Gatsby Benchmark

Churchward School Aim

Provision at Churchward School 

1. A stable careers programme

Every school and college should have an embedded programme of career education and guidance that is known and understood by students, parents, teachers, governors and employers.

We aim to deliver a complete careers programme that helps our students to achieve positive outcomes.

Our careers programme is overseen by the Careers Lead and is monitored and supported by the senior leadership team and the board of governors. The programme is regularly evaluated by all stakeholders.

At Churchward School the careers programme is delivered through a combination of classbased activities including PSHCE lessons from Year 7 to Year 14 and weekly careers sessions for KS4 students. Students’ have opportunities to access a variety of employers for example through work experience, and from Year 9 they have access to independent careers advice.

2. Learning from career and labour market information

Every student, and their parents, should have access to good quality information about future study options and labour market opportunities. They will need the support of an informed adviser to make best use of available information. 

We aim to provide all students and their parents/carers with information needed to access local career and labour markets, in line with their needs.

All students at Churchward School have had the opportunity to access career paths and the labour market to inform their decisions on study options.  This is through our comprehensive PSHCE curriculum – with PSHCE being one of our three core subjects at Churchward School believes that PSHCE, in conjunction with strong basic skills in English and maths are the key elements to our students’ success, as well as through a comprehensive careers programme including visiting speakers, visits to careers fairs, visits to further education providers and research using student tools such as ‘Careers Pilot’ and Talentino.

The EHCP for each learner is revised every year. By the end of Year 9 all students have received careers advice and guidance to support them with their decision making, and also have their own Personalised Progression Pathway (PPP) based on their own aspirations and goals.  

 Invites to appropriate local events like careers fairs and preparation for adulthood roadshows are shared with families and they are encouraged to attend.  Parents/carers also receive copies of their careers action plans so they know what has been discussed and so they can support their children. 

The school website also includes links to local labour market information (LMI) websites which help provide further details to support the interactions with the independent Level 6 IAG careers advisor.

3. Addressing the needs of each student

Students have different career guidance needs at different stages. Opportunities for advice and support need to be tailored to the needs of each student. A school’s careers programme should embed equality and diversity considerations throughout. 

We aim to provide tailored careers advice and support to each student to help them fulfil their full potential.

All students have access to appropriate careers advice and careers action plans as a result – both with our internal Level 3 careers advisor which is often a good starting point for our students; working with a familiar adult, as they develop in confidence discussing and asking questions about their interests, aspirations and career ideas, as well as our Level 6 IAG careers advisor.  These action plans are shared with parents/carers. Access to all key elements of careers education is recorded on our careers spreadsheet and details personalised to the student recorded in the action plans and their Personalised Progression Pathways (PPPs) updated which are stored in students’ careers folders.

Churchward School has a full careers programme which aims to raise aspirations Visits to further education settings and employer visits are integral to this work. 

 We have a Key Stage 3 and a Key Stage 4/5 nurture group who also access differentiated careers teaching and resources through the Talentino programme. 

4. Linking curriculum learning to careers

All teachers should link curriculum learning with careers.

We aim to provide a curriculum that references the world outside the classroom and support in the development of specific skills.

Across the school all students are provided with opportunities across the curriculum to learn about how they can utilise their knowledge and skills in each subject in a variety of different careers in their futures.  In each subject there is a real functional focus, so students understand the subject’s relevance to their future learning and possible career choices.  This is then built upon through our qualifications offer booklet that students receive in Year 9 which helps them make links between the choices they can make and the potential careers within that field.

5. Encounters with employers and employees

Every student should have multiple opportunities to learn from employers about work, employment and the skills that are valued in the workplace. This can be through a range of enrichment activities including visiting speakers, mentoring and enterprise schemes.

 We aim to provide students with the opportunities to meet voluntary workers, employers or employees so students are able to understand their roles in the workplace and how they might fit within an organisation in the future.

Churchward School has strong community links with employers. This is through both work experience providers and visiting speakers.  Last year many students from Year 7 upwards also benefitted from a lottery funded project working directly with and listening to talks from those in careers such as archaeologists and climate scientists.  We have links with further education providers and employers such as Hartpury College and Cirencester College. A local employer, Intel, also provides students taster sessions in further education, provide support, for example in CV writing and interview skills, through both workshops and mentoring. This is in addition to attendance at local careers fairs.

6. Experiences of workplaces

Every student should have first-hand experiences of the workplace through work visits, work shadowing and/or work experience to help their exploration of career opportunities, and expand their networks.

We aim to provide high quality, meaningful work experience opportunities for students in KS4 and 5.

Churchward School prides itself on its extended work experience placements tailormade to students’ interests and aspirations. Placements include animal sanctuaries, funeral directors, horse riding stables, sports partnerships and our local Parish Council.

By the end of Key stage 4 and 5 all students will have had an opportunity to engage in work experience or a work encounter. 

7. Encounters with further and higher education

All students should understand the full range of learning opportunities that are available to them. This includes both academic and vocational routes and learning in schools, colleges, universities and in the workplace. 

We aim to provide students with the opportunity to experience a range of options that are appropriate for their progression.

Partnerships with local colleges, and those in the surrounding area, organisations such as Ask Apprenticeships and employers and organisations Churchward School works with supports encounters with further education in Key Stages 4 and 5. Next steps are offering these experiences further down the school and making links with higher education where appropriate for students – both as inspiration in their studies and for their futures.

8. Personal guidance 

Every student should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a career adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level. These should be available whenever significant study or career choices are being made. 

We aim for all students to have a 1:1 career’s appointment as they progress through KS4 and KS5.

Last year every student from Year 9 upwards had been given the opportunity to meet with a careers advisor and receive a careers action plan. Where students have been in a position to talk to an external provider, they also received at least one session of IAG. All students will be offered IAG annually from Year 9 upwards.