Careers Education Information – The Winston Churchill School

Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG)

Careers Team

Mrs Smyth
Careers Leader
l.smyth@wcsc.org.uk
01483 476861

Mrs Mellor
Assistant Head Teacher
j.mellor@wcsc.org.uk

Ms Sigrist
Assistant Head Teacher
j.sigrist@wcsc.org.uk

Mrs Kovic
Winston Extra Leader
a.kovic@wcsc.org.uk

Miss Exworth
Alternative Provision coordinator
r.exworth@wcsc.org.uk

Introduction

It is important that all students are fully supported and guided through the process of planning their futures. With a programme of education, information, advice and guidance for all students from Years 7 -11 and a Careers Adviser, we aim to prepare our students well for their futures.

All staff at The Winston Churchill School play an active role in preparing students for the world of work. We have a full programme of careers education that is delivered through the curriculum, tutor time, working on the Winston competencies and skills and through special events such as the annual careers fair, national careers week, career workshops and presentations, visits, trips and assemblies.

All students:

develop a deeper understanding of themselves, their abilities and affinities
gain a greater knowledge of the range of opportunities open to them
take part in work related activities in and out of school
develop their understanding of the labour market and the requirements and expectations of employers
learn to make decisions wisely about their future
are prepared to manage change and be fully supported through key transition periods
learn how to improve their own employability: how to find work, how to get work and how to progress their careers

Careers Programme

Year 7 - Next Step

Students are supported in their transition from primary school into secondary school and through our Winston Competencies begin to learn more about themselves. During the year they complete self-assessments and target the skills they want to focus on. The Learning Review Evenings encourage parents to be part of this process and this continues throughout their time at Winston.

Students register with Unifrog, a digital careers platform and begin their online journey of careers support which again, continues throughout their time at school.

Year 8 - Exploring Work

During Winston Extra, tutor time and careers events, students explore the world of work, gaining a greater understanding of employers’ expectations, employability skills and the labour market. A business led consultation allows students the opportunity, as part of their self-improvement work through Winston Extra, to talk to a representative from business and answer questions about themselves in order to breakdown the intimidating nature of an interview.

All students attend the careers fair with exhibitors from our local colleges, universities and employers. This gives students an opportunity to discuss future courses and career pathways.

Year 9 Preparation for GCSE Options

During tutor time, sessions prepare students for the decisions they make in choosing their GCSE options. They learn more about how to make decisions wisely, understand more about the range and structure of their choices and are supported in this by 1:1 and/or group careers appointments. They continue to work on Unifrog, which enables them to explore strengths, skills and career pathways.

All students attend both the careers fair and the options fair with exhibitors from our local colleges, universities and employers and subject stands at the options fair. This gives students an opportunity to discuss future courses and career pathways.

Year 10 Make it Work

Experiencing the world of work and employers’ expectations is vital in moving towards employability. During Year 10 all students take part in a work related learning experience, working with employers from a range of sectors. The focus is very much on developing their employability skills. They are fully prepared for this with a series of preparation sessions during Winston Extra and tutor time, focusing on the Winston Competencies of communication, collaboration, ingenuity, resilience and analysis.

An important part of this process is for students to find their own work experience placement – this gives them a valuable insight into the process of contacting employers using speculative letters and telephone calls and by submitting their CVs. Students complete a reflective journal which becomes a valuable resource when completing their personal statement in year 10 or application for apprenticeships/school leaver programmes at the end of year 11.

Students have the opportunity to attend the careers fair with exhibitors from our local colleges, universities and employers. This gives students an opportunity to discuss future courses and career pathways.

Year 11- Preparation for Progression

Students undergo a programme of education, information and guidance to help them make the vital decisions about their future. Over a series of tutor sessions and Unifrog, students continue work on writing applications and an effective CV and develop the skills required for successful interview. Our programme of study teaches them about effective decision making, explores their options and gives support in making their applications. It covers the full range of routes into their future including sixth form, FE College, apprenticeships and school leaver programmes. This is supported by 1:1 careers interviews. All students attend the careers fair with exhibitors from our local colleges, universities and employers. This gives students an opportunity to discuss future courses and career pathways.

Programme overview

(see separate sheet)

FE / Training Provider and Employer access

Management of provider access requests

Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact Mrs L Smyth, Careers Leader.

Telephone: 01483 485270; Email: l.smyth@wcsc.org.uk

Opportunities for access

A number of annual events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils and/or their parents/carers. In addition, form time, assemblies and careers interventions during the year, allow for access opportunities:

Year 7	Careers Fair	World Book Week
Year 8	Careers Fair	World Book Week	Business Interviews
Year 9	Careers Fair	National Careers Week World Book Week Year 9 Options Fair	Business Interviews
Year 10	Careers Fair	National Careers Week. World Book Week	Work Experience Week Enterprise Activities Technical/vocational tasters at local college/s, training providers
Year 11	Careers Fair	World Book Week

We welcome all colleges, training providers and apprenticeship providers and would encourage visits during our main access periods ie the annual Careers Fair, National Apprenticeship Week, National Careers Week and the Year 9 Options Fair. By being present regularly during these times, prior to Year 11, students will become more familiar with your provision, in readiness for their transition after Year 11. We will do our very best to facilitate alternative opportunities should you not be able to attend these.

Please speak to our Careers Leader to identify the most suitable opportunity for you.

Premises and facilities

The school will make the main hall, discovery space, performance space, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and students, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader or a member of their team.

Live online encounters are accepted, however in person encounters are preferred.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the Careers Library, which is managed by the school librarian. The Library is available to all students at lunch and break times.

Previous providers

Providers who have been invited to the school include: Woking College, Farnborough 6^th, Farnborough College of Technology, Brooklands, Fullbrook 6, SJB, Gordon’s School, Activate Learning, Godalming College, Hoe Valley 6^th Form, MIT Skills, ALPS Apprenticeships, Waverley Borough Council Apprenticeships, SCL

Complaints

Any complaints with regards to provider access can be raised by following the school complaints procedure by emailing the head teacher at z.johnsonwalker@wcsc.org.uk or directly with The Careers & Enterprise Company at provideraccess@careersandenterprise.co.uk.

Safeguarding

The Winston Churchill School is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and we expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. Further information can be found at Safeguarding – The Winston Churchill School (wcsc.org.uk).

Information for students, parents, carers and teachers

The principal Winston Churchill CEIAG can be found on our FROG Careers site.

Parents should access the FROG Careers site at https://frog.wcsc.org.uk/careers/careers for general information on careers, useful careers websites, information on colleges, open days, virtual open days, universities, apprenticeships, Labour Market Information, virtual talks, Work Experience, CV writing, interviews and application forms.

All students have access to the START digital careers platform from years 7-11. You can explore future career and study options at school or at home. User names and passwords are provided in Year 7. Please see your tutor if you need assistance. Login at www.startprofile.com.

Students can visit the Careers Library in Discovery Space for information on options, to collect college prospectuses, apprenticeship information and look at useful books on a multitude of different careers, industries and further and higher education establishments.

Please ensure that you access your FROG messages for career opportunities that arise throughout the year.

Policy

General Statement

The Winston Churchill School seeks to maximise the life chances of all our students and so it is crucial to prepare our young people for life beyond school and college.

It is important therefore that students leave school aware of themselves as individuals, aware of the opportunities available to them and able to make decisions about their own life. They should be prepared for the transition from full time education to the world beyond. It is to these aspects of personal and social development that this policy will contribute.

The Winston Churchill School believes that good CEIAG connects learning to the future. It motivates young people by giving them a clearer idea of the routes to jobs and careers that they will find engaging and rewarding. Good CEIAG widens pupils’ horizons, challenges stereotypes and raises aspirations. It provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to make successful transitions to the next stage of their life. This supports social mobility by improving opportunities for all young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds and those with special educational needs and disabilities.

All CEIAG aims to be impartial, responsive to students’ needs and based on the principle of equality.

Objectives

To ensure that all students at the school receive a stable careers programme
To enable all students to learn from information provided by the career and labour market
The CEIAG programme should be individual and address the needs of each student
To link the curriculum learning to careers learning
To provide students with a series of encounters with employers and employees
To provide students with experiences of workplace(s)
To ensure that students have a series of encounters with further and higher education
To provide each student with the opportunity to receive personal guidance

School Responsibilities

The school has a series of statutory duties:

All students at the Winston Churchill School receives independent careers advice and guidance
This careers advice must be represented in an impartial manner, showing no bias towards a particular institution, education or work option
This advice covers a range of education and training options, including technical education and apprenticeships
This guidance must be in the best interests of the students
Opportunities are made for education and training providers to access students
We have a clear policy setting out the manner in which external providers will be given access to pupils. (This policy and these arrangements must be published).
The school will base its careers provision around the Gatsby Benchmarks (also published).

Monitoring and Review / Measuring Data

Two Assistant Head teachers are responsible for the careers programme. They work with the careers team including a careers advisor, careers leader/administrator, personal coach, alternative provision coordinator plus the wider team of staff. The effectiveness of the policy is monitored, regular feedback from key stakeholders is collected and the impact measured. Destination data is collected throughout Year 11 and careers support is provided. Following GCSE examination results, confirmed destinations are recorded and analysed in order to further support students if required. This process continues until March of the following year. This process and its findings form the basis of the Careers Development Plan.

Destinations

The majority of our students leave Winston and move on to Woking College or Farnborough 6^th Form. Other destinations include ‘Activate Learning Colleges’, including Guildford and Merrist Wood, Brooklands and Farnborough College of Technology. Apprenticeships and the armed forces are also popular choices. For further information, please refer to the Policy.

Review

This information is next due for review in Summer Term 2024.