RATIONALE
The world of work and the different pathways into it continue to evolve at a tremendous pace. So that our students can ‘Live Life to the Full’ (John 10:10), we provide a careers education that gives them access to accurate and impartial advice, enabling all of our students to make informed choices about their futures.

The careers curriculum is designed to help students explore the multitude of careers available to them, both within their local area and beyond. They learn about the different pathways into different careers whether these be academic study, technical education and qualifications or apprenticeships. We want students to decide which is best suited to them. It also equips them with the employability skills required to pursue their ambitions.

We seek to provide opportunities for students to meet with representatives from the wider business community, to expose them to careers that may be beyond their personal experiences. Similarly, meeting local education and training providers ensures that they gain a fuller understanding of what and where they can continue their development at both 16 and 18.

We design our careers programme to be with the Gatsby Benchmarks, the 8 criteria for effective careers education.

‍1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

The careers education is interwoven throughout the school curriculum. CEIAG (careers education, information, advice and guidance) at St Wilfrid’s is delivered through in form time during Live! lessons. Bespoke careers events enable students to meet with people from employment, education and training. Students will explore careers through their regular lessons, so that they are able to connect their subject knowledge to the working world. All students will receive impartial information advice and guidance in their meeting within an independent careers advisor. Opportunities are also provided for parents to have opportunities to meet providers at parents’ evenings.

Please see the attached calendar that sets out the bespoke events for this academic year.

In years 7 and 8 students begin to investigate potential careers through their Live sessions and departmental trips.

In year 9 students are encouraged to consider their future pathways ahead of their GCSE option choices.

In years 10 and 11 students consider their post 16 options. All students receive a one to one interview with the independent careers advisor. They will develop the skills required for them to progress, inclusive of CV writing and interview skills.

If you are a parent, an employer or a local provider and you have any questions about our career opportunities, please contact our careers lead Mr M Trohear MTrohear@saintwilfrids.com or 01254 604000.

Our students hear from a range of employment, education and technical providers, and we are currently looking to develop this provision to students at Key Stage 3. If you are a provider of education and training and you would like to have the opportunity to meet with our students, please can you submit your request via email to MTrohear@saintwilfrids.com. Please describe the year group you would like to work with and the type of event format that would most suit you (e.g. an assembly or a subject talk in lessons, hosting a visit from some of our students). We will provide a venue that is appropriate to the activity such as the main hall or a classroom. The school can also make facilities such as projectors and microphones available to the provider, this will be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader.

We are eager to support all requests, but we ask you to understand that access will be granted provided that the event fits within the curriculum. The Policy Statement of Provider Access will be updated in January 2023, incorporating the changes necessitated by the Baker clause, once it has been ratified by the governors.

Our careers curriculum is evaluated with an external partner throughout the academic year, to inform its continued development. We seek to develop this with the views of all of our stakeholders. Please do contact us if there is something that you feel we could develop.

Students are encouraged to explore careers opportunities
‍https://www.startprofile.com/
Registration is required – students will receive a code for this in Year 8. If for any reason they have been unable to do this, please contact MTrohear@saintwilfrids.com
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‍https://icould.com/
Students could take the buzz quiz to get ideas of the kind of career to which they might be suited.

‍https://barclayslifeskills.com/parents/wheel-of-strength
Similarly, students could try the Barclays Wheel of Strength.

‍https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
Information, advice and guidance to help you make decisions on learning, training and work

All students will have a one-to-one meeting with an independent careers advisor during Year 11. If you have a query regarding your child’s appointment, please contact PLewis@saintwilfrids.com

If you would like to speak to a careers advisor prior to this, you can get independent advice from an advisor at https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/contact-us/home

Choosing a career may be influenced by your understanding of local opportunities. The link below gives you an up-to-date picture of what the local labour market looks like.

‍https://www.lancashireskillshub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Blackburn-with-Darwen-Hyndburn-Rossendale-and-Ribble-Valley-Factsheet.pdf

Students need to gain experience in different settings to ensure they are prepared for the working world. One way students can achieve this is through voluntary work. Whether this develops commitment, resilience or people skills, there is always a benefit to be gained, regardless of the industry you are looking to work in. The following links might provide a range of voluntary opportunities for students to gain experience whilst giving something back to the community;
‍https://vinspired.com/
‍https://lancsvp.org.uk/

Date of the next review of the current information published: October 2023