WELCOME To The Careers/AIG department.
Advice, information and Guidance are opportunities for the students happen across the whole school, in lessons, individually and through group workshops.
Where will the educational pathway you choose bring you?
Each student's career decisions needs to be based on careful preparation and exploration. To help this process, the school has a planned programme of careers education and guidance. This takes place as part of the Tutorial programme in years 7 - 9 and as part of the Personal and Social Education course in years 10, 11 and 12 & 13.
At Key Stage 3:
Years 7 & 8 are introduced to Careers Education through the Step Up on line programme available in school. They identify their decision making style and how to map personal skills to different career paths. We encourage our pupils to explore work styles and to develop an understanding of the world of work. The pupils can visualise this through the Streets Ahead programme.
Streets Ahead
Pupils engage the Streets Ahead programme in Years 7 & 8. They learn and identify their personal skills, create a personal skills profile and select and receive information on relevant pathways for future careers. Students can find out more about subjects of interest with areas which include; 'What will I study?', 'How will I learn?', 'What skills can I develop?', 'How will my work be assessed?' and 'Where could I work?'. Information is provided on over 450 careers, each with a real-life interview, on-the-job photographs and examples of work styles.
Streets Ahead helps Year 9 students with their Key Stage 4 subject options. Specific information is provided on GCSEs and 14-19 Diplomas and vocational subjects. Students can look at how subjects link to careers, encouraging their self-awareness and decision-making skills. Colourful and animated characters, Sam and Amba, provide advice and guidance throughout the program.
Pupils create a personalised e-portfolio they can add to from the Step Up and Streets Ahead programme which will support them through the critical process of option choices inYear 9.
Year 9
The Year 9 Careers programme ensures each pupil takes the educational pathway at Key Stage 4. This critical process begins in the first term of Year 90 where the pupils continue wlth both the Streets Ahead Programme and also engage in the Step One online programme to support them with option choices for Key Stage 4. They will also have an Options Workshop with our Connexions Advisor Jenny Walklate, and in addition selected pupils will have a personal interview with Jenny to discuss their pathways options at Key Stage 4.
In the Spring term, after the Year 9 Options evening pupils will select the pathway and subject choices for both GCSE and Vocational subjects.
From the outset of Key Stage 4, Work related opportunities are formalised on the school curriculum. Key Stage 4 and 5 students engage in the Careerscape Multimedia programme, which is an innovative careers information package for young people and adults. High quality information is provided on over 1,800 careers including a range of exciting features such as video footage, photographs and real-life case studies. Yr 10 students will use the programme for advice on work placement choices for work experience. Yr11 students find it invaluable for post-16 education choices and pathways, and VI form students use the program for university choices and subject information.
Connexions is a national service that provides information and advice for Young people.
Our Connexions Advisor Jenny Walklate, provides excellent impartial information on Educational pathways and Careers guidance to our students formally in Years 9, 11 and VIth Form.
Year 9 meet Jenny in Options Workshops in March where she provides advice and information on pathways at Key Stage 4, including GSCE choices, vocational options and pathway requirements.
Year 11 students each have individual interview with Jenny to go through their personal choices. Students then receive a formalised Individual Educational Plan (IEP), to guide them through to Key Stage 5. She will also hold workshops collectively for the year group.
Year 12 Vocational students also have workshops and individual interviews advising them on their further options.
Jenny is also available for “drop in” sessions during break and lunch times for all students.
The websites below are also very helpful:
www.connexions-direct.com/itsyourchoice
www.connexions-direct.com/whichwaynow
www.connexions-direct.com/parentcarer
Work Related Learning and Work Experience at Key Stage4
Outcomes and Opportunities
Through work related activities students are expected to develop: each learning through work, for work and about work. On the PHSE curriculum students prepare for their work placement by developing an understanding on each of the following:
- An awareness of the diversity of industry and what it does so that they gain insights into the relevance and applicability of their work in schools to the world of work;
- High standards in key skills and an understanding of the significance of them to employers;
- An understanding of basic economics, how industry contributes to the nation's prosperity and how they, as future employees, can contribute to the economic success of the country;
- A basic knowledge of the range of employment opportunities available to them, the prior attainment needed and the skills demanded, to enable them to make informed career choices, and the skills to plan effectively for lifelong learning; and
- An understanding of these day-to-day expectations made of an employee and their responsibilities and rights in the workplace.
The work experience programme at here in school provides opportunities for preparing all students to manage their transitions to further and higher education, training or employment. The programme can put students in a position to:
- Make informed choices about their future working lives;
- Recognise the importance of lifelong learning; and
- Continue to develop skills and qualities, which enable them to participate effectively as adults in a changing world.
Work experience promotes students’ personal and social development, enhanced their maturity and helped them develop an understanding of world of work. Students also get the chance to develop self-confidence and communication skills. Preparing and participating in the work experience programme helps students to work better with other people in further or higher education, as well as in their future careers.
All Yr 10 students undertake a two week block work experience in July yearly. However preparation for the programme is year long process. The students will prepare CV’s and attend a mock formal interview session organised in partnership with the Brent and Harrow Education and Business Partnership. Students will then in class learn about industries and the shift in national employment types, expectations in the workplace and an excellent awareness of health and safety issues. To make final preparations students will then attend a pre-placement interview, a day for briefing and a debrief when they return. In Year 11 students will use their experience of the world of work to assist their decision towards their Key Stage 5 pathways.
The career management skills of decision making, action planning, negotiating and self-presentation;
- A range of personal and interpersonal skills and qualities, such as managing time, demonstrating initiative, determination and reliability, strategic thinking, risk assessment and management, entrepreneurial and inactive skills, integrity and being able to live with uncertainty and cope with pressure;
- Job or company-specific skills and knowledge;
- Appropriate qualifications.
Effective performance throughout working life is achieved through the application of a contribution of these skills and qualities to particular situations. Employability can be built on the integration of knowledge skills and attitude development in school and those required for successful performance at work.
Key Stage 5
Applications to higher Education are central to progress at Key Stage 5. UCAS, UCAS is the UK central organisation through which applications are processed for entry to higher education. The process starts in Year 12 as students will prepare their individual statement. Mr Colley is central to this process.
