Careers at Garstang Community Academy
Information updated: July 2022
Review of page due: July 2023
Careers Lead: Sarah Procter | sprocter@garstang.fcat.org.uk | 01995 603226
Careers Adviser: Paula Askew | paskew@garstang.fcat.org.uk | 01995 603226
Encounters with employers, employees and experiences of workplaces are most effective when aligned with the interests of students in order to prepare them for the world of work and the skills they will need. Your company, staff and guidance have an essential part to play in helping our pupils’ transition to life beyond school and developing their understanding of the wealth of working opportunities their future could hold. If you or your company could help, even with just an hour of your time, please contact our Careers Leader
All students receive the following three strands of careers education and guidance:
1 The Wider curriculum aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and experiences necessary to succeed in the world of work through range of activities related to economic well-being
2 General careers advice and specific guidance on progression routes is provided by the school’s independent Careers Adviser Paula Askew
Information, advice and guidance – the role of the careers adviser
Paula Askew is an independent careers adviser who works in Garstang Community Academy three days a week. Students in Years 10 and 11 will be automatically booked in for 1:1 appointments where they will have the opportunity to explore their career aspirations. Paula will help students to identify the courses that will support their career pathways and highlight relevant colleges, sixth forms and training. Students can also request an interview by speaking to Ms Procter or their form teacher. All students will receive a clear action plan outlining the key points discussed and any actions to be taken.
Paula will:
- Deliver bespoke careers advice and guidance on an individual basis
- Provide a clear action plan
- Advise and guide students about the opportunities available after year 11
- Support students to complete application forms
- Promote apprenticeship pathways and support students to search and apply for vacancies
- Explore university pathways
- Provide information about the Labour Market (LMI)
3 Excellent links exist with the community and local businesses. Local colleges, sixth forms, training providers and employers are regularly invited into school to offer advice and guidance on progression routes
Our local colleges, sixth forms and training providers are regular visitors to the school and offer our students guidance on their courses and pathways.
Our employer visitors are arranged based on student demand, if students are interested in a particular career or employer we do our best to invite an appropriate representative in. Please ask Paula if there is a particular career representative you would like us to invite into school.
Year 10 Mock Interviews All year 10 students receive a mock interview with a local employer.
Year 10 College Taster Days In year 10 students have the opportunity to participate in a range of college taster activities both in school and in college. This academic year our students have visited Preston College, Cardinal Newman and Blackpool Sixth. Lancaster & Morecambe College came into school to deliver tasters in catering and animal care.
Careers Convention in November the school holds its yearly careers convention. Students in years 10 and 11 attend this event throughout the school day.
THE GCA Careers Programme
The school has mapped out the CEIAG provision in line with the recommended Career Development Institute framework.
The careers programme is differentiated to ensure progression (although there is a clearer focus at key transitional points.) This is achieved by giving each year group a particular focus and drive.
Year 7 and 8 Focus
Enterprise/Economic Understanding delivery within the PSHE curriculum
Business Enterprise project with the NHS
Options evening year 8
Step into the NHS
Introduction to online careers tools – KUDOS/Start profile
Careers convention (November)
Open access to careers library
Year 8 careers lessons will include:
- How can CEG help me?
- What type of learner are you?
- Personal qualities
- Achievements
- Interests/skills
- Kudos / Start profile
- Target setting/action planning
- Useful websites
Year 9 Focus
Careers Convention
Business Enterprise Project with Employer – this year Learn to Earn with Young Enterprise
Open access to careers library
Year 9 careers lessons will include:
- How to write a personal statement
- Introduction to colleges and sixth forms
- Introduction to apprenticeships
- Challenging stereotypes
Year 10 Focus
Careers Convention
Personal Development Day
College Taster Day (summer term)
Work experience for those students studying Childcare
1:1 careers interviews with independent careers adviser
Open access to careers library
Mock Interviews
Year 10 careers lessons will include:
- Personal statement update
- Careers research using Labour Market Information (LMI)
- Kudos
- Colleges and sixth forms – where to go what to do?
- A Levels, BTEC’s and T levels – what’s the difference?
- Employability skills – what employers are looking for?
- Apprenticeships
- CV writing
- Careers websites
Year 11 Focus
Careers Convention
Personal Development Day
Open access to careers library
Subject specific master classes delivered by local colleges
College/sixth form full year assemblies and bespoke group sessions (a list of providers and dates can be found in separate document on the careers page)
Year 11 careers lessons will include:
- Updating Personal Statements
- Update CV’s
- How to complete an application form
- Interview techniques
- Action plan for destination
Lunch time drop-ins
Employer information sessions
Apprenticeship information sessions (ASK Apprenticeships)
Throughout the five year CEIAG programme students will also be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including:
- subject specific information from staff and curriculum areas
- group work and individual interviews when choosing options and making decisions about post 16 choices
- information and research activities in the library / ICT suites e.g. Using Various online portals
- work-related learning – opportunities promoted to relevant student groups
- taking part in aspirational career experiences
- participating in careers events
- Listening to presentations from Curriculum staff (Year 8 Options) and Post 16 providers (Year 11)
- taking parts in college visits
- completing one to one CEIAG sessions with the Careers Advisor