Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance at The Radcliffe School
Rationale
At The Radcliffe School, we have a real commitment to ensure our students are prepared for the world of work. All students, regardless of background, SEN, race and gender, should leave school informed and with a comprehensive impartial and informed understanding of the range of pathways and choices available to them. We want our students to have the confidence and knowledge to be able to enter further education, higher education, apprenticeships and work and to inspire them to achieve the best opportunities possible, whilst empowering them to plan and manage their own futures.
Our programme for careers and employability is referred to in school as CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) and is founded on the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, recognised as best practice by the DfE in their Statutory Guidance, January 2018.
The school employs a fully qualified CEIAG Careers Lead, who is a member of the Careers Development Institute and develops the careers programme alongside a member of the Senior Leadership Team. A member of the Governing Body is also linked to Careers.
Aims and objectives
Our mission is ‘Building Bright Futures Together to Inspire and Achieve’ and it is this foundation that underpins our CEIAG programme. Students should leave school not only with work experience and employer encounters, knowledge of alternative education providers, routes into apprenticeships and knowledge of pathways to employment and further and higher education, but also with the skills and qualities required to succeed in employment. This includes building resilience, the ability to challenge gender stereotyping, understanding the competitive nature of employment, interview skills and techniques, how to apply for jobs and individual careers guidance.
Delivery
We deliver our programme not only through the curriculum, by linking each subject to careers skills and employability but also through a large number of opportunities throughout the students’ time in school, including trips and visits, career carousels, careers fairs, assemblies, work experience, training provider and employer talks and visits, display boards, a careers library and one to one careers guidance interviews.
| Year Group | Cohort |
|---|---|
| 13 | As well as comprehensive guidance and support through the UCAS application process, students work on their CV writing and interview techniques, as they prepare to take their next steps into Higher Education, apprenticeships, employment or even gap years. Students have opportunities to meet employers, have career led subject talks and one to one careers guidance, as they take the final steps toward their next destinations. Students are given the opportunity to visit the National Apprenticeship show in March and are given mock interviews before the real thing. |
| 12 | The 'Way to Work' programme is designed to guide students on their individual chosen pathways and is delivered in the Spring term. Students have a presentation on the pathways available to them and a computer session, where they are introduced to UCAS Hub and Unifrog, two destination and career guidance platforms, covering all aspects of employment and study. Weekly tutor group sessions focussing on applications to universities and apprenticeships, with personal statement guidance, CV workshops and information on interviews. Students have a trip to the UCAS fair to meet universities, apprenticeships and Higher Education training providers and at least one visit to a university. This preparation is key for students to check whether specific work experience is required for chosen HE courses and to put this in place. Students are offered the opportunity to find a two- week work experience opportunity at the end of the summer term to develop knowledge and confidence in the career choices. Throughout the year students are given a wealth of information about summer schools, research placements and employer talks. |
| 11 | Year 11 is a key decision making point for students moving on to Further Education, apprenticeships and training. This process starts very early in the year, as it is essential that the link between GCSE results and progression is made. The "Next Steps" assembly gives students the chance to think about what research they need to do to prepare for their next destination choice and whether they have realistic and informed expectations. All students are seen this year by a member of the senior staff or the Careers Lead, to ensure they have worked through their decisions and are making informed decisions. Students are given opportunities to engage with alternative FE training providers, colleges and employers recruiting for apprenticeships. For students wishing to go on to an apprenticeship, we also visit the National Apprenticeship Show. Modern Britain curriculum focuses on careers and future choices. |
| 10 | A two week work experience opportunity for all year 10s is the focus for this year. Students will learn how to approach an employer, how to prepare for the world of work and reflect on their learning in the workplace. This work experience opportunity is essential for our students, as are the skills and confidence they gain from experiencing real work situations. This is also backed up by the Modern Britain curriculum, where students will follow the "Get to work programme" in preparation for their work experience. Students also meet employers and employees through wider school sessions and have the opportunity to access one to one career discussions and the careers drop-in service. Students are given information on educational pathways including technical qualifications. |
| 9 | The Year 9 options process is the first milestone in CEIAG, as students begin to make the link between informed option decisions and employment. This is supported by CEIAG delivery throughout the options process and students are supported in their decision making, through assemblies and parent's evenings. Students follow the Modern Britain programme "My future, my choices" where students develop their CV and application skills. Students encounter employers through wider school sessions and virtual careers workout sessions and start to look at the bigger picture of employment, whilst careers are linked to their curriculum learning. Students can access one to one career discussions and a careers drop in service. |
| 8 | Year 8 develop their understanding of careers and employability by focussing on Careers Enterprise. Students develop their understanding of money and wages and the benefits of employment through the Modern Britain curriculum. Students learn what it takes to be an entrepreneur. Students can access one to one career discussions and the careers drop-in service. Students meet employers and the world of work through the virtual career workout and through trips and visits. |
| 7 | Year 7 students begin to discover the skills and attributes involved in a successful career, through their Modern Britain lessons. Students explore the idea of challenging gender stereotypes, local labour market and what a salary and wage mean. Year 7 have access to a weekly careers drop in and the offer of one to one guidance. An e-careers book is shared with students, written particularly with Year 7 and 8 in mind. Year 7 begin to encounter information surrounding employability through wider opportunities within school. Students encounter the world of work and employer encounters through the virtual career workout, in the summer term. |
Employer links and alternative training providers
The school is keen to establish local and national employer links and works with a number of employers, FE and HE providers to give impartial and informative guidance. Our careers lead regularly attends network meetings in the local area and nationally, to ensure the school is aware of opportunities and changes in statutory guidance and keeps abreast of local Labour Market Information.
The school has formed strong relationships with a large number of local employers, who regularly visit the school throughout the year, either virtually through the career workout programme, or in person, delivering workshops, assemblies and talks about opportunities they can offer. The school also works with many other local and national companies to ensure students are aware of opportunities and that they have access to local and national labour market information and are aware of local providers of employment.
The school is very proud of its place within the community and actively encourages local businesses, employers and employees to be involved within our careers carousels, employer talks and employer encounters.
We welcome talks from FE providers and alternative training providers and work cohesively with our local FE colleges, one highlight being the annual MK college ‘Yellow bus visit’.
Engaging parents/ carers and Alumni
We believe that students are inspired by the experiences of ex-students who have moved into a variety of careers. With this in mind, we have an alumni database and encourage all our students to register with us. We welcome visits from ex -students to talk to current students about their experiences in all aspects of education and employment and we have a dedicated area on the website to be able to celebrate the careers of our ex-students.
Parents are welcome to attend careers discussions with their child or to contact the Careers Lead with concerns, or if they need help and advice. Parents are invited to careers presentations in year 11 and 12, to help their understanding of the transition processes. Careers information is also available through the school website, which has a dedicated careers page for parents and links to useful websites. The school also delivers a termly careers e-newsletter that is sent out to student and parents and other stakeholders.
Evaluation and feedback
It is very important to constantly evaluate our programme. We seek opinions from stakeholders through surveys, questionnaires and feedback forms, in order to reflect on our practice and improve further.
For further information please contact our Careers Lead, Mrs Laura Cain, at l.cain@radcliffeschool.org.uk