Careers

Work Related Learning | Employability Skills | Other Careers Events | (CAP) Common Application Process

 

Please use the above links to access the Work Related Learning, Employability Skills & Other Careers Events sections.

Careers is delivered mainly through the tutor system in school. It starts in years 7&8 with a simple programme introducing students to the concept of linking school work to the world of work by looking at careers in the family and on TV and other familiar places in their lives.

In year 9 work on decision making and option choices are in the forefront. We look at a computer programme called ’Streets Ahead’ to help students to identify jobs, focus on themselves, build on their early ideas from years 7&8 and beginning the process of planning for the future.
On flexible days the ‘Real Game’ has been introduced in KS3. This includes some financial capability as well as looking at an aspirational lifestyle before identifying reality and linking this to qualifications attainable in school.

Connexions advisors invite year 9 students to individual, paired and group interviews to discuss options and career plans for the future.

The main focus of Careers work, however, takes place in Key Stage 4 and includes the following:

• The 'Work Related' programme for students who follow a reduced curriculum in school, one day at college and one day at a work placement.

• The Employability Skills programme takes place throughout Key Stage 4.  This is designed to give selected students the opportunity to raise self esteem and understand teamwork, with the intention of preparing them for employment.

• The Work Experience programme, which gives all students in Key Stage 4 the opportunity to sample the ‘world of work’ by actually attending a work placement for a week.

• Routes to Employment evenings – a series of events to prepare students for life after school.

• All Year 11 students have a Careers interview with either Matt Joyce or Chris Ross to plan their future. Parents are invited to attend these interviews to support the student in their planning.

• Looking at Odyssey, Kudos, Pathfinder and Skill Check, each of which is interactive software which helps students to generate job ideas, investigate jobs and to learn about employment terms and conditions such as salaries, contracts and work environments.