Careers Advice

As a part of our ongoing commitment to improving the life chances for all of our pupils, we are determined to ensure that all pupils have access to high quality, frequent and meaningful careers experiences.

We believe in the transformative power of these interactions, to show pupils a world beyond the four walls of our school and ways that they can make strong links between their in-school learning and the future career options open to them.

Sandwich Technology School measures it’s Careers delivery against the nationally recognised Gatsby Benchmarks.  In the past academic year, the School hit all eight Gatsby benchmarks.

Sandwich Technology School works with Education Business Partnership (EBP) to provide external support to the school and pupils. Every pupil will have at least one meaningful encounter each academic year with employers, with our aim being that these encounters will inspire pupils and allow them to learn about what work is like, or what it takes to be successful in the workforce. In addition to this, the schools aim is for the majority of pupils to have encounters with further or higher education establishments. Pupils will have encounters with these organisations whilst in school, in addition to the access we provide to apprenticeships and universities.

From Year 7 through to Year 11 pupils are encouraged to actively develop knowledge and skills that contribute to their preparations for the world of employment across a range of subjects, tutor time and dedicated focus days.  Activities through our PSHE and PD programmes, as well as workshops and specialist speakers, support our provision for our pupils

Careers programme

Link here – confirm with TBA

We are also able to ensure that all pupils have access to independent Careers advice through our Careers Advisor, Mrs Rooke. She is available in school every week and offers confidential guidance and support to pupils about careers, education, training and job options, as well as other issues such as health, money, relationships, and housing.

Any pupil who would like a Careers interview should speak with their HOY who will arrange this for them.  Sandwich Technology School offers a general programme of group sessions for year 8 pupils on choosing GCSE options, individual interviews with actions plans for year 11 pupils, and attendance at parents’ evenings and options evenings to give advice for parents.

Mrs Rooke can work with your child to help prepare them for the future. There might be particular times when you need our help, for example when your son or daughter:

• is starting to think about their GCSE subject choices at Key Stage 3
• is considering their options after Year 11. We can offer them advice and guidance on staying on in full-time education, starting work, training, work-based learning or apprenticeships
• may be experiencing difficulties and they need extra support to get back on track
• needs advice on the benefits available to them to support their progression through education and training
• has a learning difficulty or disability and needs help with their next steps

Introduction
This policy statement sets out the school’s arrangements for managing the access of providers to pupils at the school for the purpose of giving them information about the provider’s education or training offer. This complies with the school’s legal obligations under Section 42B of the Education Act 1997.

Pupil Entitlement
All pupils in years 7-11 are entitled:

• to find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point;
   
• to hear from a range of local providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options events, assemblies and group discussions and taster events;
   
• to understand how to make applications for the full range of academic and technical courses.

Management of Provider Access Requests Procedure

A provider wishing to request access should contact
Mr T Baldwin: tbaldwin@sandwich-tech.kent.sch.uk

A number of events, integrated into the school careers programme, will offer providers an opportunity to come into school to speak to pupils and/or their parents/carers. All provider will be subject to safeguarding checks and procedures as per the Trust’s External Visitors Policy.

Please contact our SLT Careers Lead, Mr T Baldwin: tbaldwin@sandwich-tech.kent.sch.ukto identify the most suitable opportunity and to become involved with our programme.

The school will make the main hall, classrooms or private meeting rooms available for discussions between the provider and pupils, as appropriate to the activity. The school will also make available AV and other specialist equipment to support provider presentations. This will all be discussed and agreed in advance of the visit with the Careers Leader or a member of their team.

Providers are welcome to leave a copy of their prospectus or other relevant course literature at the Careers Resource Centres, which is managed by the Careers Coordinator and can be found in the Year 7-11 Learning Resource Centre. The Year 7-11 Learning Resource Centre is available to all pupils before school, at break and lunch times, and after school until 4.30pm