Careers Programme

Year 7 students are given the opportunity to experience the world of work first-hand by

taking part in a variety of work based activities:

• Unifrog sessions delivered in PSCHEE lessons focusing on understanding different types of jobs, careers and employment, and the types of skills and knowledge required to be successful in these
• Completion of the Unifrog personality quiz and recording of their experiences and achievements
• Introduction into the World of Work - Kidzania Trip, London

• Year 8 students take part in a Work Shadowing Day which they organise themselves by going to work with a parent or relative. The day enables them to gain experience of the workplace and understand the skills, tasks and requirements of a specific job role.  Students complete a Work Shadowing Booklet enabling them to record their planning and outcomes following their experience.

• Students will also use Unifrog to gain knowledge of Labour Market Information (LMI) and the skills needed for a variety of jobs including soft skills.

• During PSCHEE lessons Year 8 students take part in a short psychometric questionnaire which provides interest based careers guidance on the Fast Tomato Careers Programme.

• Students are also provided with guidance and information regarding the subjects on offer at GCSE so that they are able to make informed choices about these in preparation for the start of the courses in Year 9. Students will attend the Options Evening and have follow-up interviews to support their decisions. The YC personal advisor is also available to support students and there is an opportunity for students to talk to further education providers e.g. Oaklands College.

• Visiting speakers from various companies and organisations provide a number of assemblies over the year.   

• Year 9 students take part in a two day Insight into Industry Conference, in the past sessions have been delivered by a number of different providers e.g. the Army, Police, Fire & Rescue, Deloitte and YC Hertfordshire. The conference enables students to meet employers and learn important employability skills including communication skills, teamwork, leadership, and adaptability they also learn about the skills and aptitudes needed for particular professions.

• Apprenticeship, Careers and Higher Education Fair - students have an opportunity to meet with and discuss careers options with up to 30 companies, organisations and apprenticeship providers as well as universities.

• Students will have the opportunity to take part in an aspirational university visit to Cambridge or Oxford University to experience first hand the requirements and style of learning at a prestigious UK University.

• Visiting speakers from various companies and organisations provide a number of assemblies over the year.   

• Year 10 students will take part in a series of Life Skills lessons in PSCHEE including CV writing and job applications.

• All students will take part in a Careers Day including a number of workshops delivered by a variety of organisations for example in the past these have included the NHS, AECOM, Morgan Sindall and Hertfordshire University.

• Apprenticeship, Careers and Higher Education Fair - students have an opportunity to meet with and discuss careers options with up to 30 companies, organisations and apprenticeship providers as well as universities.

• Visiting speakers from various companies, organisations and ex-students provide a number of assemblies over the year.   

• Year 11 students take part in a one-to-one meeting with a YC Hertfordshire Careers Advisor interview resulting in an action plan saved and monitored on Unifrog.

• Year 11 will have an interview with a member of the Senior Management Team to discuss future plans for Post 16.
   
• Students will have the opportunity to attend College Taster Days for vocational courses as appropriate.

• Support in applying for their Post 16 destination via the careers coordinator or YC Hertfordshire Personal Adviser.
   
• Assemblies with guest speakers from the World of Work, Oakland's College, NCS and ex-students.

• Apprenticeship, Careers and Higher Education Fair - students have an opportunity to meet with and discuss careers options with up to 30 companies, organisations and apprenticeship providers as well as universities.

All Post 16 students participate in our careers and enrichment programme which means they regularly meet captains of industry, company directors and entrepreneurs in school to encourage, motivate and inspire achievement at the highest levels. There is also an ongoing commitment to equipping our students with the skills needed to support independent living including financial advice, health and well-being or living on a budget.

Careers activities include:

• UCAS Workshops (including support with personal statements)
• Hertfordshire and Cambridge or Oxford University visits
• Various workshops with external speakers from the world of work
• Introduction to LinkedIn
• Bedfordshire University UCAS Fair Event
• Volunteering opportunities for example at a Residential Care Home, helping in Accelerated Reading LRC sessions, classroom volunteering, helping in Primary and Nursery Schools
• Information, advice and guidance on career choices
• Year 13 work experience placements
• NCS programme – National Citizen Service Programme – social interaction project.
• YC Hertfordshire – one to one career interviews for next steps after Post 16
• TEFL – students have an opportunity to train how to teach English as a foreign language when travelling abroad or working in the UK.
• Training to work with and support younger students who are hearing impaired at Heathlands School.

Apprenticeship, Careers and Higher Education Fair - students have an opportunity to meet with and discuss careers options with up to 30 companies, organisations and apprenticeship providers as well as universities.