Our careers programme aims to develop students’ knowledge of career and education pathways, whilst also learning about the skills they will need to enter them successfully.
School Careers Officer: Ms R Jaipersad
Our careers programme helps each student explore aspirations for their future; and leads on a skills based curriculum which supports a dynamic and experiential careers programme across every year group in the school.
We aim to ensure that all our students are prepared for life after Gumley House, for university and for the world of work. We particularly want to help students develop the skills and knowledge needed for the changing job market which we set out to achieve through giving students a range of opportunities to engage with employers, further education and higher education providers through their time at the school.
We aim to raise aspirations, challenge stereotypes and encourage all pupils to consider a wide range of careers. Through careers education and guidance, we aim to ensure all students make the most of their talents and are fully prepared for the next stages of their education, employment, self-employment or training. Central to this aim is the focus on academic achievement; we firmly believe that all students will be able to access a wider range of careers options with a strong academic grounding, particularly in the core EBacc subjects, if this is the path the students wish to take.
Our aim is to meet all of the Gatsby Benchmarks this academic year to ensure we are providing the best preparations for our students. We use the Gatsby Benchmarks as a guide to plan our Careers & Enrichment programme. As part of our commitment to informing our students of the full range of learning and training pathways on offer to them, we are happy to consider requests from training, apprenticeship and vocational providers to speak to students. A detailed overview of each of the Gatsby Benchmarks can be found here: http://www.goodcareerguidance.org.uk/
Our aims, therefore are:
- To ensure outcomes for all pupils are exceptionally high.
- To provide high quality, impartial careers guidance that helps pupils to make informed choices about which courses suit their academic needs and aspirations.
- To ensure pupils are prepared for the next stage of their education, employment, self-employment or training.
- To allow pupils to understand how their education equips them with the behaviours and attitudes necessary for success in their next stage of education, training or employment and for their adult life.
In particular we intend our pupils to:
- Develop a broad understanding of the world of work and an ability to respond to changing opportunities.
- Develop independent research skills so that they can make good use of information and guidance.
- Develop and use their self-knowledge when thinking about and making choices.
- Develop the skills they need to review achievements, plan future actions, make decisions, present themselves well and cope with change and transition.
Access Career Map Magazine
Gumley House Careers Policy 2022-2023
As part of our Careers Provision, we ensure that there is an opportunity for a range of education and training providers to access all pupils in Year 8 to Year 13 for the purpose of informing them about qualifications and apprenticeships (including technical education qualifications). We have a comprehensive programme of careers education, advice and guidance which is threaded throughout the life of the school. This programme is delivered in a wide variety of ways: in assemblies, in subject specific lessons, PSHCE dropdown days, visitors to the school sharing their career experiences as part of their talk (eg. author visits and special events like the dedicated Careers events for year 9 and year 12 students). Staff receive training on Careers in the Curriculum and are encouraged to share their world of work experiences with the students.
Measuring the Impact of our Careers Programme
We use a service called Compass+ which is a tool from The Careers & Enterprise Company which will help us benchmark, manage, track and report on our careers programme. Additionally, our CEIAG Careers Strategy is reviewed by an external business (Lloyds of London) as well as the local Careers Cluster for quality assurance and relevance.
Years 8 and 9
Students are introduced to our careers advice and guidance service in Year 8. We run an Introductory Careers Workshop which includes interactive activities on making good choices and the chance to explore “facts and fiction” about a range of careers – especially as they predominately relate to girls. Students then work in small groups to consider the impact of choosing the right options linked with potential career opportunities.
“Learning about the different paths you can take and being introduced to new options was most helpful.”
“Talking to the careers adviser has given me an insight into what I can do.”
Year 9 students
We know that choosing the right qualification options is the first big decision a Gumley girl has to make about her education. We offer clear, relevant and up-to-date information alongside some “myth busting” about qualification choices. A key part of the process is helping students recognise their unique skills and abilities, how to access and make the best use of important information and the choices open to them.
They attend an impartial qualification Options Workshop which is delivered to each tutor group where they receive advice and guidance. Students are encouraged to visit the careers library with any queries or concerns, and they know that no question is considered “too silly” or “too unimportant” to ask.
Year 10
During Year 10 we offer on-going support and guidance as students begin to think about education and training pathways after Year 11, post qualifications. They have ‘Careers Days’ where representatives from various employments come and speak to them about how to succeed and gain essential experience.
Year 11
“Thank you for making me an appointment and helping me think about what I want to do.”
“Thanks so much for helping me with my application. I really hope I get a place.”
Year 11 students
The careers programme offered during Year 11 provides maximum support for students at this vital stage in their education. We ensure that every student recognises their unique set of skills and abilities and has a full understanding of the range of options open to them – making sure they make the best decision about further education or training.
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All Year 11 students attend an impartial talk for the whole year group which covers the full range of options after their GCSE, different qualifications and progression routes. Emphasis is on understanding crucial information, how it relates to individual interests, skills and aspirations and preparation for the application and interviewing process.
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Additional support is provided through either a one-to-one or small group interview. Informal drop-in sessions are offered during lunch times and cover topics which include: ‘How to choose your Sixth Form Courses’ and ‘Understanding Apprenticeships’.
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Depending on individual needs, help can be provided with application forms, interview practice and following-up school/college places, if appropriate.
The Careers Department is proud of its contribution to Gumley’s record that every Year 11 student from the past few years has gone on to do what they have chosen to do – either onwards into full-time education at 6th form or college, or into training and employment.
Sixth Form
“I had an absolutely wonderful time at this all-day conference, it was brilliant! It definitely gave me a deep yet clear insight into the profession and made me reconsider becoming a barrister”.
Year 13 student
The post-18 environment is changing rapidly – whether young people are considering university, employment or apprenticeships. During the two years of Sixth Form students are making important decisions about their future which can cause some students to feel anxious - we aim to make this process as stress free as possible.
Throughout Years 12 & 13 the Department provides:
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Information on all post-18 options – and ways to find out more through seminars, taster days and university and employer visits
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Research, support and advice, mock interviews and help with applications
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1 to 1 interviews and guidance;
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Advice on work experience and how best to use the “Gumley University” option.
We also arrange external speakers – covering apprenticeship and professional options to volunteering and information on universities. For some years now Gumley has built a close link with the Widening Participation Manager of Imperial College, London, who visits the school to talk on “Why go to University” and “How to write an excellent personal statement”.
Contact
Ms R. Jaipersad
Assistant Headteacher
Gumley House School FCJ,
St. John's Road, Isleworth, TW7 6XF
020 8568 8692
rjaipersad@gumleyhouse.com