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Careers Programme

 

SPRINGFIELD SCHOOL

Wakefield Pupil Referral Units

Sharing values, celebrating differences, embracing success.

 

Vision

To enable all our learners to achieve personal success by becoming productive, resilient, responsible members of society. 


 

Careers Policy

 

Approved By:

The IMB

Version:

1.0

Created on:

February 2023

Amended on:

 

Next review date:

February 2024




 

Lead Teacher – Katherine Slingsby

Accountable Senior Leader – Claire Sansom


 

Purpose

The Springfield Centre is dedicated to raising aspirations and inspiring students to achieve their full potential.  We are committed to our statutory duty to provide students with impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to students in Years 10 and 11 to ensure that every student is able to access an appropriate post 16 pathway when they leave at the end of Year 11.

 

Key Aims and Objectives

The school’s aim is to prepare all students for successful progression into Further Education, training and/or work. We aim to provide independent information, advice and guidance, using the Gatsby benchmarks to ensure quality provision. The Springfield Centre uses the Compass Tool to track its progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks. The Careers Leader has responsibility for completing the Compass Tool on a termly basis and uses this data to identify areas for further development. Each year the school receives a report which outlines the Post 16 destinations for the most recent Year 11 leavers. This data is used to assess the impact and evaluate the effectiveness of the careers programme.

We aim to:

  • To develop students’ understanding of their strengths, interests and personal qualities;

  • To encourage students to explore potential careers through curriculum based activities, one to one careers guidance, access to career guidance resources in a variety of media as well as work related activities delivered by industry representatives both in school and off-site;

  • To develop the skills essential for a work environment, including building resilience and confidence;

  • To support the transition from school to students’ chosen post 16 destination.

 

Staffing

The lead teacher for Careers, Katherine Slingsby, has responsibility for planning the Career’s programme and ensuring students have access to a range of high quality Careers provision, thus working towards meeting the Gatsby benchmarks (in accordance with DFE statutory guidance). The Senior leader with responsibility for Careers, Claire Sansom, will monitor progress towards the aims set out within the Careers policy, with a view to reducing NEETs each academic year.

Provision

The Springfield Centre is committed to ensuring students gain information about a wide range of careers and pathways. The curriculum is developed to encourage students to aim high and are able to access a full range of professions. 

Guidance ensures students from all backgrounds and diversity groups are supported to consider a range of careers, including disadvantaged students and those with SEND.

All curriculum areas provide careers information and link subject related skills to those required in industry and employment. Careers education is also delivered and discussed during form time with personal tutors. 

The Springfield Centre provides access to careers software and websites and has a range of information resources available to students. Post 16 providers visit school to meet students, run workshops and offer taster sessions to provide a secure transition for next steps. Vocational training and apprenticeships are promoted from providers both in school and in the workplace.




























 

Appendix A

Year 10 Careers Programme 2022-2023

 

Activity

Description

When will this take place?

Link to Gatsby Benchmark

KS4 Options

Staff will deliver taster sessions on option choices prior to the start of Year 10, during transition from Evolve. Students will choose from a variety of different subject options and staff will advise on which options and qualifications are most suited to them.

Prior to term 1

3, 4

Careers skills and guidance

Each student will discuss options for careers and post 16 options with their form tutor each term. Students have access to a range of resources on post 16 options in form time. This includes START, an online programme which matches students’ interests and skills to potential careers, as well as literature on FE provision and apprenticeships.

Term 1, 2 and 3

1,2,3,8 

Careers interview

Students have the opportunity to meet with the Careers advisor to discuss post 16 options and seek guidance where required.

Term 2

2, 8

Parents’ Day

Careers advisor available at Parents’ Day to offer advice and guidance to parents and students regarding careers and post 16 opportunities.

Term 1 

2, 8


 

Year 11 Careers Programme 2022-2023

 

Activity

Description

When will this take place?

Link to Gatsby Benchmark

Careers skills and guidance

Each student will discuss options for careers and post 16 options with their form tutor each term. Students have access to a range of resources on post 16 options in form time. This includes START, an online programme which matches students’ interests and skills to potential careers, as well as literature on FE provision and apprenticeships.

Term 1, 2 and 3

1,2, 3,8 

Careers interview

Students have the opportunity to meet with the Careers advisor to discuss post 16 options and seek guidance where required. Continued guidance will be directed to students at risk of not being in education, employment or training when they leave.

Term 2 and 3

2, 3, 8

Parents’ Day

Careers advisor available at Parents’ Day to offer advice and guidance to parents and students regarding careers and post 16 opportunities.

Term 1 

2, 8

Apprenticeship workshops

Students have the opportunity to visit the National Apprenticeship Show and meet prospective providers as well as attending workshops within school from local colleges regarding opportunities in this area.

Term 1 and 2

7

Careers Fair

Students have the opportunity to speak to a range of employers and FE providers

Term 2

6

FE visits and taster sessions

Students have the opportunity to visit local colleges and take part in taster sessions at local colleges linked to the courses they have expressed an interest in pursuing.

Term 1 and 2

5, 7

Work experience

Students have the opportunity to visit work places and meet employers, both as part of the curriculum and as Careers events. 

Term 2 and 3

2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

CV writing and employability skills

In form time, students will complete an Achieve module to prepare them for next steps, which includes learning about the skills essential for work and CV writing.

Term  2

4, 5

Post 16 provider talk

A range of post 16 providers will visit school to talk to groups. This includes information about the types of courses they offer and different routes students can take. Typically, this includes Wakefield College, Leeds College of Building and the Employment Hub.

Term 2

7















 

Appendix B

Careers Provision 

The Springfield Centre is dedicated to raising aspirations and inspiring students to achieve their full potential.  We are committed to our statutory duty to provide students with impartial Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) to students in Years 10 and 11 to ensure that every student is able to access an appropriate post 16 pathway when they leave at the end of Year 11.

Tracking and Evaluation Arrangements

The Springfield Centre uses the Compass Tool to track its progress against the Gatsby Benchmarks. The Careers Leader has responsibility for completing the Compass Tool on a termly basis and uses this data to identify areas for further development. Each year the school receives a report which outlines the Post 16 destinations for the most recent Year 11 leavers. This data is used to assess the impact and evaluate the effectiveness of the careers programme

1:1 Careers Advisor

Lance Depass is the Careers Adviser from Prospects who works with students at The Springfield Centre.

Prospects offer independent and impartial advice and guidance service for young people.  They work in partnership with schools and other organisations to and help young people apply for and access the most appropriate post 16 provision to suit their individual needs.

Support offered by the Careers Adviser includes:

Discussing plans for after Year 11;

Arranging visits to local colleges, employers and training providers to explore different options;

Helping with application forms;

Supporting putting together a CV;

All students have the opportunity to meet with the Careers Advisor for individual careers interviews.  These take place throughout the year and students may go as many times as required.

Meetings for those who receive tuition off-site can take place at home or another suitable local venue.  The Careers Adviser liaises with school to arrange these outreach meetings.

Contacting your Careers Adviser
If you would like to contact Lance to discuss options or arrange an appointment you can do so in the following ways:
Telephone: 07449998362
Email: ldepass@wpru.uk / lance.depass@theopportunitycentre.com
Claire Sansom is currently overseeing Careers at The Springfield Centre. If you would like to contact Claire you can contact her on the following:
Telephone: 01924 862232

Email: csansom@wpru.uk 

Further Careers Guidance

https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles

https://www.ratemyapprenticeship.co.uk/

For Students:

https://www.futuregoalsvwx.co.uk/sectors

https://www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

https://icould.com/

https://www.techskills.org/careers/


















 

If you would like further information about our careers programme, please contact our Careers Leader. Careers Leader Katherine Slingsby Telephone 01924 862232 Email kslingsby@wpru.uk Website NB this is a working document. Whilst it is accurate at the time of writing, additional activities will be added as opportunities arise.