Careers Department

Careers/AIG Department

Advice, information and Guidance are opportunities for the students happen across the whole school, in lessons, individually and through group workshops.

Green travel: plane contrails in the sky

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 personalized 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 in Year 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 with 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.

At Key Stage 4 & 5

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 formalized 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.
Connexions is a service provided on many levels of guidance and advice. You can contact the service directly at www.connexions-direct.com, or locally dropping into the branch on Willesden High Road.
The websites below are also very helpful:
www.connexions-direct.com/itsyourchoice
www.connexions-direct.com/whichwaynow
www.connexions-direct.com/parentcarer

For information on Work Related Learning CLICK HERE