Careers
The school is committed to the education and development of its pupils from their entry at 11 until their departure at 18, and sees careers education and guidance as the responsibility of all teachers.
Our guidance programme reflects the high achievement of pupils and their ambitions.
Our Careers Leader is Ms H Fountain, who is the main point of contact in school for all matters relating to Careers Education. h.fountain@fws.kevibham.org
We also employ an external Careers Adviser, Gurjit Matto, from Aspire. Her email address is: g.matto@fws.kevibham.org
If your wish to visit the school please view our Provider Access Statement (see link below) which complies with the school’s legal obligations under section 42B of the Education Act 1997.
We aim to help our students understand where different education and training decisions could take them and our provision is guided by the eight benchmarks identified in the Gatsby ‘Good Career Guidance’ report . All of our students have access to:
A stable careers programme delivered through collapsed timetable afternoons throughout Years 7 to 13 that equips them to make effective use of careers information, advice and guidance and to develop career management and employability skills. The school will assess the impact of its careers programmes on students by completing parent, student and employer surveys and analysing the destinations of the students.
Students have access to current career and labour market information. This is available in the careers library and from online resources. Support to interpret the information is provided by the teaching staff and Mrs L Tolley. Activities using Labour Market information are being developed for inclusion within Careers lessons.
Advice and support is provided to all students. This is tailored to their needs and demonstrates a commitment to equality and diversity.
Teaching staff who are able to link curriculum learning to careers.
Students have access to range of meaningful encounters with employers and employees through a programme which includes
the development of interview and enterprise skills
a mock interview practice day in the summer term of Year 10
work shadowing
events facilitated by inspiring professionals
A structured work experience scheme in Year 10 and Year 12 that consists of 5 days in the workplace in each of the two years.
Regular encounters with further and higher education. We run higher education and professional careers workshops, an annual Post-18 Day including a Higher Education Fair in the Spring term, facilitate visits to university open days and take part in a range of higher education led activities such as specialist lectures, competitions and masterclasses.
Personal guidance – impartial one to one advice and guidance interviews take place for students in Key Stage 4 (Summer and Autumn Terms); so that all KS4 students have had a 1-2-1 interview before choosing their post-16 options and for students in Year 12 (Spring Term, prior to making their post-18 choices). Students with special educational needs and disabilities also have access to additional support from our Careers Leader.
The school regularly reviews its provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks, and seeks to improve our outcomes against them.
For further information, please choose the appropriate option from the list below.
Our next review of our Careers programme will take place in July 2024.
Aims & Objectives
Within the scope of an effective CEIAG (Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance) programme the school seeks to provide the following entitlements for pupils:
A CEIAG programme within Year 7 -13.
Individual and impartial guidance from well informed teachers who are supported by professionally qualified careers advisers.
Opportunity to review and record careers guidance.
The provision of career plans, in consultation with professional advisers, appropriate to their interests, and potential at points in time, indicating steps to be taken, and updated at key transition points.
Opportunities through work experience, to encounter a range of industries and occupations and understand the changes that are taking place in modern technological society.
Access to high quality careers information appropriate to pupils of different ages and abilities.
The opportunity to acquire the necessary skills to research, analyse and interpret careers information within a planned programme of careers work, integral to the curriculum, which aims to increase motivation, aspiration, and achievement amongst all members of the school.
The provision of information to pupils and parents about the options and opportunities available at key transition times, together with the support and advice needed to enable the former to make decisions with confidence. The basis for the above entitlements are the provision of sufficient resources in school ensuring the delivery of a CEIAG Curriculum, accessible library areas supported by a well-equipped interviewing base, in-service training for those managers and teachers directly involved with careers, named coordinators responsible for the development of key areas of work.
Useful Resources
There are number of useful websites that may help pupils and their parents/carers when selecting their options:
https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk The National Careers Service website provides comprehensive details of career requirements and education pathways. A great starting point for pupils who are not sure of their future direction.
www.ucas.com Advice on university application and course requirements.
www.careerconnect.org.uk The ‘Careerconnect’ website has details of career requirements and pathways.
https://www.youthemployment.org.uk/ Advice on careers, further study and apprenticeships
Parents can access a range of Careers resources here.
All stakeholders can access the weekly bulletins from the Birmingham Careers Hub website to access information regarding careers at all times here –
https://bep.education/birmingham-careers-hub/
Apprenticeship vacancies can be accessed here.
We hope National Apprenticeship Week is going well. Please remember to check Amazing Apprenticeships for events and resources.
Padlet is a free sharing platform that offers a range of SEND specific Careers resources. Birmingham Careers Hub are using Padlet to host SEND Hub resources, guides and information relevant to employers, enterprise advisers, schools, students and parents. To browse the resources, please click on the following link.
Teachers:
Labour Market Information – Birmingham Education Partnership (bep.education)
My Learning My Future | CEC Resource Directory (careersandenterprise.co.uk)
My Skills My Future | CEC Resource Directory (careersandenterprise.co.uk)
Students:
HIGHER AND DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP LISTING
The latest edition of the Higher and Degree apprenticeship vacancy listing was made available this month for National Apprenticeship Week, featuring over 400 apprenticeships from 77 employers, who are offering over 1,400 vacancies. Take a look at the latest edition here.
Parents:
FEBRUARY PARENTS & CARERS PACK
The February edition of the Parents & Carers Pack includes highlights from National Apprenticeship Week 2024, takes a look at functional skills, shares key insights into logistics apprenticeships and much more. Please click here to download the pack.
Labour Market Information – Birmingham Education Partnership (bep.education)
Apprenticeship resources for schools, teachers, parents (amazingapprenticeships.com)
Parents & Carers – Aimhigher West Midlands (aimhigherwm.ac.uk)