Careers Education Information and Guidance is an essential part of a young person’s journey to adulthood. At St Mary’s we have a comprehensive careers programme which begins in Key Stage 2. Running through the careers programme at St Mary’s is a consistent focus upon the development of essential skills needed by all our pupils to be both successful learners at school and also in the future. We define the essential skills as: Listening, Speaking, Problem Solving, Creativity, Staying Positive, Aiming High, Leadership and Teamwork.
Key Stage 2 Careers Programme
Pupils complete a programme of activities that supports them to:
- Know what they like and enjoy doing
- Describe what they are good at
- Talk about how to look after themselves
- Be aware that people’s careers are different
- Talk about how to keep themselves safe when at work
- Show how they can work in a team
- Bring their talents to complete a challenge
Key Stage 3 Careers Programme
The aim of the careers programme in Key Stage 3 is to encourage pupils to develop their self-awareness, self-determination and self-improvement as a learner. They will learn about careers and the world of work in relation to themselves. They will begin to develop career management and employability skills.
Pupils complete a programme of activities that supports them to:
- Focus on their positive achievements
- Describe themselves, their strengths, their preferences
- Explain how they benefit from activities and experiences
- Understand the idea of a career journey
- Be aware of labour market information and how it can be useful
- Understand how to challenge stereotyping and discrimination
- Be aware of safe working practices and environments
- Learn to manage a personal budget
- Know how to make plans and decisions carefully
- Know how to present themselves well in a selection process
- Show they can be positive, flexible and well prepared
In Year 9 pupils will have support with choosing their BTEC options for Year 10. They will be able to see older students work and talk to them about the courses. They will also have an opportunity to take part in a taster session.
Key Stage 4 Careers Programme
At Key Stage 4 pupils continue to build on the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout Key Stage 3. They will start to plan their transition from school to further education. Pupils complete a programme of activities that supports them to:
- Recognise how they are changing, what skills they have to offer and what is important to them
- Be positive and develop responsibility for their own progress, achievements and wellbeing.
- Explain key ideas about their career and careers development
- Explain how work is changing and how this impacts on people’s satisfaction with their working lives.
- Explain 3 different types of businesses, how they operate and how they measure success.
- Recognise and challenge stereotyping, discrimination and other barriers to equality, diversity and inclusion.
- Be aware of their responsibilities and rights as a student, trainee or employee for following safe working practices.
- Research their education, training, apprenticeship, employment and volunteering options including information about the best progression pathways through to specific goals.
- Know their rights and responsibilities in a selection process and the strategies used to improve their chances of being chosen.
Key Stage 5 Careers Programme
At Key Stage 5 the careers programme focuses upon the transition into adulthood which can include transition to post 19 provisions; local colleges, specialist colleges, apprenticeships, paid and voluntary employment options.
Support of the careers programme from a range of people is crucial in providing our pupils with high quality careers provision. We work closely with local employers and organisations to identify and provide meaningful work-related opportunities and experiences for all pupils during their time at St Mary’s.
Staff
- Work with pupils, parents and employers to raise aspirations and provide experiences across the curriculum to link learning with the workplace.
Parents
- Attend and support school events
- Support children with aspiration
- Visit the school to give talks about work and experience
Governors
- Attend school events
- Visit the school to conduct mock interviews
- Support the careers programme
Employers
- Attend school events
- Visit the school to give talks
- Invite pupils in for workplace visits
- Support work experience
Alumni (ex-pupils)
- Attend school events
- Visit the school to give talks
If you would like to get involved in the careers programme at St Mary’s please contact Mr Weakley; Careers Lead: 01424 740730 - sweakley@stmarysbexhill.org
