Staff fully support pupils and discuss Careers Education, Information, Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) by delivering relevant lessons which embed inspiration and aspiration, not just advice. This includes broadening pupils’ horizons and challenging stereotypical thinking about the kind of careers to which individuals might aspire. They use appropriate methods to do this which might include group work, one-to-one teaching, coaching or mentoring methods. Raising the aspirations of our pupils is a key value we all hold at Kingsweston, ensuring the information we provide is current and relevant.

Teachers identify the interests, strengths and motivations of pupils and use these as the basis for planning support. We use terminology such as ‘Our Next Steps’, ‘My Next Steps’ and ‘What’s next?’ which are more appropriate and inclusive to our pupil’s needs. These will typically be referenced within each pupil’s Education, Health and Care Plan.

We plan a curriculum that has individual pathways running throughout, ensuring a range of interventions to provide CEIAG, building on knowledge taught at each stage. CEIAG is able to be delivered cross-curricular discretely throughout the academic year, which can be both naturally occurring and planned for. In addition, during the summer term, CEIAG is a timetabled subject, one session per week, for those in Key Stages 3, 4 and 5. Our CEIAG Scheme draws upon the CDI Careers Education Framework KS2, KS3, KS4 and Post 16 with links made to our PHSE work. Our scheme allows us to track progress of our students during their time at Kingsweston whilst being flexible enough to meet all of our student’s needs. We plan a range of enrichment experiences including work experience, enterprise activities, careers fairs, assemblies, work place visits and talks. These vary significantly in nature across the school, reflecting the diversity of our pupil population.

Some of the education areas covered include;

• Curriculum Vitae (CVs)
• Covering Letters
• Interviews techniques
• Job searches
• Making telephone calls for information and advice
• Appropriate clothing for different work contexts
• Volunteering and Work Experience
• Online portals
• Career talks
• Role expectations
• Work related skills and knowledge
• Open days/experiences

National Careers Week

We participate annually in National Careers Week to inform and raise aspirations amongst our pupils. This is a great opportunity for them to focus on their future whilst engaging with a range of organisations and training providers.

Vocational learning and enterprise

To support vocational learning and enterprise, pupils in Post 16 at the Napier Miles site have created their own company. At Kingsweston we are committed to high quality and meaningful work related learning and work experience which is paramount for our students to develop the necessary skills, knowledge and experience they can transfer to life and the world of work.

What do we do?

• Take orders from customers
• Place orders for resources and stock.
• Design and print gifts, cards and crafts.
• Personalise the gifts with the customers own design or photograph.
• Invoice and take payment for the products.

Pupils hold special sales for staff and visitors and have a stall at school events. We also have a selection of our products on display.

Community involvement and events

Students in Post 16 at the Napier Miles site are involved in charity events to develop a range of skills, knowledge and experience which is transferrable to the world of work, including team work. We develop links to cross-curricular activities.

Work Experience

Work experience is an important part of our study programme. Work-related learning is embedded within the curriculum. Cross-curricular activities and vocational learning include outdoor learning and food technology which provide an opportunity for our pupils to see products grow to sell. For example, pupils grow fruits and vegetables from seed, make jams and chutneys, make the packaging and then sell these items alongside a range of other products they design and print. This provides pupils with the opportunity to better understand the world of work and relate functional skills such as English and maths to a real life context. Gaining these workplace skills, such as communicating with a variety of different people, team work and independence, in turn, increases pupils’ confidence.

Work Experience at School

Pupils in Napier Miles Post 16 also undertake work experience throughout the school during the summer term. Roles include Catering Assistant, Caretaking Assistant, Administration Assistant, and Classroom Assistant. Pupils are provided with a work badge and uniform to differentiate between being a pupil and being at work. Some of our pupils apply and are interviewed before gaining the position to enhance their employability skills.

Work Experience in a class base

Pupils in Post 16 may also undertake work experience in their classroom base. Roles include;

• Admin Assistant – Each morning collect all the home-school books in, ring reception to let them know who is in and update the classroom date and visual timetable. At the end of each day give out home-school books, take down classroom date and visual timetable.
• Classroom Assistant – In the morning organise the classroom tables and put all the chairs out. At the end of each day stack chairs, wipe down the tables and whiteboard, turn off the computers and ensure mouse, mouse mats and keyboards are put away tidily.
• Catering Assistant – At snack time decide the snack options to be offered and put the symbol on the display, set the table, take snack and drink requests, prepare food and drinks and serve everyone.
• Kitchen Assistant – After snack time clear and clean the table, wash and dry the dishes, clean and tidy the kitchen. Put any leftover food and drinks away.

Work Experience in the local community

Pupils who have developed their employability skills undertake a real-life supported work experience placement within the local community. This allows pupils to enhance the skills developed within the school environment and move them further forward to becoming work ready; achieving paid employment, apprenticeships and internships. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their work experience and keep a learning log.

College and university visits

Pupils experience a college setting as a part of their transition which prepares them for life after school, whilst developing new skills, knowledge and experience being in a new setting.

Enterprise Advisor Network

We work in partnership with The Careers & Enterprise Company to provide Enterprise Coordinators. They are trained to work with school leadership teams to build careers and employer engagement plans, helping to make links and unlock relationships with other local businesses.