The Mission statement:

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1 THE ROCHESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL CAREERS EDUCATION AND GUIDANCE POLICY January 2009 The Mission statement: Furthering Excellence through Support, Encouragement and Achievement. This will be evident because: o Students will support each other and be motivated to learn and to achieve. o Staff will provide the learning environment, the support and the personal challenge through which each student can excel. o Parents will support the school ethos and fully contribute to the life of the school. o Governors will be critical champions of the school. 1

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3 1. INTRODUCTION Rationale for Careers Education and Guidance (CEG) A young person s career is their pathway through learning and work. All young people need a planned programme of activities to help them make choices that are right for them and to be able to manage their careers throughout their lives. Schools have a statutory duty to provide careers education in Years 7-11 (1997 Education Act, 2003 Education Regulations) and to give students access to careers information and guidance. Commitment Rochester Grammar School (RGS) is committed to providing a planned programme of careers education for all students in Years 7-13 and information, advice and guidance in partnership with Connexions Kent & Medway. RGS endeavours to follow the National Framework for CEG in England (DfES, 2001) and other relevant guidance from the DfES, QCA and Ofsted. RGS has achieved the Investors in Careers Award for CEG. This award reflects our commitment to the continued enhancement of provision. Links with other policies, initiatives & curriculum The CEG policy specifically complements the Work Related Learning, and Equal Opportunities policies and the Furthering Excellence Entitlement document (Every Child Matters). It is also underpinned by the Policy for Learning Support and the School Improvement Plan. This policy also recognises the links between Careers Education and Guidance and Community Cohesion, Habits of Excellence, RGS Learner Profile, Economic Wellbeing and Financial Capability and Enterprise. The whole school remit of careers is recognised and the curriculum is developed so that links to careers information is made wherever possible. 2. VISION STATEMENT RGS is committed to empowering all learners to become active and enterprising citizens in society and to achieve fulfilment in their future working lives. In line with the school s Mission Statement careers education and guidance will support, encourage, and promote achievement. Through careers education we aim to raise aspirations and expectations, develop employability skills, challenge stereotypes, support lifelong learning and encourage students to consider a wide range of careers. 3. AIMS & OBJECTIVES RGS recognises that, for many students, career planning is a lengthy process often involving changes and for some students the main career decisions will be made during their time in Higher Education. As such, the careers education programme intends to develop essential career management skills which students can draw on at each stage in their future career planning. The three main areas of careers learning identified in the National Framework (self development, career exploration and career management), form themes throughout careers education from years

4 Self Development: Students will gain the skills of self-awareness and knowledge of their own strengths, weaknesses and the influences upon them, enabling them to review achievements and identify and make plans for continuous personal development. Career Exploration: Students will gain essential independent research skills enabling them to fully investigate opportunities in learning and work so that they make effective use of information, advice and guidance leading to informed decisions and the ability to manage transitions throughout life. Career Management: Students will learn how to make and adjust plans, to respond to changing opportunities and manage transitions. The careers curriculum programme will change annually to adapt to the needs of students, education programmes or institutions and industry. The current programme can be obtained from the Careers & Enterprise Manager. 4. MEETING THE OBJECTIVES ENTITLEMENT Students are entitled to careers education and guidance that meets professional standards of practice and is person-centred, without prejudice or discrimination and complies with the Every Child Matters agenda. The programme will promote equality of opportunity and inclusion. It is differentiated and personalised to ensure progression through activities that are appropriate to each student s stage of career learning, planning and development. PROVISION Careers education is taught through discrete lessons within the Citizenship/Extended Learning (Exel) programme. The programme is delivered by a team of in-house Careers Teachers, the Connexions Personal Adviser(s) and the Careers & Enterprise Manager. Careers education in Year is delivered via the Pastoral Programme with support from the Careers & Enterprise Manager. At times of decision making and transition (currently Years 8 and 11) careers education is further enhanced by integrated lessons in ICT where students will learn how to use Computer Aided Guidance software and web based careers resources. All students have access to personal one-to-one guidance upon request. Priority is given to those making decisions or needing additional support. The full list of provision is available in Appendix A. Additionally, there is a whole school approach and all staff will contribute to careers education and guidance through their roles as tutors and subject teachers. Individual curriculum areas and staff contribute by: inviting industry speakers in, directly referring to related careers and the usefulness of their subject in the world of work, conducting an annual audit of careers related activities within their own curriculum, maintaining contextual careers displays which are regularly updated to take account of trends and changes within industry and the world of work. RGS makes full use of its allocation for external careers advice from Connexions Personal Advisers. RESOURCES Funding is allocated in the school s annual budget and the Careers & Enterprise Manager is accountable for the effective deployment of resources. Connexions Medway offer the 4

5 opportunity to gain additional funding on an annual basis. To qualify for funding resources must be accessible, up to date, well maintained, impartial and appropriate. The School has excellent careers resources available to all students and also subscribes to computer aided careers-matching guidance and information packages. The Careers & Enterprise Manager operates an open door policy and has an office which is known to the students and is suitable for confidential interviews. Connexions PA s also have access to a confidential interview room. Details of when Connexions are in school can be found on the interview room door. All students have access to Careers Resources, which are centrally stored within the school. Library Monitors assist in updating the resources. PARENTS & CARERS RGS recognises and highly values the key role that parents and carers play in their children s career choices and welcome them in accompanying their daughters/sons to interviews. In Year 11 parents are notified of their daughter s career interview appointment and invited to attend. Parents are also encouraged to take part in the careers programme by becoming a guest speaker, mock interviewer or simply by providing feedback. 5. LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT The Careers & Enterprise Manager leads and co-ordinates the careers programme and is also the designated Connexions Manager. The Careers & Enterprise Manager is accountable for the quality of careers education, IAG and enterprise learning and is responsible to the Assistant Head Teacher (KS5). This area is supported by the Link Governor for careers, who will assist in the monitoring of provision and provide feedback to the Governing body. ASSESSMENT Learning will be assessed by various means including: Exel Folder, Miniconomy Diary, Work Shadowing Diary, student self assessment logs, achievement of Plus Certificate (accredited by OCN), student interviews and curriculum monitoring by SLT. PARTNERSHIPS An annual Partnership Agreement is negotiated between the school and Connexions Kent & Medway which identifies the contributions to the programme that each will make. Other links exist with Medway Council, Aimhigher, Medway Enterprise Business Partnership, local universities and other Medway Schools careers personnel. Additional links have and continue to be developed with local businesses and organisations. STAFF DEVELOPMENT Staff training needs are identified as part of the Partnership Agreement process with Connexions Medway and in conjunction with the school inset co-ordinator. Funding is accessed through Connexions Medway and from school funds. The school provides a number of opportunities for staff to undertake relevant and appropriate professional development to support the teaching of careers education including: In-house INSET provision External INSET, where appropriate 5

6 MONITORING, REVIEW AND EVALUATION The careers programme is planned, monitored and evaluated regularly by the Careers & Enterprise Manager & Assistant Headteacher (KS5 ) using the Quality Standards for CEG and the Investors in Careers Framework. Monitoring and review includes the following: An annual review of provision and report to the Senior Leadership Team and governors Monitoring quality of provision through classroom observations, student interviews and evaluation forms. Liaison with link Governor Curriculum Council meetings Information updates via bulletins and /or training to staff Maintaining a portfolio of industry links Seeking students opinions via the Student Careers Forum. Student surveys. Termly reviewing of Partnership Agreements with Connexions Medway. 6. APPROVALS This policy will be reviewed every three years through discussions with teaching staff; the school s Connexions personal adviser(s), students and governors. Signatures: Headteacher and Chair of Governors Date of approval by Governors: Date of next annual review: January 2012 Date of this briefing: January

7 APPENDIX A Careers activities (includes overlap with WRL & Enterprise) ALL YEAR GROUPS: The opportunity to request an individual careers interview with the Careers & Enterprise Manager or a Connexions PA. Access to lunchtime/after school careers seminars. The opportunity to speak with the Careers & Enterprise Manager and/or the Connexions PA at selected parents evening, options evening or 6 th form open evening. YEARS 7 11: A minimum of 5 dedicated careers lessons per year. At transition time a joint careers and ICT lesson. YEAR GROUP ACTIVITES: Careers project as part of the visit to Cornwall (Y8). One day work shadowing with parents, followed by an enterprise day (Y9). Miniconomy - 2 day enterprise project (Y10). Skills Day (KS4). A guaranteed individual careers interview with personalised planning and a written record of discussion (Y11). 2 days work shadowing (Y12). Visit to a university. (Y12). Higher Education Information evening (including speakers from universities) (Y12). Higher Education preparation events (including speakers) (KS5). Information about summer schools, open days, gap years, conference on preparing for university testing and subject-specific university seminars (KS5). Access to Personal Statement Clinics (KS5). Interview workshops and mock university interviews (KS5) Tracking and support for those looking for work/training, gap years or alternatives to university. (Yr11-13). One-to-one support with university and work applications (KS5). Extensive support in choosing & applying to university via the tutorial programme. Other opportunities hosted by external bodies i.e. universities, Connexions Kent and Medway, industry bodies are made available to relevant students as and when appropriate. 7