The careers guidance and support at St Gregory’s Catholic School seeks to deliver on the 2018 Department for Education Careers Strategy.

We aim to ensure that: 

• all students understand the full range of opportunities available to them, to learn from employers about work and the skills that are valued in the workplace and to have first-hand experience of the workplace;
• all students get an excellent programme of advice and guidance that is delivered by individuals with the right skills and experience;
• all students get support tailored to their circumstances with access to face-to-face advice.
• all students get the information they need to understand the job and career opportunities available, and how their knowledge and skills can help them in considering suitable careers.

Who is there for you

Careers is led by Mrs S Eves-Dann. The careers programme consists of advice for students as well as employer engagement and support. Students are also supported in their career planning by Mrs Rachel Jury. Mrs Jury is an independent and impartial Career Development Professional employed by CXK Ltd (www.cxk.org).

We also receive support from the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC) as they provide networks linking schools and employers to enable students to get a real understanding of the working world. We are in the process of getting an Enterprise Advisor to support the school as part of the Enterprise Advisor Network (EAN) which is supported by KCC and CEC, bringing employers and schools together.

If you have any queries please contact Mrs Eves-Dann 

St Gregory’s Catholic School, Reynolds Lane, Tunbridge wells, Kent, TN4 9XL

Email:seves-dann@sgschool.org.uk

Tel: 01892 527444 extn:2138

The government has introduced the following mandatory guidance for schools under which are called the Gatsby benchmarks:

The eight Gatsby benchmarks of Good Career Guidance

1. A stable careers programme

2. Learning from career and labour market information

3. Addressing the needs of each student

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

The provision for you

KEY STAGE 3

Year 7 are introduced to careers through their involvement in the EDGE project that helps them to develop skills that are described as LORIC. These include Leadership, Organisation, Resilience, Initiative and Communication. They also have interaction with employers and an experience of work in the Christmas fair project in the first term.

Year 8 have the opportunity to visit the careers fair and also have specific individual visits from speakers. This year it included an author, as well as further interaction with employers as part of the PSHE.

Currently, support is focused on Year 9 students. When they choose their GCSE options they will have the opportunity to engage with the careers advisors as well as the teachers in the specific areas that may be of interest to them. Support is provided by Mrs Jury at the options evening and through our up and coming theme days.

In line with the Gatsby Benchmarks, we are looking to develop more workplace encounters for students across KS3, in particular linking to our STEM based activities.

YEAR 10

Support will be provided for Year 10 students choosing their next steps, through an initial Assembly in the summer term and then further advice will be available before continuing into Year 11.

Also, curriculum areas will be seeking to develop links between students’ studies and the world of work as we continue to develop our provision.

We also provide a drop in session for all years during tutor time on Wednesdays and all students are able to access Mrs Jury during these times.

YEAR 11

Each Year 11 student will be seen by Mrs Jury in a group interview for careers guidance. Following this, those students who need a little more help will be seen for a one to one interview.

Further information can be found here for both students and parents:

CXK Information for Year 11s.

Each student will complete an action plan in their appointment(s), detailing what they need to research and what they are initially considering for their Post-16 education or training. This will include information on when they need to make applications through the Area Prospectus:

www.kentchoices4u.com.

Another useful resource is https://www.cxk.org/resources/ .

Sixth Form

CXK careers advisors provide ongoing support to our Sixth Form students with regards to preparing for their next steps after their studies, whether apprenticeships, school leaver schemes, gap years and higher education (such as university and distance learning). This helps students to explore the options and pathways available, including where they may lead and the opportunities therein.

Work experience will be completed during this time to develop the skills that are valued by employers.

Students also have regular involvement with a range of employers who regularly meet with them in workshops to provide them with a taste of working life.

This year a group of students are also taking part in a prestigious law competition in London.

How the academy measures and assesses the impact of the careers programme on pupils.

The academy measures and assesses the impact of the careers programme on pupils by regular feedback about activities via virtual questioning of stakeholders. This in turn helps to assess the suitability of the programme leading to ongoing improvements.

We also use student voice to establish if we are meeting the students' needs.

All careers documents are reviewed yearly with the last review being May 2023.

The next review will be May 2024.