Whether going on to a great university, securing an apprenticeship, or entering the workplace, we want every young person who leaves a Creative Education Trust school to have real choices in life. That is why, as well as academic excellence, we seek to ensure that we provide the best possible careers education support and guidance and unique extra-curricular opportunities for every student to discover what else they’re good at.
The Baker Clause is a requirement the government places on schools which stipulates that they must allow colleges and training providers access to every student in years 8 – 13 to discuss non-academic routes that are available to them.
To allow us to ensure that we continually improve our careers programme, we regularly assess the impact of our Careers Programme. This is done through the use of a student voice. After each Careers event / activity students are given a chance to voice their opinion on how useful they felt the event was. We also listen to the voice of our student council who have the ability to regularly meet and comment on such issues and programmes so that we can ensure our students are getting the support that they require.
Your child will receive information about careers during their time at Wrenn School. We will provide opportunities for them to develop life skills and core competencies that employers value, by enabling them to take part in employment and enterprise events.
During Key Stage 3 our students focus on self-development and employability skills. We aim for our students to have an understanding about the qualities they possess and the skills they can develop. They learn about these as part of their school curriculum and the CET Knowledge Connected Concept Days. From Year 7 onwards students are also provided with plenty of opportunities to explore the many different careers available to them, at Wrenn we have an entire half term dedicated to exploring careers and seeing what their future options look like during Tutor time. Students are also given the opportunity to network with the guest businesses that run workshops. All students are offered the chance to speak to our Careers Lead to discuss any plans or ambitions they may have.
During Key Stage 4 our students focus on career pathways and employability skills. Students are provided with opportunities to network with employers through our Careers Fairs and guest businesses who run workshops. They also develop their employability skills during tutor time, at Wrenn we have an entire half term dedicated to exploring careers and seeing what their future options look like. Year 11 students are also provided with a 1-2-1 careers interview with a qualified careers advisor form Prospects. This provision can be accessed by students in other year groups if requested. Students in Year 10 are encouraged to find and apply to work experience placements and Wrenn helps facilitate these through the use of the Unifrog Work placement Tool.
During Key Stage 5 our students continue to focus on career pathways and employability skills. We encourage our students to gain experience of workplaces. Including traineeships through the University of Northampton. Students use Unifrog to help them prepare for their Post A Level Plans. Students visit Higher Education institutions to get a taste of each pathway. Should students be interested in apprenticeships our students are given the opportunity to attend the National Apprenticeship Show and the UCAS Universities show. Students in Year 12 are also encouraged to find and apply to work experience placements and Wrenn helps facilitate these through the use of the Unifrog Work Placement Tool.
Ours careers strategy is designed to meet The Gatsby Benchmarks. This is a framework of 8 guidelines that define the best careers provision in schools. Therefore, all our students at Wrenn School are entitled to and can expect to receive:
How can you help your child with careers and employability?
There is so much you can do to support your son or daughter: • Show a genuine interest! Talk to them regularly about their ideas for the future and ask them what they see themselves doing when they get older • Talk to them about what you do as a job – and other job roles you have had, we feel it is important for students to see that there are many different careers out there • Ask your employer if they would allow you to bring your child to work one day to show them what a workplace environment looks like. (during school holidays) • In Year 10/11/12 look on the local college and 6th form websites with them, to see what courses are available • Help them to explore the possible employers, apprenticeship providers and further education courses available in the local area. • Keep an eye out for things like Open Days (at colleges and training organisations) and careers fairs held both from the school or locally, details can be found on college websites • Help them to understand the alternative post-16 options. • Encourage them to participate in out of school activities. These are valuable in themselves and will help greatly later on in giving a good impression to people like employers or course tutors • In year 9, talk to your son/daughter about their options and what these choices may lead to. • Remember! You can speak to the career’s Lead at school (or encourage your son/daughter to see them in school) if you need support – contact details are below
Where can you access quality careers information outside of school?
You can use this tool to compare different job roles and to see how these roles are changing over time.
Career Pilot – Careers information and tools for 11-19 year olds, all in one place. www.careerpilot.org.uk
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) – Explore your options, apply to university, and more. www.ucas.ac.uk
Apprenticeships – The governments new ‘Fire it Up!’ Apprenticeship campaign provides helpful advice and information as well as access to thousands of apprenticeship opportunities across the country. https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/
How2Become – Learn how to write a CV, how to complete an application form, how to pass selection processes and also how to pass any job interview. https://www.how2become.com/
Labour Market Information (LMI) For All – For an easy way to get access to labour market information and compare your job prospects in the U.K. LMI is provided to students via Teams.
Your teachers will work with you to help you develop the skills you need for life and employment. You will receive information about placements and work opportunities and will meet people from the world of work, who could help you to acquire the skills needed to be successful in work.
The school is committed to help you to realise your potential, so you can do what you love when you leave school!
If you are wondering what you can do to improve your chances of being employable when you leave school here are some ideas:
If you want to know how to start deciding what to aim for in your career or working life, try asking yourself these questions:
If you want more help answering these questions and deciding what you want to do, please see our careers lead.
Look out for information about careers and employability events on posters around school, tutor group announcements, school email, careers teams pages and in assemblies.
You can also visit our Careers Office at break and lunch times, located in the Music Block on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The Careers Office is a place where students can access careers books, leaflets, apprenticeship guides and prospectuses, both for College and University.
Employers & Training Providers
Employer Engagement – Help us to help you
Here at Wrenn School we are keen to give our students every opportunity to access the world of work, and with this in mind, we welcome employers, industry representatives and training providers to make contact with us to support our students in their journey to employability. We know that employers in the UK have concerns about skills gaps and the work-readiness of some young people.
Wrenn School is a member of the SEMLEP Careers and Enterprise Network, part of the national Careers and Enterprise Company. Our aim is that through employer engagement at all ages, we ensure that young people leave our school with the skills, competencies, knowledge, appropriate qualifications and attitudes needed by employers for both their own career development and economic sustainability and growth.
Calling all Employers and Training Providers
We are looking for passionate employers from businesses and other organisations to help our students and thus shape the future workforce and bring the world of work to life for the next generation.
If you can help with an engagement or for further information, contact Joanne Bolton at joanne.bolton@wrennschool.org.uk
The following high impact activities are used to work in partnership with businesses to help our students prepare for the world of work: • Employer Talks • Business site visits • Mentoring • Enterprise activities • Work experience and job shadowing • Mock interviews and CV preparation
Or why not register for the SEMLEP Give an Hour campaign and make a difference to the future workforce. To register just visit https://www.semlep.com/growing-talent/
This information is regularly assessed to ensure it is up to date and accurate, the date of the next review of this published information will be in the Spring Term 2024.
If you would like to visit the Teachers Careers Hub click here
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