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Careers

 
Students in the Academy have the opportunity to use the Careers Education Information Advice & Guidance (CEIAG) provision within the school. This is delivered through PSHE lessons, assemblies, coaching time as well as specific Careers and Work Related Learning activities. The school has a dedicated Work Related Learning Coordinator and Careers Advisors who are responsible for such provisions across the year groups.

One to one guidance interviews are available at key transition times i.e. Post 16 choices.  Careers resources are consistently updated and developed to provide a quality careers area that is available to all students. 

The academy wants all young people to leave with an ambitious, achievable, career goal and the knowledge of how to get there.

Our young people have access to a wide range of opportunities over different year groups to learn about different careers and the employability skills required to get them. These include:

  • One-to-one interviews with a qualified careers advisor
  • Careers education in coaching time
  • Visits to universities and colleges
  • Work experience placements
  • Enterprise days
  • Employability workshops run by local employers
  • Help with letter writing, CV building and interview skills
  • Use of online software to self-assess future career interests and research pathways into chosen fields.
  • Talks from subject specialists
  • Information in lessons where relevant
  • Intervention mentoring programme for students struggling to find the correct path when they leave

The academy uses enrichment days (6 days, where the school timetable is suspended), coaching time and assembly time to deliver these.

The plan for each year group is below (Click the headings to expand):

St Mark's Careers Programme 

Year 7
  • Moon base Challenge run by Enabling Enterprise – Employability skills workshop
  • Teach First trip – Critical thinking, communication and speaking skills workshop.  Students also attend a series of taster lessons delivered by University students and learn more about Life at University 
  • Start – Online careers programme which enables students to create a profile and record their achievements and skills via an on-line Locker.  
Year 8
  • Enact Theatre - Drama based learning that provides information about the amazing range of jobs that are available within the NHS.
  • Careers day using Career Pilot – “It’s never too early to plan your Career!” students spend the day completing careers-based activities, they complete the 'Icould quiz' and look at the skills required for different jobs and their own skills. They also complete the Y8 Career Action Plan booklet
  • Start - Online careers programme which enables students to create a profile and record their achievements and skills via an on-line Locker.  
  • National Careers Week (NCW) – Students are given information around the subjects they study and Labour Market Information (LMI) through a series of engaging and stimulating lessons during tutor time
  • Assembly about Apprenticeships – Delivered by the Director of Apprenticeships in the South Thames Colleges
  • History of the Parliament Assembly – Delivered by the Parliament’s Outreach officer
Year 9
  • Life at University Assembly – Delivered by the Outreach Officer from the University of Westminster
  • Trip to CITY and Westminster Uni - Students have an enriching day learning about life at University, both social and academic aspects. Students are given a tour of both campuses including the opportunity to see a lecture theatre and seminar classrooms. Students can ask questions to the student ambassadors about their experiences at university and they also engage in various activities including a monthly budgeting task.
  • Careers Day - CV writing & Barclays Life skills workshop -Students are given the opportunity to learn more about Employability skills and what makes one employable by participating in the engaging and interactive workshop run by Barclays.
  • Start - Online careers programme which enables students to create a profile and record their achievements and skills via an on-line Locker.  
  • National Careers Week - Related activities in Coaching Time
  • Creative Industries festival - Students with an interest in media, fashion design and IT have the opportunity to meet and interact with companies such as Apple and Google
Year 10
  • Life at University Assembly, Westminster University
  • Trip to Roehampton University and Kingston University - Students have an enriching day learning about life at University, both social and academic aspects. Students are given a tour of both campuses including the opportunity to see a lecture theatre and seminar classrooms. Students can ask questions to the student ambassadors about their experiences at university and they also engage in various activities including a monthly budgeting task.
  • Careers day –WEX CV writing - Students are given the opportunity to learn more about Employability skills and what makes one employable by participating in the engaging and interactive workshop run by Barclays.
  • Careers Interviews with our Careers Adviser every Tuesday
  • Trip to Unilever Workplace visit - A fantastic way to engage students with a local business and make real links to viable career pathways. Workplace Visits are half-day workshops, designed by Teach First, which focus on equipping students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to access careers at top employers.
  • Launch Assembly WEX programme - Students to find out more about how they can secure a placement and the application process.
Year 11
  • St Mark’s 6th form transition - Students have the opportunity to experience a number of lessons at A Level, meet the teachers and discuss their future Careers pathways.
  • Speed date: “Meet the employers” – Employers at all levels, from apprentices to CEOs, working in a huge range of roles talk to the students about their jobs in an interactive and engaging activity
  • Careers Interviews with our Careers Adviser every Tuesday
  • South Thames Colleges - Students visit one of the colleges to learn more about Apprenticeships and courses available to them.

Measuring & Assessing the Impact of our Careers Provision on Pupils
 

What do we assess? How do we measure and assess?
Careers Programme

Progress towards the Gatsby Benchmarks.

 

Students' view about topics such as the careers advice and guidance they receive at the academy, as well as the school leavers' programme.

 

Teachers' views on SMA careers programme.

 

Parents / carers and empoyers' views about SMA Careers programme.

Compass audit: yearly careers provision review.

 

 

TRENDENCE annual careers survey to students.

 

 

 

 

 

Qualitative data collected termly by Progress Leaders and the careers team.

 

Annual surveys to collect evaluative feedback from parents / carers and employers.

Careers Guidance

1-2-1 careers guidance interviews.

 

Number of pupils who are receiving 1-2-1 careers guidance interviews

 

Number of pupils with a Careers Action Plan tailored to their interests and motivations.

 

Follow up on the Action Plans (focus on vulnerable students).

Employer Engagements

Employer engagements that our pupils have access to throughout their school journey

 

Data collection on work experience opportunities (number and quality):

  • Follow-up with employers
  • Follow-up with students

Data collection on number of encounters with employers through curriculum enrichment (e.g. school visits, employers workshops)

Careers Enrichment Programme

 

Enrichment Days: careers events and initiatives

 

 

National Careers Week events and initiatives

Surveys to collect quantitative and qualitative feedback from students, teachers and other stakeholders.

 

START Survey on National Careers Week completed by students.

Leavers Destinations

 

Students’ destinations: post-16 education, further and higher education.

 

Destinations data collected by the Local Authority (Borough of Merton).

 

Intended destinations collected by teachers in Coaching Time.

 

Follow-up with students and parents.

 

Follow-up with Post-16, further and higher education institutions (sixth forms, colleges and universities).

 

Key Contacts

If you are a parent or a student that needs career advice and guidance, please contact the careers coordinator Ms Bowen: EBowen@stmarks.anthemtrust.uk or call 020 8648 6627.

If you are a parent concerned that your child will not continue with education, employment or training when they leave St Mark’s and would like to request intervention mentoring, please email Mrs Khan: Jkhan@stmarks.anthemtrust.uk 

If you are an employer or FE/sixth form college who would like to talk to our students, please contact Ms Bowen: EBowen@stmarks.anthemtrust.uk

Please click on the link at the bottom of the page to download our provider access policy.

Useful Websites & Resources

Resource Description
www.nationalcareersweek.com  Tips on looking for work experience 
www.careersworld.co.uk Tips about work experience   
www.apprenticeships.org.uk Information about all levels of apprenticeship including Higher Apprenticeships that include studying for a degree 
www.careersbox.co.uk Useful for exploring different careers
www.plotr.co.uk  User friendly careers quiz with lots of information about career sectors and job role
Get The Jump DfE website with guidance to work and study options
National Careers Service Government guidance on careers, courses and progression
Careers Paths A parents' guide to career paths
Target Careers Career, university and apprenticeship information and support

Other Useful Documents & Resources:

To discover more information to support you when leaving school, check out the following links: