Benchmark Eight case study: St Wilfrid’s RC College
Good Careers Guidance Benchmark Eight: Personal guidance
Every pupil should have opportunities for guidance interviews with a careers adviser, who could be internal (a member of school staff) or external, provided they are trained to an appropriate level.
Secondary benchmarks addressed: One, Two, Five
Aim: To ensure that a comprehensive career package is in place across all year groups.
Careers Leader: Mrs Victoria Cramman ([email protected])
St Wilfrid’s RC College in South Tyneside provides pupils in years 7 to 13 with access to a comprehensive careers guidance package through its partnership with a North East careers company.
The aim of the programme is to ensure that all students are fully informed about their choices at year 9, 11 and 13, with a view to achieving their career goals.
Beginning with a range of creative sessions aimed at helping year 7 and year 8 pupils to learn about different sectors and roles, pupils then receive support with their options choices in year 9, a pre-work experience boot camp in year 10, and one-to-one sessions for pupils in years 10, 11, 12 and 13, focusing on their post-16 plans and applying for university, employment and apprenticeships.
Older students also benefit from sector-specific employer talks and Q&A sessions, while careers fairs and regular classroom-based sessions during PSHE complete the programme.
The programme is developed in consultation with the school’s Careers Leader and Assistant Head teacher and is reviewed every half term, taking into account regular feedback from pupils and teachers, and adapting to meet the changing needs and priorities of the school and its students.
As a result of the partnership with the careers company, which has an L6 qualified adviser, students benefit from expert careers guidance.
Feedback from students and staff indicates that the programme is having a positive impact on students’ career progression, and the school has a very low level of students who are not in employment, education or training at the end of years 11 and 13.
Vital ingredients that would make this activity successful if replicated by others:
- Budget / investment in this provision
- A clear vision of what is required
- Regular review meetings
Possible challenges to consider:
- Continuing / increasing costs
- Increase in pupil numbers and capacity of the careers company
- Staff relying on the external provider and not engaging with careers themselves