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May 2024

Careers Overview at Falmouth School

Falmouth School's Overall Careers Strategy by year groups

Year 7-9: Foundation & Exploration

Gatsby Benchmarks

  • Benchmark 1: A stable careers program

  • Benchmark 2: Learning from career and labour market information

  • Benchmark 3: Addressing the needs of each student

  • Benchmark 4: Linking curriculum learning to careers

Baker Clause:

  • Provide access to a range of career providers and information, including apprenticeships, technical education, and vocational routes.

Year 7

  • Objective: Begin to develop an understanding of different career pathways.

  • Key Activities:

    • Careers Awareness Day: Introduction to a wide range of careers, with a focus on local industries and community-based opportunities.

    • Classroom Activities: Link subjects to careers, highlighting the importance of different subjects in future careers.

    • LMI (Labour Market Information) sessions: Introduction to local and national job market trends.

    • Self-Assessment Tools: Students complete simple career interest surveys to start exploring their strengths and preferences.

    • Employer Encounters: At least one employer engagement to introduce different sectors.

Year 8

  • Objective: Develop a deeper understanding of personal interests and skills.

  • Key Activities:

    • Work Experience Taster Activities: Virtual or in-school work experience programs.

    • Interactive Career Events: Students attend talks from professionals in different fields.

    • Guest Speakers from Different Sectors: Focus on technical pathways and vocational careers.

    • Personal Development: Begin setting personal goals and begin identifying strengths and weaknesses.

    • Explore Options for Career Pathways: Discuss various routes, including apprenticeships, further study, and other technical routes.

Year 9

  • Objective: Start making decisions about future subject choices with a focus on career pathways.

  • Key Activities:

    • Subject Choices and Career Link: Workshops on how different GCSEs and subjects relate to careers.

    • Employer Mentoring: Develop relationships with local businesses to mentor students about the world of work.

    • Formal Career Interview: One-to-one discussions on aspirations and guidance on GCSE choices.

    • Further Employer Encounters: Engage with employers in different sectors, including apprenticeship opportunities.

    • Explore Apprenticeships and Technical Education: Early engagement with apprenticeship providers to ensure students understand non-university pathways.

 

 

Year 10-11: Developing Pathways & Decision-Making

Gatsby Benchmarks

  • Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees

  • Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces

  • Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education

  • Benchmark 8: Personal guidance

Baker Clause:

  • Ensure that students have access to impartial careers advice on all pathways, including apprenticeships and technical education options.

Year 10

  • Objective: Begin refining career interests and explore practical work experience.

  • Key Activities:

    • Mock Interviews: Prepare students for future employment or higher education interviews.

    • Work Experience Week: Every student participates in a work experience placement or virtual experience, helping them explore different sectors.

    • Careers Fair: A dedicated event featuring apprenticeships, university options, and technical education providers.

    • Personal Careers Interview: A meeting with a career advisor to discuss work experience placements and future plans.

    • Employer Encounters: Regular visits from employers, particularly focusing on apprenticeships and non-university career routes.

Year 11

  • Objective: Make informed decisions about post-16 pathways.

  • Key Activities:

    • One-to-One Career Guidance: Personalized career advice to review options (college, apprenticeships, training programs).

    • Post-16 Pathways Event: A presentation from colleges, apprenticeship providers, and training organizations.

    • Apprenticeship and Technical Education Focus: Workshops on vocational qualifications and apprenticeships, with links to employers and case studies.

    • Support with Applications: Guidance on college, apprenticeship, and training provider applications.

    • Post-16 Planning Sessions: Small group or one-on-one sessions to help students create a pathway plan.

 

 

Year 12-13: Progression & Advanced Planning

Gatsby Benchmarks

  • Benchmark 5: Encounters with employers and employees

  • Benchmark 6: Experiences of workplaces

  • Benchmark 7: Encounters with further and higher education

  • Benchmark 8: Personal guidance

Baker Clause:

  • Facilitate connections to employers and apprenticeship providers to allow informed choices for further education and training.

Year 12

  • Objective: Strengthen employability and focus on future progression.

  • Key Activities:

    • University and Apprenticeship Fairs: Attend events showcasing both academic and vocational opportunities.

    • Work Experience: A longer-term or part-time work experience opportunity in a field of interest.

    • Higher Education Workshops: Guidance on university applications, including understanding financial costs and alternatives such as apprenticeships.

    • Career Mentor Scheme: Establish a relationship with a mentor who is an employer or university student to guide career and educational choices.

    • Guest Speakers and Workshops: Provide exposure to a variety of industries and pathways.

Year 13

  • Objective: Final decision-making regarding career or further study.

  • Key Activities:

    • Career Counselling: One-on-one sessions to review options post-18 (university, apprenticeships, work).

    • Application Support: Assistance with university applications, CV building, and apprenticeship applications.

    • Employer Encounters: Hosting employer panels to discuss employment opportunities.

    • Post-18 Pathways Event: Support in understanding the range of options available beyond A-Levels (apprenticeships, work, gap year).

    • Interview Preparation: Focus on real-world job interview skills and preparing for application processes in industry.

 

 

Ongoing Activities (Across All Years)

  • Career-focused Curriculum Links: Ensure subject teachers regularly make connections between the curriculum and careers.

  • Workshops and Seminars: Host regular career-oriented workshops and events, such as CV writing, interview preparation, and professional skills.

  • Employer Partnerships: Establish long-term relationships with a range of local and national employers to provide consistent industry insight and experiences.

  • Parent Engagement: Offer events and resources for parents to help them understand the career pathways their children are exploring.

 

 

Monitoring & Review

  • Annual Review: Conduct regular evaluations of the careers strategy to assess progress against Gatsby Benchmarks and Baker Clause requirements.

  • Student Feedback: Collect feedback from students on the effectiveness of career guidance programs to make necessary adjustments.

  • Partnerships Review: Regularly review partnerships with local businesses, apprenticeship providers, and universities to ensure a wide variety of opportunities.

This strategy ensures a balanced approach to careers education that supports students in making informed, impartial choices about their futures, while meeting the Gatsby Benchmarks and fulfilling the Baker Clause requirements.