Careers Programme
Contact Information
Careers Manager - Sarah Brown
sbrown@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk
Tel: 0114 234 8805 ext 2614
Introduction
Forge Valley’s ethos is based upon everyone striving to become the very best they can be. As a school we believe that ambition and endeavour help provide our pupils with the mind-set needed, not only to succeed academically, but also in adult life in an ever-changing modern world.
At Forge Valley school we are committed to providing a high-quality careers information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) that will support young people to understand the context of their education, provide relevant information and develop the skills they need to make realistic, aspirational and informed decisions about their future.
Career Entitlement
In line with the current statutory careers guidance and the Gatsby Benchmarks all Forge Valley School pupils will have access to a full programme of careers focussed activity and education tailored to suit their individual needs. This will include:
- Opportunities to meet with local employers through assemblies, class room sessions and small group activities
- Visits to work places and other relevant locations and events
- Access to a fully qualified and impartial careers adviser for 1 to 1 and group guidance
- Interactions with further and higher education providers through assemblies, a post 16 fair and visits.
- Transition support from Forge Valley School to an appropriate and relevant post 16 destination, including sixth forms colleges and apprenticeships. This may include group sessions, visits to post 16 providers, 1 to 1 guidance and application and interview support
- Careers information within the curriculum showing the relevance of academic learning to the world of work
- Access to high quality labour market information and online support tools including Start and UniFrog.
Year 7 - An Introduction to Careers
- Develop awareness of a wide range of careers and pathways. Year 7 pupils will use labour market information to learn about different types of jobs and salaries and the value and importance of all jobs in society
- Use guided reflection and psychometric testing to identify personal traits, strengths and skills as well as investigating their own personal interests and how these can link to future careers.
- Broaden their horizons by participating in activities involving local employers, post 16 providers and universities.
- To develop confidence and have expectations of themselves and for their futures.
Year 8 - Careers and the Wider World
- Develop financial confidence by studying a unit of work on Economic Well Being and Financial Capability.
- Participate in Money Charity sessions to learn key skills such as how to select and open a bank account, read a pay slip and how the issue of money and salary can impact future career choices.
- Study a unit of work on Democracy and learn of the impact that the Government has on the world of work.
- Participate in a 'What's My Line' event, interviewing business figures from across Sheffield to work out their occupations, dispelling stereotypes and widening horizons to careers they may not have considered.
- Learn more about university as a potential career route by taking part in an interactive workshop (SHUTube) run by Sheffield Hallam University.
Year 9 - Routes to Success
- Undertake an individual skills and qualities audit and learn more about the benefits and drawbacks of progressing onto University or moving straight into further training and work. This will include interactions with employers, apprentices and the Higher Education Progression Partnership (HEPP)
- Participate in a range of dedicated PHSE lessons covering the GCSE options process, looking at subjects that they are familiar with as well as those they may be new to and how these subjects can link to future careers.
- Access to a qualified careers adviser either individually or as part of small groups to work through the pros and cons of choosing different GCSE options.
- Experience the world of work by participating in a blended work experience activity, working in teams to tackle business challenges set by local employers both in school and in workplaces across Sheffield.
Year 10 - The World of Work
- Experience the process of job application and selection, producing a CV and participating in a mock interview with representatives from a wide range of Sheffield based employers.
- Learn more about the different post 16 pathways available following GCSEs as part of tutorial activities and at an optional online information event for both parents and pupils where post 16 providers will explain the different options available.
- Attend a dedicated Apprenticeship assembly to learn more about this post 16 route
- Participate in an interactive game show (SHUniversity Challenge) run by Sheffield Hallam University.
Year 11 - Future Pathway
- Receive a range of support to make educated, realistic and aspirational choices for their post 16 pathway. This will include 2 careers focussed drop down days dedicated to completing post 16 applications using the Sheffield Progress Website.
- Attend at least 1 personal careers guidance interview with a qualified and impartial careers adviser. Each pupil will then receive a personalised careers action plan that will be shared with parents and carers.
- Learn more about the range of post 16 options by attending a dedicated post 16 fair, attended by a range of post 16 providers from across Sheffield.
- Receive post 16 interview support including the option to visit post 16 providers were relevant.
- Have the option to attending additional relevant sessions dedicated to applying for apprenticeships. This will include the option to attend the ASK Be Inspired event where many local employers advertise apprenticeship vacancies for the coming year.
Provider statement
Forge Valley School welcomes post 14 and 16 providers to speak to our pupils at events planned through out the school year. To get involved please contact Sarah Brown, Careers manager on sbrown@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk