Mount St Joseph students begin to consider their future beyond secondary school as early as Year 7, and we have an integrated careers provision which is mapped against the Gatsby benchmarks. The current careers programme is delivered through a combination of methods, including lessons provided within the taught PSHE programme in Years 7 through to Year 10, which is predominantly form tutor-led.  Each subject ensures that there are explicit links between the curriculum and careers. In addition, careers is directly taught through the enrichment programme including careers week, drop-down days and trips. We have a bi-weekly focus on careers in our newsletter and regular assemblies.  Careers information is available in the library. 

Students begin to consider their career choices in Year 7 when they focus on what their aspirations are, and skills needed for work in their PSHE lessons and they consider goal setting. They will also experience several assemblies based on careers and key skill development. Students' complete questionnaires throughout the year allowing staff to understand their future ambitions.  During careers week they will take part in an enterprise competition. Within subject's students begin to understand how skills developed can support in their future careers. There are several careers trips.

 

The topics covered by students in Year 8 in our PSHE lessons include careers that benefit the community/environment, students look further at their own skills and attributes and take a first look at options post 16. Assemblies include looking ahead to GCSE options, and careers within the health industry.  Careers day focusses on the Barclays Life Skills and there are various careers and key skills assemblies including careers in hospitality.  Subjects continue to link the curriculum to careers in year 8.

 

In Year 9 students get the opportunity to experience a targeted careers fair on Careers and Aspirations Day which takes place within our careers week allowing them to engage with employees, employers and other career professionals.  At options evening and parent/carer evening, students and parents can meet with further education providers.  There are numerous workshops and sessions students can get involved with including STEM and the RAY (Raising Aspirations in Youth) programme. University Campus visits to promote Higher Education, enterprise challenges, mentoring programmes and the world of work workshops. Within PSHE year 9 focus and embed skills for their future careers and consider their online presence and the impact that has.  Subjects continue to demonstrate where the curriculum links to careers.  Assemblies include options, employability skills and careers within the emergency services.

 

In Year 10, the focus during PSHE is work experience preparation, as well as thinking about options for continued education and writing a personal statement.  Key activities include college taster days, work experience, university trips, interview skills workshops and apprenticeship fairs. There are a range of opportunities such as the Brilliant Club, college master classes and ‘Uni4Me’.  An independent careers advice meeting with our Connexions advisor and an opportunity to discuss future options with further education providers at parents' evening.  Assemblies are focussed upon work experience and careers with an apprenticeship.

 

In Year 11, students consider a range of options, with a view to choosing the best one for them, whether that is continuing their education at a local college or applying for apprenticeships and T levels.  There are a range of presentations from a range of providers.  All students get a 1-1 careers interview with the connexions officer. Students also take part in workshops around student finance, study skills and budgeting. Students are supported in the applications for next steps.  All are invited to take part in NCS (National Citizen Service).  All students take part in a mock interview.

 

Careers and SEND provision.

Every pupil with SEND follows the same programme of careers as their peers, with adaption and support from the SEND team where appropriate. Pupils with SEND have an interview with the internal SENDco before the options process to enable early identification of any necessary adaptions or interventions according to the need to support their career aspirations. Pupils can self-refer to PDT tutors who are also able to raise concerns. If the current provision cannot fully address a pupil’s additional need, advice will be sought from the Local Authority Connexions Service. The SENDCO also meets with parents/carers to discuss option suitability where the individual need is likely to have an impact on choices made during the options process. The SENDCO supports work experience placements, ensuring that providers are aware of individual needs, in order to promote a positive experience.  SEND students have early access to a Connexions adviser in year 10 and year 11 and will have at least 2 meetings with them across KS4.

Relationships with Parents

• We recognise that parents have a major role to play in the area of careers, both in terms of encouraging and supporting their children and in supporting the school in its endeavours to promote a wide variety of careers information.
• The Senior Leadership Team and Independent Careers Adviser are available at Year 9 Options Evening and year 10 and 11 Parent Evenings along with representatives from local colleges and training providers to speak to parents and pupils.
• Guidance and information is shared on the website, Twitter, via email and newsletters.