“Given the high standards attained in literacy, numeracy, and information and communication technology (ICT); the widening opportunities to understand the worlds of industry, commerce and government; and the clear self-confidence which students develop; preparation for employment, training or further study is excellent.”
HMI, 2009

Careers Education Guidance (CEG)

Staffing:

Miss H Paterson – CEG and Work Experience Coordinator

Aims:

The Careers Department works with the Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership, Liverpool Compact and Inspiring Futures, as well as with Key Stage managers, form tutors, PSHCE teachers and Ms Carroll to support students in decision making throughout their school career. Important decisions include choosing GCSE and A Level subjects, courses, universities, possible careers and areas of employment.

Resources:

The Careers Library is well stocked and up to date, and accessible to all students at all times. In addition, careers software such as Launchpad and Kudos is accessible via the school intranet or from home via the internet. Opportunities for taster courses giving students a flavour of potential careers areas are publicised on the intranet as are details about current apprenticeships. 

Careers advisors are available for consultation at Parents’ Evenings for Years 9-12 and Miss Paterson is available to help students with careers related issues at any other time. Each subject area also has an appointed representative who holds manages specific resources and can provide additional information.

Events:

• Regular Careers and University Fairs are held for Y9-Y13 in alternating years. In 2011, over 50 careers were represented and almost 20 universities from all over Great Britain attended.


• Visiting speakers from organisations, universities and career areas.


• Visits to conferences, e.g. the annual Oxford and Cambridge Regional Conference.


• Competitions e.g. the Liverpool Compact Engineering Challenge at Land Rover, Halewood (won by the Belvedere Team in 2011).


• Practice interviews e.g. for Oxbridge and medical students


• Key Stage 4 drop down sessions on employability and work related skills, including interviews etc.

Timetable:

Key Stage 3
Careers education is delivered in PSHCE lessons and form time. Students learn through the Real Game and use Launchpad and Kudos software to help research and develop career interests.

Key Stage 4
Careers education is delivered in form time and some out of lesson sessions. Liverpool Connexions contributes to the KS4 programme through talks, events and student interviews.  Y10 students take part in a work experience programme organised through Liverpool Compact, either choosing from a list of work placements provided by the organisation or finding their own. Work experience gives students an invaluable insight into the world of work and it can help to develop or confirm career interests.

Key Stage 5
Careers education is delivered through PSHCE, form time and some out of lesson sessions. Some students arrange work experience to support their university applications.Y12 students attend the Merseyside Higher Education Fair as well as the  Liverpool University Open Day. They are also encouraged to visit other universities, many of which have open days at weekends and holidays. As well as this, complementary supportive programmes are organised from within both the Sixth Form and Lifeskills areas (see Sixth Form web pages for further information).

Useful Websites:

Launchpad
http://www.cascaid.co.uk/launchpad/standardLogin.do

Kudos
http://www.cascaid.co.uk/kadol/KudosStandardLogin.do

Greater Merseyside Connexions Partnership
http://www.connexionslive.com/

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
http://www.ucas.com/

The Stanford Test (to help you choose a course)
http://www.ucas.com/students/choosingcourses/choosingcourse/stamfordtest

Careers A-Z
http://www.careersa-z.co.uk/type0.asp

Prospects (this is for university graduates but it will help you to think about where a particular course will take you.)  
 http://www.prospects.ac.uk/