Careers Policy
A principal aim of education is to prepare young people for life beyond school. It is important therefore that students leave school aware of themselves as individuals aware of the opportunities available to them and able to make some decisions about their own life. / Knockavoe School and Resource Centre
Aims
We aim to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and encourage pupils to consider a wide range of careers. Through careers education and guidance it is hoped that pupils will be encouraged to make the most of their talents and to go on to jobs or courses which suit their needs and intelligence while developing employability skills.
In particular we intend our pupils to:
· develop a broad understanding of the world of work and an ability to respond to changing opportunities.
· develop independent research skills so that they can make good use of information and guidance
· develop and use their self-knowledge when thinking about and making choices
· develop the skills they need to review achievements, plan future actions, make decisions, present themselves well and cope with change and transition.
· Meet the needs of pupils with special educational needs while offering an experience of the world of work.
Extended Aims
Knowledge based
Pupils should:-
· have access to and be able to use a variety of careers information
· develop an awareness of opportunities at post 19
· know who can/will help them make decisions
· become aware of their entitlement to services and how to use them
Concept based
Pupils should:-
· be able to anticipate the differences between school, college and work
· understand the concept of equal opportunities in relation to gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic
group, ability/disability and occupational choice
· understand the difference between work and leisure and how these influence lifestyles
· understand the need to be proactive in making choices
Skills based
Pupils should:-
· develop the skills and confidence to make realistic and informed decisions about their futures for themselves in consultation with others
· review personal achievements and experiences
· be able to complete an application form and prepare Curriculum Vitae
· be given the opportunity to develop their full potential at school
· decide on post 16 choices along with others
· take part in Work Experience
· To be able to employ alternative communication strategies to ensure effective
communication takes place.
Personal Qualities
Pupils should:-
· become aware of their individual abilities, skills qualities, needs and values and explore how these might relate to different occupations
· develop a positive self-image and feel positive about their own employment prospects
Increase their level of self-confidence about employment in the hearing world
Provision
Careers includes both education and guidance. Careers education helps our pupils develop the knowledge and skills they need to make successful choices, manage transitions in learning and move into work. Through guidance pupils are able to use their knowledge and skills to make the decisions about learning and work that are right for them.
· Careers advisory service
· New Hop employability programme
· Solve Programme
· Workability
· Learning for life and work
· Young Enterprise
In addition we organise:
· A careers fair
· Transition meetings
· Weekly work experience for Year 12-15
· A Careers/Transition fair
Careers guidance takes place on a one to one basis and is one aspect of the school’s pastoral system. We are also well supported by our Careers Adviser (Paddy Doherty) who is in school on a monthly basis.
Rights Respecting School Level 2
As a Rights Respecting School we are keen to promote equal opportunities and try to use every opportunity to challenge stereotypes and to raise aspirations. In lessons teachers are asked to ensure that pupils work in mixed gender group. We are in the process of developing a range of interactive and attractive resources.
At special events such as the Careers fair we aim to give parents and pupils a view of young, successful career women and men. We intend to create strong links with the local community to help raise awareness of role-models.
Action Plan
Within the next year we hope to increase provisions and resources for careers. The main areas for development are:
· Annual audits for individual subjects
· Annual audits for specific year groups
· Careers corners within each classroom
· Careers noticeboard
· Qualifications linked with work experiences (SOLVE)
· Occupational Studies links
· ICT resources
§ Cascaid
§ CV builder
§ AZ careers
§ Skills workshop
Across the wider school platform we hope to promote careers education through:
Good quality, impartial careers education that:
1. empowers young people to plan and manage their own futures
2. responds to the needs of each learner
3. provides comprehensive information and advice
4. raises aspirations
5. actively promotes equality of opportunity and challenges stereotypes
6. helps young people to progress