Year 7
Year 7 students receive a year group assembly to introduce Careers Education. The careers programme for years 7-13 is outlined to them.
In the first spring half term students will have dedicated mentor time once a week to explore the idea of careers. The emphasis at this stage is to for students to find out more about themselves. They will also have the opportunity to look at local market information for Southwick and begin to discuss what this means.
All Year 7 students will also have 2 half days of PSHCE time, where normal lessons will be suspended and students will have the chance to look at both finance and decision-making. They will also have an employer encounter during those sessions.
Year 8
In Year 7 we introduced the concept that it is important for students to start thinking about their future and what they need to do to be successful at an early stage. We continue to develop students’ self-awareness by continuing to explore the employability skills.
Young people today will not stay in the same job/career throughout their life as previous generations have. It is proven that that they will move between careers much more and some will have up to eight major changes throughout their working lives. Thus employability or transferable skills are very significant in helping young people to manage changes in their career paths. They will have employer encounters through assembly time as local employers come in to talk about the kind of skills they look for in future employees.
During a PSHCE day in February, students are introduced to diagnostic software programmes, which focus on their strengths and interests linked to subject area to support them in making good decisions about the next stage of their education. Subject information is linked to progression and career areas.
Each student is given support and guidance throughout the options process for their early entry GCSE. Academic mentors work closely with students and parents to ensure appropriate choices are made and a smooth transition into KS4. Students are invited to attend options evening where they can find out about their subject choices in more detail.
Year 9
In Year 9, we build upon the work done in Year 8 by looking at Local Market Information and re-visiting the diagnostic careers software they were introduced to previously. This is a good time for students to reflect on their learning pathway so far and appreciate that careers is a lifelong journey.
All students are advised to attend the options evening and ensure they are making the right choices for their Year 10 & 11 GCSE courses. Mentors and curriculum teachers will work with students to highlight different career paths for subject areas and there will be a series of sessions in mentor times to consolidate this information.
During their PSCHE day in February, students will have the opportunity to meet employers from STEM subjects to look at careers in that area. That will be followed up with activities in mentor time looking at the variety of pathways available to get into particular careers.
Year 10
The careers programme at this stage again visits transferable skills and qualifications required for various careers. It also incorporates information about different courses and qualifications available post 16, successful completion of application forms, CV writing and interview skills. Students will be encouraged to explore and make use of The National Careers Service website and software programmes available through school.
All Year 10 students are given Careers Interviews and will be able to take part in group work to support the next stage of their career development. Academic mentoring will ensure that all students make appropriate applications onto post 16 pathways to ensure successful and happy transitions. Parents/Carers as well as mentors will be given copies of careers interviews so they can support further and follow up any issues.
During a weekly mentor time session, students will look at labour market information, watch videos of workplaces and have conversations with their mentors about future career paths.
As students complete their early entry GCSE subject, they will have a careers programme to follow which will include employer encounters and employability skills, tailored to their curriculum areas.
Year 11
During Year 11, students are focused on their GCSEs and their subsequent studies. Mentors will continue to have weekly sessions with their groups about careers, focusing closely on Post-16 options. Students are encouraged to attend group sessions available at lunchtimes and after school with different Post-16 foci such as apprenticeships, BTECs, A Levels etc as well as career sessions e.g. medicine and Oxbridge.
Students in Year 11 will have two different PSCHE days to explore Post-16 options and life after GCSEs. They will look at study skills, employability skills and making subject choices for 6th form.
Year 12/13 Taking Control of Your Future
In Years 12 and 13 (Sixth Form) we focus on developing independence, well-being and competencies so the students can begin to make steps towards an independent life. The PSHE programme nurtures core skills and finds ways to evidence them in preparation for application to university, apprenticeship or employment. Throughout the Sixth Form, students work on a set of competencies essential for success in the wider world: analysis, resilience, team-working, leadership, literacy and numeracy. Students are offered opportunities and support to find ways of meeting them through leadership at Shoreham Academy (Student Leaders, the Student Council, Debating Society, and Peer-Mentoring) as well as beyond through their studies, volunteering, paid work, the National Citizen Programme, community involvement and Sport’s Leadership.
For full details of our Sixth Form Careers, Advice, Guidance and Information please click here.