Careers Curriculum at Welland Park
The careers programme of study at Welland Park is delivered through Citizenship lessons, assemblies, outside speakers, interview days, careers fairs and visits. The programme looks at careers employability and enterprise education, as well as revision techniques, self-esteem, emotional well-being, finance skills and developing personal and social skills. At Key Stage 4, students measure their progress through their entitlement statement. We also use the Unifrog careers tool to help students discover a wide range of digital resources on careers and track their interactions with employers.
Promoting a wide range of careers
In line with the Baker Clause, Welland Park ensures that students are made aware of all routes available once they leave secondary education. This includes T-Levels, apprenticeships as well as A Levels. We ensure that KS4 students have an encounter with a T Level provider, such as Tresham College, in addition to receiving information about apprenticeships. We invite in a range of organisations such as ASK Apprenticeships, along with individuals who have been through apprenticeships themselves and are keen to share their experience with students.
Key Stage 3
Year 7 start the year with the Developing Me unit exploring their strengths, weaknesses and how they can improve. The topic enables them to identify their personal and social skills.
Year 8 students complete the World of Work unit. During these lessons, they look at employment law and necessary employability skills. As they progress through the year, they compete in The Real Game. The Real Game initially allows students to select the lifestyle they are hoping for in adulthood then provides ‘reality checks’ as to the realities of work, pay, and hours required in employment to afford such dreams.
In Year 9, the World of Work topic is further developed to cover different employment sectors, considering the local job market. The students are introduced to various career websites, resources, and key adults from the world of work. Our young people are shown how to make well-informed choices with sessions on how to complete a job application form, and they practise interview techniques ready for their Mock Interview Day. Colleagues from the business sector conduct individual interviews with each Year 9 student and provide feedback. Students are invited to attend in interview attire.
Key Stage 4
Throughout Year 10 and 11, students explore and select their post-16 choices. Post-16 providers, universities, apprenticeship providers and places of employment are invited into school for a bi-annual careers fair. In addition, a number of post-16 providers deliver assemblies to Year 11. Students are taught to develop their CV writing skills and interview techniques as well as looking at personal and social qualities. The Barclay’s Life Skills and WizeUp Financial Education programmes provide opportunities for students to learn about personal finance and enterprise. All student have a one to one careers interview with a qualified careers advisor and are able to participate in a second interview day with a panel. Work Experience is offered and facilitated to enable the students to complete this valuable opportunity during the summer holiday between Year 10 and 11.
Impact
Our comprehensive careers programme enables our students to make well-informed post-16 choices, as can be evidenced by the wide range of post-16 destinations and choices.
11 different destinations in 2018
14 different destinations in 2019
20 different destinations in 2020
19 different destinations in 2021
23 different destinations in 2022
28 different destinations in 2023
We have a growing number of students taking up apprenticeships. This varies from year to year but is on a generally upward trend, with 9 students taking up apprenticeships in 2022.
Positive feedback from students and parents in surveys regarding the provision for careers development.
Careers advice and information
At Welland Park Academy, we have a clear commitment to providing independent, impartial Career Information Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to all our students, from Year 7 onwards. We hold the Gold Career Mark which demonstrates our determination to provide each student with tailored and appropriate support in their career choice. Each student has access to:
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Independent, impartial advice
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Help tailored to individual students
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A Careers Advisor based on-site, accessible at all times
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A one to one interview in Year 10
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Guidance on applying for Post 16 education
What happens during the careers interview?
During Year 10, each student will have a 30-minute interview with our Careers Advisor. During this interview, students will have a chat about what they would like to do in the future and the best way for them to achieve their goals. At the end of the session, an Action Plan is drawn up with some suggestions for students to follow to assist them in their choices.
For further information please contact Mrs Hix
What are my options post 16?
All students now need to stay in some form of education or training until they are 18. After GCSEs, there are four main pathways to choose from and making the decision between the different pathways needs careful thought.
These include:
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General academic e.g. A-Levels (offered at Sixth Form colleges such as Robert Smyth Academy, Beauchamp City etc)
Work-based: e.g. apprenticeships (learning on the job but also spending some time in college) -
Vocationally-related: this could be through a 'vocational subject' related to a broad employment area (such as business, engineering, IT, health and social care) or through a 'vocational course' that leads to specific jobs (such as hairdressing, accounting, professional cookery or plumbing)
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T Levels - a new qualification choice that follow GCSEs and give students a head start towards the career they want. They will suit students who wish to start working towards a skilled occupation, prefer a practical approach to learning and want a predominantly classroom-based course
Careers Leader: Mr S Askham - askhams@wellandparkacademy.com
Useful Websites
https://apprenticeshipguide.co.uk/ (Search tool for apprenticeships)
http://www.ncsyes.co.uk/ (National Citizen Service)
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ (National Careers Service)
https://www.getingofar.gov.uk/ (Government Website for Apprenticeships)
https://futurelearncareers.com/ (Useful careers information)