Careers

Our Careers programme is designed to help students plan and manage their future pathways. It supports them in making informed decisions by providing impartial and independent information about the range of options which are available to help students to achieve their ambitions. The guidance provided will also embrace diversity and challenge stereotyping by addressing the impact traditionally assigned roles can have on career aspirations. We have a duty to provide independent careers advice and guidance for students and so work with local Careers Company Learn to Work who provide us with an independent Careers Adviser who meets with students at specific points during their time here.

Careers Education is an integral part of our Personal Development Programme which is planned from Year 7-13. By helping students with decisions at crucial stages of their journey, informing them of their options, we aim to prepare them for their future whichever pathway they choose.

Our Careers Programme aims to encourage students to consider a broad range of options and opportunities which fit with their needs, skills, ambitions, interests and character.

Careers provision within the school and sixth form is mapped against the Gatsby Benchmarks 1-8. The programme is reviewed annually, and we assess the impact of the careers programme with feedback from students, teachers and employers so that we can continue to improve the quality of our careers provision.

Our Careers programme enables students to:

Receive advice, information and guidance which is impartial and unbiased.
Develop an understanding of the world of work.
Develop careers related skills and attributes through subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self presentation and adaptability.
Manage transition points in their lives such as GCSE and A-Level options as well as from school to university or work.
Raise their aspirations, broaden their horizons and challenge stereotyped thinking about what they and others can achieve within our society.
Engage in opportunities to meet with employers, higher education providers and others to provide opportunities to inspire students through real-life contact with the world of work.

Our students can expect their Careers programme throughout their time at the school to include:

A Unifrog account to support careers research and store individual careers information,
Careers related information shared internally on Teams and on the school website,
Accessing and being able to understand Labour Market Information by the age of 14,
Engaging in at least 2 meaningful encounters by the age of 16 with Sixth Form and Further Education providers,
Having at least one careers guidance interview during their time at the school and access to a qualified, independent Careers Adviser to provide guidance,
Engaging in meaningful encounters with employers and employees,
Engaging in meaningful work experience opportunities by the age of 18,
Engaging in visits to universities,
An invitation to join the school’s alumni network,
Access to records on their individual careers related activities (this is all stored in Unifrog)
Engaging in at least 2 meaningful encounters with providers of Apprenticeships and technical qualifications in each key phase (Years 8/9, Years 10/11 and Years 12/13) Examples of these include the Crown Prosecution Service, PwC, The University of Law, The British Army, Aston University Engineering Academy, BMET, Nova Training, Willmott Dixon, The RAF)

Careers programme for each year group

Year 7

Year 7 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons on Careers and Transition Points (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Career Interests, Finance Management, Tax, Salary, National Insurance (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 8
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4, 8
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Optional full Careers Interview with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Year 8

Year 8 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons on Rights and Responsibilities, Employment Rights (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 4
Personal Development lessons on Employability Skills (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Personal Development lessons on Labour Market Information (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Optional full Careers Interview with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8

Year 9

Year 9 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons to introduce Unifrog Careers Platform -give personal Log in Details and complete Careers Research (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Money, Budgeting and Debt (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 8
Personal Development lessons on Personality Types and Quiz, Logging Activities and Skills on Unifrog (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lesson – Meet the Professional (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4, 5
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Optional full Careers Interview with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Fair	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Year 10

Year 10 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons to use Unifrog Careers Platform – to complete Careers Research and continue to log Activities and Skills (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Interview skills (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 8
Personal Development lessons on Writing a CV (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
National Apprenticeships Week	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Group Careers Interviews with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Optional full 1-1 Careers Interview with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Fair	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

Year 11

Year 11 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons to use Unifrog Careers Platform – to complete Careers Research and continue to log Activities and Skills (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Post 16 Choices (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 8
Personal Development lessons on Writing a CV/Personal Statement, Coping with Change – Move to Post 16 study (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
National Apprenticeships Week	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
1-1 Individual Careers Interviews with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Fair	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Sixth Form Taster Day	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
Sixth Form Open Evening	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 7, 8
A Level Choices Assembly	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 4, 7

Year 12

Year 12 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons to use Unifrog Careers Platform (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Post 18 Choices, University Options, Open Days (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 8
Personal Development lessons on Super Curricular, MOOCs, Apprenticeships, LinkedIn (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons to encounter Alumni (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 8
Personal Development lessons on Payslips, Tax, Mortgages, Pensions (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 4
Personal Development lessons to encounter Alumni (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on CV Writing, Personal Statements, Interview Preparation, UCAS Applications (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
National Apprenticeships Week	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2 3, 4, 8
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Optional 1-1 Individual Careers Interviews with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8
Careers Fair	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8
Work Experience	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8

Year 13

Year 13 Careers Programme	Linked Gatsby Benchmark
Personal Development lessons to use Unifrog Careers Platform (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Student Finance, Budgeting, Student Bank Accounts, Bursaries & Scholarships, University Accommodation, Freshers Week (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 8
Personal Development lessons on Apprenticeships, Degrees, Graduate Jobs, Personal Brand, LinkedIn (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on Interviews, MMIs, Assessment Centres (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Personal Development lessons on UCAS Applications: Accepting Offers, Clearing (Life Beyond School Theme)	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Many and varied opportunities to develop careers related understanding, skills and attributes through school Character and Rewards System, subject lessons and Personal Development programme including respect for others, creativity, perseverance, positivity and resilience, integrity, self-presentation and adaptability.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 3, 4, 8
Careers information linked to curriculum within subject lessons.	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
National Careers Week Activities	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
National Apprenticeships Week	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4
Careers Adviser ‘stall’ in the Dining Room every Monday lunchtime	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2 3, 4, 8
Optional 1-1 Individual Careers Interviews with external adviser	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 8
Careers Fair	Gatsby Benchmarks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8

The Careers Programme is designed, developed, delivered and reviewed through collaboration of the following staff:

Mrs M. Lucas – Assistant Headteacher and Careers Leader
Mrs G. McMath – External Careers Adviser
Mrs D. Greenwood – SENDCo
Heads of Year 7-11
Head of Sixth Form

Subject teachers also contribute to the programme through integrating Careers into the delivery of the curriculum in all subjects.

Effectiveness of our Careers Programme is monitored and reviewed regularly:

Student engagement with Unifrog is analysed to review how students are using the platform to explore choices, complete personality questionnaires and draw up shortlists.
Reports are generated in Unifrog to track careers provision for individual students, year groups and whole school.
Career plans from our Careers Adviser are stored on Unifrog and are evaluated to ensure that they are effective in supporting and guiding student choices.
Destinations data is also analysed to ensure provision is effective and to inform planning of the Careers Programme.
The Compass online tool is completed annually to track coverage of all Gatsby Benchmarks.

Information for Students

In your Personal Development lessons and PD Weekly, Careers is the Yellow theme – Life Beyond School.
Please see the Year Group Programmes to see what the Careers which is provided for your year group.
Our Careers Adviser is called Georgie and she works in school every MONDAY. She is available for Careers Interviews each week. If you would like to book a Careers Interview, please Teams message Mrs Lucas (mlu) or contact her by email (mlu@suttcold.bham.sch.uk)
The Careers Adviser is also in the Dining Hub every Monday lunchtime on her stall. Here you can ask her quick questions or about general information about Careers. If you need a full Careers Interview to discuss in more detail, she can also book you one.

Useful Websites

Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/
Sutton Coldfield Grammar School for Girls subscribes to Unifrog and all students in Year 9 and above has access. Unifrog is a unique platform that brings the most up to date information available into a single, impartial and user-friendly platform that helps students to make the best choices and submit excellent applications.

National Careers Service: https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/
A useful careers website which includes job profiles which explain skills required, main tasks, salary details, labour market information, linked subjects and how to get a job.

Career Pilot: https://careerpilot.org.uk/
Very useful information about the jobs market. Contains information about how many people work in each sector and whether the amount of jobs in each one are likely to rise or fall. Also has information on salaries, Apprenticeships and top employers.

iCould: https://icould.com/
Useful videos about a wide range of roles and careers.

UCAS: https://www.ucas.com/
Important website for students who are applying to Higher Education. Also has useful information on Apprenticeships.

Careers Box: https://www.careersbox.co.uk/
A free careers resource which has lots of links to videos of real people doing real jobs.

Amazing Apprenticeships: https://amazingapprenticeships.com/
Very useful website for those who want to find out about Apprenticeship opportunities.

Download this useful guide for further information: ASPIRE GUIDE

What can I do with different subjects?

Information for Parents

Welcome to this section for Parents/Carers. You are likely to have the biggest impact on your child’s ideas about Careers and job roles. Information here will help support you to be positive and supportive as your child progresses through the school Careers Programme. Please refer to the Careers Programme section relevant to your child’s year group so that you know what they will be covering.

Ways to help in your Child’s Career Journey

Gather information about all the different options that are available, they are constantly changing!
Listen to your child’s views and preferences in a supportive way, without being critical
Be open to new ideas and possibilities
Encourage your child to make good use of all the information available to them so that they can explore all the options and pathways on offer
Talk to your child about possible careers they are considering and the reasons why they are interested.
Do not put too big a focus on it too early as this increases pressure and many students change their minds as they mature.
Encourage your child to take an interest in the career choices of adults they come into contact with so they can learn about different experiences and pathways
Go to Open Evenings and events with them
Help them to investigate employers, Apprenticeship providers and courses.
Encourage them to develop their skills through taking part in extra curricular activities in and out of school.
Remember that career choice is a personal decision.

Useful Websites for Parents

The Careers Writers Association: https://www.parentalguidance.org.uk/

This is a website aimed specifically for parents/carers.

Career Alchemy: https://www.careeralchemy.co.uk/job-search.html

A website to find out about a wide range of careers opportunities.

Download this useful guide for lots of helpful information to help you support your child’s career journey: PARENT Guide

Information for Employers or HE Providers

The school Provider Access Policy explains how FE colleges and Apprenticeship providers contact us to arrange to speak to our students about the range of options available to them.

The support of businesses and HE & Apprenticeship providers enhances our careers programme. If you would like to be involved in our programme please contact Mrs M. Lucas (Assistant Headteacher) mlu@suttcold.bham.sch.uk.

Examples of how you can contribute:

Attend our Careers Fair – this normally takes place in the Summer term.
Offer work experience placements for our students.
Offering a visit to your place of work or business.
Offering to come to school and do careers talks.

Useful Website for Employers

The Careers and Enterprise Company: Employers | The Careers and Enterprise Company

This website has lots of information about how you as an employer can contribute and support Career Programme delivery in schools.