We aim to give students valuable opportunities for Careers education, information, advice and guidance, in order for them to make well informed decisions in the future. The Government introduced a new statutory guidance in October 2018, based around the Gatsby Benchmarks, standards that should be met by all schools by the end of 2020. A copy of this report can be found at this link:
Schools Statutory Guidance (PDF document)
BBS Careers Lead: Mrs Lisa Kane
Work Experience Team: Mrs Lisa Kane, Mrs Kay McClean, Miss Paige Jervis
What will I study?
Activities
We organise a wide range of activities based around careers for students in all years. Details of these are updated regularly on the activity plan. All of these activities are matched to the needs of our students and the Gatsby benchmarks.
Careers information is also delivered cross curricular within lessons. This can show where career paths may lead in different subject areas. More information can be found within the Careers Policy in the Policy section of the website.
Measuring Impact
We regularly audit our provision and assess its impact via NEET analysis, student voice and feedback from employers, teaching staff and parents. We will be including career related survey questions in whole school surveys from now on too.
New Online Resource for Students and Families
This year we are introducing a new online resource to help students plan their career pathways. It has up to date Labour Market Information and a safe digital store for students to keep a record of all activities and achievements. This was launched with Key Stage 4 students and parents at the “Your Future Conference” in October and the “Careers Fair” in November. Further details of this are shown below:
Help your child explore their future career and education options at home by encouraging them to use Start - a fantastic online careers learning tool.
Start is accessible anytime on computers and compatible mobile and tablet devices, and is designed to enable young people to make excellent choices about their futures.
Start allows young people to:
• Find jobs that match their skills, qualities, interests and work preferences
• Understand what different careers are like, including earning potential and the qualifications required to get in
• Search live local Apprenticeship opportunities matched to their areas of interest
• See which businesses are recruiting in your area to understand local employment demand when making decisions about careers
Watch a short video on Start here: Start: Career Profile Introduction (YouTube)
If you or your child have not already registered, go to www.startprofile.com
For more information on Start or the careers guidance in place at Burton Borough, please contact Lisa Kane via our contact form (select 'Careers & Life Skills' from the drop down list) or visit http://website.u-explore.com/start/parents/
Curriculum
In the Summer Term, the Life skills programme focuses on Living In the Wider World and covers an introduction to Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Through this we introduce analysis of skills and qualities, setting personal targets and goals, types of career paths and encourage students to see the link with career choice and working hard to develop personal qualities. The wider skills passport in Life Skills allows students the opportunity to practice employability skills.
In the Summer Term, the Life skills programme focuses on Living In the Wider World and covers an introduction to many aspects of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Through this we introduce career pathways, types of businesses, rights at work, enterprise and financial management as well as encouraging students to see the link with career choice and working hard to develop personal qualities. The wider skills passport in Life Skills allows students the opportunity to practice employability skills.
Students also take part in Careers and Enterprise Workshops and Challenges through the EEL day Programme
In the Summer Term, the Life skills programme focuses on Living In the Wider World and covers many aspects of Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. Through this we introduce career choices, types of businesses, labour market information, enterprise and financial risk management as well as encouraging students to see the link with career choice and working hard to develop personal qualities. The wider skills passport in Life Skills allows students the opportunity to practice employability skills.
Students also take part in a variety of Careers and Enterprise related Workshops and Challenges through the EEL day Programme
During Year 10 students take part in a number of Career sessions through the EEL day programme. These include CV writing, Personal statements, Application forms, Interview Skills, labour market information, careers choices available and preparation for Work Experience (including Health and Safety). They also take part in a full day’s Enterprise and Employability event delivered by external facilitators.
During the Summer Term, year 10 students take part in 2 weeks work experience and a day’s debriefing programme delivered through a carousel of workshops by members of the business community. This also helps them prepare for the Year 11 “Your Futures Conference”
Students are invited, along with parents to our annual Careers Fair in the Autumn term which is well attended by sixth forms, colleges, universities, training providers, armed forces and employers.
During Year 11 students take part in a variety of Career sessions through the EEL day programme. These include Post 16 applications, Personal statements, Apprenticeships, Interview Skills, Labour Market Information, Entrepreneurial skills, Careers Pathways including University and Higher Level Apprenticeships and Managing Student Finance. They take part in an offsite conference called “ Your Futures” which focuses on revision and employability skills, culminating in a full interview with verbal and written feedback by a respected member of a local or national company.
Students receive advice and guidance from our in house careers advisor from Telford & Wrekin’s Future Focus Service. This is done on a priority by need basis, but students can request an appointment earlier if they wish. They also have a dedicated careers library and notice board in the year 11 common room and an opportunity to attend drop in sessions for advice and guidance with post 16 applications.
Throughout the year students have a variety of morning assemblies delivered by local and national providers to show the full range of choices available to them.
Burton Borough is also proud to be a National Citizenship Service champion with a large number of year 11 students taking part in this Summer programme every year.
With the raising of participation age, it is compulsory for all students to remain in education or training until they are 18 and aim to ensure all students receive an appropriate offer of a post 16 provision before they leave at the end of year 11. All students and parents are encouraged to attend our annual careers fair in the autumn term and as we track students’ offers, any student who has not secured a provision by the end of the spring term is also invited to an additional careers event at the start of the summer term. Students are also encouraged to take part in open events, taster session and university visits at various times throughout the year.