We understand that it is important to develop yourself through careers, employability and enterprise education, as well as learning about careers and the world of work and developing your career management and employability skills. Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) forms an integral part of student life at Swanshurst School. We want to encourage all students to consider a broad range of careers and pathways that are right for them and use contacts from the world of work and further and higher education to help them understand where different choices can lead them in the future.

To support you with making decisions about your progression pathways and to investigate different careers you will take part in different activities and events to help you with this from Year 7 through to Year 13 which might include a visit to a university or attend a presentation/workshop with an employer. You will also have access to different online resources to help you with your decision making and to be able to record your skills and experiences - see the Useful Careers, Information & Guidance area and the What career or degree could I do with my subject?. Resources are shared with students through Edulink. Below (in the programme area) are just a few examples of the activities that are in place to support you with making decisions about your progression.

Where possible you will continue to engage in activities that include face to face experiences with employers such as preparation for the world of work; employability skills and work experience as well as opportunities with universities, colleges, training and apprenticeship providers.  Some provision is also supported with virtual events and opportunities e.g. virtual work experience. We would encourage all of our students to continue to take part in these opportunities and to use the resources available to widen their knowledge and experiences of the world of work; progression routes and careers.

Careers provision within the school and sixth form is mapped and gapped against the DfE Careers guidance and access for education and training providers, Statutory Guidance 2018 and also mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks 1-8 and currently being mapped against the new CDI Framework for careers, employability and enterprise education. Every school should be using the Gatsby Benchmarks to improve their careers provision and these benchmarks are:

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

Provider Access Legislation & How to Contact

The updated provider access legislation (PAL) is now in place (January 2023).  It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all of their students:

• Two encounters for pupils during year 8 or year 9 that are mandatory for pupils to attend
• Two encounters for pupils during 10 or year 11 that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
• Two encounters for pupils during year 12 or year 13 that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend

This new legislation will become a key mechanism to further help learners understand undertake, not just apprenticeships, but wider technical education options such as T Levels and Higher Technical Qualifications.

Provider Access Legislation (which is a development of The ‘Baker Clause’) stipulates that schools must allow colleges and training providers access students to discuss non-academic routes that are available to them.

We welcome colleges, training providers and employers to speak to students in years 8 -13 to discuss apprenticeships and technical educational routes. We also welcome the same opportunities for our year 7 students.

Please contact dbeckford@swanshurst.org (Mrs Beckford) for further information.

In addition to the above, students from year 8 upwards receive presentations from Higher Education Institutions (Universities) and employers. Students in year 10/11 and year 12 also receive career interviews with a qualified careers adviser.

Download our Provider Access Legislation policy here

Measuring the Impact of the Careers Curriculum

The programme is reviewed annually using the Compass evaluation tool to assess ongoing progress in relation to the eight Gatsby Benchmarks.  We assess the impact of the careers programme with feedback from students, teachers and employers so that we can continue to provide and improve the quality of our careers provision. Students destinations are tracked to ensure that they can successfully move onto the most appropriate pathway for them.

For further information please contact the school and ask for Mrs Beckford, Careers Leader or email dbeckford@swanshurst.org.

Teachers

Career resources linking curriculum learning to careers are accessible in the ‘Careers’ Teams folder (contact your Head of Department or Mrs Beckford for further information) and signposting to career websites can be found in the ‘Useful Careers, Information & Guidance Online and the What career or degree could I do with my subject?’ area.

Employers

Employers play a vital role in ensuring that we offer a careers programme which prepares our young people for the world of work and the confidence to make progression decisions that are right for them.  Young people need access to quality experiences in order to prepare them for the opportunities, experiences and challenges that the future world of work has to offer.  

• So can you given an hour – face to face or virtually?  
• Would you be able to provide a short video to help our link curriculum learning to careers?  
• Are you to offer a work experience?
• Do you have resources that you wish to share with us?  

No matter whether you are a small, medium or large company; the CEO or an apprentice; all of you will have an influence on our learners. You do not need to have had previous experience in working with young people – sharing your own experience and your own career journey will be invaluable in helping young people to shape their thinking about their career path.  If you are interested in working with us please email: dbeckford@swanshurst.org.

Employers who take an active role in the careers process of young people can realise a whole host of benefits, from identifying a diverse range of skills and abilities they need within their own business, to improving their employee engagement and development. (informative detailed guide from CEC & CBI click here).  Before any engagement event we will provide you with a description of the event; intended learner outcome; detailed timetable and the opportunity to complete at the end of the Employer Feedback Key Encounter form. Learners will be well prepared for the event and will also complete the Student Feedback Key Encounter form which the summary results can be shared with you the employer.

Careers provision within the school and sixth form is mapped and gapped against the DfE Careers guidance and access for education and training providers, Statutory Guidance 2018 and also mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks 1-8 and currently being mapped against the new CDI Framework for careers, employability and enterprise education. Every school should be using the Gatsby Benchmarks to improve their careers provision and these benchmarks are: 1. A stable careers programme; 2. Learning from career and labour market information; 3. Addressing the needs of each student; 4. Linking curriculum learning to careers; 5. Encounters with employers and employees; 6. Experiences of work places; 7. Encounters with further and higher education; 8. Personal Guidance

The programme is reviewed annually and we assess the impact of the careers programme with feedback from students, teachers and employers so that we can continue to provide and improve the quality of our careers provision. Students destinations are tracked to ensure that they can successfully move onto the most appropriate pathway for them. Download our information provider policy.

For further information please contact the school and ask for Mrs Beckford, Careers Leader.

We are constantly reviewing the delivery of our careers programme and as we progress through the academic year of 2022/2023 we will expect to see some amendments.

Parents/Carers & Pupils

Please also look at the other two sections in the careers area which will help you with career decision making:

• Useful Careers, Information & Guidance Online 
• What career could I do with my subject?

Qualifications

Whether you’re in year 9, 10 or 11, it’s important to start thinking about what you’d like to do after you have completed your GCSEs and how you can prepare for your next steps. Your options after GCSEs usually fall into 4 different categories A Levels, BTECs, Apprenticeships, T Levels – this link gives an explanation of each qualification -  Exploring Your Options After GCSE's

• T Levels are a new qualification after GCSE that will take your future to the next level – for more information click here.
• The Department for Education has also provided a short video to explain post 16 choices – click here to watch.
• For more detailed information please refer to the Technical Education – Your Options document below:

Programme

Year 7

Autumn Term

• BBC Bitesize Tour - Q&A opportunity with employers

Spring Term

• National Careers Week: 4 - 9 March 2024 - Career opportunities shared with students.
• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 - 11 February 2024 - resources shared with students

Summer Term

• STEM Experience Day (all year 7 pupils)
• Students complete Future Skills Questionnaire
• Presentations from external providers covering different pathways and qualifications

Year 8

Autumn Term

• BBC Bitesize Tour - Q&A opportunity with employers

‘Which Way Now Day’ (all Year 8 pupils)

A day focusing on ‘how to make choices for KS4 pathway’ including interactive, multimedia presentations; opportunities to meet employers and to ask them about their own careers and progression pathways; and introductions and workshops using online platforms including:

• Workshops on how to use: www.unifrog.org (online platform for help with selecting GCSE subjects and information on destination aspirations including comparing universities & apprenticeships) – click here to go to a video that explains
• www.icould.com (subject career videos and labour market information)
• Presentations from external providers covering different pathways and qualifications
• Q&A opportunities with employers

Spring Term

• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 – 11 February 2024 - resources shared with students
• National Careers Week: 4 – 9 March 2024 - Career opportunities shared with students
• Aimhigher ‘Explore Your Future’ career workshops for some Year 8 students
• University Masterclasses –subject enrichment for some Year 8 students

Summer Term

• University - Visit to a university campus (all Year 8 pupils)
• STEM Experience Day– (all Year 8 pupils)
• Employer Led workshop (Royal Navy)

Year 9

Autumn Term

• BBC Bitesize Tour - Q&A opportunity with employers

Spring Term

• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 - 11 February 2024 - resources shared with students 
• National Careers Week: 4 - 9 March 2024 - Career opportunities shared with students
• University Masterclasses – subject enrichment for some Year 9 students
• Career & Progression conferences/events for some Year 9 students
• STEM for Girls Career Day for some Year 9 students

Summer Term

Opportunity to meet Employers and preparing for Work Experience (all Year 9 pupils) including workshops on:

• Meet employers to learn about different employment sectors, employability skills and labour market information
• How to use Unifrog, an innovative and easy-to-use careers guidance software helping young people make better and more informed choices about their career path. Connected to live labour market information and course data, Start allows users to create a personal profile which generates suitable jobs, qualifications and new destinations to explore. Ideal for schools and colleges, students and parents, covering work experience; post 16 choices; university; apprenticeships
• C.V. writing and covering letter and how to apply for work experience
• Unifrog workshop to support preparation for year 10 work experience
• Attend various interactive workshops to support career aspiration
• Presentations from external providers covering different pathways and qualifications

Year 10

Autumn Term

• Assembly - work experience
• Building my work skills workshop – looking at how students’ skills connect up to the working world ‘employability skills’ – all Year 10 students
• How different Pathways help build skills and invest in future success and Build your career journey workshops – all Year 10 students
• Medic Mentor conferences (some year 10 students)
• University trip (some year 10 students)

Spring Term

• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 - 11 February 2024 - resources shared with students
• National Careers Week: 4 - 9 March 2024 - Career opportunities shared with students
• Visits to employers – subject enrichment for some Year 10 students

Summer Term

• Work Experience offered (all Year 10 pupils) – Wednesday 8 July to Wedbesday 17 July 2024
• ‘A Day in the Life of a Sixth Former’ – preparing for Post 16 & Post 18 
• Unifest University - Summer residential for some Year 10 students
• Career interviews with external careers advisor (Year 10 pupils)
• A taster day at college (some Year 10 pupils)
• Apprenticeship presentation from Project Ask (all Year 10 pupils)
• Unifrog session to help with post 16 choices
• University Summer School for some Year 10 students
• T - Level presentation
• Presentations from external providers (Further Education Colleges) covering different pathways and qualifications
• Students complete Future Skills Questionnaire
• University trip (some year 10 students)

Progression including accessing www.ucas.com & registering with www.unifrog.org – online resource to compare universities & apprenticeships including Labour Market information (all Year 10 pupils).  Attend progression event showcasing Level 3 subjects (A Levels & BTECs) (all Year 10 pupils)

Year 11

Autumn Term

• Additional careers interviews with external careers advisor
• Careers & Higher Education event for some Year 11 pupils
• Workshops on how to use ucas.com, apprenticeships.org.uk, unifrog.org, nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
• Virtual work experience opportunities e.g. Medic Mentors for some students
• Extra support with post 16 applications for SEND students including visits from colleges
• Presentations from external providers including colleges and training providers covering different pathways and qualifications
• Post 16 information evening

Spring Term

• Careers & Higher Education event for some Year 11 pupils
• Workshops on how to use ucas.com, apprenticeships.org.uk, unifrog.org, nationalcareers.service.gov.uk
• Sixth Form Open Evening including information on vocational pathways including apprenticeships and technical qualifications
• Post 16 progression interviews for Year 11 pupils
• After-school workshops on how to use online resources to make post 16 and post 18 pathway decisions
• Virtual Careers Fair
• Apprenticeship awareness information – National Apprenticeship Week 6 – 12 February 2023
• National Careers Week: 4  - 9 March 2024 - Career opportunities shared with students
• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 - 11 February 2024 – opportunities shared with students

Summer Term

• Sixth Form Induction Day including preparation work for Post 16 subjects
• Careers and progression advice on GCSE results day
• Virtual Work Experience Opportunities for some students

Year 12 & 13

Autumn & Spring Term

• Workshops on how to use: www.ucas.com (university), www.getingofar.gov.uk (apprenticeships), www.unifrog.org (online platform for comparing universities & apprenticeships), www.icould.com (subject career videos and labour market information)
• Apprenticeship Presentations from Work Pays
• Virtual Work Experience Opportunities
• Virtual Careers Fair
• Training Provider presentations including benefits of apprenticeships
• Unifrog workshop to support preparation for post 18 progression
• Career & Progression conferences/events for some Year 12 students
• Employer career presentations & workshops in school for some Year 12 students
• Realising Opportunities Programme (Year 12 students)
• Access to Birmingham Programme including Routes to the Professions & Inspired (Year 13 Students)
• Pathways to Birmingham Programme (some year 12 students)
• Social Mobility Foundation Programme – internship (some year 12 students)
• Sutton Trust Summer School (some year 12 students)
• UNIQ Summer School – Oxford (some year 12 students)
• Medic Mentor conferences (some year 12 students)
• Workshops on Employability Skills, C.V. writing and work experience (all Year 12 students)
• Workshop & role play on understanding employability skills
• University Masterclasses – subject enrichment (for some Year 12 students)
• Career & Progression conferences/events
• University Post Applicant Taster Days
• Visit to the What Career, What Uni Event for some Year 12 & 13 students
• Visit to apprenticeship events & conferences for some Year 12 & 13 students
• Visits to employers – subject enrichment
• Post 18 workshops for students not applying to university including training providers; apprenticeships & employability skills
• Presentations from external providers covering different pathways and qualifications
• National Apprenticeship Week: 5 – 11 February 2024 – opportunities shared with students

Summer Term for Year 12

• UCAS Convention
• Work Experience (all year group) – Monday 8 July to Wednesday 17 July 2024
• Practice Interviews with employers
• University Open Day visits
• Apprenticeship Presentations - Project Ask
• Higher Education Presentations including Student Finance
• Personal Statement Workshops in-house and at local universities
• University Subject Taster Days (for some students)
• University Academic Enrichment Summer Schools (for some students)
• Oxbridge Summer Schools (for some students)
• Presentations from external providers covering different pathways and qualifications