Our school has an embedded careers programme that aims to inform and encourage pupils to consider their career options, and take steps to understand their choices and pathways. We provide statutory independent careers guidance when students join St John’s (usually year 6). All of the students at St John’s have an EHCP and SEND.
Our careers leader will work with teachers and, where appropriate, professionals from relevant organisations, to identify the needs of our pupils with SEND and put in place personalised support and transition plans. This may include meetings with pupils and their families to discuss education, training and employment opportunities, supported internships and transition plans into higher education.
Our careers leader may, as appropriate, invite adults with disabilities to visit and share their experience and advice.
Our programme has been developed to meet the expectations outlined in the Gatsby Benchmarks:
- A stable careers programme with a careers leader
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experience of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal guidance
Our programme doesn’t show bias towards any particular career path, and promotes a full range of technical and academic options for pupils.
It is structured in a way that builds upon previous years, and the overarching aim is divided between the Key Stages so that pupils are encouraged to think appropriately about their future. We provide aims, objectives and activities for each year group.
Our careers programme is delivered through a number of methods, including:
- Weekly lessons, Form group led discussions, visiting speakers, whole school immersion days such as Arla day, Science day and array of work experience / experience weeks where students go into the job sector linked to their course or interests. We also work closely with The Ark which offers work related placements with animals.
Key Stage 3
Our main aim is to offer appropriate learning that enables each student to make a positive progression through their educational pathways and beyond.
Our Key Stage 3 careers programme will support pupils in their planning and choices of GCSE in an array of subjects including: English, Maths, Science, History, Georgraphy, PE, Food, Art, Music. DT, PSHE, RE and ASDAN.
Key Stage 4
Our Key Stage 4 careers programme aims to help pupils research and understand their choices and routes into education and training. This includes: GCSE’s, Asdan, Entry Levels, Arts Awards and BTEC qualifications.
Key Stage 5
Our aim is to equip our young people with the skills they need to be full members of society, enabling them to lead healthy, happy and independent lives with a purpose.Our Key Stage 5 careers programme supports pupils in planning for their future, including university and alternative pathways. This includes: Levels, A ‘Levels, Foundations / Pathways routes, Vocational studies, supported internships, University, Apprenticeships.
Access to our careers programme information
A summary of our school’s careers programme is published on our school website, including details of how pupils, parents, teachers and employers can access information about the careers programme.
Pupils, parents, teachers and employers can request any additional information about the careers programme by contacting Kate Pirie.
Assessing the impact on pupils
Our career programme is designed so pupils can give feedback, and their progress measured as they move through the Key Stages. We measure and assess the impact of the programme’s initiatives by:
- Surveys, leavers information, feedback from pupils, parents, teachers and colleges we work alongside.
