Careers Programme
Benchmark 1 | Benchmark 2 | Benchmark 3 | Benchmark 4 | Benchmark 5 | Benchmark 6 | Benchmark 7 | Benchmark 8 |
A stable careers programme | Learning from career and labour market information | Addressing the needs of each pupil | Linking curriculum learning to careers | Encounters with employers and employees | Experiences of work placements | Encounters with further and higher education | Personal guidance |
Benchmark 1 – A stable careers programme |
Careers Education is an integral part of provision for all students at Welcombe Hills School. We understand the importance for students to contextualise their learning as much as possible and aim to provide them with opportunities to develop their employability skills through the careers programme. We aim to support students throughout their time at school, providing them with careers advice, a careers-based curriculum, opportunities to apply their skills such as enterprise and employer engagement. Careers advice is integrated throughout the curriculum across secondary. Welcombe Hills Holistic Careers Programme includes:
|
Benchmark 2 - Learning from career and labour market information |
At Welcombe Hills School we aim to ensure that families receive the relevant and up to date information to support them with their child’s needs and the transition process. This includes:
We also use the local labour market information for up to date information within the Warwickshire and Stratford area. Information can be found here: https://api.warwickshire.gov.uk/documents/WCCC-688-399 |
Benchmark 3 - Addressing the needs of each pupil |
At Welcombe Hills School we recognise every child’s pathways will be different. We look at individual needs of pupils and provide relevant information to families to support them in making informed choices about transition. The planning begins from year 9 to adhere to national guidance. For more information about possible destinations please see Warwickshire’s local offer: https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/send At Welcombe Hills the careers programme is personalised, for example:
|
Benchmark 4 - Linking curriculum learning to careers |
Curriculum Pathways All students in Secondary access two Qualification pathways, both of which have careers embedded within them: Personal Progress Qualification at Entry 1 Pre-Formal and Semi-Formal learners access the qualification and progress is measured along the engagement continuum. Pupils access units such as, developing independent living skills and developing skills for the workplace Further Learning and Employment Diploma at Entry Level (1-3) Formal Curriculum learners access the Diploma, they access many employability units such as, preparing for and taking part in an interview; decision making in the work place and writing a CV. Students also have a range of vocational units to choose from for different employment sectors which can be personalised to meet individual need. Certificate in Employability and Professional Development at Level 1 Some students in year 13/14 that have already achieved their Diploma will progress onto this qualification, this looks to refine their employability skills at a higher academic level. Functional Skills English, Maths, ICT at Entry Level, Level 1 + 2 All formal and some semi-formal learners access Functional Skills Qualifications in English, Maths and ICT. They are designed to enable students to develop confidence and fluency equip them with skills needed to thrive in education, work and everyday life. They help students to function more confidently, effectively and independently in preparation for transition and adulthood.
Enterprise All learners across Secondary access enterprise at varying levels. Students in different class groups run individual projects that they develop and run. Students learn the skills to present and pitch ideas, to promote and market their products and services, to make and develop products, to keep cash flow documents and monitor outgoings, income and profit and to receive customer feedback. Enterprise is hugely valuable activity at Welcombe Hills and accessible to all students. Students are able to contextualise their learning into a real project in which they can see the immediate impact of their work.
DFN Move Forward Programme Students that access the DFN Move Forward Programme also access a BTEC in Preparation for Interview to support the work that students are doing with various employers. DFN offer one-to-one coaching and group work sessions, supporting young people to develop essential life skills, become more independent and take part in a range of different exposures to the workplace. |
Benchmark 5 - Encounters with employers and employees |
Students have engaged with many local employers including:
Students work with local employers in a range of capacities, for example students taking part in a CV writing workshop with the NFU, accessing insight days at employers as well as personalised work experience placements. |
Benchmark 6 - Experiences of work placements |
At Welcombe Hills School we understand that all learners have individual needs and that some of our work experience placements need to be supported, we therefore break down our work experience placements into three categories: Fully supported work placement: This is a work placement that happens in house within the school building and with support from familiar adults. Examples of this maybe; working in the kitchen to prepare lunches, working in the office, working in the nursery Some support: This is a work placement that happens externally, but with the support of familiar staff and peers. Examples of this are a small group accessing Bordon Hills Nursery or Morrisons Cafeteria. Independent: This is a work placement that happens externally without the support from school staff, for example Myton Hospice Shop. |
Bechmark 7 - Encounters with further and higher education |
At Welcombe Hills School we understand that careful planning and consideration goes into the transition process for all of our young people. During the annual reviews throughout secondary we want to support and guide you in creating meaningful transition outcomes and looking at planning the next steps. We want to ensure that families have all the information they need, so they know the full range of learning opportunities available to their young person.
Colleges: On the Warwickshire County Council website you will find a page for ‘Planning for adulthood for those with SEND https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/post16help
Specialist College Local Offer: The following list of specialist colleges are within 30 miles of the Warwickshire border
Mainstream Colleges Local Offer:
Nationally:
|
Ways into Work There are lots of ways for you to get into work, these include: Apprenticeships Paid jobs with training. If you have an EHC plan, you can keep it when you are on an apprenticeship. Traineeships Education and training programmes with work experience. Find a traineeship by speaking to your school or college careers adviser or head of post-16 education. If you have an EHC plan, you can keep it when you are doing a traineeship. Supported internships Study programmes for young people with an EHC plan, based mainly at a workplace. At Welcombe Hills School we work closely with the Royal Shakespeare Company to offer our Supported Internship Programme. The supported internship programme is supported by a job coach who supports them in accessing and learning about their new work placement. Students also continue to study their Further Learning and Employment Diploma as well as Functional English, Maths and ICT. |
Benchmark 8 - Personal guidance |
Hannah Gibson – Assistant Headteacher Tel. 01789 266845) e-mail: gibson.h@welearn365.com Mel Adams – Independent Careers Advisor (Tel. 07841 422206) e-mail: melanie.mills2@aol.co.uk Natasha Payne – DFN Move Forward Programme Progression Coach (Tel. 07483 069480) natasha.payne@thinkforward.org.uk |