Beths Grammar School Careers Provision and Access Provider policy

Effective careers guidance enables social mobility, contributes to raising aspirations and motivation and empowers students to achieve their careers goals.

At Beths Grammar School our programme of Careers, Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) aims to inspire and motivate all students by providing them with an understanding of the range of future careers opportunities open to them, and an appreciation of where different education and training pathways can take them. 

Our aim is to deliver a structured and progressive programme which is impartial, inclusive and accessible to all, and appropriate to each stage of a student’s development. Through the provision of individual support and guidance and access to a wide range of resources and materials, students are both encouraged and empowered to make fully informed decisions, particularly at key transition points, in order to plan and manage their own futures.

In addition to Prospects, who provide independent, individually tailored careers guidance and support to identified students, we also work closely with employers and businesses through dedicated activities and events, such as the Year 11 Employability day, and via our Work Experience programme (for Y11 students from September 2020), and our aim is that all students should develop the ability to:

• Identify and appraise their own individual qualities and skills
• Identify their strengths and weaknesses
• Explore educational choices, careers options and lifelong learning opportunities
• Understand how their interests and achievements can inform their careers choices and help them to make decisions about their future
• Build a strong knowledge of the world of work
• Develop career management, employability and enterprise skills
• Develop skills for the modern workplace and by taking part in work-related activities in and out of the classroom
• aspire to their highest possible (and achievable) career goals

Careers support starts in the classroom, and all subject teachers play an active role in careers awareness, both via integration within their lessons and by advising on career opportunities within their own subjects.  All students also have the opportunity to complete two weeks of work experience in Year 11 and a one week Internship in Year 12.  In addition, students also have the opportunity to attend special events and enrichment activities, such as talks given by returning alumni, careers-themed assemblies, educational visits and trips to places of employment.  

As well as our in-house CEIAG advisor, the school also employs the services of Prospects, an independent adviser, and receives support through contact with employers, universities and other outside providers via co-ordinated activities such as our Y11 ‘Employability Day’.  Our well-stocked careers resource library includes electronic, on line and hard-copy guides, post-16 and university prospectuses and reference books and resources. In addition, all students have ready access to the internet.

To ensure up to date, high quality provision that adheres to government guidelines and best practice, our CEIAG programme takes into account, the Department for Education statuary advice and guidance, and the eight Gatsby Charitable Foundation benchmarks:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-inschools

http://www.gatsby.org.uk/education/focus-areas/good-career-guidance

As a School we can measure the success of our CEIAG programme and the effectiveness of our teaching by the attainment of our students and their post-educational destinations when they leave Beths Grammar school. We keep detailed records of our student’s destination information and, as part of our statutory duty, pass this data on to the Local Authority.  Each year between 85% and 90% of our Year 13 students go on to Higher Education at universities locally, nationally and abroad. Of the remaining 10-15% of our Year 13 leavers; most are either accepted onto apprenticeship schemes or into employment. A small proportion continue in further education.

 

Provision overview

Prospects provide independent, individually tailored CEIAG to identified students, typically (but not exclusively), Year 9’s who might need some help deciding upon their GCSE options; Year 11’s who may need support deciding which A Level courses to study, and those considered to be vulnerable or at risk of becoming NEET (not in employment, education or training); those students with special educational needs or disabilities; and members of the Sixth Form who may need extra help with alternative options to university applications. In addition, they will also provide more generalised support to both students and their parents at events such as our Sixth Form Information Evening and the (Y12) Higher Education & Careers Evening.

The provision for enterprise education involves suspended timetable days and form tutor periods. Activities are also embedded within our Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Economics education (PSHCE) across the Year groups, within lessons and via external trips and visits, and through involvement with co-curricular clubs, such as the STEM club.

All students can request a one-to-one career guidance appointment with the resident Careers Adviser at point of individual need.

We have a well-stocked reference library (located in the LRC) which in addition to careers information and reference books, also includes information on post 14, 16, and 18 options, as well as a variety of careers related publications, flyers for external careers events, post-16 prospectuses.

Careers Education is routinely delivered via subject teaching and via the PHSCE programme as appropriate for each year group.

Talks and industry insights are given from visiting professionals, industry representatives, Alumni, local and national organisations and employers, across the academic year.

Throughout the year we run off timetable days with bespoke activities, often dedicated to promoting careers awareness within a particular area.

Exposure to a range of Higher Education establishments, local and national organisations and workplaces through individual departmental trips/visits.

A range of character and personal development opportunities arise throughout the key stages, including charity and volunteering initiatives such as the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme (at Bronze, Silver and Gold level).

A wide range of leadership training and practical opportunities to develop leadership skills, such as student leadership positions (Prefect/Senior Prefect positions, House Captain) and Sports Leadership Awards.

Support for each new intake of Year 7 students, to help with the transition from primary to secondary education.

GCSE options Information Evening for students and their parents/carers - Targeted support with GCSE choices and other post-14 options to help ensure informed decisions and a smooth transition.

Targeted support with A Level choices and other post 16 options to help ensure informed decisions and a smooth transition - all Y11 students receive a one-to-one guidance interview with a member of the Senior Leadership Team or Head of Year.

Our post 16 options information includes advice and guidance on Sixth Form and college applications, apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes, training and the world of work.

Targeted support advice and guidance on all post-A level options to help ensure informed decisions and a smooth transition: Higher Education and the UCAS application process, Apprenticeships, School Leaver Programmes, gap years, training and work, and includes the Higher Education and Careers day in July for all Year 12 students and the Higher Education and Careers Evening fair, for students and their parents/carers.

A targeted programme of support for those applying to Oxford or Cambridge and for those applying to medicine, dentistry and veterinary medicine.

Guidance and support in association with Kent EBP, to help Year 12 students secure a one week Internship placement.

Opportunities to develop mentoring skills through participation in schemes such as our wellbeing ambassador programme, and through academic and pastoral mentoring of lower school students.

An opportunity to join the Beths Alumni through the external alumni charity Future First. All Year 13 students are entitled to free membership.

Enterprise activities which help students to build on their enterprise skills.

 

Alumni and Community contacts

We are proud of the strong links we have with our alumni, and of their willingness to return to school to share their career journeys in order to inspire the students of today. We are also proud of the excellent connections we have established with local and national employers, many of whom support our Higher Education and Careers day in July every year.

We are keen that current students continue to benefit as much as possible from contacts within our wider community and as such, we are always looking for ways to develop this side of our programme further still. We would therefore welcome any contact from alumni, parents or employers about ways they can support our students.

In addition to the above, our students benefit from ad hoc talks and one off careers provision as they present throughout the academic year.

 

Provider Access Policy

Should you wish to contact the school about any aspect of the careers programme, please e-mail the Careers Lead Mrs S King, Assistant Headteacher on admin@beths.bexley.sch.uk

 

	Careers Access provision - by Year group
Year 7	Enterprise activity: Innovation Challenge - 'Suits You Sir’
	My Bnk Money Matters – Money Twist
Year 8	PHSCE Psychometric Test – Kudos
	iCould – Buzz Quiz
	Camp
	Enterprise activity: My Bnk Money Matters – Money Twist
	University Inspiration Experience
	Enterprise activity: ‘Rollercoaster Theme Park Challenge’
	UKMT Junior Maths Challenge
Year 9	PHSCE Psychometric Test – Kudos
	GCSE Options Evening
	MyBnk – Money Matters
	Careers information, options and guidance (PHSCE)
	World of Work: Stock Market Challenge
	Careers/university resources
	Year 9 to 10 transition information & guidance
Year 10	PHSCE – Self Awareness
	VESPA - study skills
	Innovative Enterprise
	Year 10 to 11 transition advice & guidance
	Bank of England visit
	UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge
	WEX prep: CV building and applications
	WEX Prep: Employability skills
Year 11	CEIAG Questionnaire
	Decision Making – one-to-one interviews
	CEIAG/Prospects Career Interviews (targeted)
	Year 11 to 12 transition advice 7 guidance
	Employability/Skills Day
	Introduction to Indigo
	Science Live (Dept lead)
	University visits
	Russell Group Universities Information Evening
	Work Experience (two weeks)
Year 12	CEIAG Questionnaire
	University & careers focused assemblies
	CEIAG/Prospects Career Interviews (targeted)
	Personal statement writing – Optimising Futures
	UCAS preparation and planning
	Access to Indigo
	Higher Education & Careers Day (CEIAG focus)
	Higher Education & Careers Evening (fair)
	London UCAS convention – ExCel Centre
	Skills London – ExCel Centre
	Access to - Employability Day
	Internships (Work Experience week)
	University visits and open days
	Taster programmes (Higher Education)
	Reading Scholars Programme
	Top Universities Information Evening
	Bank of England visit (Dept lead)
	Bar Mock trials and Law society visit (Dept lead)
	Maths Fest (Dept lead)
	‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ performance – Greenwich Theatre
Year 13	CIAG Questionnaire
	CEIAG/Prospects Career Interviews (targeted)
	University & careers focused assemblies
	Bar Mock trials and Law society visit (Dept lead)
	Science Live (Dept lead)
	UKMT Senior Maths Challenge
	UCAS ‘Next Steps’ Evening

 

Updated January 2020