Overview of Our Careers Programme

Key Stage 3

Our programme starts in Key Stage 3 where all pupils learn about the different careers of people around them through ASDAN New Horizons. Due to the nature of the needs of some of our pupils, this will be through sensory exploration, for others it will be more formal learning activities and practical experiences.

14-19

In Key Stage 4 and 5 pupils continue to learn about careers at an appropriate level. All pupils take part in a ‘World of Work Day’ where external visitors lead sessions about a variety of careers. Some students experience the sensory aspects of careers and the equipment and objects involved, other pupils help the visitors lead the sessions.

In Key Stage 5 some of our students complete ASDAN Employability Accreditation at Entry Level 3 or Level 1 and complete AQA Unit Awards in vocational options that they make.

All of our students in Key Stage 4 & 5 with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties complete AQA Unit Awards accreditation in ‘Preparation for Leisure’ which aims to develop student’s skills and give them experiences of leisure activities which is much more appropriate than formal careers accreditation.

Enterprise

All students in Key Stage 4 & 5 take part in weekly, mixed lessons which focus on short enterprise projects. These are then sold by students in various ways around school which develops a variety of skills in retail.

Some of our students in Key Stage 4 & 5 contribute to the ‘Victoria Café’. Some students help to prepare food items during the week – helping to develop cookery skills and knowledge of health and safety. The food items are then sold to students, staff and visitors at a café run by students, who undertake various roles in the catering sector.

Independent Careers & Transition Advisor

We work with Dave Hooley (independent careers consultant) who attends all EHCP reviews from year 9 onwards, writes career pathway reports and advises the school and families on anything related to careers or transitions.

Enterprise Coordinator

Our EC from the Birmingham Careers Hub is Eudene Griffith. We have been working together since February 2022. Eudene supports us with achieving our Gatsby Benchmarks and any other careers-related activities.