Careers Statement
‘Subject Teachers are highly influential – students are 18 times more likely to be motivated to learn if their teachers know their hopes and dreams.’ The Gatsby Benchmark
‘One in four pupils from poor families make it to university. Nearly double the number of other children make it. If bright children from poor families had the same support to achieve as others four in ten would go to a top university - today only one in ten make it.’ The Gatsby Benchmark
At St Peter’s we believe that careers education and guidance plays a major part in preparing young people for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of life. A planned programme of activities supports young people in beginning to consider pathways that suit their interests and abilities as well as assist them in following a career path and sustain employability throughout their working lives. Furthermore, by ensuring that real life context, application of skills and wider relevance are embedded in the curriculum along with focused career events, guidance and visits, we aim to inform and inspire all children across the school. They will then be able to identify their strengths and preferences which in turn will help them to define the steps they need to achieve their goals.
We follow the Government’s careers strategy which sets out a long-term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them. The Government’s statutory guidance has been updated to make sure that all young people at secondary school age have access to a programme of advice and guidance that is stable, structured and delivered by individuals with the right skills and experience.
The careers programme is coordinated by the deputy head with support from the entire teaching team as we believe that careers education should be embedded throughout the curriculum. All members of the school community play an important role.
The implementation of careers education will be addressed directly through the curriculum as well as through discrete sessions, visits and events.
All children are entitled to be guided in their preparation for adulthood so differentiation and, where necessary, special provision will be made available for vulnerable groups and children with SEND.
The school’s careers programme will be reviewed annually by the Deputy Head and Raising Standards Leaders with a specific focus on identifying areas for improvement and aspects that may need updating.
Aims of Our Careers Provision
- To contribute to strategies for raising achievement and expectations, especially by increasing self-motivation
- to ensure all aspects of the programme are inclusive, challenge stereotyping and promote equal opportunities
- to encourage aspiration to continue learning through apprenticeships, further and higher education
- To develop enterprise and employment skills
- To engage with the local community through both work place visits and local businesses
- to contribute to the economic prosperity of individuals and communities
- To meet the needs of all our students through appropriate differentiation
- To focus students on their future aspirations
- To involve parents and carers
- To embed the school’s vision in our careers programme:
You yourselves like living stones are being built up– Aspire, Believe, Grow, Achieve
(Quote taken from: 1 Peter, 2:5) You yourselves like living stones are being built up- valued by God- and a unique member of our school community. You will continue to build firm foundations for life in all its fullness– spiritually, academically, socially and emotionally, as this is at the heart of everything we do. We want you to become a wise, compassionate and responsible citizen in today’s multi-faith modern Britain.
- Reflect the school’s values and ethos:
At our core are the values of: Wisdom, Integrity, Trust, Compassion and Fellowship. Through God and these values, we will live out our Motto:
To Aspire to be the very best we can, to Believe in our own abilities and those of the people around us, to Grow and develop continually and to Achieve the very best we can.
The guidance follows the Gatsby Benchmarks which we have adopted at St Peter’s to ensure quality provision.
The benchmarks are as follows:
- A stable careers programme
- Learning from career and labour market information
- Addressing the needs of each pupil
- Linking curriculum learning to careers
- Encounters with employers and employees
- Experiences of workplaces
- Encounters with further and higher education
- Personal Guidance
Following a Change in the Law - Provider Access Legislation 2023
The updated provider access legislation (PAL) has now been enacted. It specifies schools must provide at least six encounters with approved providers of apprenticeships and technical education for all their students. As a Middle School we are classed as the first key phase.
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘first key phase’ (year 8 or 9) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘second key phase’ (year 10 or 11) that are mandatory for all pupils to attend
- Two encounters for pupils during the ‘third key phase’ (year 12 or 13) that are mandatory for the school to put on but optional for pupils to attend
In recognition of the provider access legislation (PAL), we warmly welcome any contact from colleges, industry and training providers. Please see contact details below.
Contact Details:
Alexandra Burke – Deputy headteacher and responsible for careers development
a.burke@st-petersoldwindsor.org.uk
Tel: 01753 866253