Careers Programme

Contact Information

Careers Manager - Sarah Brown
sbrown@forgevalley.sheffield.sch.uk
Tel: 0114 234 8805 ext 2614

You can find out more about the post 16 options for Y10 and Y11 students in the presentation below.

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

Start to develop an awareness of a wide range of careers and pathways.
Broaden their horizons by participating in activities involving local employers, post 16 providers and universities.
Participate in ‘What’s My Line’ interviewing employees to identify their jobs, dispelling stereotypes and widening horizons to careers they may not have considered.
To develop confidence and have expectations of themselves and for their futures.
Have the opportunity to participate in the Big Challenge enterprise competition.

Year 8 - Careers and the Wider World

Develop financial confidence by studying the functions and uses of money, the importance and practice of budgeting and managing risk.
Participate in a breaking stereotypes employer session finding out about their occupations, dispelling stereotypes and widening horizons to careers they may not have considered.
Learn more about university as a potential career route working with HEPP (Higher Education Progression Partnership).
Learn more about technical education and apprenticeship routes.
Have the opportunity to participate in the Big Challenge enterprise competition.

Year 9 - Routes to Success

Participate in a range of dedicated personal development lessons on making the right choices, covering labour market information, the GCSE options process, how school subjects relate to careers and opportunities and green careers.
Learn more about the full range of options post 16 through attending the post 16 fair with a range of providers.
Access to a qualified and impartial 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

Learn about rights and responsibilities in the workplace and society.
Learn about and 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.
Find out about entrepreneurialism and self-employment.
Explore labour market trends and learn more about the different post 16 pathways available following GCSEs.
Information for parents provided on post 16 options available.
Learn more about technical education and apprenticeship routes.
Have the opportunity to participate in a work experience placement for one week.

Year 11 - Future Pathway

Receive a range of support to make educated, realistic and aspirational choices for their post 16 pathway. This will include a careers focussed drop down day 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.
Develop an understanding of personal finance, including the link between money, career and wellbeing.

Year 12

Participate in work experience placement for one week either with an external provider or a blended programme working for an employer in a team in school.
Participate in a visit to a university outside of Sheffield.
Learn about work / life balance and wellbeing strategies.
Have the option to attend the careers fair to talk to training providers and employers.
Have the option to attend the Be Inspired apprenticeship fair.
Access to a qualified and impartial careers adviser.

Year 13

Have the option to attend the careers fair to talk to training providers and employers.
Have the option to attend the Be Inspired apprenticeship fair.
Complete a personal finance study programme including financial planning, managing finances, savings, contracts, risk and online information.
Access to a qualified and impartial careers adviser, including application support.

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