Careers Information

Why Is Being Informed About Careers & Apprenticeships so Important?

The Government policy called the Raising Participation Age (RPA) means that you have to be in some form of education until you are 18. This will be through studying at 6th Form, or college or in an apprenticeship or traineeship. You have to do this so you must know all the options that are open to you!

Who Should I Go to in School for More Advice

Every teacher in the school wants you to do well and fulfil your ambitions. If we don’t know the answer to your careers question we will find someone who does! You can also explore issues more using the Unifrog Careers platform you will have access to whilst you are a student in school. So, if you have a careers question you should ask:

• Your Form Tutor

• Guidance teacher in Key Stage 4

• Your Director of Learning

• A subject teacher

• Mr Allenby (Responsibility for Careers in School)

Careers – It’s Your Future – Be Prepared

Some Examples of Careers Opportunities We Offer at DCHS Sixth Form:

• UCAS application process and HE advice for all year 12 and year 13 students

• University Visits in Yr 12 to Northumbria and Newcastle Universities

• Year 12 HE Day – visit to NE UCAS fair

• Progression day – with external speakers from English and Scottish Universities

• Newcastle University – deliver assemblies in Y12 and Y13

• Widening participation schemes – Social Mobility Programme, Durham Supported Progression, Newcastle Partners

• Early applicant practice interviews with Professor Joy Palmer-Cooper (Durham University)

• Student Finance Information Evening for Parents/carers/students

• Student Finance Assembly

• Relevant Resources/Advice on Student Group Shares

• UniFrog Computer programme to assist students with research and preparation for university application

• Careers Interviews for students who declare in ‘Early Intention’ Questionnaire they are not going to university. (Yr 12)

• University Mock Interview Preparations – with school staff (on request) and in registration

• Community Business Development Project Opportunities

• Community Service Opportunities which allow employment experience

• Sutton Trust Summer School- Applications and Summer School Visits

• Lessons covering- Interview technique/How to write a covering letter/Advice and guidance from an Employee on how to impress/Jobs to apply for/Interview questions/Preparation for Interview/How to apply for jobs

• Subject Specific Opportunities- Resident Artist Visits, Drama Practitioner Visits / Work at The Alnwick Playhouse / Relationships with The Northumberland Gazette

Lower School

• Access to the Unifrog Platform and specific Year Group Google Sites

• Independent Careers Advisor Interviews

• Trip to National Careers Fair at Metro Arena (Sept) for Full Cohort

• KS4 Guidance Lessons

• 1 Tutor Period a week focused on Careers Guidance in Key Stage 3

• Information given to parents at Supporting Your Child evening about Importance of Careers

• Senior staff interviews for Yr 9 and Yr 11 pupils every academic year to focus on Careers Advice & Next Steps

• Further interviews by Independent Careers Advisor to be set up for those in April of every academic year who are still unsure of next steps

• Assemblies on Careers by external Advisors/ Apprenticeships

• Targeted Visits by Northumberland College as part of a wider partnership with DCHS to support careers programme

• Assemblies in the year that focus on routes following GCSE & What Employers want in an Employee

• Opportunities for external companies to come in and present specific careers

• University Visits- Ace Days for targeted students

• Opportunities to work with our Enterprise Advisor and the NELEP across Key Stage 3 & 4.

How we measure and assess the impact of the careers programme on pupils

The Duchess's Community High School works with The North East Local Enterprise Partnership, our Independent Careers Advisor, A local enterprise advisor and the Careers and Enterprise company. These are external organisations that supports our schools to ensure they are following the DFE Careers Guidance for Education. The following information is an extract taken from this guidance.

'High quality careers education and guidance in school or college is critical to young people’s futures. It helps to prepare them for the workplace by providing a clear understanding of the world of work including the routes to jobs and careers that they might find engaging and rewarding. It supports them to acquire the self-development and career management skills they need to achieve positive employment destinations. This helps students to choose their pathways, improve their life opportunities and contribute to a productive and successful economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the economy, education and the opportunities open to students. Research has shown that school and college leaders recognise that careers guidance has become more important than ever as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The department urges senior leaders to back their careers team, especially their Careers Leader, and to invest in personal guidance provided by a qualified careers adviser. This will allow the continued delivery of high-quality, progressive careers programmes that support all students to acquire the knowledge, skills and confidence to fulfil their potential.

As an education establishment we ensure we use the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks as a foundation when planning our Careers Strategy and use the Unifrog platform as a way to deliver activities. The effectiveness of our provision is inspected and audited by the Careers and Enterprise Company using the Compass Careers Benchmark Tool and evaluated annually by the senior leader and independent careers advisor. The Compass Careers Benchmark tool is used by schools and colleges in England to support the analysis and evaluation of careers activity against the eight benchmarks of best practice (known as the Gatsby Benchmarks). The NELEP & Careers and Enterprise Company coordinate the Audit deadlines. This ensures the development of our careers strategy is ongoing to ensure best practice. The Duchess's High School is a member of the North East Local Enterprise partnership Careers Hub (NELEP).