Careers

Guide and Overview

At Willow Bank School we strive to achieve the best outcomes for all our learners by giving them the support they need to make well informed, realistic decisions about their future through careers education, information, advice and guidance. We have developed a comprehensive careers programme to engage pupils and foster an interest in planning for their future in the world of work.

We recognise that every student is unique, with their own passions, interests, and aspirations. Our aim is to empower them to discover their individual strengths and interests, and to help them develop the necessary skills to gain meaningful employment or education after school.

Willow Bank School is part of the Liverpool Careers Hub and is committed to working towards the 8 Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Careers Guidance.

We collaborate with Career Connect to support our CEIAG programme. Career Connect is a charity whose mission is to drive social mobility by enabling more people to access and succeed in education, training and employment. Career Connect hold the Matrix Standard and are passionate about providing high quality independent careers advice, bridging the gap to learning and employment and better life changes for young people and adults. http://careerconnect.org.uk/

 

Our Careers Leaders in school are Mrs Laughton (Deputy Head) and Mrs Barton (Director of Learning for Global Futures Curriculum). If you have any queries about careers or progression please contact them via willowbank@sthelens.org.uk

 

Careers Information

Key Stage 2 and Year 7

Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4

Pupil

At Willow Bank School, we have a careers programme in place that ensures that you are well equipped for the future and have the information you need to make realistic and informed decisions about further education, training, and employment.

When you leave school at 16 years old, you are likely to have some or all of the following options available to you depending on your ability, independence and support needs.          

If you want to talk about Careers, you can speak to Mrs Barton or Mrs Laughton and they can book you an appointment with Joanne Patten from Careers Connect for independent advice and guidance.

What are the routes available?

  • Further education - This may be at a college or training provider to study vocational courses like BTECs / T Levels or academic courses like A Levels. 
  • Apprenticeships - An apprenticeship is a way to gain the skills, knowledge and experience you need to get into many careers. They combine work, training, study and you get paid! Apprenticeships are available across a range of areas. Search for apprenticeships on GOV.UK and Be More.
  • Traineeships - Traineeships are usually a 6 month programme made up of extended work experience working towards qualifications. A traineeship will normally lead to an apprenticeship or work. Further information can be found here.
  • Supported internships - Supported Internships are a study programme for learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Learners will have a work placement and complete relevant qualifications alongside their placement. Click here for more information about Liverpool's Supported Internship programme. 

Useful websites:

  • Watch videos about jobs

  • Take this personality Quiz

  • Skills employers want

  • CV Builder

  • CV Writing Guide

  • Be More - Local Youth Hubs provide face-to-face support delivered in partnership with those organisations who have a tried and trusted record of engaging and working with young people, and who also have strong collaborative arrangements in place with partners delivering services that support and benefit young people.

  • WOW Show - The WOW Show is an online channel creating real-life encounters with the world of work to inspire young people about their futures.

  • BBC-Bitesize - Careers Lots of helpful and engaging resources explaining the world of work.

  • Barclays Life Skills - This tool is designed to help you find out what your current skills, interests and personality traits are, then find help to develop them further to support your future.

  • Inspiring the Future - icould.com uses the power of personal stories to inform young people’s career choices

 

Staff

Our commitment to careers:

  • All teachers will link curriculum learning with careers
  • Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subject teachers will highlight the relevance of STEM subjects for a wide range of future career paths
  • By the age of 14, every student will have had the opportunity to learn how the different STEM subjects help people to gain entry to a wide range of careers
  • All subject teachers will emphasise the importance of succeeding in English and Maths

Ideas to engage pupils:

Useful contacts/websites/resources:

 

Parent Carer

What is available to help support my child in the future?

Preparation should start early - long before your child becomes and adult. Since the Raising of the Participation Age, the law states that young people must be in some form of ‘education or training’ until they are 18. This can include:

  • Further education at a local college or training provider to follow a study programme.
  • Apprenticeship - An apprenticeship is a way to gain the skills, knowledge and experience you need to get into many careers. They combine work, training and study, letting you ‘earn while you learn’. Apprenticeships are available across a range of areas. http://www.gov.uk/topic/further-education-skills/apprenticeships 
  • Traineeship - Usually a 6 month programme made up of extended work experience working towards qualifications. A traineeship will normally lead to an apprenticeship or work. http://www.gov.uk/government/collections/traineeships--2
  • Supported Internship - Supported Internships are a study programme for learners with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs). Learners will have a work placement and complete relevant qualifications alongside their placement. See link for more information about Liverpool's Supported Internship programme. http://fsd.liverpool.gov.uk/kb5/liverpool/fsd/results.page?localofferchannel=7-4

As a part of a learners Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan  the Year 9 annual review and every review after that, will include a focus on preparing for adulthood. This means there should be targets in the EHCP that will help your child to achieve steps towards preparing for post-16 options. The EHCP will be updated as your child progresses.

http://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/education-learning/ehc-plans-assessments/what-is-an-ehc-plan/,

http://contact.org.uk/advice-and-support/education-learning/ehc-plans-assessments/annual-reviews/

Local education options:

What Careers education is available to my child in school?

  • All pupils at Willow Bank School receive Careers education in their PSD lessons, they will complete a term on activities about Living in the Wider World and will look at other aspects of adulthood. As a part of the curriculum, pupils are also given the opportunity to complete a BTEC in year 9 in Pre-Vocational Skills.
  • All pupils have access to an independent careers advisor from Careers Connect, Joanne Patten, who will give input to pupils EHCPs, meet with pupils and run workshops with KS3.
  • Pupils are also given the opportunity to engage in Work Experience (in real life and virtually) and opportunities to visit colleges and Higher Education establishments.

Useful websites:

Children and young people with SEND and their families may be entitled to additional financial support. The government offers advice on financial help for children and young people on the Learner Support Helpline (0800 121 8989)

Employer

If you would like to find out how you could support our school and make a difference to a young person's future please get in touch via willowbank@sthelens.org.uk

We welcome support from employers with:

  • Guest speaker talks and presentations
  • Delivery of small parts of curriculum content
  • Workplace visits
  • Hands on workshops
  • Work experience
  • Apprenticeships
  • Representation at careers fairs
  • Mock interviews

Careers Connect Lesson and Videos

English

A series of 10 short video clips - What's the point in careers 

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLD0wMVL4LdtMolkBm4M0NZF5FJlZNrog3

Maths

A short video clip - Careers Powered by Maths

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pd1hDVEfTh4

Science

Two short videos

KS3 What is a Scientist?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUs6af5Iu8g

KS4 Why a Career in Science for me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm2rB29enN4

History

A short video Transferable Skills in History

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TreSPYTgQHg

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Careers Gallery

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