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Careers Education
At Dove House Academy we aim to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and encourage pupils to spend time with their families and the multi-agency team to consider their options Post 16 and Post 19. Through careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) it is hoped that pupils will be encouraged to make the most of their talents and to continue their education Post 16 and Post 19. We aim to ensure a high quality of vocational and careers education for our young people with special educational needs, to be delivered in a meaningful and appropriate way for their needs and circumstances. Through person centred planning with the Education, Health and Care Plans at the centre, we support our pupils to articulate their aspirations for adult life.
In particular we aim for our pupils to:
- Develop a broad understanding of the world of work and an ability to respond to changing opportunities.
- Develop research skills so that they can make good use of information and guidance.
- Develop and use their self-knowledge when thinking about and making good choices.
- Develop their understanding of employability skills and how to enhance these and evidence them at interview and discussions with Post 16 and Post 19 providers.
Statutory requirements and recommendations
The careers provision at Dove House is in line with the statutory guidance developed by the Department for Education, which refers to Section 42A and 45A of the Education Act 1997. This states that all schools should provide independent careers guidance from Years 8 -13 and that this guidance should:
- be impartial
- include information on a range of pathways, including apprenticeships
- be adapted to the needs of the pupil
In addition, the school is compliant with the careers guidance that the government set out for delivery from 5 January 2018: ‘Careers Guidance and Inspiration for young people in schools.’ This states that all schools must give education and training providers the opportunity to talk to students about approved technical qualifications and apprenticeships.
Dove House is a member of, and regularly hosts the HCC NEET meetings. Dove House is also part of the M3 LEP Enterprise Advisor Network and evaluates its careers provision against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Provision
Careers education includes both education and guidance. Careers education helps our pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to make successful choices, manage transitions in learning and move into college or work. Through guidance, pupils are able to use their knowledge and skills to make decisions about learning and work that are right for them.
Key Stage 3
All KS3 students participate in a range of trips during Life Skills lessons which expose them to a range of different workplaces and careers (e.g. shops, dentists, police station, fire station).
Year 7: Individual skills and qualities (one session)
Year 8: Enterprise for charity – learning how to make a profit from a small starting budget (two sessions)
STEM opportunities for selected Year 8 students – links with local employers.
Year 9:
Community Volunteering (two sessions)
Careers: (two sessions)
-recognising qualities and characteristics;
-relate strengths to areas of interest;
-identify limitations in terms of a working role.
Pathways
Foundation Learning:
Units personalised to suit need. One half term focusing on careers and post-16 choices, including transition visits
Academic Pathway:
Personalised to suit need. Includes CVs and application forms, college visits, transition, study skills and choices at post-16.
Careers Preparation: (covered in all pathways)
College visits: each group will visit 2 local post-16 settings during KS4.
CVs and application forms
Job searching, applications and interview skills
Job Centre Plus provide targeted workshops on request
Work Experience (opportunities offered to all KS4 learners)
Foundation pathway:
One week block placement in Year 11
Academic pathway:
One week block placement in Year 10.
Measuring the Impact of the Careers Programme
The school measures the impact of the careers programme through Compass+. Compass helps us to evaluate careers activity against the Gatsby Benchmarks.
Compass+ helps us to…
- Evaluate careers activity
- Compare the school's progress to each of the eight Gatsby Benchmarks
- Identify areas for improvement, and plan for these improvements
- Use the result as the basis for the careers plan for the year