Careers and work related opportunities

At Copleston our aim is for all students to make informed decisions about their subject choices and future pathways. We know that students are more engaged in education and highly motivated about their future when they have a clear understanding of themselves and how they might live and work when they leave school.

All schools have a statutory duty to provide students with independent and impartial careers guidance.  At Copleston we have provided a fantastic and broad programme of events that can be viewed below. Please note that these are provisional and some dates/events are subject to change throughout the year. 

Our KS3 provision inspires students about new opportunities they might not have known about or thought they could not achieve. As students move to KS4 they will understand their own knowledge and skills and how they can be used in the workplace; so that by KS5 they understand how to progress in to higher education or work, whatever their age, ability or background. The aim is that our students improve their well-being through doing a job they are good at and enjoy.

At all stages, students are supported with making informed decisions about their subject choices and pathways. Each year group will take part in a virtual careers morning, broadening and raising aspirations, through exposure to a wide array of employers. 

The following information will help students to understand their options and the different paths to work, helping them get from where they are to where they want to go.

For all IAG-related support or enquiries, please contact: pwalker@copleston.suffolk.sch.uk

We are guided by DfE statutory guidance and the eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance (from; Link to Gatsby Benchmarks)

1. A stable careers programme

2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each pupil

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

5. Encounters with employers and employees

6. Experiences of workplaces

7. Encounters with further and higher education

8. Personal guidance

We meet the Gatsby Benchmarks by providing a comprehensive programme of careers activities throughout KS3, KS4 and KS5.  Special consideration is given to the points of transition, for example where our students are choosing options for the next stage of their education.  All students are able to self-refer to Mrs Ladbrook for personal guidance, Mrs Ladbrook is keen to work with parents and carers to support them in supporting their child into the best pathways for them.

Entitlement

Students are entitled to careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) that is impartial and confidential. It will be integrated into their experience of the whole curriculum, based on a partnership with students and their parents or carers. The programme will promote equality of opportunity, diversity and inclusion, in the best interests of the students to whom it is given.

Specifically, students at Copleston High School are entitled to receive:

• Clear information, advice and guidance about all options available
• Help to decide what to do when they finish their course/education, including further learning, training or employment
• A programme of CEIAG which helps them to develop skills and knowledge to make choices and the transition to work and learning
• The opportunity to be involved in making decisions about things that affect their learning
• An opportunity to learn about the world of work

Detailed areas of careers education, information, advice and guidance include:

Key stage 3

• Researching future possible careers

• Researching careers – subjects, qualifications, skills and training needed for different careers.

• Future possible careers linked to different options/pathways choices (see below).

• Options/pathways choices

• Individual interviews for students regarding option choices.

• Parents information evenings on options/pathways choices.

• Departmental presentations on subject choices

• PSHE sessions including self-awareness of skills and qualities

Key stage 4

• In key stage 4, IAG concentrates on:
  • Researching future possible careers (year 10)
  • Work experience (year 10)
  • Preparation for work experience including:
• Researching possible areas of interest
• Researching possible placements
• Applying for placements
• Expectations of work experience – students and employers
• Two week work placement including completion of diary
• Follow-up to work experience including review of what has been learnt

Post 16 options (year 10 and 11)

Information/advice on all options:

• Sixth form

• FE college

• Apprenticeships

• Other types of employment

• Training programmes

This includes visits to, or by, FE colleges and employers where appropriate as well as individual interviews regarding post 16 options.

Key stage 5

In key stage 5, IAG concentrates on:

• Work experience, volunteering or internships

• Help with finding work placements

Researching Post 18 Options including:

• Apprenticeships
• Higher Education
• Further Education
• Employment

Applying for Higher Education

• Researching possible courses and institutions

• Visiting HE institutions

• Conferences and Summer/Easter schools

• Application process – the UCAS system

• Mock interviews if required

• Financing HE

• Preparing for student life

Job applications

• Sources of job information and vacancies

• Help with application letters, application forms, CV’s etc.

• Interview techniques