St Benedict’s Careers Programme

In each academic year, students in Years 7-13 take part in a variety of career-related learning, activities and events designed to develop their self-awareness, knowledge, skills, abilities and behaviours, and to build a robust foundation for their current and future career management. Students learn about all aspects of careers and employability through employer-led assemblies, a bi-monthly Tutor time World of Work series, careers lessons (within our PSHE and Citizenship curriculum), subject-related trips, an annual Careers Fair (Years 9-13), employer workshops and inspiring Careers Talks (see Careers Events). Our commitment is to deliver a programme that is aspirational, relevant, and up-to-date, and one that motivates our students, promotes equality of opportunity and maximises academic and personal achievement.

Our Careers programme aligns with the latest statutory guidance on careers provision in schools and is guided by the eight Gatsby Benchmarks, the nationally adopted standards for good careers guidance. It is reviewed and updated annually in response to changes in legislation, guidance from regulated careers organisations and stakeholder feedback. 
 

Careers programme overview

Careers education is a core part of the school curriculum for all students in Years 7-13 and sits within the PSHE and Citizenship programme. Careers education features in schemes of work for planned learning across all subjects and is designed to meet the following learning outcomes for students:

Development of:

• self-awareness
• self-determination
• self-improvement as a learner

Understanding Careers and the World of Work:

• exploring careers and career development
• investigating work and working life
• understanding business and industry
• investigating jobs and labour market information
• valuing equality of opportunity and diversity
• learning about safe working practices and environments

Development of career management and employability skills

• making the most of guidance and support
• preparing for employment
• showing initiative and enterprise
• developing personal financial capability
• identifying choices and opportunities
• planning and deciding
• handling applications and interviews
• managing changes and transitions
   

Each student has access to:

• a qualified specialist source of impartial CEIAG
  The Head of Careers/ Careers Advisor, Miss A Hahn, holds a Level 6 qualification in Career Guidance and Development and is a member of the Career Development Institute (CDI). Students meet Miss Hahn from the outset - Miss Hahn has a scheduled drop-in session in PSHE Careers lessons from Year 7 to tell students about the ongoing support available to them throughout their career journey with us. All students are encouraged to ask for information, advice, guidance and support in their exploration of pathways, options and roles of interest. 
   
• Careers IAG at key transition points:
  • post-14: students in Year 9 are encouraged to speak with the Head of Careers/ Careers Advisor about their GCSE choices and how these relate to future pathways of interest
     
  • post-16: all students in Year 11 have a scheduled one-hour meeting with the Head of Careers/ Careers Advisor to discuss their post-16 options. Additional meetings are offered where needed, including to complete applications. Further individual and family support is provided on GCSE Results Day for students who need to review or change their planned options
     
  • post-18: students in Years 12 and 13 are offered ad hoc and scheduled appointments with the Head of Careers/ Careers Advisor to discuss their options after A Levels. IAG is provided on pathways in employment, training and Higher Education, as well as Gap Years. Individual and family support is offered on A Level Results Day for students who need to review or change their planned options.
     
  • IAG from internal staff, alumni and alumni mentors, external visitors, and via career forums and websites including:
    • National Careers Service
    • Amazing Apprenticeships
    • Prospects | Job & Course Search | Career & University Advice
    • icanbea
    • www.thesource.me.uk

1:1 Careers appointments with our Head of Careers/Careers Advisor, Miss A Hahn, are available throughout the year for all students who wish to discuss, review and evaluate their career options.
 

Measuring the impact of St Benedict’s Catholic School Careers Programme

We use a variety of quantitative and qualitative measures to understand the impact of our CEIAG programme. These include: 

• a bi-annual Quality in Careers Standard (QICS) Assessment
• annual Destinations data at KS4 and KS5
• annual Future Skills Questionnaire (FSQ) for all students
• termly Compass+ Evaluation (% compliance with Gatsby Benchmarks)
• termly review of provision with CEC Enterprise Co-ordinator and Enterprise Advisor
• ongoing feedback from stakeholders.

We encourage feedback on our Careers provision from all stakeholders. 
Please do share your thoughts and suggestions about our Careers programme here.
 

If you would like more information about any aspect of our Careers programme, or have any comments or queries relating to Careers learning, please contact:

• Miss A Hahn, Head of Careers/Careers Advisor: ahahn@st-benedicts.suffolk.sch.uk/ Tel: 01284 753512
• Mr S Tatum, Deputy Headteacher/SLT Careers Lead: statum@st-benedicts.suffolk.sch.uk/Tel: 01284 753512