Careers

The aim of this document is to provide information about the school’s careers programme in accordance with section 42A of the Education Act 1997.

Welcome to our Careers Programme (CEIAGS)

Our Vision:

We want all of our young people to become everything they can be and are meant to be.

Intended Outcomes:

Provide all pupils with effective careers information, education, advice and guidance. Encourage pupils to make good choices and understand what they need to do to succeed in the careers in which they aspire.

Our careers programme is embedded throughout our curriculum from Year 7 to 13 as well as a purposely designed CEIAGS pastoral curriculum delivered in form times. All students receive a rich provision of classroom and extra-curricular activities to understand where different education and training choices could take them and to enable them to succeed in their future.

What is CEIAG?

CEIAG is an abbreviation for Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance. At The Blue Coat School we aim to provide careers education experiences that inform, inspire and motivate young people, thus preparing our students for their life after their journey with us.

How does the programme work?

The Blue Coat School is committed to providing a planned careers programme for all students that incorporates Wellbeing lessons, pastoral curriculum, careers activities/events and subject specific careers learning experiences.

How is the programme evaluated?

The careers programme is monitored and evaluated termly in conjunction with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, to ensure it is meeting the statutory requirements for careers education and guidance. Please see our ‘Quality Assurance and Statutory Guidance’ page for further information.

The CEIAG Team

Here at the Blue Coat School we have a team of staff who work together to deliver high quality and impartial careers education. They are:

• Mr D Kelly: Careers Leader
• Mr H Larkin: Positive Steps careers advisor
• Mr L Clough: Wellbeing Coordinator
• Michaela Andrew: Greater Manchester Combined Authority Enterprise Coordinator

Quality Assurance and Gatsby Benchmarks

The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks for Good Careers Guidance

In response to the Government’s Career Strategy and The DfE Statutory Guidance we have been working with the Careers and Enterprise Company COMPASS tool to evaluate our progress towards achieving the eight Gatsby Benchmarks for good careers guidance. These are:

1. A stable careers programme
2. Learning from career and labour market information
3. Addressing the needs of each pupil
4. Linking curriculum learning to careers
5. Encounters with employers and employees
6. Experiences of workplaces
7. Encounters with further and higher education
8. Personal guidance

Please see our curriculum page for information about where, when and how we are meeting these benchmarks of good careers guidance.

For further information please visit:

Labour market information (LMI)

What is labour market information?

It is information relating to career occupations and industries, such as job numbers and salaries. It can also include a range of more specific details, such as educational levels for occupations, workforce demographics and employment patterns locally and/or nationally.

Why is labour market information important in careers education?

High quality, reliable and robust labour market information is vital to offering effective career guidance as it helps:

• navigate complex labour markets
• identify a pathway to goals and ambitions
• inform career decision making
• our understanding of a changing labour market

Why is it useful for students/staff/parents and carers to engage with local labour market information?

It is useful to find the answers to questions such as:

• How many jobs are there? How many in my area? What are the past trends? What are likely future trends?
• How much do people get paid for this job? How much is the starting average? How much in my area?
• What level of qualification do people have in these jobs and what am I likely to need?
• How many vacancies are there for this job? What proportion of people in this occupation are currently out of work?

Useful Links for Careers Education

For any enquiries regarding careers education, information, advice or guidance, please contact our Careers Leader Mr Kelly by email at secretary@blue-coat.org

https://gmacs.co.uk/ – careers exploration through Greater Manchester’s Apprenticeship and Careers Service

nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk – this is the Government’s hub for careers advice for people of all ages where you can find help with drafting letters, CVs, exploring your skills or seeking careers advice

https://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships – the National Apprenticeship Service website provides general advice and information about apprenticeships. Also advertises current vacancies

www.icould.com – aims to help you to make the most of your potential by showing how others have used theirs, take the ‘Buzz’ personality profile quiz

www.startprofile.com – investigate careers, watch videos and get great advice, find out about employers and work experience opportunities in your area

www.careersbox.co.uk – video based job profile information and skills explorer tool

www.successatschool.org – gives clear and comprehensive information about a range of Career Zones (sectors), in an easy to access format. Students can create a profile to help to collate useful information. ’60 second interviews’ giving profile of professionals, provide a useful insight into specific careers

www.how2become.com – offers detailed advice on how to access a range of sectors. Also offers the purchase of resources, compiled in conjunction with professionals working in these fields, designed to enable you to achieve your dream career or course

www.notgoingtouni.co.uk – opportunities that exist outside of university

www.ucas.com – information about university courses on offer, also the Stamford test to help with ideas about subjects to study

www.russellgroup.ac.uk – represents 24 leading universities, source of careers information & advice including ‘informed choices’ a downloadable guide to making post 16 choices

www.prospects.ac.uk – find out which areas you could access after a particular degree

MyCareerSpringboard.org – springboard is for students. It is divided into two main sections: the Career Test and the Career Exploration Tool. In tandem, these two interactive tools allow students to find some career inspiration and gain an insight into their different career options

www.jobapplications.co.uk – this site has useful videos, demonstrating how to complete the online applications for many top companies in the UK, as well as providing detailed information on salaries and interviews. Applications forms can be printed off directly from this site

jobs.telegraph.co.uk/careers – lots of information about specific sectors as well as advice on how to create a CV and prepare for interviews

www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk – displays current apprenticeship and school leaver programme opportunities, to the latest school leaver job news, and gives career journey advice

www.allAboutApprenticeships.co.uk – gives live apprenticeship vacancies, organised by sector or area. Also offers plenty of advice on making applications