our Careers programme is comprised of the following:
- Students receive individual impartial advice from our Level 6 qualified Careers advisor Sophie Short (Progress Careers). Students identified as requiring extra support receive regular individual impartial advice from our advisor. Impartial and independent advice is given to students in accordance with the Statutory Guidance for Schools (Jan 18)). It is organised and delivered in accordance with the Gatsby benchmarks. All students receive a number one to one meetings in either Year 10 or Year 11. Students in any year can request a Careers meeting. Any requests to see the Careers advisor should be made directly to the appropriate Year Leader or contact Mr Whaley (Careers Lead) or Sophie Short (Advisor).
- The Careers advisor is also present at the Parents’ Evenings and other events for Years 9-13 as well as results day for Year 11.
- Careers lessons take place within the EPC Programme (Half Term 3). Each lesson focus is matched at KS3 and at KS4 with the CDI (Careers Development Institute) framework for careers, employability and enterprise education and in line with Gatsby Benchmarks.
- All students set up profiles through careers websites (Start Profile) which they use to help them to
- find the right career path. This platform can also be accessed at home by students and parents.
- Students have encounters with employers each year through talks from guest speakers in specific careers ‘Step Up’ days and assemblies in Years 7-11.
- Students have careers mornings (Step Up Mornings) in all year groups in which they will hear from external speakers and employers and carry out various careers related activities throughout the morning.
- Students across all Year groups have contact with employers and further education through various school trips and guest speakers visiting lessons.
Our Careers programme is evaluated every year to help assess and then strengthen our careers provision. We will review what is working well and will identify areas that require further development so that we can continue to improve our practice. Timely careers reports are produced and shared with Senior Leaders at certain points though the year. These are subsequently shared with members of the governing body.
Careers Learning Journey
The following learning journey’s gives a breakdown of the minimum experiences each student has from Year 7 through to year 11.
