Career Guidance
The Careers Service aims to provide pupils with the knowledge, information and skills required to make informed choices about suitable courses at School, College and University and about the opportunities available with regard to jobs in the ‘real world’.
The Service aims to enable pupils to receive accurate and impartial information, advice and guidance about the options which are open to them and the progression routes to which those options lead.
To achieve these aims pupils have Careers and Work Related Learning lessons as part of PSHE, compulsory Work Experience in Years 10 and 12 – plus any additional work experience in the Sixth Form as and when required. There are numerous careers themed careers assemblies throughout the school year for all year groups including presentations on different further education options.
Pupils also have access to the school’s Careers Advisor as well as access to a comprehensive careers library, housed within the main school library. Refreshed weekly, both the student Daily Notices and the Parent Bulletin also highlight many opportunities available plus there are links to websites with tips and advice for careers, apprenticeships and further education.
Programmes of Study
Careers Education and Guidance at TBSHS currently follows the statutory programme, providing a planned programme of Careers Education throughout the school. Information about opportunities in learning and work with advice and guidance is given.
The programme of Careers Education takes place in Years 7 to 9 as part of the PSHE framework. Individual guidance is given by tutors and on dedicated target days. In Year 7, Work Related Learning (WRL) is delivered as part of PHSE, through modules on friendship, family relationships and personal qualities. Each of these help students to make realistic and informed decisions about their futures
In Year 8, WRL is again delivered as part of PHSE. A comprehensive programme to help students with options choices is in place from the beginning of the year. In Years 9, 10 and 11 students have individual guidance by tutors and academic mentoring to track progress. As the major part of WRL, the whole Year 10 cohort of students go out on Work Experience in June each year and they have access to the school’s Careers Advisor; Year 11 take priority with regard to access to our advisor. The Headteacher and Senior Management interview Year 11 pupils with regard to their future options.
In Years 10 & 12 pupils follow a programme which covers; the skills required in the modern world, applying for jobs, the curriculum vitae, completing application forms, WRL and preparing for Work Experience.
In Year 11 pupils follow a programme covering economic wellbeing, including skills for enterprise and employability, how businesses operate and how to make informed career choices. Some students are selected to be involved in apprenticeship talks and all students listen to a careers talk about post 16 options.
For Sixth Form careers information, please see ‘Life After TBSHS’ within the Sixth Form section of the school’s website.
Claire Jonas
Careers
The Bishop’s Stortford High School
