Introduction

This information is designed to inform young people and their parents/carers about the careers programme here at Queensbury School, including New Horizons, and their entitlement.

Key people

My name is Mrs Seager and I am the Careers Leader for Queensbury School.

I am responsible for the delivery of the school’s programme of career advice and guidance. I have an overview of the school’s careers provision and help to make sure that the school meets the eight Gatsby Benchmarks. It involves planning, implementing and quality assuring the careers programme for the school; managing the delivery of career guidance; networking with external partners, including employers; coordinating the contributions of careers teachers, subject teachers, tutors and SENCO.

My name is Andy Mitchell and I am the Careers Advisor for the Education Impact Academy MAT (Multi Academy Trust), along with my colleague, Jackie Hopkins. I currently work at Queensbury, New Horizons and Mayfield School.

My main role is the one-to-one career interviews with all Year 10 and Year 13 students. I also support these year groups in their EHCP annual reviews from a destination perspective. I am happy to have additional meetings with students and parents/carers when and as needed. I hold a Level 6 Careers Guidance and Development qualification.

I assist Jess wherever possible in delivering the careers programme and sharing best practice across the MAT.

I help with college visits, visitors (sixth-form, college, apprenticeships, training providers) coming into school (PAL), work experience, onward progression and anything career or work related.

You can contact me in the following ways; by telephone on 0121 373 5731 extension 31534 or by email at a.mitchell@educationimpact.org.uk or I am happy to meet people in person at pre-arranged appointments.

Mr Kearns – Mr Kearns is responsible for Key Stage 3, that’s Years 7, 8 and 9. He makes sure the curriculum including Personal Development, which includes careers is delivered to all students.

Ms Watkins is responsible for Key Stage 4, that’s Year 10 and Year 11, she makes sure the curriculum including Personal Development, which includes careers is delivered to all students. Year 10 students get a 1:1 career interview from a Level 6 qualified careers advisor to help explore their career and transition ideas.

Mrs Adnan – Ms Adnan is responsible for Key Stage 5 which is our Sixth Form based at New Horizons, away from the main site, covering Years 12, 13 and 14. She makes sure the Skills Builder curriculum including Life Skills, Personal Development, Preparing for Adulthood, including careers is delivered to all students. She also oversees community access and college access courses. Year 13 students all receive a 1:1 career interview from a Level 6 qualified careers advisor to help explore their career and transition ideas. As well as being welcomed to the Queensbury fair, New Horizons have their own Future Options Careers Fair which is on during the school day to allow students to interect with external colleges, training and apprenticeship providers.

Mrs Richards – Ms Richards is our Independent Travel Trainer. She can help by making sure students, when they are ready, can travel on their own to school, work placements or colleges.

Queensbury School has students with a wide range of abilities and all make progress at different speeds. The following is a broad overview of the entitlement to all our students when they are ready.

To meet employers and providers at our annual Future Options evening at Queensbury in October and New Horizons in June (or at our sister schools throughout the year). Attended by a range of mainstream and specialist colleges, sixth-forms, employers and apprenticeship and training providers.

To hear from a range of local and national employers and providers about the opportunities they offer, including technical education and apprenticeships – through options evenings, assemblies and group discussions, employability days, workplace visits, taster events and larger scale events, such as job fairs and the NSCL event at the NEC.

To find out about technical education qualifications and apprenticeships opportunities, as part of a careers programme which provides information on the full range of education and training options available at each transition point.

To understand how to make applications for the full range of academic, apprenticeship, and technical courses. To assist in making applications for voluntary, part or full-time work.

Key Stage 3

For many of our Key Stage 3 students, thinking about careers is not their first thought. However, many lessons include references to real life and work situations.

As well as the annual Future Options Career Fair there is Careers Week linking subject areas or skills taught through the different subject to jobs and careers. Staff will talk about jobs they have had and the skills they have needed and learnt. Guest speakers visit school to talk about their jobs.

STEM day is always popular and alongside a STEM project, students explore career opportunities in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

Students have dedicated Personal Development lessons and Careers and Aspirations is a complete module covering Career Pathways, Aspirations, Work Experience and Future Options.

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4 is when students start to really consider their next moves and careers. Students’ academic studies are complimented with a range of programmes, activities, Life and Social Skills. All students will take part in Skills Builder employability days or similar, as well as Careers Week, STEM day and the Future Options Career Fair.

Year 10

In Year 10 (and continuing in to Year 11) students study for WJEC Entry Pathways Independent Living course. Units include Being involved with the Community and Learning about workplaces.

In mainstream schools, Year 10 is traditionally when students go on work experience. This is possible at Queensbury if students feel they are ready. Just like a mainstream school, students must try to find their own placement and arrange transport.

Students study practical subjects like Art, CDE or Food Studies. Within the qualification, units include looking at careers in the respective industries while also equipping students with the practical skills they need. Workplace trips linked to the above subjects are often arranged.

The Year 10 and 11 nurture groups study WJEC Personal Progress entry 1. Units include Developing communication skills, what money is used for, Health and safety and Developing skills for the workplace – Health and safety.

Year 10 students also get a careers interview from a Level 6 qualified careers advisor to help explore their career and transition ideas. The subsequent report can be used to inform ideas and then be sent with SENAR preference forms.

Year 11

Year 11 is a transition year and students are helped where needed to be ready for their next step.

Mr Mitchell is on hand throughout the year to help with advice and guidance regarding progression. He can also help with applications to providers in writing and online.

Taster days at colleges and other providers can be arranged. Students are encouraged to attend open events, days and evenings at as many providers as possible. Where this isn’t possible, Queensbury arranges bespoke visits to colleges, campuses and courses of specific interest.

All Year 11 students are supported throughout the year by their class staff to make sure they and their families have the information they need and are aware of and meet deadlines for preference forms and Post-16 provider applications. Class staff liaise very closely with the careers team if they feel students and their families need additional support.

Key Stage 5 – Sixth Form

Students in New Horizons Sixth Form study the Skills Builder foundation course. Relating to careers, the course units cover applying for jobs and courses, living in diverse societies, exploring different workplaces, interview preparation, completing application forms, building career portfolios, CV’s and the skills and qualities required in the world of work.

Community access – travelling to and from destinations, buying goods and using money and generally communicating with the public. As part of community access students will visit a local Job Centre to find out more about the labour market.

College links – new for 2023. Closer links with a local SEND college, taking a targeted group of students for a day a week. This will include traveling to and getting used to college life. Students work with college tutors at college and in various workplaces, such as Redditch Football Club.

Work experience is actively encouraged through Sixth Form. Both school and students find opportunities at a wide range of organisations. Students take part as individuals, pairs, small groups and occasionally as a whole class. The school now has internal opportunities such dining hall preparation and site cleanse. It is hoped that other opportunities such as a shop and online enterprise will also be started.

Traineeships programme – The programme is aimed at learners in Year 14 (Year 13 in exceptional cases) who are keen to improve their employability skills and aspire to move on to apprenticeships. Each week, students spend a day in college working towards an employability qualification, a day in school to improve literacy and numeracy qualifications and 2 days in the workplace. On their work placements, the learners are supported by Job Coaches who support them in their progress towards independence in their job tasks. The Trainees’ work placements are matched against their aspirations and they complete work related training courses such as First Aid at Work and Manual Handling.

Taster Days – students are encouraged to take part in college taster days arranged by Queensbury or other colleges or providers.

Year 13 students get a careers interview from a Level 6 qualified careers advisor to help explore their career and transition ideas. The subsequent report can be used to inform ideas and then be sent with SENAR preference forms.

All students are welcome to attend the annual Future Options evening. Colleges, training providers, employers and other organisations are available for students and parents to find out more about what they offer. Students and parents can find out about college courses, apprenticeships, traineeships and employment opportunities.

Throughout the academic year and across all year groups when offered, arranged or available Queensbury look to bring in or visit as many employers, colleges or providers as possible. These contacts are both directly and indirectly linked to careers.

For providers, our provider access policy can be found here.