St Joseph’s has a strategically planned whole school provision in place for careers education, information, advice and guidance that is designed to inspire all students to make informed choices about their future aims and ambitions.
The CEIAG programme consists of a mix of teacher-led activities, online resources and engagement with external employers and professionals. Mrs Suzanne Lewis-Dale Assistant Head and Head of Sixth form leads on the careers provision ensuring our students benefit from the appropriate knowledge, understanding and skills required for the delivery of CEIAG. This ensures that the Careers provision addresses whole school needs supporting students from year 7 seamlessly to post 16.
Partnerships
At St Joseph’s we have a significant number of employers and University partnerships. Opportunities to engage with employers are planned at strategic points during student progression from year 7 to post 16. These encounters build on their understanding of local labour market, job roles, and routes into further education. They build aspirations and support informed choices. Many of these events take place during the school’s enrichment week. Students will take part in exploration of sustainability and infrastructure with CAFOD, Flood planning and presentation with the Environment Agency, careers fairs with local firms, employability skills and work experience with South Tyneside Homes, STEAM days, and work with EDT and NYBEP. We also run a rotation of employers who deliver sessions during assemblies.
SEND
Well established links with South Tyneside Local Authority ensure vulnerable students receive support during and after KS4. All SEND students are prioritised in 1:1 interviews alongside those students identified as potential NEETs. The LA, working with the school are able to track this and intervene where necessary (for example through parental engagement, home visits, accompanying to training/college open evenings). The impartial and independent LA Careers adviser attends all Education, Health Care Plan Meetings so that student progression is maximised.
Careers Guidance Interviews
All Year 11 students receive a 1:1 careers guidance interview from a level 7 qualified independent and impartial careers adviser. Each student is given a personal careers action plan. From the point of issuing the plan, the student then takes ownership of this. The CEIAG programme is designed to give students the ‘tools’ to develop their personal career ambitions independently, working on the principle of ‘making informed decisions’.
Careers guidance interviews are monitored through regular meetings, student feedback and the quality of the personal career action plans. CEIAG, including destination data, is evaluated and reported to the SLT link, Head of Sixth Form and link governor. Areas for development are highlighted in action planning.
Post 16
Post-16 students continue to take part in a range of CEIAG activities. Work experience in Year 12 ensures direct engagement with the world of work, whilst the study skills programme engages students in setting goals and developing independent learning tools. Students have the opportunity for 1:1 external careers guidance. Students are supported to complete UCAS applications, attend the Higher Education Convention and take part in a number of University led activities planned over year 12 and 13 to raise aspirations, explore future pathways, develop financial competence and develop independent learning and resilience. A strategic partnership with Sunderland University exists to further enhance curriculum links, applied learning and student progression. These workshops include interview skills, presentation planning, and explore the role of business in higher degree level apprenticeships. Links with South Tyneside Homes and Business in the community continue to offer opportunities for students.