Careers advice at Tudor Grange Academy Redditch
We want to help all of our students strive to be the best that they can be and we want to support them as they prepare to join the world of work or further study.
Ensuring that students have a clear idea of what they would like to do when they finish school is a critical aspect of our work and we put a number of mechanisms into place to support students as they progress through the school.
PSHE Programme (Years 9-13)
The personal, social and health education (PSHE) programme is where students develop their understanding of a range of issues that affect their lives. In all years, there is a focus on careers education. We gear the programme to the particular point in the students education, but are always mindful that some students do not necessarily have a clear view about their future.
The following summary shows what aspect of careers education students focus on in each year.
| AUTUMN 1
(SAFETY) |
AUTUMN 2
(WIDER WORLD) |
SPRING 1
(RELATIONSHIPS) |
SPRING 2
(SEX EDUCATION) |
SUMMER 1
(HEALTH) |
SUMMER 2
(MENTAL WELLBEING) |
|
| YEAR 9 | Alcohol Safety
Introduction, The Law, Scenarios, Binge Drinking, Peer Pressure, Addiction |
Careers & Types of Work
|
Bullying & Conflict at home | Biology and emotions, condom demonstration
Unprotected sex Ending relationships |
Work life balance, eating disorders, | Mental wellbeing – mental health, stress, body image, self-esteem, managing loss |
| YEAR 10 | Drugs Safety
The Law, Physical and Mental Health, Prescription Drugs, Peer Pressure, Alternatives to Smoking |
Budgeting & Finance | Respect, stereotypes, Equality Act, Challenging Discrimination | Sexting & the law, domestic abuse, law on consent, unhealthy relationships | Physical effects of stress, peer pressure, importance of exercise, healthy weight | Mental wellbeing, importance of mental health, recognising failure as part of learning, tackling stigma around mental health |
| YEAR 11 | Weapons & Gangs
The Law, Gangs, Peer Pressure, Violence, Alternatives Recognising Gangs |
Careers, Pensions, Taxes & Insurance | Violent Behaviour, coercive control, sexual harassment, unwanted attention | Contraceptives, STI’s, consent, assault, pornography | Health and safety issues of going on holiday, sun exposure, self examination, blood donations | EXAM LEAVE |
| Year 12 Tutor time PSE slots | Year 12 STEPS MJS | Year 12 STEPS LHE | HT |
| Introduction to apprenticeships. What they are, how they work and what to expect. Starting with lower-level apprenticeships and move on to higher level options. | Employability Curriculum: Know Yourself, The Perfect Personal Statement | Personal education programme covering sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol. Covering all aspects of PSHE (personal) Gov guidance September 2020. | 1 |
| Continued work on apprenticeships. Interviews and discussions with successful apprenticeship stories. | Employability Curriculum: Online testing | Personal education programme covering sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol. Covering all aspects of PSHE (personal) Gov guidance September 2020. | 2 |
| Continued work on apprenticeships. Interviews and discussions with successful apprenticeship stories. | Employability Curriculum: Interview Types, Interview Star Technique, The Assessment Centre | Personal education programme covering sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol. Covering all aspects of PSHE (personal) Gov guidance September 2020. | 3 |
| Continued work on apprenticeships. Interviews and discussions with successful apprenticeship stories. | Employability Curriculum: Workplace Etiquette, How to use Linkedin, Resilience, Well-bing | Personal education programme covering sexual health, relationships, drugs, alcohol. Covering all aspects of PSHE (personal) Gov guidance September 2020. | 4 |
| Continued work on apprenticeships. Interviews and discussions with successful apprenticeship stories. | Preparing, organising and getting the most out of work experience. | Revision, research, academic writing and preparing for exams. | 5 |
| Preparing for and learning about UCAS. The process, the application and different options. | Feeding back, reflecting and writing about key skills from work experience. | Academic monitoring. One-to-one next steps after end of year assessments. Preparing for year 13. | 6 |
| Year 13 Tutor time PSE slots | Year 13 STEPS MJS | Year 13 STEPS LHE | HT |
| UCAS updates, deadline, reminders and how to use. | UCAS Personal Statements, Searching for Apprenticeships | Personal statements design and guidance. Preparing for next steps and writing about yourself for all future routes. | 1 |
| The use of UCAS track. How to monitor and keep up to date with news about applications. | University choices, apprenticeship applications | Revision, research, academic writing and preparing for mock exams.
|
2 |
| UCAS next steps. Accommodation, finance and preparing for university life. | Student Finance
University accommodation |
Academic monitoring. One-to-one next steps after end of year assessments. Preparing for year mock 2. | 3 |
| Revision Skills | Employability Curriculum: Interview Types, Interview Star Technique, The Assessment Centre | Final push: Organising revision. Monitoring of progress. Preparing for future academic selves. | 4 |
| Revision Skills | Employability Curriculum: Workplace Etiquette, How to use Linkedin, Resilience, Well-bing | 5 |
We also have a drop down day in January that is dedicated to CEIAG including a careers fayre where a range of employers and representatives from local colleges have the opportunity to speak to students directly.
Careers Advice
Some students have difficulty in deciding on their ‘next steps’ or, if they have, may struggle with completing application forms or preparing supporting evidence. We employ a Careers advisor in order to be able to support such students.
Careers Library
We have a fully stocked careers section of our library. Students may find details of apprenticeships, further and higher education courses and employment routes, as well as information regarding application procedures and support. The careers library also has computers which students may use to conduct research or to complete and make applications
Websites
There a number of useful websites that may help students and their parents/carers when selecting option choices at GCSE and ‘A’ Level and when considering future careers:
- http://www.eclips-online.co.uk/ – E-Clips has thousands of up to date ‘on-line’ leaflets on a huge range of careers as well as a section to help you choose the best career for you. You will need a password to use this. Please see the posters around school.
- https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/Pages/Home.aspx – The National Careers Service website provides comprehensive details of career requirements and education pathways. A great starting point for students who are not sure of their future direction.
- www.ucas.com – Advice on university application and course requirements
- www.fasttomato.com – The ‘Fast Tomato’ website is a simple and fun way of helping students to identify their preferred way of working, interests and future aspirations. After completing the various questionnaires, Fast Tomato will generate a number of statements which students can use to express a preference about which of the two recommended pathways they would like to select their options from.