Careers
Careers education, Information, Advice and Guidance, (CEIAG)
At Pewsey Vale school we prioritise knowing our students as individuals and this involves understanding their dreams and ambitions. Through the use of the Compass for Life programme students in all year groups are encouraged to identify their big dreams, goals and ambitions, their Super North Star. They are given opportunities to explore options for their futures with the aim to raise aspirations for all.
Preparing our students and your children for the future is a huge part of what school is about. We want students to leave Pewsey Vale School being inspired to pursue further education/training or roles that are fit and right for them through being informed about a wide range of options available to them.
We do this through Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) services offered to students, including the activities and learning taking place in each Key Stage. This programme is reviewed annually to ensure it's current and provides the best guidance for our students.
If you have any questions about our CEIAG, please contact Miss C Dean (Careers Lead).
Personal development curriculum
Throughout their five years at Pewsey Vale School, students will partake in Personal Development lessons (once a fortnight in years 7,8 and 9 with Ethics delivered in the alternative week and once a fortnight in years 10 and 11).
Personal Development consist of a mixture of statutory Religious Education, PSHE, Career Information and Guidance and Citizenship. Through all of these combined, students should be able to leave Pewsey Vale School knowing their next steps and being prepared for them too, whatever they may be.
Tutor programme
During tutor times, students will be exploring a range of topics linking to PSHE, Citizenship and Careers. This takes the form of discussions, videos, reading case studies and applying the situations to their lives.
Drop down days
Each year group throughout their time at Pewsey Vale School will have at least one day off timetable, but in school where we will invite visitors into school in regards to Careers, PHSE, Citizenship and Safety. Examples of this include our year 7 and 8 drop down day combining Compass for Life workshops and Personal Development, Year 9 Dragons’ Den and Year 10 visiting the Ramsbury Estate.
If you are able to support our school by volunteering to run an activity or event, please email cde@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk
Futures events
We want students to be well informed about what can be next for them. With this in mind, throughout their time at Pewsey Vale School they will experience an Careers Fair Day – where employers will come in and talk about their work, how they got to where they are and any other routes that can get you there - students can explore their options and ask questions about what is involved.
Work experience
Year 10 students are encouraged to make private arrangements through family and friends to spend at least one day having a meaningful encounter with different job roles and do some shadowing. We are also exploring options to provide in house work experience.
Opportunities for virtual work experience are shared regularly with students through tutor time and published in the bulletin – these are valuable experiences for our students to add to their CVs.
Students are also encouraged to take place in activities within school to engage with employers, such as our Dragons’ Den enterprise event.
Support for transition
During Year 9 students will have group advice when choosing their options in combination with a specific options evening when parents will be invited to speak with teachers and pastoral leaders about the variety of subjects and courses, and curriculum pathways available at Pewsey Vale School.
Year 11 students are offered one-to-one careers meetings to support in post 16 options. Those students identified as likely to become NEET (not in education, employment and training) will be provided with additional support.
Impact
The Careers aspect of school life is unexamined but as a school, we keep records of student destinations to show the impact of their careers guidance and education. We also give regular feedback surveys after careers modules in Personal Development and after activities based on careers.
Every year students are asked to reflect on their north star (big dreams, goals and ambitions) and these are recorded.
• Activities that students take part in are recorded - this tracks the opportunities students have accessed for enrichment across the year.
• Stand-alone activities such as visits or guest speakers will be evaluated post-event by students. This allows informed choices to be made for future events.
• 1:1 interviews have notes recorded and these are attached to student records. Students are provided with a paper copy of any notes from the session.
• Intended destinations for year 11 students are tracked and recorded throughout the year. Early data capture allows support to be put in place for those students most at risk of becoming NEET.
Career pilot
Is a great resource which has pages giving advice and guidance for different year groups, for parents and carers and providing information for different aspects of careers. All of which support the work that we are doing in school. To access this resource follow this link:
Other useful websites
Links:
National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Career Explorer https://www.careerexplorer.com/
https://www.prospects.ac.uk/
https://targetcareers.co.uk/careers-advice
https://www.studentladder.co.uk/
https://www.groundwork.org.uk/improving-your-employability/arranging-your-own-work-experience-placement/
STUDENTS
Pewsey Vale School wants you to have a successful future! In order to achieve this, you will take part in the following activities during your time with us:
Year 7- create your Compass for Life map and identify your North Star
Year 7-11- annual Careers Fair where you will have the opportunity to meet with representatives of many local post-16 providers and employers.
Year 7-11- experiences with local employers and post-16 providers through a programme of speakers and visits.
Year 7-11- careers content taught through PD lessons and explicit links made between your subjects and careers.
Year 7-11- opportunities highlighted in the weekly careers bulletin to take part in virtual work experience and workshops.
Year 7-11- apply for leadership roles within the school.
Year 8-11- review North Stars and your Compass for Life journey.
Year 9- careers guidance in groups.
Year 9- attend options evening to help you make an informed decision about your GCSE options.
Year 10- an opportunity to practice searching for and applying for a job, attending a mock interview and attending work experience.
Year 11- meet with post-16 providers before Open Events begin.
Year 11- opportunity to apply for a scholarship with Malborough College.
Year 11- students who are struggling to plan for their future will have the support of the school and local authority to ensure that they will not be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) when they leave Pewsey Vale School.
PARENTS
AllAboutSchoolLeavers research shows a huge 80.75% of school/college students say that their parents help them make key career decisions. What’s more, 61.25% of survey respondents deem that parents have “the most influence” on their career decisions. Being a parent is a juggling act, but knowing everything about careers on top of everything else? Don’t panic, there are some great websites out there that provide all of the answers.
A career conversation with your child can make a big difference and sharing your own story can help. You possibly have some contacts who could offer work experience or provide some feedback on a CV for example.
Please also use the resources here and in the weekly bulletin to get started and contact your school Careers Leader, Miss C Dean, for more information at cde@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk.
There are a variety of educational routes available to students when they leave Pewsey Vale School. Find out more below:
Apprenticeships
Description: Intermediate, advanced higher and degree apprenticeships combine practical on-the-job skills training with off-the-job learning. Students get training that is relevant to a particular job and they will be paid a salary. Students can start at a level to suit them, with support if they have special needs or a disability.
Location: Students spend 80% of their time in the workplace and 20% off the job with some study in a college, training centre or Institute of Technology (IoT)
Duration: A minimum of 1 year
Entry requirements: Will be dependent on the industry, job role and apprenticeship level
Qualifications: apprenticeship certificate, diploma, degree and master's depending on the level
Leads to: Work, next level of apprenticeship, further education, higher education
Find out more: https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
T Levels
Description: Designed in partnership with employers to give students the skills and knowledge to get on in the workplace. T Levels combine classroom learning with real work placements. 1 T Level is the equivalent of 3 A levels.
Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Exams, projects and practical assignments
Level of study: 3
Entry requirements: Course dependent
Work experience: At least 45 days on industry placement
Leads to: Work, higher and degree apprenticeships, college and university courses
Find out more at https://amazingapprenticeships.com/t-levels/
A Levels
Students can carry on studying subjects taken for GCSE to a higher level, or pick new ones they may not have done before like economics, law or psychology. They could take 3 very different subjects they are interested in to keep their career options open or choose more closely related subjects if they are needed for a specific career.
Duration: 2 years
Assessment: Mostly exams at the end of the course
Level of study: 3
Entry requirements: Typically 5 GCSEs Grade 9-4 (usually including English and maths)
Work experience: Often school or college may offer short periods of work experience, usually during year 12
This leads to: University or college courses, higher and degree apprenticeships, work
Find out more: https://www.ucas.com/further-education/post-16-qualifications/qualifications-you-can-take/levels
Vocational and technical qualifications
Description: These courses teach practical skills and knowledge for a particular area of employment. They can prepare students for a broad employment sector, like engineering or travel and tourism, or for a specific job like a chef or a hairdresser. Qualifications which teach students how to do tasks specifically related to the industry and role they want to be involved in.
Duration: 1 or more years
Assessment: Can include coursework, skills tests and exams
Level of study: 1+
Entry requirements: Course dependent
Work experience: Students learn in real situations in college, for example in a college restaurant or a salon that is open to the public. They may also have the chance to go out on a work placement with an employer.
Leads to: Apprenticeship, work, college or university
Find out more: Speak to your local college or training provider or talk to an adviser
Traineeships
Description: A course that includes a work placement that will get students ready for an apprenticeship or a job. Students get work experience and some help to apply for their next steps. They can also improve their maths and English skills. Students get work experience and some help to apply for whatever they do next.
Location: Students spend a minimum of 70 hours in a work placement with the rest of their time in college or a training centre
Duration: 6 weeks to 1 year
Entry requirements: Students need to be aged between 16 to 24 or up to 25 with an Education Health and Care Plan with no higher than a level 3 qualification
Qualifications: English, maths, digital and work-related qualifications
This leads to: Apprenticeship, further education, work
Find out more:
ask your local college or training provider
speak to your school careers adviser
speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser if you receive benefits
find a traineeship in your area
Supported internships
Description: Supported internships are for young people with learning difficulties or learning disabilities, who need extra support to get a job.
Location: Students spend most of their time on placements with an employer, learning skills for work. They will also get help from a tutor and a job coach in college or with a specialist provider.
Duration: A minimum of 6 months
Entry requirements: Aged 16-24 with an Education Health and Care Plan
Qualifications: GCSE English and maths
Leads to: Work, traineeship, apprenticeship
Find out more:
from your school or local college
speak to your social worker or a transition worker
speak to your Jobcentre Plus adviser
Types of Jobs
Students who have a vision of where they want to be in the future may find it easier to plan their next steps. To help students and parents to get an idea of what types of jobs are out there we would suggest looking at a number of these websites:
Career Pilot https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/
National Careers Service https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
Young Work Wiltshire https://workwiltshire.co.uk/young/
Career Explorer https://www.careerexplorer.com/
Get Involved
Pewsey Vale School works with a number of businesses that support our careers programme. If you or your business would like to support our activities in the future please email tar@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk.
EMPLOYERS
Local businesses - we need your expertise!
At Pewsey Vale School we are busy growing your employees of the future. We need your help to raise their career aspirations, develop their employability skills and learn more about the exciting industries in Wiltshire.
Inspire young minds:
Being part of our business support network will provide you with moments of great satisfaction but striving to make a difference can also be an exciting challenge! Having employers like you helping to inspire young minds and transform attitudes through a range of activities and opportunities is the foundation of an excellent careers programme as set out by the Gatsby Foundation’s eight Benchmarks of good practice https://resources.careersandenterprise.co.uk/browse-category/gatsby-benchmarks and the Careers and Enterprise Company https://www.careersandenterprise.co.uk/.
Pewsey Vale School has the benefit of a key business volunteer who works with us on a strategic level, encouraging the development of our careers programme and connecting us to the business community across the county. This role is recognised nationally as an Enterprise Adviser (EA) and they are part of the Swindon and Wiltshire Careers Hub community of support driving the connection between careers education and the business sector.
The value that employers bring when they support career education in schools and colleges is well evidenced. For example, a young person who has four or more meaningful encounters with an employer during their school years is 86% less likely to be unemployed or not in education or training. Whether your aim is to improve social mobility, inspire and develop the future workforce or give back to the community in which you operate, your support will be greatly appreciated by students, their parents/carers and school staff.
It’s a relationship that benefits everyone. Employees working with schools can develop new skills that benefit their employer and research suggests that employer-supported volunteering leads to increased employee engagement. Depending on the time and resources you have available, there are many ways to get involved. Please visit this website for more information about how you can get involved https://swlep.co.uk/programmes-swlep/careers-hub/employers
Ways to support:
- Be part of Mock interviews with Year 10 students and help them structure their CVs
- Give an inspiring talk based on your industry or job role
- Provide a coaching/mentoring service through a structured programme
- Run a hands-on workshop with activities relating to your area of expertise
- Be part of our discussions about pathways after school, eg apprenticeships
- Help champion specific issues and challenge barriers in the workplace around gender stereotyping, disability etc
- Help bring a subject lesson to life by linking it to your industry
- Offer a work experience placement for students at your business premises
- Become an ambassador supporting employment routes for young people with special educational needs and disabilities and offer a work experience placement that is co-supported by the school
- Provide a Supported Internship opportunity.
What to expect…
By getting involved you will not only be supporting future workforce development and helping to broaden the minds of young people but you will also be developing new skills for your staff, forging community links and building a positive profile for your company.
We will support you throughout your visit to us to ensure we maximise the use of your valuable time. Our Careers Leader is Miss C Dean (cde@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk ) and they will:
- Be your main point of contact for all enquiries
- Organise pre-meets/discussions/information for activities you sign up to
- Provide you details of the local arrangements including parking, facilities and our safeguarding policy.
- Conduct a short evaluation with you to ensure we are getting things right.
- With your permission add you to our network and keep you up to date with future activities.
TEACHERS
Why embed careers into your curriculum?
NEW INSPIRATION: You could be providing the single inspirational moment that changes the direction of a student’s life.
MOTIVATION: Students see that subjects are relevant to the real world and therefore why it’s important to study them.
Gatsby Benchmark 4: Linking Curriculum to Careers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DH8zNcp4uEI
What Can You Do To Link Learning To Careers - Here are a few simple things you can do:
Create a careers corner in your classroom
Include pathways students could take at age 16 and age 18
Highlight essential skills that link to activities
Could you frame your lesson with a job role or job sector?
Display websites and events
Be personal and share your own story
Engage with parents, businesses and organisations
Invite alumni – the cherry on the cake!
If you have a friend or family member who is a local employer who would be willing to come into school to inspire our students please get in touch with Tracey Archdale- Careers Leader- and we would be delighted to welcome them into our school.
Contact Tracey Archdale- Careers Leader- if you would like to work with a local employer to discuss how you might like to bring your curriculum subject to life with real-world examples.
Resources
The Careers and Enterprise Company have developed 27 subject inspiration guides, lesson slides and homework sheets to help you. My Learning, My Future is a suite of Benchmark 4 resources to support subject teaching staff to engage students in curriculum learning by highlighting the relevance of their subjects to future careers, opportunities and pathways. The aim of the resources is for students to see the relevance and value of subject curriculum teaching and learning and to be explicitly supported in making connections between subjects and pathways to positive transitions, including the amplification of vocational and technical qualifications. The resources are designed to be used easily by curriculum subject staff through lessons, homework and/or extra-curricular sessions.
The team:
- Miss Dean: Careers Lead, Email cde@pewsey-vale.wilts.sch.uk /Tel: 01672 565000
- Mrs Lynda Sparshatt Potter: Lead Governor for Careers
- Personal Development teachers and form tutors: Support
